How Did you Know?

ibmaryann · May 2, 2006

I am a Pre-Nursing student which means that I am just finishing the pre-req. for nursing. I will tell you what one of my teachers said. One thing people don't seem to understand is that you will be seeing people when they are sick and really at their worst. You will more than likely at some time be cleaning up their poop or worse. It really can't just be about the money I don't believe. I feel like this is what I should have been doing all along but have been running from it. I guess you never know if it is for you till you really get into it. (Then it's to late:o )

God Bless,

Mary Ann

Angel 3 · May 2, 2006

I am a pre-nursing student finishing up my pre-req's to apply for nursing school. I got my BBA when I was 21, but was never satisfied with where that career was taking me. I orginally went to school with Nursing as my major, but wasn't confident enough in myself to see me making it, so I changed my major. So here I am 4 years later after I graduate from school it is like I'm starting all over again. In my heart it's like I have known this is what I'm supposed to do, I just didn't believe in myself enough, and didn't want to work for it like I do know. I say that if you are happy in your career now, but are having strong feelings for persuing a nursing career then go for it. There is some reason you are looking into it. And if worst comes to worst, you still have your other degree to fall back on. That's the way I look at it. Life is all about taking chances. I say go for it, but you will have to work really hard if you truely want it bad enough. Best of Luck in whatever you do!!!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 2, 2006

Nothing in this life is ever for sure, is it? In high school I jokingly said I thought I might want to be a nurse. I actually went into accounting because I liked math. I hated accounting work. In the meantime, my mother went to LPN school and started working in ICU. She would come home and talk about her adventures in the ICU. It was wild! I was still working as an account clerk in offices and hating all the gossip and stupid conversation that went on day after day. I felt like I was doing nothing with my life. I started thinking about medical school, decided it was too expensive (and long), and decided to just go to nursing school. I started out by taking a class here and a class there, part time, evenings, while I was still working as an account clerk. After I took anatomy that was it. I knew I wanted to get into nursing. I quit my job and concentrated on school. I was 24 at the time. I was nervous all the time and worried that maybe it wasn't the way to go. I was scared to death I'd accidentally kill someone. However, from the very first patient I knew I liked it much better than sitting in an office. I've always felt that I was doing something to help others. The funny thing is that you never know just how much of an impact you may have on a person's life, but you will make an impact nonetheless--many times. Even if you find that clinical nursing isn't your cup of tea, there are other things you can do with a nursing degree. Hospital RNs are highly organized and make very competent managers and supervisors in other professions as well. Recently, because of back problems I have been working on a degree in Health Information Management. My nursing background has been a real asset and, I've found, highly treasured since I have clinical experience to help me understand all those computer codes for the clinical procedures.

cheyne stokes · May 2, 2006

Hi Nathan,

Here's my story. I graduated a few years ago with a BS in Biology, I always focused my studies on the human body, why things go right or wrong depending on what we eat, what we are exposed to, what we do, and how we think about ourselves and our communities. Took a few years off to raise my son, now I am entering nursing school because this is the way I feel I can directly affect the health of people, hopefully in a positive way. I definately plan on going on to be a NP.

The book "What Should I Do With My Life" is a fun read, it has many many stories in it by people at the point in their lives that I think you are at now. Maybe it can offer you some valuable experiences and perspectives.

Best wishes.

stpauligirl · May 2, 2006

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site and thought this would be a great place to try and seek out some feedback.
I have been thinking about my career lately and about a month ago started really looking into the possibility of a nursing career. My question is how did you know this is what you were supposed to do for a career? I will be honest, I have a very good job with good benefits and I would be giving it all up. I'm nervous about doing this because what if it turns out I become involved and realize nursing was a bad idea? I already have a degree so I would be going for an accelerated BSN.
Any insight, thoughts, opinions, or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Nathan

I spent a great deal in the hospital as a patient and had 5 surgeries in the course of 18 months a couple of years ago. It was my home away from home.

The nurses and doctors became my "best friends" I had good and not so good experiences and it inspired me to become a nurse. I've always been interested in medicine but never thought I'd desire to become a nurse some day....now that I feel better I am taking pre-requisite courses and should be ready to apply to nursing school within the next year.

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · May 2, 2006

I was born with a cleft palate (but not lip, thankfully) so I have been in and out of hospitals my whole life. It was the nurses who took care of me and comforted my mom. Then, my mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was a teenager. I watched her go in and out of nursing homes and the hospital. I knew I wanted to be one of those wonderful people who took care of the sick, comforted them, held their hands when they were scared, and seemed to know more about their patient than the doctor did. I've always wanted to help people, and now I have found a way that maybe I can make a difference.

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · May 2, 2006

As a child I always wanted to be a nurse. When I graduated from high school I went away to the stricted Baptist college on earth, and picked a 2 year degree which I didn't finish. Fast forward to last summer when I decided that I needed a degree of some sort to get anywhere in life. I enrolled for fall classes and thought that I would go for speech pathology because it interested me. For the past 9 months I wasn't happy with my chosen major and I was still taking just pre-req's. I did a lot of soul searching and decided that nursing was still on my mind. I am no longer fighting the inner demons about what I want to be when I grow up.

natron20 · May 3, 2006

Thanks to everyone for sharing.

