Is Nursing Right for Me? (Holistic-Minded)

[jkmk]

Hello All,

I'm a pre-nursing student and I'm trying to figure out if nursing is right for me. I have been a massage therapist for 5 years and I love it. Unfortunately, the area I live in is saturated with therapists and it's hard to make a living at it. I also work as an elderly caregiver, working mostly with people with dementia or at hospice levels. I love helping people in any capacity and I have a passion for anything health related.

I grew up in a family that was very health conscious/holistic. We believe that vaccines and medications in general are not great and often harmful and we have no faith in the FDA. We know that the best way to be be healthy is to eat organic non-processed foods and being active.... to avoid microwaves, plastics, msg, artificial sweeteners, aluminum antiperspirants, sodium laurel sulfate, etc.. We practice Reiki and use aromatherapy or a little pot if we are in pain. I'm going into specifics to try and paint a picture instead of just saying 'I'm holistic'. I should also say I'm not an extremist with these beliefs/knowledge, but I do try to generally follow these guidelines to be healthy and proactive.

For a few years now, I have also been in the role of patient advocate for a couple of family members with their many health issues. Our journey has made my family's confidence in the Western health system plummet. My grandmother's kidney dr. told her that it was not important to drink water. Her lung dr. gave her an inhaler that is not meant for people with high blood pressure, even though she has that condition. It sent her into seizures and to the ER. We saw him at a follow up appt and he offered her another inhaler that he assured her would be okay... when we got it home, I read the pamphlet, and again he had given us one not meant for people with hight bp. Her neuro dr. put her on a medication for epilepsy... she has seizures occasionally, due to a chemical exposure, not epilepsy. The meds aged her 20 years within a week. She slept 15 hrs a day, couldn't take care of herself anymore and her hair started falling out. When we spoke to the dr., I told her we wanted to wean her off the meds. She tried to use fear to keep my grandma on them... We finally got the doc's okay after arguing and then low and behold, she got better and thankfully can take care of herself again. I could go on and on about the incompetence of messed up paper work for important blood tests for another family member and how we had to figure out the diagnoses for her ourselves, because teams of drs. did nothing.

All of this lit a fire under me. I wanted to change the system from the inside. I wanted to become a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine so that I could be a primary care provider, educate people on preventative health and help to slow down the over medicating of people. I wanted to be a DO so I would still be in the Western medicine system, but have an education that was more preventative/holistic-minded. I started on that path last year and then did the math ... I am 28 now and I would be 41 by the time I got out of residency. I decided I didn't want to spend my entire 30's broke, stressed and unable to reasonably consider starting a family. I re-evaluated and decided that becoming a nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner would get me to the same primary care role. I also like the flexibility to work 3 or 4 days a week as an RN and ultimately I would have much of the direct patient care that I enjoy.

My concern is that, as an RN, I may end up butting heads with drs. and nurses that are very 'traditional western medicine minded' in the process of trying to help people. I know that overall the system is becoming steadily more accepting of 'alternative' or 'natural' medicine, but I'm still not sure I'll fit in okay. Even though I'm not a fan of vaccines, as a nurse, I understand that it will be my job to give those to people and I am okay with that. In that role, I don't believe it is my duty to share my opinions/knowledge as to why that is not great... that is what the NPs or drs are for. When and if I become an NP in primary care, that is where it is my duty to offer up that information to educate my patients. I am not against all meds. There are definitely times where they are appropriate, but the prescribing doc should take a moment to make sure the meds don't conflict and that there isn't a simpler option available. I would however, have trouble serving the horrible hospital 'food' to sick patients. Chicken boullion with msg, sugary jello and other things with minimal nutritional value... We're trying to heal people, but aren't giving them nutritious foods to heal with.

I help my elderly folks with toileting and bathing with no problems. I love helping people feel better, and educating on health issues. I feel drawn to share the knowledge I have and want to help prevent the overwhelming errors I've seen. I'm sorry this post is sooo long, but I wanted to paint a full picture of who I am and what is motivating me.

So I guess my question is, if I go into nursing, I am going to be the odd duck out and be frustrated by everything I see? I don't want to spend my career biting my tongue. Are any of you similar to me in beliefs and how are you doing in this work environment? Are there certain areas of nursing that may be a better fit for me than others? In addition to primary care, I'm interested in L/D, urgent care, women's care, NICU, home care and hospice. I am in the Northern Colorado area and I know location can have a lot to do with the environments. Where I am it seems to be a little progressive, but not as much as a place like Boulder.

