How do you know if you're cut out to be a nurse??

86toronado, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2010

Patience, the ability to think on your feet, and a thick skin are a few character traits that come to mind... I think a lot of different types of people can be good nurses, though. My best advice if you're unsure is to get your feet wet. Try volunteering, or working part time in a hospital environment and observe what the nurses do. That's what I did, and I realized that I would (and do) love being a nurse!

mustlovepoodles, RN · Feb 18, 2010

Tenacity and critical thinking skills. You have to be able to think outside the box and anticipate what can go wrong so you can head it off at the pass. You can't get your feelings hurt easily and you must be willing to roll up your sleeves and get a little poop on ya. :nurse:

caffeineRx · Feb 18, 2010

if you have the grades and pass the exams lol!

but in all seriousness, besides that, i would say you should have some kind of passion for the field. you should genuinely enjoy caring for people and not be anti-icky, as there will be lots of gross bodily fluids,etc. :)

do not confuse the "thick skin" comments for being a rug! too many, in the nursing field, seem to feel they need to put up with horrendous abuse, or they are "weak", when in all reality, the exact opposite is true!

so long as you are not getting into the field for money, you can handle stress all day everyday, and you are ready to study more than you ever have in your entire life, you might be cut out for it. i cannot speak for you though. you would have to try yourself.

if you're not 300% sure, i would strongly discourage nursing school. i was 100% sure about nursing, and i can barely stand it @ times. i can only imagine someone, who has no passion for it, being able to stick it out. i doubt they would...or worse, if they did, they would be one of those stereotypical nurses....

??>>>>

allnurses Guide · Feb 18, 2010

How do you know? You decide. That's how you know.

Rnurse4963 · Feb 18, 2010

Any characteristics or personality traits you can think of?? I've always been interested in nursing but I'm unsure after reading this website!!

WELL ASKING THIS QUESTION IS A GREAT START! Here are some more, does the sight of blood make you pass out? Can you hold someones head and clean them up while they are vomitting? Also BM, sometimes you wipe sometimes you need a sample. Its a very stressful , needy occupation. People can be very mean to you if you can't give them the narcotics they want, but there is always a lighter side, this is what keeps most of us going. If you choose nursing consider this, you will most likely work alot of weekends and holidays, and the shifts can keep you away from your kids, and spouse. There are alot of wonderful nurses that are a true pleasure to work with, but then there are the ones who are more concerned with having a smoke than the pill they just gave their patient, that incidently (the patient) passes out in the bathroom while they are off the floor. So what ever your decision make it yours alone, good luck and God bless you.

meluhn · Feb 18, 2010

I will list some characteristics that I find in common with many of my coworkers. In all honesty, I find some of the same with my non-nurse friends but much more consistently with nurses. I know I will get flamed but here goes:

1. You have a history of being an enabler in abusive relationships with alcoholics or drug addicts.

2. You have a sick, twisted but hilarious sense of humor.

3. You are a dog and/or animal person.

4. You find the science behind icky bodily functions fascinating.

5. You like to discuss philosophy and psychology.

6. You have daddy issues.

7. You are a smart perfectionist and very hard on yourself all the time.

8. You are truly compassionate most of the time.

9. You get real satisfaction from making someone feel better.

10. You grew up Catholic.

If these things describe you then you will probably fit right in. Not saying there are not all kinds of people that are nurses but these things describe alot of nurses I know.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2010

I will list some characteristics that I find in common with many of my coworkers. In all honesty, I find some of the same with my non-nurse friends but much more consistently with nurses. I know I will get flamed but here goes:
1. You have a history of being an enabler in abusive relationships with alcoholics or drug addicts.
2. You have a sick, twisted but hilarious sense of humor.
3. You are a dog and/or animal person.
4. You find the science behind icky bodily functions fascinating.
5. You like to discuss philosophy and psychology.
6. You have daddy issues.
7. You are a smart perfectionist and very hard on yourself all the time.
8. You are truly compassionate most of the time.
9. You get real satisfaction from making someone feel better.
10. You grew up Catholic.
If these things describe you then you will probably fit right in. Not saying there are not all kinds of people that are nurses but these things describe alot of nurses I know.

I showed your list to my dh and he said "Did you write that?" Lol! :lol2:

meluhn · Feb 18, 2010

Thanks Valerie. BTW I absolutly love your Flo. Night. saying.:)

caffeineRx · Feb 18, 2010

I will list some characteristics that I find in common with many of my coworkers. In all honesty, I find some of the same with my non-nurse friends but much more consistently with nurses. I know I will get flamed but here goes:
1. You have a history of being an enabler in abusive relationships with alcoholics or drug addicts.
2. You have a sick, twisted but hilarious sense of humor.
3. You are a dog and/or animal person.
4. You find the science behind icky bodily functions fascinating.
5. You like to discuss philosophy and psychology.
6. You have daddy issues.
7. You are a smart perfectionist and very hard on yourself all the time.
8. You are truly compassionate most of the time.
9. You get real satisfaction from making someone feel better.
10. You grew up Catholic.
If these things describe you then you will probably fit right in. Not saying there are not all kinds of people that are nurses but these things describe alot of nurses I know.

This was entertaining, yet scary all @ the same time! LOL. I score 8 of those. I'm 1/2 on #1 and #10. I was raised non-denominational Christian...close enough I suppose :-p

#11) Having the guts to say #1-10 without worrying about being burned @ stake.

diamondmeadows, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2010

I don't know if this is worth much since I'm a new grad, but I just decided that it was what I wanted to do and that nothing was going to stop me. So I just did it, and that's that. Good luck!