I have to know that im not making a mistake

seasoned hopeful · Feb 28, 2009

hi there,

you are at a crossroad in life. what does your heart say? i know i want to go into nursing, i have taken that road. you may start down that road and discover it is not the right one. that's okay, they you switch paths, but you have to get started some where. take the first pre-req, then see how you feel.

just my:twocents:

CBsMommy · Feb 28, 2009

I would try a CNA class before you actually go through the process of nursing school. A CNA class is usually a one semester class where the second half of the class is clinicals, which is hands on patient care. It is different from what most people think it will be but it's a great chance for you to experience a glimpse of what nursing life is like. There were many people in my class who chose to go different routes, like accounting, and that's perfectly fine! Not everyone is meant to be a nurse! I personally confirmed going through the class that I was meant to be a nurse and, by the way, it took me 29 years to figure it out! I was in the financial industry prior to my CNA class and even though I'm taking a step down in terms of pay, I will be much happier and sometimes that's what life is all about! Good luck on your journey to finding out who you are!

wlb06 · Feb 28, 2009

Just do it and then if you don't like it you can do something in business. Anyone who makes it through nursing school has respect from anyone who knows how hard it is and how dependable you must be to accomplish this. Nursing has SOOO many options... far more than you have researched on the internet.

NurseJeanB · Feb 28, 2009

The thing about nursing is there are so many paths you can choose. Find out that clinical nursing is not your bag? Well there are nurse educators, nurse researchers, nurse case managers, nurse anesthetists, and even nurse lawyers. You know I spent over 20 years working in a job just to get the paycheck and now I know that nursing is what I want to do. You are young and at your age I had to decide between getting a job and pursuing nursing (which at the time I wanted but I really couldn't tell you why), and guess what? I picked the job. I wish I had pursued nursing because I wouldn't be just now going back to school at my age, but you live and learn. A nursing degree will open so many doors that I am positive you can find something within nursing which you will know is just right for you.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Feb 28, 2009

I would try a CNA class before you actually go through the process of nursing school. A CNA class is usually a one semester class where the second half of the class is clinicals, which is hands on patient care. It is different from what most people think it will be but it's a great chance for you to experience a glimpse of what nursing life is like. There were many people in my class who chose to go different routes, like accounting, and that's perfectly fine! Not everyone is meant to be a nurse! I personally confirmed going through the class that I was meant to be a nurse and, by the way, it took me 29 years to figure it out! I was in the financial industry prior to my CNA class and even though I'm taking a step down in terms of pay, I will be much happier and sometimes that's what life is all about! Good luck on your journey to finding out who you are!

I don't really know why people always recommend for people like the OP to become a CNA, to see if nursing would be a fit (or something they'd want to do).

The OP said he wants to be an RN, and the jobs of CNA and RN couldn't be more different. If he works as a CNA, he'll just see the worst, crappiest (in more ways than one) aspect of the RN job. Personally, I think being a CNA first would deter more people than it encouraged, and really, it's not even close to being an indication of how good/bad a job as an RN can be.

While RNs do most of what a CNA does, it'd be a shame to lose potential nurses just because their introduction to health care was bed pans, poopy diapers, and back breaking physical labor, without getting to experience the myriad other aspects of a job as an RN.

That may be alright for the Nightingales of the world, but I think most people start looking into nursing for reasons other than a "calling" or life-long dream of being a nurse.

L&DForMe · Feb 28, 2009

If you really arent sure about going into this profession, I think it would be smart to do a job shadow for a day or two in an area of nursing that interests you.

The money is usually pretty good, depending on where you are working, but that shouldnt be your primary reason for going into nursing.

In my opinion, theres nothing worse than a nurse who hates her job! Ive worked with a handful like this, clearly in it for the money. The staff suffers, but more importantly, the patients suffer

Try volunteering at your local hospital or nursing home and see if you are still drawn to nursing thru that sort of interaction.

