should I still become a nurse even though I hate science and I'm bad at it?

cantwaittograduate1 · Mar 9, 2012

If science isnt your thing than i would pick another job path. I'm not trying to discourage you but nursing relies heavily on an understanding of the body and to get there you have to understand anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry and pathology. I think its great that you have such a passion to help people but nursing probably isn't the field for you especially if you hate blood. Nursing is a dirty job and a little blood is not the worst thing you are going to have to see or deal with. You don't have to like science but you need to be able to do it. You mentioned that you are interested in teaching children with disabilities, and I think that is great. Who cares if everyone says "it sucks". This is your life, do what you WANT to do, and don't base it on what others say. Those people are obviously in it for the wrong reasons. If it is your passion then it wont "suck". I don't love science, but it does interest me and I have had to work really hard to understand it and be "good" at it. Nursing is my passion so I do what I have to do to get through it.

Boxer Mama · Mar 9, 2012

Even though I have just started down my nursing path, I have been in the healthcare field for some time and it is a lot of science. I love science and the human body and how bacteria work! You should never "settle" for anything in life and should go after something that you think you will really like. You mention that you want to help people better themselves, and a lot times it is like hitting your head on a brick wall because people do not want to help themselves and there is nothing that you can say or do to change that and it becomes pretty frustrating. To be very honest, from your post, I would think maybe you should consider exploring other career options. Nursing seems to be a very hard field and it will take its toll on even the most dedicated nurses who are there because they love the science and art of nursing. Like the previous post mentions, who cares what other people say about what you want to do? If you feel that you would really like to work with young disabled children and teach them, that is a very honorable and worthwhile job and it would be a career that you should be very proud of!

crittytn · Mar 10, 2012

I understand you want to help people, yet you have many restrictions on this. I've lived in a third world country, as you mention at the end of your post, and trust me, ring worm ain't got nothing on what you'll see there. If you're already squeamish about those things and about science, find another way to help people--there are plenty of other options. Gain some more life experience pursuing another "helpful" path. Nursing will be there later in life if you conquer the things you state as restrictions to entering the field.

I think more soul searching is in order. Not to sound condescending, but you are only 16. You can find volunteer options to give you experience to choose your proper path as you finish high school and enter college for your preparatory college courses. Perhaps through those experiences, you'll better know what will fulfill you.

leekaye · Mar 12, 2012

Well, I will be the lone opinion by qualifying the "you must love science" theory. I hated science in high school and thought I'd find my nursing classes dry as dust. But I actually love, love, love anatomy and physiology. And while parts of micro are dull, I find studying viruses and bacteria really fascinating. For me, the difference is that what I'm learning applies to real life and a lot of my peers have said the same. The health sciences are not the same as the geology or meteorology reports I wrote in high school. I didn't find those interesting perhaps because I couldn't apply it to my life.

Why don't you look into some books on anatomy or viruses and see if you find those more interesting than your high school science class?

nursingschool* · Mar 12, 2012

Your going to have to face a lot of science before you get into nursing school. So if you're not committed to doing well there, then you have your answer. Nursing is practical and you may have a different experience with science in its practical application...it's probably not the kind of science you think it is. I always found science to make more sense, be easier to grasp, because of its practical implications. I've found nursing school the same. Besides, doubt any of us are in nursing school because we loved science. But you have to do the work and get through the science pre-reqs all the same.

If you want to help people and nursing is for you then the "science" will sort itself out.

cityknitty_RN · Mar 12, 2012

Nursing = science.

If you really, really hate it, I would look for a different career path.

While nursing is a lot of technical skills, a nurse has to know the reasoning behind many of those skills, which includes a very, very large science knowledge base.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 12, 2012

Medicine is a scientific-based field. Nursing is very science intensive. Before you even get in to nursing school, you will have to take courses like Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc.

You're still young & in high school so things can easily change. I hated math when I was in high school but ended up loving it after having a wonderful math professor in college. Perceptions can change!

And don't give up...I changed my mind 3 times when I was younger on what I wanted to be in life. I had so many college credits in courses un-related to nursing (foreign languages, music, technology, etc.) When I finally realized what I wanted to do, the science came easy because I WANTED to learn it. It would have been a different story back in high school.

I know everyone starts to peg you with "pick the career you want NOW!!!" when you're only in 11th grade. It's a lot of pressure to put on a teenager. You're never "stuck" with what you decide to do...that's the beauty in life. Follow what you feel in your heart will make you happy. You can always change gears later.

Look at me...I'm 42 and finally getting the chance to go back to school to pursue the nursing career I started 18 years ago. And you know what? I've had a great life

Don't think you have to pick a career NOW just to please everyone else.