I am looking into nursing because even though I do have a good job it is not fulfilling for me. I want to know I actually help people. That I make a difference for someone.

I'm scared to death though. If I make a mistake in my job right now the worst that can happen is some computer programs screw up and some files have to be replaced so I can start over. If a nurse makes a mistake the consequences are far more drastic. I'm scared I'm not mentally capable of becoming a nurse. I've never been accused of being the smartest cat on the block anyway. My undergrad GPA is only a 3.4 and I had very little science courses. I need two more classes to have all pre reqs. I made B's in A and P which I'm afraid is not good enough. I'm scared I do not have the "stomach" for some of the rougher sites and chores of nursing. I hope this is completely mental and something I can control but I just do not know until that time comes.

Having said all of that it does not change the fact I want to make a difference. I want to help. I want to be a reason people can say they've "had a good day". I am about 99% sure this is what I want to do. Now I'm scared I have finally found what my calling in life is but I won't be able to get into a program. Geez, this is crazy.

Thanks again to everyone.

Nathan

stpauligirl · May 3, 2006

Thanks to everyone for sharing.
I am looking into nursing because even though I do have a good job it is not fulfilling for me. I want to know I actually help people. That I make a difference for someone.
I'm scared to death though. If I make a mistake in my job right now the worst that can happen is some computer programs screw up and some files have to be replaced so I can start over. If a nurse makes a mistake the consequences are far more drastic. I'm scared I'm not mentally capable of becoming a nurse. I've never been accused of being the smartest cat on the block anyway. My undergrad GPA is only a 3.4 and I had very little science courses. I need two more classes to have all pre reqs. I made B's in A and P which I'm afraid is not good enough. I'm scared I do not have the "stomach" for some of the rougher sites and chores of nursing. I hope this is completely mental and something I can control but I just do not know until that time comes.
Having said all of that it does not change the fact I want to make a difference. I want to help. I want to be a reason people can say they've "had a good day". I am about 99% sure this is what I want to do. Now I'm scared I have finally found what my calling in life is but I won't be able to get into a program. Geez, this is crazy.
Thanks again to everyone.
Nathan

I had the opportunity to talk to an astronaut this last Saturday at our local museum...he had lots of odds against him when he initially applied to the astronaut program...he was older and taller than others, he was also not an Air Force/ Navy pilot like most. He was finally picked up after 4 rejections. One thing that I will remember is that he said not to give up and keep trying....this is America and with hard work anybody can succeed and realize their dreams....anyway it was very uplifting because I also get quite scared to think that I may not be accepted and never become a nurse. I have lots of odds aganst me, one is my age. I have always struggled with math and these classes are not easy for me and I really have to work for my grades.

English is also my second language and I didn't grow up in this culture. The stress is on, that's for sure. We just have to think positive and stay hopeful and try to get the highest grades possible in these classes to stay competitive. And pray....

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 3, 2006

Nathan. . .well, nursing is certainly fullfilling. It is a profession where you are helping people. But, I think you should know that some patients won't be able to say they've "had a good day". That is sometimes hard for some people who go into nursing to take. Working with very sick people in the hospital can be very depressing for some people because all around there is illness and tragedy. Not everyone is going to get well. Many patients are on a downward spiral toward the end and some are just learning they have incurable conditions while others are getting well. However, there are other areas of nursing where the patients are happier. A lot of nursing school challenges your own beliefs about what is important in life. Watch programs on TLC like "Life in the ER" and "Stories from the ER". Those very closely parallel the kinds of worst case patients that come into healthcare givers lives. Even then, most of us can count on our fingers the few really memorable negative patients who we've come into contact with. I think that to work in hospitals nurses need to have a strong work ethic. The work there is constant and never ending, it seems. I hardly ever took any kind of regular breaks. Yet, I loved it. I loved the challenge of getting through a shift where we might be working short a nurse or having two very bad patients circling the drain at the same time. If you can see yourself taking on those kinds of challenges--you're on the right track. Go for it.

HeavenBound0530 · May 3, 2006

Here's my story on how i knew i was to be a nurse. My grandmother and my grandfather (two different sides of the family) are both ill. My grandmother acutally passed away but that's besides the fact. I was always interested in what the nurses and doctors were saying and I knew i was meant to be in the medical field (I'm a science geek). When I found nursing i was like "this is it!!" and now I'm done with my pre-reqs and I'm very excited to start in the fall. I know this is what i want to do with my life and I know it will be very rewarding expecially since I want to to pediatrics and the families there I've heard are usually always nice with the nurses and such. Yeah, the money is nice, but helping the patient is the most rewarding part. And also, you have to realize that your going to be touching people in personal places that you normally never would, bathing them and cleaning up after them (poop and such), if you don't think you can handle this then your going into the wrong career in my opinion.