I don't want to be a nurse!!

[sharebear003]

My parents are coercing me to majoring in nursing. I am currently a high school senior. I really do not want to be a nurse but of course my parents want to be a nurse because of the pay, job security. If I do have to be a nurse I'd want to be an informatics nurse but I heard you need experience in the ICU first. Ugh I am really going to hate my life for the first few years after college. I would much rather be an accountant or biomed engineer but nooo only nursing field has jobs available according to my parents. It's completely unfair. What can I do to cope? Has anyone else been in a similar situation and how did things turn out for you? What other options are there for new grad nurses?

[Ramireex]

For goodness sake. Say "No". You will be graduating soon, be an adult and stand up for what you want to do.

[Lightning90]

Dooooooont do it. Its not that great. The pay is horrible. And you are going to be dealing with a lot of body fluids. Think of it as babysitting. GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN.

[harley007]

These are all great answers especially that at 18 you are legally able to make your own decision. Don't have the funds to obtain your needed education in the field of your choice? Run not walk to the best US Naval recruitment office you can find. Try several if need be until you really connect with a recruiter that truly understands what you really want to do for a career. If you can find a program you really love the navy will educate you and you in turn will provide our country with a certain number of years of service in your chosen field. I have three adult children that have done this and while like every profession, job or education you may not like everything that occurs, you will end up as a US Naval Veteran if you fulfill what you years of service and provided education with decency and honor. if enough years are served you can obtain your education plus a full retirement by the time you are in your early 40's. Then you can choose to begin a second career in the private sector with a full retirement already under your belt from the US Navy and experiences nobody can rival. Like being forced into becoming a nurse this is either something that interests you or it does not. If it does feel right to you must always, ALWAYS, get your package of orders signed & sealed before you head off for every assignment in particular your first one. No promises of future possibilities such as "Well your the next one for that assignment", or "You should be eligible for the program you love." ... written in hard copy with a duplicate for you to hold onto or you could easily find yourself in nursing school! Good Luck no matter what you choose!

[Meabso]

I didn't want to be a nurse either after high school. My parents were very pushy about me going into the medical field as well. I think over all parents just want their children to be able to be financially stable. I'm 7 years out of high school and this is just my experience, but I wish I had went into nursing. The schooling does prove to be difficult at times, but there are so many opportunities in this filed. I wouldn't be sitting here typing this If I didn't believe it when I say, I think it's a field that anyone can find their niche in. You can continue your education to become a bio-med engineer or practitioner etc. etc. You can have a position like OR nurse who doesn't have any bedside time. Just do a lot more research before you make your mind up. I wouldn't want you missing out on any opportunities. Ask nurses you know, or ask your high school for some shadowing opportunities or resources that have to do with nursing info.

I jst seen your post and it struck a cord with me. I had to say something. =)

Good luck!

meabso

[JoannieO]

I want to give you some good advice right now: start by part time courses in nursing. There will be a great need in the United States by the year 2020 as many of us are retiring. I retired 6 mos. ago after a 45-1/2 year career in various employment areas! Best wishes on your journey..Joan

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

If you're still reading this OP, how did your first semester go?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Dooooooont do it. Its not that great. The pay is horrible. And you are going to be dealing with a lot of body fluids. Think of it as babysitting. GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN.

Keep in mind this person is not a nurse, has never worked as a nurse, and has zero authority to say what it's like to be a nurse. This person has never taken home one dollar of nursing pay, and is absolutely clueless about what nursing entails, what the responsibilities and liabilities are, etc. Not sure why someone who has not earned the title is presenting herself as someone who could possibly have a valid opinion on this subject.

Read the threads about nursing pay. It varies by region, and it can be relatively low all the way up to very impressive. In the threads about making 100,000 per year as a nurse, there are testimonials from people are who are actually nurses about how it is possible to bring a nursing salary up to very respectable levels.

As to babysitting, that's a blatant lie this person keeps putting out. Having never worked even five minutes as a nurse, her statement is completely worthless.