maybe not nursing..

Yeah, I think I am definately think I am going to try that. I come from one of those "not so supportive" families that are constantly telling me that it's not right for me, so I'm sure that has something to do with my worries..

Just a suggestion, being a CNA is a great way to get an insight in the nursing career, but from what I've heard, it's the hardest part of nursing school for most students. It is very emotionally draining, you definitely have to give yourself time away from work, and if you keep your life and job completely separate it helps alot. So even if you don't like being a CNA don't give up on nursing, because let's face it, CNA's get all the dirty "poop" jobs, nurses don't normally do those kinds of things. I love being a CNA, but there are time's when I just want to walk away, and I know nursing will be hard, but at least I won't have to see butts! haha

I totally hear you. I'm finishing up my last semester of A&P and all of a sudden am unsure if I should move forward in my prereqs and apply to nursing school. I have done a couple of job shadows, one in an ED and another on a med/surg floor.

The thing with me is, I know I would enjoy the patient interaction, counseling, and education aspects of the job, but what scares me sometimes is the science stuff. I mean, I can't say that I've been dying to open up my A&P book to read about the kidneys, etc. I often wonder if nurses need to have a strong science aptitude to be successful, or do they just need to know the basics? I may take chemistry next semester, but am dreading it. If I'm dreading chemistry, is that a sign I'm in the wrong field? Or don't most people dread taking chemistry? So you see, my head starts spinning and I'm left with no answers yet. I will pray and ask for help with this. Any replies from current nurses would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I totally hear you. I'm finishing up my last semester of A&P and all of a sudden am unsure if I should move forward in my prereqs and apply to nursing school. I have done a couple of job shadows, one in an ED and another on a med/surg floor.

The thing with me is, I know I would enjoy the patient interaction, counseling, and education aspects of the job, but what scares me sometimes is the science stuff. I mean, I can't say that I've been dying to open up my A&P book to read about the kidneys, etc. I often wonder if nurses need to have a strong science aptitude to be successful, or do they just need to know the basics? I may take chemistry next semester, but am dreading it. If I'm dreading chemistry, is that a sign I'm in the wrong field? Or don't most people dread taking chemistry? So you see, my head starts spinning and I'm left with no answers yet. I will pray and ask for help with this. Any replies from current nurses would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I'm not a nurse yet but I will say that with A&P there is going to be subject matter that interests you and subject matter that doesn't interest you. Even MD's pick specialties based on what areas interest them so if you're not fascinated with everything in entry level A&P that probably isn't a sign that you shouldn't be a nurse. I also don't think you have to love chemistry to be a nurse you just have to get through the prereq. A strong science aptitude doesn't help much in patient care professions if you have no people skills. And if you are a good educator that is a valuable ability to have in health care. While you'll need a decent foundation in science and social science, etc., to get through nursing school your patient care abilities will be very important once you get into clinicals and after school as a nurse.

I am moved by the comments posted in this thread. One of the hallmarks of a successful nurse is the ability to honestly explore one's own feelings. But unvarnished self-awareness can frequently be very painful; that's why delusion is such a popular defense mechanism .

It seems that somewhere along the line, Nursing hit the tipping point - moving from the time when bottomless compassion and a strong back were the ingredients for success - to our reality today. Unfortunately, the image of "Nurse" doesn't appear to have made the switch yet. Nursing still seems to be characterized as more art than science. Popular perception of us is still the compassionate angel of mercy. I think this is a delusion shared by many nurses also. As evidenced by the many "anyone can do it" posts that can be found on this site.

The cold hard reality is that competent Nurses must be science-based knowledge workers. It is impossible to function at the level expected of today's nurse without a thorough base of theoretical knowledge begining with anatomy and physiology. Likewise, in order to understand pharmacology, we need to have a grasp of the underlying chemistry; in order to deal with hemodynamics, we need to understand applied physics. We probably have more in common with engineers than we would like to admit. True, there are many nurses out there who function well as task-oriented expert "technicians" who can usually start the most difficult IV and do dressing changes one-handed -- but... Without all the requisite knowledge to draw upon, Nurses cannot become critical thinkers who can expertly manage patient problems.

The stakes are higher than ever before; technological and scientific advances are certainly not slowing down. It is more important than ever for nurses have to have the intellectual fire-power needed to ensure safe passage for our patients in these turbulent times.

wow, maybe they will make physics a prereq for nursing school

i say go for it. My family supports me, but I think it surprises them that me of all people wants to do nursing. I dont usually care for getting "down and dirty" and in A&P 1 and 2 i havent once touched the cat while dissecting. Thank god for awesome lab partners and taking pictures to study. and I sometimes stress myself out about nursing too.

But I just think about all the different aspects there are to nursing, and I know that i'll figure out what i'm meant do do! You could work in a nursing home, or doctors office,correctional nursing, psychiatric, school nursing or eventually go on to teach.

There is definately an area of nursing that is "for you"

Hi Beth - I agree with the post that suggests taking a CNA class or doing the job for a while before leaping into everything that is nursing school.

I will tell you that I am in the exact same boat as you! I am changing careers from the fast pace and stress of the mortgage world (which is really busy right now considering the economy) into nursing. I have a two year old baby, a house with a mortgage, car payments and everything that comes with all of those responsibilities. I am a single mom with no financial help from dad (although he's still in my son's life one day a week) and I will have to quit the job that I've had since I was 15. You want to talk about scared? I'm right there with you!

BUT, I took all of the required pre-reqs and the CNA class to see if I would like it. I LOVE IT! In all honesty I can't wait to take the leap into nursing school! But it is really scary to leave all of the stability behind while you are going through it.

I do question whether I have the ability to keep up with nursing school. This website can be really scary at times. And I do have the question in the back of my mind of whether I will really like to continue with my nursing education. But, I don't ever want to look back at my life and regret anything. That scares me most of all! Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi guys,

Maybe there are others out there who may be changing careers are having some of the same fears as me. Here's hoping..

I am in a very stressful career now that I am trying to get out of. Ever since I was old enough to remember I have always wanted to be a nurse. I consider myself to be a kind, considerate, compassionate, smart person. There was no time in my life when I "knew" I was meant to be a nurse. Call it job security, good income, wanting to help people, whatever you want. I guess my reasons for wanting to be a nurse are all little bit of all of it.

I read these forums all the time, and to be honest, I am so scared! Scared that I will hate it, scared of all the issues nurses have with management, how stressful it is, will I be able to hack it? I am wondering if I would be better off going into something that wouldn't be quite so stressful. I just don't know. Everytime I get like this I always go back to nursing. I am just wondering if there is anyone else who has the same fears, maybe offering some advice?

Am I alone here?

I haven't read the replies yet, but I can completely relate. I felt the same way after reading here. Try to remember something though, it's human nature to talk about the negative and to vent. What you are getting here is a lot of people's frustrations, not the good stuff. With any job you can face the same issues with management, the same rude "customers" and so on. SO just remember, you are only seeing one side here and it's not the side that brought you to want to be a nurse. I am sure for everyone pain in the orifice patient, you will have 5 good ones that are cooperative and thankful and remind you why you did all this. As far as mangement, a lot of that depends on your hospital. I have talked to numerous people at the hospital I will be working at and they love it. Nothing but good things to say. A friend of mine works at a rival hospital (kids in football so I am used to the term rival LOL) and he says nothing but bad things. But try not to let the negativity effect your dream, take it as a dose of reality that it will not all be a bed of roses, but remember people need to vent and the best place to vent is to others that can relate, which would be here to fellow nurses.