Not So Sure About This

johnnrachel · Feb 20, 2004

I Just want to say I am in my first semester of nursing and during clinicals I have had some doubts as well, but you need to remember that there are so many different fields of nursing you may just have to find your comfort zone within nursing. I do disagree with some of the advice saying "Just try the first semester and see how you like it" Most people say the first semester is a lot of poop cleaning, cna stuff. I know that is what nursing is all about , however, as a first semester nursing student you really get all the DIRTY work so to speak. Give nursing a full fledged try and find your passion. Im sure everyone in school could tell you at one time or another they have had doubts. I know Im sticking it out till the end!! I just wanted to encourage you to give nursing a try and realize there are so many different areas you might just love. :rolleyes: Good Luck.

Thanks for a great site, and everyones such a great support!!

bonjovigirl · Feb 20, 2004

Before my clinicals started I lost sooo much sleep. I couldn't eat, I was a wreck. "What am I doing here" "why did I do this to myself?" "I can't POSSIBLY be a nurse" "What if someone poops, how am I gonna handle that?"

Well, first day of clinical, walk in to my patients room, 95 year old man with no wits about him whatsoever, covered in his own feces begging me to help him. I took a deep breath, got the CNA to help me, and we cleaned him up. Only 3/4 a year into it and the only thing that make s me gag is c-diff. When you realize theres a human being there needing you, your perception changes. We have as a group this semester learned that death is not always a bad thing. We have seen pts families force their mother/father though dialysis, peg tube insertion, and countless treatments when they just want to go...Now, I can't tell you how I will feel when one of us sees a person who it isn't their time go. One of my classmates, (not in my group) held someone's hand as they passed away. Now, it wasn't exactly something we all cheered her on for, but it was a life changing experience for her. This is an amazing career to be involved in, I wouldn't let fear guide your decisions, but you do have to want it.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

prairiegirl · Feb 20, 2004

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of their advice. I have been thinking very hard about this. I actually got to go on a trip to an Alabama State Nurses Association Legislative Day yesterday in Montgomery, AL with one of my nursing classes. It was inspiring to hear from other nurses and their concern about healthcare and patient care and all the work they are doing in the legislature to push for bills to improve things. I also talked with my professor who is now a NP and teaches. She was also very helpful. And I talked to a girl who was already in clinicals and she was reassuring that the clinical instructors at our school are indeed very good and helpful. And, I asked my anatomy professor for a recomendation letter for that vet tech program. Well, she wont do it because she said she wont support "a bright, intelligent student" taking a step back. I think that is kind of wrong, but she did make me think some. I'll have a chance to take 1 clinical this summer, so I could do that and if I absolutely hate it, I can change my major for the fall. Thanks again for all the advice.

Laura