Is nursing right for me?

[Smith98]

Hi! I'm a freshman in college who is planning on going into nursing. However, I've been thinking more about it, and I'm not sure if it's the right career for me. My plan was to become a nurse practitioner or physician assistant in possibly pedatrics. I'm not so sure I should anymore because for one I don't like needles which makes me nervous about starting IVs. I also don't think I would want to clean up poop/pee/vomit nor give bed baths. I'm conflicted because I've always wanted to go into the medical field, and I'm not sure what other career I could see myself doing. Do you think I should change my major or still do nursing?

[busybeeSN]

I'm nervous about starting IV's too, I think everyone probably is at least a little. I think with the poop/pee/vomit you can either handle it or you can't. It honestly bothers me far less than I thought it would and bed baths are easy. Consider becoming a CNA to see if it's something you can handle. CNA work is much more physically demanding than nursing but you're exposed to the messier side of things and you'll be able to tell if it's something you can handle.

[FutureNurseInfo]

Go to medical school.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

I do not know any nurse who "wants" to clean up bodily fluids. It is part of the job. Anything in the medical field you have to get over that because you are supposed to be a professional. Dealing well with patients when they are vulnerable is the mark of a true professional and that is the key over being perfect at starting IVs. I work with NPs and PAs and they deal with as much "gross" stuff as everyone else.