Hi guys! So I'm 21 years old, live in WA state, and I am going to hear back from a local college if I get into their nursing program this week or the next. I have a really high TEAS score and high grades and know I am intelligent enough to become a nurse. The chances of me getting into this certain program is pretty high.
I went into nursing because I honestly didn't really know what else to do. My boyfriend at the time kind of helped push me into it and I thought it was a good idea. Some of my family members are also nurses and encouraged me as well.
Everyone tells me I will be a great nurse. My parents, my family, my coworkers, and my manager even said out of everyone she knew going into nursing I would definitely be the best candidate.
I am naturally very kind to people, very empathetic, and considerate. I have a great work ethic and put others before myself. However I have really bad anxiety and get stressed very easily. I am very nervous around people and this translates as awkwardness. I know that whatever I go into with nursing will be a high-stress environment for me.
I am a CNA but I am not working as one right now which I feel like I should be if I want to be a nurse. When I did clinicals for a short time I completely hated it. Its not that I didnt like helping the patients ... I just hated being inside that building and the whole environment and all the nurses running around seemed so stressed out.
When I get my letter I am secretly hoping I don't get in just so I have an excuse to do something else. I think if I get in I will be happy because of all the work I put in paid off and I got in on my first try.... but if I dont get accepted I really dont want to apply again. I dont know if I am just really scared and have super low confidence or if this is something I really dont want to do. I don't have a "calling" for it and its not something where im like "yes i want to be a nurse that is my dream'''... I dont want to take it over someone else who truly wants to become a nurse. I am sorry to bother you with this the answer is probably obvious but I would like some more input from actual nurses or nursing students. Thank you.
For many people nursing isn't a calling or a life long dream. For many it's just a job. Here's the thing though, for nursing you really need to like your job. Showing up day after day doing what we do is going to turn you in a mess if you don't at least like what you are doing. It can be a very stressful and emotionally draining job. Sure there are nursing desk jobs, but those take experience to get.
Here's the thing you have to make yourself happy. Maybe some family members will be disappointed if you don't attend nursing school, but if your not happy in nursing, it's not worth it.
If you want to work in a helping profession or in health care there is so much more out there than nursing.
Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.
Direwolf,
If I may, I would like to offer some advice from a very personal place. I went to nursing school as a second career changer. I was with my employer 16 years before starting nursing school. I moved up the corporate ladder to Director of Operations, third in command of the organization. I made well over a six figure income, company cell phone so I did not have to pay for a plan, a company 5 series BMW so I did not have a car payment or insurance, and lived in a well-to-do neighborhood. I did not love my job, but I was very good at it. As someone in his late thirties, I encourage you to pick something you will love and not something that you're simply good at. If you love your work, your performance will be stellar. The opposite does not happen; being good at something will not translate into loving it. People will say there is a place for everyone in nursing. While I agree with that statement, you must have floor experience before securing those types of positions. Patients will know if you're unhappy as a nurse. Is it fair to make the patient's experience somewhat not good because you dislike your job?
It sounds as though you're still young. Take general education courses and see what sparks your interests. Check out the career center at the college and see what's out there. Take your time. Explore!
In the spirit of fun. I say this: Can your bladder expand to the size of a Winnebago? You might be a nurse. Can you stand on your feet for 12 hours? You might be a nurse. Can you be nice to someone who just hit you? You might be a nurse. Can you stay straight faced as a doctor teaches you ten new cuss words? You might be a nurse. Can you go without food for thirteen hours and not realize it until you are home? You might be a nurse. I am here all week. Try the veal.
casi, ASN, RN
2,063 Posts
For many people nursing isn't a calling or a life long dream. For many it's just a job. Here's the thing though, for nursing you really need to like your job. Showing up day after day doing what we do is going to turn you in a mess if you don't at least like what you are doing. It can be a very stressful and emotionally draining job. Sure there are nursing desk jobs, but those take experience to get.
Here's the thing you have to make yourself happy. Maybe some family members will be disappointed if you don't attend nursing school, but if your not happy in nursing, it's not worth it.
If you want to work in a helping profession or in health care there is so much more out there than nursing.