Is being a nurse really that bad?

[Holly84]

Now don't get me wrong, reading the posts here has really made me want to become a nurse. But then I keep hearing about the instructors, tests, and all the stuff you have to memorize. I'm just wondering if it is going to be all that bad? I mean I think if you have the will to survive, and stick with it, then you can make it. I mean it can't be as hard as becoming a doctor, right? I just want to know if anyone had any doubts in themselves? Like was there ever a moment when you wondered "What was I thinking?" What made you get up every morning.

I will start college in the fall, right now I'm doing nothing cause I graduated a semester early so I could work, so I'm saving up money for all of those rainy days. So I have to take all of my pre-reqs before I'm a offical nursing student.

Also I don't know why I want to become a nurse. Is that strange?Like all of my friends are becoming teachers. I don't think I will fully know why until I fully experience it. I'm just trying to figure everything out, wondering if I can do it. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[jfpruitt]

Although I am not a RN yet, I will be soon LORD willing. I have to admit, when I started this journey 2 years ago, I was totally deceived. I already had a BS in biology with numerous classes in human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochem, etc etc. These classes were tremendously hard and I thought nothing could be worse. I thought nursing would be a breeze and I'd kinda do it to open up more opportunities for me in the job market. Man was I in for a HUGE surprise. The material itself was not that difficult considering I have seen it all before and had been working in the medical field for several years, HOWEVER, the VOLUME is overwhelming. It's just a whole different ball game. Not only do you have to know what COPD, Cancer, etc is but you have to know what to do for it, how you do it, meds, etc etc. When I was a Biology student, it was pretty much memorization. Well, in nursing, you can't just memorize your way through. You have to actual remember what you have learned and apply it. The other big problem I've encountered is just time management. I did not have the option to quit work, so, I work Full Time during the day and take evening courses all night 5+ days a week. So, needless to say, I have little free time. Some people in my class do not work and they are still very much overwhelmed. So, the best advice I can say is 1) Don't Work 2) Don't Memorize . I have made it through and will hopefully graduate in May, but it has not been an easy road. I'm hoping the rewards will outweigh all the negatives I've encountered along the way. One thing I would also like to add is that I have a whole new respect for RNs. Not just because I'm going to be one soon, but because I had no idea how hard it would be and had no idea how intelligent you have to be in order to keep all these facts in your brain and apply it. I really wish there was some way we could change the worlds perception of RNs b/c I feel that many do not realize what is involved. And is it harder than being a MD????? Well, I guess that is a matter of opinion. Funny enough, 10 of my closest friends just graduated med school in May and they couldn't tell you HALF the stuff I could about the body. Yes, they may know how cancer proceeds through the body and the chemistry behind it. But they are very clueless about treatments, etc. Half the time, they are asking the RNs what to do. That has just been my experience with new MDs. We once played 'medical' trivial pursuit and I beat them all. So, its all in perspective. Ok, I've gone on a tangent here, but good luck in your decision!!!

[Agnus]

jfpruitt,

You said what we could not, because of your unique prospective. Thank you very well said.

I agree the material is usually not that hard. My friends who tried memorization did not do as well.