Life-changing decision...and I'm stumped

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I am a 24 year old who is having a crisis! I graduated last May with a Bachelors Degree in Management and have yet to find a job. I've been doing temp work and it's making me nuts. I have always been interested in nursing...but talked myself out of it and went the business route instead. Now I'm considering going through an A.D.N. program to become an RN. The idea of being able to find a job no matter where I go is very appealing! But, I'm so afraid that nursing is not for me. The idea of working in a Critical Care Unit or ER terrifies me! This will probably make me sound really bad, but I'm not the touchy-feely type and don't have that overwhelming desire to "help people" that nurses usually possess. I am fascinated by the medical field though and love to visit hospitals, etc. How can someone find out if nursing is right for them?? I have a feeling it's just one of those things that you have to experience to know. I do think I have the potential to be a good nurse, I'm just scared of the nursing part! Does that make any sense?! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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I am a 24 year old who is having a crisis! I graduated last May with a Bachelors Degree in Management and have yet to find a job. I've been doing temp work and it's making me nuts. I have always been interested in nursing...but talked myself out of it and went the business route instead. Now I'm considering going through an A.D.N. program to become an RN. The idea of being able to find a job no matter where I go is very appealing! But, I'm so afraid that nursing is not for me. The idea of working in a Critical Care Unit or ER terrifies me! This will probably make me sound really bad, but I'm not the touchy-feely type and don't have that overwhelming desire to "help people" that nurses usually possess. I am fascinated by the medical field though and love to visit hospitals, etc. How can someone find out if nursing is right for them?? I have a feeling it's just one of those things that you have to experience to know. I do think I have the potential to be a good nurse, I'm just scared of the nursing part! Does that make any sense?! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

You certainly don't have to work in Critical CAre or the ER to be a nurse and you definitely don't need to be "touchy-feely". However, the part where you stated that you "don't have an overwhelming desire to help people" is a definitely a problem, actually, a BIG problem. An overwhelming desire to help people should be THE reason to go into nursing; it's a common denominator for all great nurses.

If you like the medical field you should look into being a lab technician.

good luck.

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I am a 24 year old who is having a crisis! I graduated last May with a Bachelors Degree in Management and have yet to find a job. I've been doing temp work and it's making me nuts. I have always been interested in nursing...but talked myself out of it and went the business route instead. Now I'm considering going through an A.D.N. program to become an RN. The idea of being able to find a job no matter where I go is very appealing! But, I'm so afraid that nursing is not for me. The idea of working in a Critical Care Unit or ER terrifies me! This will probably make me sound really bad, but I'm not the touchy-feely type and don't have that overwhelming desire to "help people" that nurses usually possess. I am fascinated by the medical field though and love to visit hospitals, etc. How can someone find out if nursing is right for them?? I have a feeling it's just one of those things that you have to experience to know. I do think I have the potential to be a good nurse, I'm just scared of the nursing part! Does that make any sense?! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm happy to see that you recognize in yourself the things that seem to be an important part of the nursing profession that may be missing in action in your own makeup. No crime in that. I've seen so many nurses come into the profession not realizing what it all means in the 'real world' context and then either leave, or turn into b***ches on wheels because if they are miserable, then by golly, they are going to be sure they aren't the only miserable ones.

If medicine fascinates you there are so many other things you can do that doesn't even have anything to do with hospitals and 'touchy feely'. Scope it out! Maybe you will find your niche. And good luck to you! I hope you find your heart's desire! :wink2:

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You have a Bachelor's in Management. If you try nursing and don't like the touchy feely end of it you can always go into Administration, Nurse Management...there are lots of options in nursing.

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How can someone find out if nursing is right for them?? I have a feeling it's just one of those things that you have to experience to know. I do think I have the potential to be a good nurse, I'm just scared of the nursing part! Does that make any sense?! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Shadow a nurse for a day or two or three. Talk to nurses and find out what their jobs are really like, what they like about their work, what they don't like, why they chose nursing.

So many of us have been scared of approaching patients or of critical care situations. You're not alone in that regard. So investigate the full range of options, and make an informed decision.

Best of luck to you.

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