Is Nursing right for me?

[SammCampbell]

Hi, as you're now aware i'm a year 10 High school student from Australia, i've wanted to do Nursing my WHOLE life. I'm currently enrolled in TAFE to get some experience Nursing through their TAFE degree. My main goal is to work in paediatric Nursing.

I've been researching around and it seems i do have some of the personal traits required or preferred to become a Nurse, I have a genuine caring attitude and no matter want would like to spend my life helping people, though i do not have the comfordent outgoing persona that you need for Nursing ( or so i've read. ) I'm able to deal with high stress levels well etc.

I also wonder just what Nursing is REALLY Like in the hospital, i know all that TV bs isn't what it's really like, and i also know there's no typical day for a Nurse, Any past experiences good and bad would be greatly appreciated as i want to finish my HSC and start a Bachelor Nursing degree with as much knowledge as i am able to obtain.

As i don't fit ALL the requirements i've read about that registered Nurses require i'm making this thread looking for some answers on if it's right for me. Thanks!

~Sam.

[ceridwyn]

You just need the want in your heart, you will be fine. You will see lots of characteristics needed to be a nurse EN or RN but believeme nurses come as allsorts, some want to pat all brows and speak words of reassurance all day long, some are straight to the point, smile and move on and judge when patients need just that bit more reassurance and eduction and give it. Then there is some that just do what they have to do and thats all, those who show no signs of care and would be better off in the army, some just task orientated. The list is endless and levels of knowledge due to education, committment, experience are wide and varied of nurses some in high positions often leave you shaking your head as you realise sometimes you know more than them!!

My suggestion to cut down on education costs, may take a bit longer to be RN, but perhaps do Diploma first and become EN.

Good luck, you will be a great nurse. We all bring our own personalities, knowledge, life experiences to the profession which are all never the same and you will be no different.

Ps I question myself everyday if I am making correct decisions and critiscise myself for not being mord assertive when in some situations, its called reflective practice, drives me crazy.