Is nursing worth it??

[AmandaRose06]

Hi all

I'm a 21-year-old female, and I have wanted to be a nurse from an early onset. The caregiver role seemed naturally suited for me as I was always inclined to service and helping others, especially if they were sick. So, when the time came in middle school and high school to start exploring career opportunities, I always settled with nursing. It always seemed like the most fitting option.

Well, college brought on a whole horizon of surprising internal struggle, and I've critically examined if I truly wanted to do nursing for the past 3 years. The pre-requisites didn't really keep my interest, I failed out of a BSN program last fall because I became so unmotivated and uninterested, and I've also worked as a CNA this past year at a nursing home, which I initially enjoyed, but as time pressed on, I became more and more stressed out, depressed, and hard-hearted. I think much of my experience is influenced by my self-doubt, insecurities, and depression/anxiety, as I've been very unstable with schools and what I truly want to do for the past 3 years. It's about time I settle on something and graduate. I've been given the opportunity to go back into the nursing program this fall and re-do the classes I failed. I will not be working as a CNA during this time. My question is, after all this, I am very afraid and intimidated of going back. I seems as though I have only suffered through this, and I am so worn out. My passion truly does lie in helping people, and I thoroughly enjoy volunteering at our local hospital, and health is still a huge interest/passion of mine, but somehow nursing seems to be more of a burden than anything. My ultimate goal is probably to go beyond working as an RN and take a role in addressing global issues, such as poverty, homeless, poor environments, etc, and how we can work to put an end to such devastating circumstances and relieve people of their suffering. What I am really interested in is ethics. I believe nursing can take me there, and that is why I'm willing to put myself through it. I just want people's opinion out there, who are either nurses or on the path to becoming one, and see if you believe it is still something worthwhile to do, or if I can get to my goal taking a different path.

Thanks so much! Sorry this was so long! I am definitely an English major at heart because I love to write :) Peace and love to you all & God bless!

[KalipsoRed]

P.S. In reguards to the idea that 'not all nursing is at the bedside'. That is true, however, most non-bedside nursing rolls required bedside nursing experience. Right now, with the current economy, just getting a bedside nursing job for a new grad can be quite challenging. I've applied to qutie a few non-bedside nursing positions and haven't had the opportunity yet to even interview as I ususally get an email stating that I do not have as much experience yet as they would like. I've worked cardiac step down for 2 years and travel RN for 1. Just thought you should know.

[Ronald Nachipo]

I think at 21 its not late.you can do other things like social activities which have a nursing heart and rejoin nursing at a later stage.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

If you were unmotivated in nursing school or as a CNA, why do you think it will be different now? Nursing school is hard, but actually working as a nurse can be a lot harder. Social work is fine, but it doesn't pay well, and you just about have to have a masters or doctorate to have a really good job in that field. Same is true for psychology or counseling. You could consider physical therapy/ PT assistant/ Respiratory therapy/ radiology. If you decide to continue nursing school, go ahead and make it a total committment, then once you graduate, you can do something with it besides bedside nursing. At least you will have the degree under your belt.