Hi, I am currently taking some prerequisites for a nursing program, but I am having a lot of second thoughts. This is long, so I apologize, but I hope someone will respond.
I am trying to talk to as many nurses as possible and I need more input on this. I have Hashimoto's and some fibromyalgia-like pain and stress seems to severely impact my energy. Other than that I am really, generally a very healthy, fit person (I run and lift weights, and I'm mentally sharp). I am 40 years old and I already have a graduate degree in another field. I thought I was losing my mind and struggled with career issues, I always felt exhausted in every job. I was finally diagnosed with thyroid disease 2 years ago and since getting my meds right, I am now able to reclaim my life. I have thought about going into nursing and started taking the prereqs to apply for the program.
However, I feel that there is a real problem with rigidity in the nursing schools, not wanting to deal with people who might be good nurses but don't fit well in the traditional stressful format of nursing school. I was SO turned off in my first "nursing" class last Friday. We have to take a nurse assisting class- an extra hoop they decided to have us jump through. I'm not opposed to learning what NAs do, in fact I think it's great to learn what the people you rely on have to do.
But the professors really rubbed me the wrong way. They seem indifferent to the students needs for information about the program, they don't seem like they want to help. It almost feels abusive. I am considering scrapping the whole thing.
I am (was?) considering nursing for the following reasons:
1. I like that there are many opportunities to do different things
2. I love to help people who have health problems (I am currently a personal trainer but I only take clients who have health challenges that necessitate modified exercise routines, and I *LOVE* working with these clients)
3. I need the job security and benefits that I can't get while self-employed and at the mercy of a sagging economy
4. I want to be able to work anywhere and I'd really like to do nursing part-time, and in a non-traditional setting (not in a hospital)
I feel I have the following weaknesses:
1. I am energy-challenged at times, especially when I am stressed for extended periods of time. I can deal with acutely stressful events, but it seems that things that wear on me (like a heavy course load at school, for example, or continued sleep deprivation) really affect me. When my meds are right on, I can accomplish everything I want to, but when I start to get hypothyroid (or overtired or overstressed) everything falls apart.
2. And maybe, thoguh this isn't necessarily a weakness, I feel like I am a square peg that won't fit in the round holes of nursing. I just feel like they make it unnecessarily stressful. There must be jobs out there in nursing that aren't so stressful. I can't see myself doing 12 hour shifts. I don't even understand 12 hour shifts. That seems crazy- how would you have time to eat, exercise, sleep, see your family? No wonder nurses get sick and burned out!
Isn't nursing about helping people? Isn't it about helping people to achieve a better state of wellness? Seems to me there's this bass-ackwards approach to the whole profession. I hear of so much stress and burnout, and so many unhealthy nurses who drop out of the profession due to stress. No wonder there's a shortage? Maybe instead of the go-go-go approach and always turning up the volume on stress, we ought to slow down and take it at a slower pace.
Anyway, do you think I'm going the wrong way by choosing nursing?
Does anyone know of any schools that take things at a slower pace?
It sounds like your school probably requires full-time attendance, but some don't. I don't know if that's an option for you. I go part-time, which helps so much. The boot camp attitude is still there, but if you can take a slower pace it helps. I will never understand the stupid (sorry, I really, really think it's dumb) boot camp "I did it, so you should, too" nursing school deal. I think my program sort of prides itself on being new and innovative, so it is probably much less so that way than some others (like the cc in my town that I've heard nightmare stories about)... I'd probably be flipping if I had to put up with what some nursing students do. Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide... there are many areas of nursing, and many allied health areas, too.
If you want to help people, make a difference, have you considered volunteering in a hospital? Rock and feed babies in a nursery, at a general med unit visit the elderly patients without visitors and just sit and talk.
maybe try it, you'll be exposed to the hospital setting, interact with patients and see and hear a few things that will help your decision either way.
bottom line, nursing is a VERY tough but rewarding career, some days more tough by the hour.
I am taking nutrition right now as a prereq and my nursing instructor tried to talk me into doing nutrition (due to my background w/writing) but said she loved it since you dont work long hours - dont have to do the "icky" stuff but still get to work with people and she said she could find a job lots of places (she has worked in a hospital, in a fitness center, and as a nutritionist individually and now as an instructor)
She said there were lots of opportunities like that - to work with people but without as much stress and long hours as nursing
Perhaps you could consider something like that - Nutrition, Physical Therapy, something that is working with people but not as stressful and no long shifts...
I have Multiple Sclerosis, and I have been a nurse for 7 years. It is stressful, but isn't everything that is worth doing? I love my work, and am just starting to travel, it is a wonderful position, and most important, you must do what you love, or there is no point in doing it at all...
I love this thread...I have an appt at college next monday. I am starting the path to my RN...finally!!! I am having surgery on my spine on June 1st though. I wondered if I would be albe to complete school, and then a career. I know I will. I just cant see myself doing anything else, ever. I cant believe the tremendous positive support here. I hope you find your way, I am sorry I cant give any advise. Since I too am very new to nursing. Hang in there, and I would listen to these smart caring people here.!
mitchsmom
1,907 Posts
It sounds like your school probably requires full-time attendance, but some don't. I don't know if that's an option for you. I go part-time, which helps so much. The boot camp attitude is still there, but if you can take a slower pace it helps. I will never understand the stupid (sorry, I really, really think it's dumb) boot camp "I did it, so you should, too" nursing school deal. I think my program sort of prides itself on being new and innovative, so it is probably much less so that way than some others (like the cc in my town that I've heard nightmare stories about)... I'd probably be flipping if I had to put up with what some nursing students do. Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide... there are many areas of nursing, and many allied health areas, too.