Thanks so much for your time and any advice you can offer me.

[Michaelxy]

I grew up in a family that was very health conscious/holistic. We believe that vaccines and medications in general are not great and often harmful and we have no faith in the FDA.

Based on what information have you decided that vaccines are bad? Should I point out how many life threatening illnesses have been made almost extinct due to vaccination, um smallpox, polio, cholera.

Before the FDA, any would be traveler with an elixir could come along and sell you their miracle drug, often with an alcohol derivative and often mis-prepared which would result in permanent blindness or worse.

or a little pot if we are in pain.

Right on the spot, you would have a problem as a nurse if you revealed this. Nuf said.

My grandmother's kidney dr. told her that it was not important to drink water.

I can not imagine any doctor saying this and find it hard to believe.

Her lung dr. gave her an inhaler that is not meant for people with high blood pressure, even though she has that condition. It sent her into seizures and to the ER.

Again sounds hard to believe and is just hearsay at this point.

So I guess my question is, if I go into nursing, I am going to be the odd duck out

Without a doubt.

Medical science is based on scientific method, testing through a billion dollar 3 phase process to ensure saftey and efficacy and there is no room for half baked home remedies that mom use to make.

[jkmk]

Um thanks? Wow, I really was not looking to debate or discuss why I feel the way I do. I was just trying to present a picture of who I am. And I know I'm not the only person on here that isn't jazzed about vaccines.

I was in the offices when the drs. said those things...absolutely not hearsay. Yes I know if/when I go into nursing, I will need to stop my tiny amount of pot use that helps occasional headaches. I prefer to use that rather than pain killers which are hard on your liver/kidneys.

Yes, if all the responses that I get on here are like yours, I want no part of y'all. I really don't appreciate you basically calling me a liar regarding the treatment that I witnessed for my family.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

The poster asked for feedback, not for their opinions or ideas to be ripped to shreds, implied they are lying or made fun of. As far as not beliving what the Dr. said, I have personally heard a few Dr's say things that were absolutely appalling, their are always people that slip through the cracks, in nursing as well as all professions!

To the OP, some of these things do go against what we are taught over all. That said, their are a handful of people in my class that believe the same way you do. 2 of the woman want to be midwives, one of the guys wants to go into the peace corpse, nursing school and getting their license is bridging a gap for them so they can further persue what their true passion is. We are taught a lot of holistic care in nursing school, but in a difference sense, not as literal. We are taught that a patient isn't just a diagnosis, they are a person, a wife, mother, sister, daughter, etc. etc. they're social factors, they're psycho social factors, they're a whole circle of things that impact the healing of someone.

Although I think you might encounter a lot of things you don't believe in, or not the first route you would go, I think you can find an area of nursing that works for you if you stick to it. I think their is a place out their in the field of nursing for you. It's just a matter of what you can set aside for the bigger picture and realize your beliefs, might not be the same as others, and you beliefs shouldn't interfere with your care in them. Part of patient healing is them having a supportive team, and while it may not be something you chose, you still are their to provide the best possible care you can for the patient and that would include respecting their wants and wishes.

In school, we are taught to try alternative methods for pain control, different therapies that don't medication, while we won't deny the medication someone is needing and asking for, we can educate and suggest different things to help them relieve the pain so they won't have to depend on so much medication.

Nursing involves a lot of educating. You just have to make sure you keep that balance and not force things or ever mis-educate based on your personal beliefs, if that makes sense :)

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Um thanks? Wow, I really was not looking to debate or discuss why I feel the way I do. I was just trying to present a picture of who I am. And I know I'm not the only person on here that isn't jazzed about vaccines.

I was in the offices when the drs. said those things...absolutely not hearsay. Yes I know if/when I go into nursing, I will need to stop my tiny amount of pot use that helps occasional headaches. I prefer to use that rather than pain killers which are hard on your liver/kidneys.

Yes, if all the responses that I get on here are like yours, I want no part of y'all. I really don't appreciate you basically calling me a liar regarding the treatment that I witnessed for my family.

And you don't have to. I do believe in vaccinations, but not all of them. Regardless, you will though encounter this sort of thing, so be prepared if you do decide to go into nursing school. You also might be surprised how many people agree with you as well :) Don't let anyone get in the way of your dreams and wants!

