How do I know?

Most days, for me, it is worth it. When I feel like I am able to take care of my patients they way I want to. Sometimes we are too busy for that, and I hate those days. But, when patients truely appreciate what you do for them, it is great.

I can remember worring about the poop. I started as a tech before school to see if I could handle it. I can still remember the first time my nurse manager said "come on jess, lets go clean 203". I was scared to death that I would throw up. But, then we walked in the room and the realiziation hit me that this woman was LAYING in it. Had no power of her own to get out of it. I was her way to fix it, and at that moment I didn't care about the smell or how unpleasent it was for me. I was too concerned with getting it off her. And I've felt that way ever since.

So, maybe try some tech work. Pay is crap, but you learn a lot if you are in the right facility.

I am always amazed at people who tell me " Oh I couldnt be a nurse because I could not see all that blood and gore every day". OK I dont work in surgery, so I hardly see any blood. Unless I have a messy IV start. Really poop to me is such a small part of my job I honestly cant put a % on how much i have to deal with, maybe I am simply getting immune to it!

As far as school goes, yes it is hard, I really think we should get more of an associated or bachelors behind our names, because I could have my bachelors in another field and it would have be way easier than nursing! I cringe when people say "Oh you only have your associates" ya do you know how hard that was???

School is doable though, and very satisfying to complete it, the sense of pride you will have when you pass your boards is something no one can put a price on. Once you begin working you will feel so good about yourself and the difference you are making in peoples lives who need help. It is a very rewarding career.

I was torn on if I wanted to become a nurse or not, so the summer before school started I took a job as a CNA at a nursing home, before I jumped feet 1st into school I wanted to make sure this was in fact the job I wanted. CNA work is hard, and the pay is terrible, but it showed me 1st hand what nursing is all about and that was priceless experience.

Best of luck in what ever path you take.

I worked in the ER for a long time and loved it. I now work in the IV Therapy Dept. and I love it even more. I get to know my patient on a level I never did in the ER. Most of my patients are cancer patients and it is so rewarding to know that I can make their lives a little easier. You will go home tired in most nursing jobs, but I think most people go home tired after a long day at work. Nursing is a very giving profession and it will definately touch you in ways you can never imagine. The only way to know if nursing is right for you is to do it, and nursing school will not give you a true idea of what nursing is really about. You have to actually experience it. Most nurses have families and managed to juggle school and their job after they graduate. It won't be easy but it is worth it. Good luck!

Do you see yourself as a good pack mate? You know.. pecking orders and politics, or are you a lone wolf? Something to think about because it's everything. You can be the best and the brightest but, if your not part of the herd... the very best to ya. It's not a meritocracy.

Thanks to Daytonite for the following information.

Great links in helping you to decide if nursing is the career for you.

http://www.learnandbecome.com/nursing_career_quiz/1/ - a quiz to take to find out if nursing is the right career for you

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/45263.html - "Ten Questions to Ask Yourself" about any career and if it might be right for you

You also need to learn as much about the profession of nursing that you can. There are several websites that were set up to do just this:

http://www.discovernursing.com/

http://www.choosenursing.com/

http://www.gem-nursing.org/

These are information pages from the U.S. Department of Labor on what an RN and LPN do:

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm - about Registered Nursing

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm - about LPN nursing

And, finally, here is an official listing of the RN and LPN schools in your state. Find the ones close to you and contact them for information about their nursing programs. Most of them should have websites where you can also get information.

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3143&q=388916 - LPN programs

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3143&q=388918 - RN programs

It is hard to tell. I'm only in my first year as a nurse. What I can tell you is this: watching your patients recover with your help is an amazing feeling. What I can also tell you is watching a patient's condition fail or worse watching them stagnate in a coma can be very painful. Everyone attracted to nursing wants that perfect outcome, and in nursing you have to accept that you won't always get that. Working in that reality is different and more taxing than I could have imagined. With that said I focus on what positive outcomes I've been a part of and take pride in the delicate care I give to those that won't have those positive outcomes. I hope this makes sense (I'm writing this after a 13 hour shift!).

Like everyone else mentioned either take a job as a nurse's aide or perhaps ask to shadow a nurse. If you don't like one specialty shadow in another to see where you think you might fit.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision.