Just Because You're Interested......

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in a Field, Does That Mean That's What You're Supposed to BE?

:uhoh3: Okay, I really am interested in nursing. I love watching The Critical Hour, Trauma Life in the ER, and all those other great medical shows, but does that mean I should go for nursing. I'm almost done with all of my pre-reqs but my grades aren't the best that they could be. Healthcare fascinates me but I don't know if I could do it. I love to help people and I become extremely emotional when I know that someone (or something) is suffering. I feel that it is my DUTY :uhoh21: to help them....but is all of this enough reason to say, "Okay, I'm going to be a Nurse"?

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it just says that you have an interest, doesn't mean that you are meant to be. what is stopping you from pursing the possibilities further?

in a field, does that mean that's what you're supposed to be?

:uhoh3: okay, i really am interested in nursing. i love watching the critical hour, trauma life in the er, and all those other great medical careers, but does that mean i should go for nursing. i'm almost done with all of my pre-reqs but my grades are the best that they could be. healthcare fascinates me but i don't know if i could do it. i love to help people and i become extremely emotional when i know that someone (or something) is suffering. i feel that it is my duty :uhoh21: to help them....but is all of this enough reason to say, "okay, i'm going to be a nurse"?

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Only you can decide that. Just so you know, nursing is nothing like it is on TV shows. Shadow a nurse for a few days and see if it is really something that you are interested in.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I've been intrigued by lots of possible careers in my life -- thief, stripper, prostitute, spy, geisha, etc. That doesn't mean I should actually become one of those things.

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in a Field, Does That Mean That's What You're Supposed to BE?

:uhoh3: Okay, I really am interested in nursing. I love watching The Critical Hour, Trauma Life in the ER, and all those other great medical careers, but does that mean I should go for nursing. ?

Turn off the TV. It is nothing like the imaginary, scripted (yes, even the reality shows are scripted), drama crap. These shows are for entertainment purposes, not education or research. I doubt television ever helped anyone make an intelligent career choice.

It is only your "duty" to help someone if your are appropriately educated, trained, licensed/certified and employed in that capacity, and on the clock.

Find an RN and shadow them for about a week. That will guide you in your decision.

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I would advise taking a tour, following a nurse. TV isn't the real world. Observe the stress, the smells, just the way his/her day goes. What I like about nursing is the rewards. Its rewarding to hear someone say....You really care, your a great nurse. The stress is high. You have to take time for yourself and nursing school is hard. Not the studies but the program-instructors. They will really beef you up for the real world-not as bad as the military. I just graduated May 06, this is what i have to say so far. If you should follow a nurse and still think you can handle it I say go for it. Getting my nursing degree was one of the hardest accomplishments I ever made. I wouldn't take it back and would do it over again. Remember, u have to be strong and make connections with other students if u should go to school. They will be your lifeline, your support.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It's not always possible to shadow a nurse ... so, you might also consider doing some volunteer work in a hospital. That would put you in a health care environment and you could see how you would feel working in that envrionment.

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Thanks everyone for your blunt and honest comments. I guess I should be a stripper afterall.....:o

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Thanks everyone for your blunt and honest comments. I guess I should be a stripper afterall.....:o

PICS!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, just quit watching TV and shadow a nurse.

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PICS!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, just quit watching TV and shadow a nurse.

I guess if I said that I live and breathe nursing, I can't see myself doing anything else 30 years from now, I love the reward one can get from nursing, I absolutely love, love, love helping people, and I'm interested, maybe I would have gotten better responses. With this being said, this is exactly how I feel. Isn't that why people become nurses in the first place....unless they do it for the money, which for me, would be a pay cut. I can't help that I love to watch TV. But I would definately check into shadowing or volunteer work.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I'm sorry you weren't happy with the responses to your question. But I believe most of us were truly trying to give you legitimate advice. Simply being interested in something is not reason enough to choose something as a career. You have to assess your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences to determine whether or not that career is a good fit for you. You can only do that by getting out there into a health care environment and seeing how you do.

The bottom line is that if you get so emotional that you can't function well, then health care is not for you. However, caring is a good thing when it doesn't incapacitate you.

Good luck to you. I sincerely hope you can do a good self-assessment and choose a career that is right for you.

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Thanks for your response. I guess I shouldn't look to this website for encouragement. You are exactly correct in stating that I have to access my strength, weaknesses, etc. to determine if a career is for me. I have. I actually know the answer to my question, I was only looking for words of wisdom and encouragement. From now on, I'll look to Jesus. I'm sure you (or you know someone who has) felt a little discouraged and just needed a little uplifting. Oh well, I just finished studying for my a&p II exam and I feel a lot better now.

I'm sorry you weren't happy with the responses to your question. But I believe most of us were truly trying to give you legitimate advice. Simply being interested in something is not reason enough to choose something as a career. You have to assess your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences to determine whether or not that career is a good fit for you. You can only do that by getting out there into a health care environment and seeing how you do.

The bottom line is that if you get so emotional that you can't function well, then health care is not for you. However, caring is a good thing when it doesn't incapacitate you.

Good luck to you. I sincerely hope you can do a good self-assessment and choose a career that is right for you.

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