Is Nursing For Me?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm in my first semester of school, taking pre-reqs for the ADN program, and I'm starting to wonder if nursing is for me. I've seen a few people on the boards here say that if you can't handle A&P you'll never be able to handle nursing courses. Well, its not that I can't 'handle' it, I just don't like it very much. I mean, sure, its interesting sometimes... but most of the time I can't wait for it to be over with.

Right now I have a C in the class, and I know I could do much better, but I don't have much motivation to do so. I'm so confused. I went into this thinking that I was 100% sure that this was what I wanted, but now all I have is doubt and more doubt. Its so confusing because all I've EVER wanted to do is be a nurse. I've never entertained the idea of being anything else. Whats going on?

I would hate to keep taking out loans for classes if this really isn't what I want. But how am I supposed to know? :(

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

Get a job as a nurse aide in a nursing home or hospital and get used to patient care and observe nurses in action. If you are like me, soon you will get hooked on the sight of the nurses at the cart and all other aspects of patient care. If you begin to be turned off by what you see and do, then maybe nursing is not for you. But if you slowly begin to desire nursing more than anything, like I did, then you will take the pre-requisite classes and see them as a stepping stone to your goal.

You should enjoy the classes somewhat though. I know it can be hard, but an interest in the human body is a good thing to have in nursing. I am taking calculus right now and I don't want to take it, but I have to in order to begin classes in the Spring--that's how I know I want this--I only have 1 month to learn it, but I will make this sacrifice just to get in. good luck to you.

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Specializes in new mother/baby nurse.

If it makes you feel any better-I didnt like A&P. Although I received a high B in the class, it was a struggle for me to study. Not because it was difficult- only because I found much of it completely boring. I'm taking Micro now and find it completely facinating! I absolutely love it. I guess my point is, my lack of interest in A&P has not once made my question my decision to be a nurse. Nursing is so much more than being able to rattle off body parts and processes. Of course, you do have to have an interset in the health feild. I have a BS in Health Education and find some parts of the industry interesting and some others not so interesting. If you have always known that you want to be a nurse, dont let your lack of interest in one subject deter you. It sounds like you know what you want- GO FOr IT!

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Specializes in Operating Room.

You can also see if you can shadow a nurse at a local hospital.

Myself, I loved A&P, so I can't really put myself in your situation to give much advice.

Good luck with your decision. :)

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If you are having doubts please do not ignore them. I am not saying that you should not be a nurse so please don't take that the wrong way. You are paying a lot of money for this degree. What happens if you get it and find out that you don't like being a nurse but feel obligated to stay since you paid so much money? I have spent the last 16 years doing jobs I never liked and it made me pretty miserable. Life is too short to spend it miserable. I am now on a new path to get my nursing license at the age of 34. Something I should have listened to my heart and done at the age of 18.

On the other hand, if being a nurse is all you have really wanted to do then follow your heart. I think the key about A & P is to know the stuff, not necessarily enjoy it.

If you don't want to go so far as to get a job as a nurses aide then maybe you could do some volunteer work or shadow a nurse. BTW, does anybdy know if shadowing a nurse is even possible anymore with all the HIPPA laws?

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Specializes in Operating Room.
BTW, does anybdy know if shadowing a nurse is even possible anymore with all the HIPPA laws?

I've wondered the same thing, but I have never called to ask any hospital. I've read about it on here. Why not? It would be the same as volunteering. You would still have to sign papers about patient confidentiality either way. (I'm assuming).

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I live near a technical college and community college which offer pre reqs needed for nursing. The technical college is right up the road from my apt but the community college is in another town and their schedule conflicts with my work schedule.

Would it be wise to take pre reqs at a technical college? The two schools are accredicated by the same association

I am not sure if I want to go for an ADN or BSN in Nursing since I already have a BBA in Management

I am wanting to take Human A&P

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Great advice from CRNASOMEDAY25! Although I had finished all of my prereqs, I had been having cold feet whenever getting into a nursing program became a possibility. I was able to get a job as health unit coordinator which allowed me to see both the nurses and patient care assistants at work. It also allowed me more exposure to the patients and made me realize that YES, I WANT TO BE A NURSE, and I think I'll be a good one. I've excellent mentors.

Get a job as a nurse aide in a nursing home or hospital and get used to patient care and observe nurses in action. If you are like me, soon you will get hooked on the sight of the nurses at the cart and all other aspects of patient care. If you begin to be turned off by what you see and do, then maybe nursing is not for you. But if you slowly begin to desire nursing more than anything, like I did, then you will take the pre-requisite classes and see them as a stepping stone to your goal.

You should enjoy the classes somewhat though. I know it can be hard, but an interest in the human body is a good thing to have in nursing. I am taking calculus right now and I don't want to take it, but I have to in order to begin classes in the Spring--that's how I know I want this--I only have 1 month to learn it, but I will make this sacrifice just to get in. good luck to you.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Call the schools that you would want to attend for the nursing classes and ask them if they take credits from the technical college.

If this school is accredited by the same service as the other schools, I would think there wouldn't be a problem. If the school gives "credits" and has basically the same course descriptions, it should be ok. I'd just call ask ask before spending your money.

Good luck! :)

I live near a technical college and community college which offer pre reqs needed for nursing. The technical college is right up the road from my apt but the community college is in another town and their schedule conflicts with my work schedule.

Would it be wise to take pre reqs at a technical college? The two schools are accredicated by the same association

I am not sure if I want to go for an ADN or BSN in Nursing since I already have a BBA in Management

I am wanting to take Human A&P

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I'm in my first semester of school, taking pre-reqs for the ADN program, and I'm starting to wonder if nursing is for me. I've seen a few people on the boards here say that if you can't handle A&P you'll never be able to handle nursing courses. Well, its not that I can't 'handle' it, I just don't like it very much. I mean, sure, its interesting sometimes... but most of the time I can't wait for it to be over with.

Right now I have a C in the class, and I know I could do much better, but I don't have much motivation to do so. I'm so confused. I went into this thinking that I was 100% sure that this was what I wanted, but now all I have is doubt and more doubt. Its so confusing because all I've EVER wanted to do is be a nurse. I've never entertained the idea of being anything else. Whats going on?

I would hate to keep taking out loans for classes if this really isn't what I want. But how am I supposed to know? :(

You sound like me. A&P isn't one of the classes I'm most fond of. Right now I have an A, but believe me I feel like I have to literally FORCE myself to study the material. I hate the physiology part of it most of the time. I honestly dont think I'll remember much of anything I've learned in this class because I feel like I'm memorizing more than I'm learning at this point. It's so much material to cover that I don't see how many people really remember what they learn unless they take it twice.

Don't let your like or dislike of this class determine whether or not you want to be a nurse. If you feel in your heart it's what you want then go for it!

Good luck! :wink2:

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I live near a technical college and community college which offer pre reqs needed for nursing. The technical college is right up the road from my apt but the community college is in another town and their schedule conflicts with my work schedule.

Would it be wise to take pre reqs at a technical college? The two schools are accredicated by the same association

I am not sure if I want to go for an ADN or BSN in Nursing since I already have a BBA in Management

I am wanting to take Human A&P

Find out if the classes from the technical college will transfer to the college where you'll be applying for your ADN. If so I'd take them there if I were you. There isn't any point in driving further if you don't have to.

Good luck. :wink2:

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