How Did you Know?

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

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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....

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.

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

Well, here's my story...

First of all, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 6. I started playing the violin when I was 8, so after having multiple people tell me, "If you work at it, you could get into one of the best music schools in the country...", I initially wanted to be a concert violinist. So I got to middle school, and along with having some serious issues with being diabetically "in denial", along with the fact that I was seriously beginning to doubt that I had the determination to make it through 4 years of intense music school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Then, I met my diabetes educator (a nurse practitioner) who also has diabetes. I had NEVER considered being anywhere in the medical field (I was rather sick of it, actually), but she has inspired me so much, and I figured, "You know, if she has diabetes, too, and she can help her patients out so much...if by having diabetes, I could help even one person so much..."

So, I'm 20 now - 14 "diabetes-years" later, and 12 violin years later (I still play, just changed "majors", so to speak!), I've finished all of my pre-reqs and will be starting nursing school this coming fall...and of course, later working to get certified in diabetes education!