Still not sure? Talk to a career councilor that can help place you in a different profession.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2009

You sound a lot like me. I knew when I was a junior in high school that I should probably go into nursing but I was worried about how hard it might be. I though office work would be more stable. At the time there were stories of nurses striking. Unlike you, I went into accounting. I loved math and was good at it. I worked as a bookkeeper for 5 years because I couldn't finish my last two years of a bachelor's degree. I hated office work. I felt like I wasn't doing anything that was helping the world. I started taking the pre-reqs for nursing school and when I was 24 I finally started nursing classes. I didn't know either if it was the right choice, but bt then I did know one thing. Nurses always work and they make better money than office workers unless you have some kind of management position. Why? Because RNs are supervisors and managers of patient care, we work all shifts, we are problem solvers and our decisions often are critical. Yes, we are trained to make those decisions. I had a nagging feeling for many years that I had to do something that made a difference in people's lives. And, nursing was it. I can't tell you how often as a nurse you will make a difference to people. Every decision that you make about your life is going to be uncertain. The only one who knows what will work and won't work is the Great Pumpkin and he ain't talking, is he? Half the fun of living is the discovery of what works and what doesn't work for us. And that is how we get wisdom. I look at it this way. . .if you go to nursing school, get a job as a nurse and find you absolute hate it, how much time have you lost? Maybe 5-6 years at the most? 2 years if your really astute. Out of a life expectancy of what, 70+ years, that's nothing and more than enough time to find something else to do. Besides, I had a link to an article which was taken off the Internet that listed 8 jobs that cross linked nurses training to other professions that they hired nurses into. You see, nurses are highly trained in problem solving which is a very cherished skill. Most people today can't problem solve their way out of a paper bag. But RNs can. We make excellent managers and supervisors in just about any other industry because we know how to work with people. We are, after all, a people service industry. Forget the horror stories you heard. Everybody likes to tell those because they love to see the look on people's faces when they tell them. I was a hospital supervisor and manager for a while. I have a few humdingers I could tell you. I save them for parties. I went to a wonderful school and had the kindest, most nurturing instructors. We had a couple of wingnut students but we only had to endure them for the 2 years of school and then who knows what facilities got stuck putting up with them. These kind of people pop up everywhere in life. I'm sure they are on the staff of every McDonalds and Barnes and Noble shop too. It's part of the variety of life. There's usually a bad apple in every barrel. You chuck it to the side, but you don't throw out the whole barrel.

Now, go be a nurse. It you don't, you will always wonder how you will have done at it for the rest of your life. Oh, and you will make money at it. But focus on learning the trade while you are in school and worry about the money later.

stuartogran · Feb 28, 2009

Wow thanks alot, that was very insightful. i can't tell you how much these posts has encouraged me. i feel alot better about going into nursing. if it doesnt work out for me later its ok cause i can always move onto the next thing. thanks again for all your help!

NoviceRN10 · Feb 28, 2009

There seem to be plenty of nurses on the floors I've done clinicals on that do not have a passion for their job. Not everyone can be Florence Nightingale, I guess. Go ahead and try it, you may love it. Or you may only tolerate the job and still do right by your patients!

slinger09 · Mar 1, 2009

My confirmation that I made the right move was when I started working as a cna. When I was accepted to nursing school I wanted to make sure it was for me. I had worked in a office job for 18 years so I wanted to make sure I could handle it. Total patient care is not for everyone but it is very rewarding work and I finally work in a job where I feel I am appreciated.

Prettyladie · Mar 8, 2009

this might be a little late, but i had to comment. sometimes you have to do what you have to do. bills need to be paid, you want to do leisure activities..and you already know nursing is a great field for job stability and a "good paycheck" so you might hate it, but you know its always going to be there, but like somebody else said, id advise taking a CNA course, or Patient Care technician, that way you get the experience and you will know whether you will like it or not, and if you dont at least by the time you graduate you'll be use to it.