How can I figure out if nursing is right for me?

ShouldIBeNurse,

Hope you are well on your way to making  a career change. It seems that you have given the field a significant amount of time and energy. Like others have said at a certain point you have to make a decision. There are no guarantees in life. 

I think you should read up on a CNA's scope of practice. As a CNA you do not have the right to educate patients on their medical dx, tx, and etc. If a patient happens to know of a research study and believes it is relevant to their dx/tx they will be discussing that with the doctor/NP/PA, not a CNA. As an engineer, I assume that you are well read in research, however, your opinion on the research a patient presents (whether you are correct or not) is not needed, nor is it valued over the patient or even in general. This is because reading/interpreting research is not a CNA's job.  If a patient doesn't want to vaccinate their child ( which is horrible, I know!) they will be discussing that with the healthcare provider not the CNA. If a patient is refusing life-saving care for personal/religious/etc reasons they will be discussing that with their healthcare providers not the CNA. 

Nurse.org shows a list of the job responsibilities of a CNA. As a CNA your job is to assist the nurse in anyway that they need. CNA's that work hard and are good at their job are wonderful assets to a healthcare team. However, it is a physically demanding job so make sure you are in good health. 

Based off your information you have given pursuing a CNA program a lot of  thought. At this point you either have to pursue it or move on to another career that you feel you are better suited. 

I wish you the best in your pursuit! And I hope this information was useful  

 

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Edited Aug 30, 2019 by ShouldIBeNurse

1 hour ago, VwBee89 said:

Based off your information you have given pursuing a CNA program a lot of  thought. At this point you either have to pursue it or move on to another career that you feel you are better suited. 

I wasn't planning on being a CNA as a long term profession, only as a stepping stone to becoming an RN. I'm giving nursing school a lot of thought. 

1 hour ago, ShouldIBeNurse said:

I wasn't planning on being a CNA as a long term profession, only as a stepping stone to becoming an RN. I'm giving nursing school a lot of thought. 

It's a stepping stone for many. It's a start. It would help in decision making for long term. 

Edited Aug 30, 2019 by BeatsPerMinute

I probably have ADHD too (I'm mid-career, and they didn't diagnose quiet, non-disruptive ADHD people in the 80s and I've just learned to deal with it). Also have a REALLY hard time hearing in group settings or processing what someone says when they don't speak super articulately, and it's gotten worse as I get older. I think in school this is a temporary thing, and if you have the tools to have some self discipline, online classes can be much better because you can control your environment. BUT on the floor, it can be noisy with lots of people talking and machines going off etc. I am hoping to not have to do inpatient nursing etc. because of the hearing and noise thing but it might come up. Good luck!