Hello all! I'm a 20 year old male who is contemplating a nursing career. I previously did two years at my local community college and got an associates degree in mathematics and science. My previous career goal was to become a PA, but I'm having second thoughts. There are two reasons why nursing has started to appeal to me more so than a PA...
1- I think I like the idea of direct patient care rather than a diagnosis/prescription-writing position. It GENUINELY makes me happy to make other people feel comfortable and at ease with their situation.
2- There is such a wide range of directions I could go. I could be an RN in any particular field or I could go on for a graduate degree of some sort. I've been looking into Psychiatric NP and that job seems very, very appealing to me at first glance.
3- Okay...I lied. Three reasons. My dad teaches at our local community college and it would be tuition free for me to get an ASN. This community college nursing program is notoriously difficult...but in a good way. It has a +50% drop-out rate but about a 95% first-time NCLEX passage rate. My next step would ideally get my tuition paid for to further my studies by an employer.
NOW. Here are my concerns:
1- I am a very, very empathetic person. Now don't get me wrong-- I know this is important for nursing. But I'm hoping it won't be my downfall as I physically feel different when I see people in pain. I get a weird feeling...almost painful...when other people are in excessive pain. I think this is either a good or bad thing...I'm not sure which.
2- I don't know if I can mentally do all the tasks a nurse is required to do. I get a bit squeamish at the notion of sticking a cath in someone's member or suctioning out a phlegmy trach. I've heard this is not dissimilar to many nurses' feeling early-on and you eventually get used to it.
So...all that being said...do you think nursing is for me? I do think I'm an intelligent person, but I need to be absolutely certain that I'm working towards something I'll enjoy as a career in order to be successful. Thank you so, so much for your anticipated replies. Best wishes...
Hello all! I'm a 20 year old male who is contemplating a nursing career.
Hint: Don't even try to capitalize on the "male" aspect. Plan on being a nursing student, not a ******male****** nursing student, worthy of applause for going against type. Nursing already has enough males claiming special status.
Hint: Don't even try to capitalize on the "male" aspect. Plan on being a nursing student, not a ******male****** nursing student, worthy of applause for going against type. Nursing already has enough males claiming special status.
I'm told all the time that I'm special. It's usually followed by "Bless his heart", but I'm special dammit!
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
So, who's Rafiki in this scenario?
Well, I'm crazy. And going by the yellow color that my name is in, I'm a guide of some sort. Or, I just teach people to look at the past and learn and since I made quite a mess of things at one time, they can learn from me. So, me?
Hint: Don't even try to capitalize on the "male" aspect. Plan on being a nursing student, not a ******male****** nursing student, worthy of applause for going against type. Nursing already has enough males claiming special status.
He wasn't capitalizing. All he did was introduce himself. I am a male nursing student and am glad to hear another young guy is considering it.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
People are harsh lately.
And it feels like every thread gets completely derailed.
I don't know so much about the harsh, but yes, there have been a lot of threads derailed lately (and I'm guilty about it on this one). But, those are the hazards of a message board as large as this with as many members as there are.
I do hope the OP takes some of the advice given and is able to make a decision for himself based on his own experiences and opinions instead of the experiences and opinions of others.
Only you can decide if nursing is right for you and you may not know for sure even after finishing a program. Only time will tell and you will have to take time to find your niche in the profession.
A 50% drop out rate seems average if you ask me. What counts is the NCLEX pass rate (and accreditation if you want to further your education). My LPN program had about the same statistics (maybe a little higher drop rate) but the 95% pass rate is what counts. Easy programs will give you a degree but good luck obtaining your license.
Being an empathetic person is a good thing, being a sympathetic person while at work is not such a good thing. If you internalize other people's pain the way that you describe it this career could break you emotionally. Is this something that you could work on, having empathy but not so much sympathy? We all have cases that will touch us from time to time and this is normal, we are human. However, you don't want every patient who is in pain to have that effect on you personally.
The 'icky' factor does go away for the most part I think. Nothing grosses me out anymore, except my cat's liter box. I can handle anything human but the cat poop, nope, not going to happen:no:.
Take some time to explore your options. You don't have to make a decision overnight. Many employers do offer some form of tuition reimbursement. There's usually a few strings attached such as working for them for so long before you are eligible and staying employed with them for so long after the last reimbursement check. As long as you know that you like the company that you work for then this is usually a pretty good agreement. It may not pay for all of your tuition, but every little bit helps, right? Best wishes.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
S'okay you were nicer than ME yesterday. It's the Circle Of Life.