My Family can't see me as a Nurse but it's my dream

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I have always had a dream of being a nurse but life happens and I ended up with an associates in Political Science and a job in hospitality. I am great at my job but I know where I want to be. I believe in myself and I know I can do I just want my family to see the same for me. It's like they only feel I can just do customer service and write ( I am a published author) but I am not a one trick pony. How do I get them to see and believe?

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

It doesn't matter what people say about you. It is what YOU say about YOU that will determine your destiny.

The way to get them to believe it is to do it, plain and simple. Not every dream we have will give us the pleasure of unconditional support. You have to decide if you have what it takes to do it on your own. Truth is, even with support, you would be the only one upon whom success or failure would ride.

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I'm sure once you finish your prerequisites and get accepted into a nursing program they'll be changing their tune. My mom told me to give up trying to get into nursing school when I was pregnant with my 3rd child. I got so mad! I applied to a BSN program and graduated top 1/3 of my class with 4 young children at home. Don't worry!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's not their lives, it's YOUR life. So if you want to be a nurse, go ahead and do it. And the family will either learn to deal or they won't--that's their problem, not yours.

Best of luck!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

As he was driving me to high school graduation practice, my father informed me that he and my mother were hoping my boyfriend gave me a ring for graduation because "You'll never make it through college."

I DID make it through college without any support from my parents. And then I made it through graduate school, also without any help. My father made me angry enough that I just went out and did it, to prove him wrong. My initial bachelor's -- a BSN -- was difficult, as most of you know. It took me five years instead of 4 because I had to drop out twice to make money for school. During those times, I worked 2-3 jobs at a time rather than my usual 1-2, and overtime was my very good friend while sleep was a luxury. But I did it.

It's harder now, I'll grant you that. Tuition costs more, everything costs more. But a family's support is still a "wonderful to have" rather than an "absolute must."

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It doesn't matter how your family sees you. What matters is how you see yourself.

By family, I assume you're talking about your family of origin - parents, siblings, etc. You're a self-sufficient adult, and how you live your life is your business (assuming you don't go hurting others in the process). Follow your dreams, and prove the doubters wrong.

If "family" in this case means spouse and children, then you need to do some work on the relationship first. If your spouse doesn't support your choice or believe in your ability to become a nurse, then there are underlying issues there. Don't scrap your dream of nursing, but realize you might need to reevaluate more than just your career choices.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I consulted no one when I made the choice to go to nursing school. My husband supports me in whatever I choose and the rest of my family was either going to support me or watch me leave them in my dust.

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Just do it. I was in the same boat as you. I originally wanted to do nursing for my undergrad but was told by my family that "everyone does nursing, why not be a doctor?". I ended up majoring in public health under the pre-med track but ended up making my focus long term care admin. because of my high interest in the nursing field. During my internship in my junior year, I confirmed what I already knew, nursing was for me! I couldn't stand the paperwork and administration aspect, but loved being around the residents, I even volunteered to cut my lunch break short to assist with feedings. Once I received my bachelors, I applied and took the entrance exam for an LPN program(without my parent's knowledge) and got accepted.

Now that I'm in the program and my parents see how well I'm doing, they regret convincing me to do something else. So my advice is to go for it and prove to them what you can do!

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Go for your dreams! I had people try to sway me away from the idea of nursing too, I am so glad I didn't listen to them. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Nephrology Home Therapies, Wound Care, Foot Care..

It's your life, your call. Part of adulting and choosing your own path in life. If I hadn't become an RN, I'd have regretted it til the day I die. Do it!

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Because of my personality and ocd-ness,My friends and family still find it hard to believe that I'm a nurse in the ICU, and I've been doing it for five years. They are proud of me and never discouraged me to do so, but even now, they have difficulty picturing me doing things that are required of nurses--time management, acting quickly, cleaning endless amounts of secretions, poop, etc. you get the idea! So go for it if that's what you would love! They will come around and see and be happy once hey see how happy and capable you are while doing it!

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Are you single? Do what you like.

If you're married, and especially if you have children, you will need to polish your negotiation skills. school is big bucks and lots of time. Will you be withdrawing your current financial contibution? Your share of the chores? Do you have a child goi g through a rough time who needs you around a bit more?You will need the cooperation of your husband. Can your family handle that right now? Maybe, maybe not.

Whatever you decide, good luck! And even if you can't wing it now, things might change in the future...

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