[jkmk]

Nursing involves a lot of educating. You just have to make sure you keep that balance and not force things or ever mis-educate based on your personal beliefs, if that makes sense :)

Thank your for the details about your classmates and your thoughtful reply. :) I agree with you that it is the patient's choice as to the course of care. When I work with many of my elderly clients, the food they eat is often junky and many of them consume a pharmacy daily, but it's not my job to question or judge them. I may offer a some water instead of a soda, but I am there to make sure they are comfortable and happy.

Thanks for giving me some hope that this might be a good path, albeit a bumpy one.

[Michaelxy]

Um thanks? Wow, I really was not looking to debate or discuss why I feel the way I do. I was just trying to present a picture of who I am. And I know I'm not the only person on here that isn't jazzed about vaccines.

I was in the offices when the drs. said those things...absolutely not hearsay. Yes I know if/when I go into nursing, I will need to stop my tiny amount of pot use that helps occasional headaches. I prefer to use that rather than pain killers which are hard on your liver/kidneys.

Yes, if all the responses that I get on here are like yours, I want no part of y'all. I really don't appreciate you basically calling me a liar regarding the treatment that I witnessed for my family.

First, I never called you a liar, but simply stated I could not believe what you stated was correct as decribed by you, which could imply many things such as I might consider that you misinterpreted what the doctors intentions were. So please do not claim I said something when I did not. Secondly, you asked for opinions as to whether or not we thought nursing was right for you. This I gave in a honest direct manner, and if this brought you some form of discomfort I am sorry.

I find many of your beliefs as you have stated not to flow with the general philosophies the medicine now teaches, and yes this will be a problem for you.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Thank your for the details about your classmates and your thoughtful reply. :) I agree with you that it is the patient's choice as to the course of care. When I work with many of my elderly clients, the food they eat is often junky and many of them consume a pharmacy daily, but it's not my job to question or judge them. I may offer a some water instead of a soda, but I am there to make sure they are comfortable and happy.

Thanks for giving me some hope that this might be a good path, albeit a bumpy one.

Since you expressed a desire in L&D, babies, I think the Nurse Midwife role might actually work real well for you. You have to get through school and get your experience which might consist of a lot of tongue biting but once you are a registered nurse midwife, you will have a lot more control. This is one of my good friends goals. She wants to run a birth center with RN Midwives. Most people seeing a midwife are wanting more of a natural roll for things as well.

Nursing is a HUGE field. Once you graduate and you get some experience under your belt, their are endless options IMO of what you can do and pursue and if you don't like something you can move to another area. That is the great thing about nursing.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

First, I never called you a liar, but simply stated I could not believe what you stated was correct as decribed by you, which could imply many things such as I might consider that you misinterpreted what the doctors intentions were. So please do not claim I said something when I did not. Secondly, you asked for opinions as to whether or not we thought nursing was right for you. This I gave in a honest direct manner, and if this brought you some form of discomfort I am sorry.

I find many of your beliefs as you have stated not to flow with the general philosophies the medicine now teaches, and yes this will be a problem for you.

It will only be a problem for her if she lets it be.

[werkinit]

The world needs more holistically minded people in healthcare. Explore it thoroughly...volunteer in a hospital, see if you can imagine yourself in that environment w/out feeling conflicted about pushing pills all day. I took about many years exploring the field, and feel very comfortable w/ my decision.

Patients need all kinds of advocates. As a patient, I would love to have a compassionate healthcare professional who understood some of my less "mainstream" holistic beliefs. Regardless of whether I use scientific rationales, faith, or cultural traditions, to generate my health beliefs these are all still a consideration in my healing process.

There are like-minded individuals in nursing, I'm positive of this.

http://www.ahna.org/

Good luck!

[Michaelxy]

I am sure there is some merit to this approach to health care, but without scientific data and the required years of test and evidence to back its findings, it has no place in a public health hospital where people expect, and deserve the best treatment possible. On this I will not waiver.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I am sure there is some merit to this approach to health care, but without scientific data and the required years of test and evidence to back its findings, it has no place in a public health hospital where people expect, and deserve the best treatment possible. On this I will not waiver.

That is the great thing about nursing, one isn't limited to only the hospital. But I have started seeing IN the hospitals, more alternative type methods looked into. Wanting to see the benefits of other kinds of therapies instead of strictly narcotics for pain. For example. But nursing isn't confined only in the walls of a hospital.

Their have been publishing's of people getting "the best of both worlds" and having remarkable treatments and results.