How do I know if nursing is for me

Published

I am currently taking my pre-reqs in nursing and I'm not sure if I should continue because I don't know if it's for me. How would I be able to know if nursing is something I would enjoy. Yes, I volunteered at the hospital and it was no help. What else can I do? Nurses that hate nursing why do you and nurses that love nursing why do you love it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When you volunteered in the hospital, what exactly did you do? I volunteered for a semester at the hospital on my campus and as you said it did nothing to really give me experience, BUT it did allow me to network with nurses there so I was able to converse with them and ask them tons of questions. I've worked as a scribe for over a year now and even though I don't directly work with the nurses, I still interact with them and observe what they do, so even though I don't really get to do much hands on work, I'm still learning valuable information that I can take with me while doing clinicals in nursing.

Have you ever shadowed a nurse? Have you ever considered being a CNA? Those are really the only suggestions I can think of to help you figure out if nursing is really for you. From what I've read/observed/experienced, most nurses who don't enjoy nursing either: went into it for the wrong reasons (it wasn't their passion), don't like the politics of nursing (or something of that nature), or maybe they don't like the way that they're treated.

I'm not sure when you planned on applying, but you should definitely go shadow a nurse or two and maybe try to get a different volunteer position or a job in a clinical setting.

I hope this helped! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Perhaps if you're questioning it then you aren't really into it. I've found in this forum you either have the passion for it or you don't. Like any job, if there isn't the passion then you're working every day of your life. Get the reference? Find a job you'll love and you'll never work a day in your life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi

You should know nursing is for you if you have a passion for helping people. If you have the desire to enlighten others and get them back to life, then nursing is for you. I go to Goodwin college and am in my 1st semester of pre-req's for nursing and I'm confident that nursing is what I want to do because a situation happened to me in which nurses helped me;I want to be one of those people who help others because I know how special they are. You should stick with the nursing track if you enjoy helping othes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing-Anesthesia.

I was 30 when I started my acclerated BSN. 2nd degree student. I was kicking myself for the longest time to get my tail in gear. However, I am ever so thankful that I waited because I was just too immature in my 20's to handle a major responsibility like being a nurse. Definitely going back soon again:) Life-long learner. I had a woman over 60 years old in my class too. So happy for her!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I was 30 when I started my acclerated BSN. 2nd degree student. I was kicking myself for the longest time to get my tail in gear. However, I am ever so thankful that I waited because I was just too immature in my 20's to handle a major responsibility like being a nurse. Definitely going back soon again:) Life-long learner. I had a woman over 60 years old in my class too. So happy for her!

How long does an accelerated bachelors in nursing take?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing-Anesthesia.
How long does an accelerated bachelors in nursing take?

Ahh this site is really ticking me off. It's being so difficult to edit posts and apparently it costs you an arm and leg to delete a post unless I'm missing somthing. I posted this comment in a dfferent thread and it posted here for some reason. Anyhow, to answer your question, it took me 12 months from start to finish (BSN).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Accelerated BSN programs are for people who already have a bachelor's degree. Based on OP's information, that does not seem to be the case in this instance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Accelerated BSN programs are for people who already have a bachelor's degree. Based on OP's information, that does not seem to be the case in this instance.
Yes I know that, but a few nurses on here have been saying that in 2017 everyone will need a Bachelors in nursing. Is an accelerated BSN program an equivalent to having a Bachelors in nursing or an associates?
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Ahh this site is really ticking me off. It's being so difficult to edit posts and apparently it costs you an arm and leg to delete a post unless I'm missing somthing. I posted this comment in a dfferent thread and it posted here for some reason. Anyhow, to answer your question, it took me 12 months from start to finish (BSN).
:) I do this all the time if I have too many windows open. You can always report a post by using the yellow triangle in the bottom left hand corner of a post and request your post be deleted or moved.... a year membership for the premium membership is only $30.00....all members can edit posts for a limited amount of time like 10 mins (don't hold me to the number I need to double check). Only admin staff can delete posts.

If you have questions you can post them at the help desk which has links on the bottom of every page.

I hope this helps...now back to the thread...:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yes I know that, but a few nurses on here have been saying that in 2017 everyone will need a Bachelors in nursing. Is an accelerated BSN program an equivalent to having a Bachelors in nursing or an associates?
Ahhh...the BSN in 10. Nursing has been on an identity crisis for the last 40 years about the multiple level entry into practice. This is not law and while there are many who are pushing for this all nurses who are nurses already will be grandfathered in...what the hospitals require is a different matter all together.

Right now there is NO NURSING SHORTAGE. with the surplus of nursing graduates many facilities are hiring BSN grads predominantly...it is their choice. So in some areas of the country BSN grads are given precedence in the hiring process. I see this continuing as we go forward.

Right now there are a few entry programs into nursing.

Diploma grad: This is a hospital based program and traditionally how nurses were trained. These programs are very limited now due to the high demand for college based educations as entry level. It takes 3 years to be eligible to sit for exams.

Associate degree: This is a "two year" program usually community college based that actually takes 3 years due to one year of prerequisites required courses needed to pass the TEAS entrance exam.

BSN: This is a university based program that once admitted takes 4 years. This is becoming the gold standard in many areas of the country with hiring preference by facilities. Admission to any nursing program is very competitive these days and require a high GPA

Accelerated BSN: These program are typically 2 years AFTER you already have a Bachelors in another area and AFTER finishing your science prerequisites which can take about a year.

I think nurses that hate nursing may not have gone into nursing for the right reasons. Nursing is very hard. You are responsible for everything and yet have very little control. Many nurses are just plain tired of the treatment by administrations add the bureaucracy that accompanies that yet they love their patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion