Not sure if Nursing is right for me (Right Now)

Published

  1. What should I do?

    • 3
      Stay at Oil & Gas Company while continuing Art School?
    • 0
      Go to Nursing school and become a Nurse right now?
    • 5
      Stay at Oil & Gas and maybe do nursing later?
    • 1
      Teach in Africa!?
    • 2
      Go backpacking across Europe!?

11 members have participated

Hello! I'm new to posting things on Allnurses, but I'm an avid reader. I read so much because I want to know more about nursing, and its realities before I dive headfirst in this very selfless profession and commit to it. I have two older cousin's that are nurses and they live well and are even continuing on to get their masters. They are both "later in life nurses" that went through nursing school with kids, and jobs etc. So I have very real proof that it is lucrative, rewarding, and provides a stable career; and that getting your degree at anytime is possible. They were always a fan of me being a nurse, but because I was sick in high school I spent much time in hospitals and wanted to be far away from them when I graduated. Lol

I am 23 years old now and I applied to UT Health and I'm waiting to hear back from them. This is where my conflict comes...

I applied with a staffing agency and the same day landed a sweet job at an oil and gas company getting paid pretty well. This endeavor was only supposed to be until school started, if I got accepted, in January. However, the company loves me and is seriously thinking about hiring me on... (oh and I would have real opportunity to move up in this company as well)

I haven't heard back from UT, and I'm thinking about staying at the company and finishing my Art Degree on the side. Yes, Art...Nursing is on the other end of the career spectrum.

I have about 180 credits towards IDK mostly Fine Arts.

I have an Associate of Arts.

And no idea what to do.

I've always loved the idea of being a Labor and Delivery Nurse.

I grew up watching, what other people deemed as disgusting birthing videos, in amazement!

I would love to be a part of that.

But I'm tired of my life being on hold for school.

This O&G job will allow me to move out with my parents and start my independence.

Is this 15 month program worth it?

I don't want to get in the program and want to quit and waste everyone's time and take up a spot.

(P.S. The ebola thing right now isn't helping. Its very concerning that if I work in places with diverse sickness everyday that I'll be bringing it home to my family, & I'm not a fan of this.)

I could be wrong about some of my assumptions though. ^^^^

Is it rewarding enough; do you guys love being Texas nurses!?

It is worth holding off on my independence a little while longer?

I would like to hear back from nursing students, other pre-nursing students, nurses: fresh and seasoned!

Thank you so much if you made it to the bottom! ^_^

Thank you for really reading and trying to help me out!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I moved your thread from the post-graduate forum to the pre-nursing forum to ensure maximum response. Good luck, whatever you decide!

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While this decision is absolutely one hundred percent up to you I do know that nursing is not just a job. Nursing is a career and to be a good nurse you must have a love for not only caring about people and there well being but also compassion for doing what ever it takes to get the job done. I think that anyone who truly wants to be a nurse would not be asking this question. True blue nurses or people who really want to be a nurse because it is there dream would not have to question as to which they would choose. Nursing school takes extreme devotion and studying aka ALL OF YOUR TIME. You will have no social life in nursing school and if getting out of your parents house and making money to be independent if your main goal right now. Nursing school is not for you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Just my opinion but I would say hold off on nursing school. It sounds like you have a good job with decent pay and the possibility of advancement. It also sounds like you are not yet 100% committed to the very real demands of nursing school and the nursing career.

From your post I presume that your nursing goal would be labor and delivery. This is not typically an easy specialty to enter as a new nurse so you could most likely expect to start your career in another area of nursing. You also need to be prepared to work shifts you might not like as well as weekends and holidays. Nursing can be a very rewarding career, but it is also a difficult one.

I would also suggest you check with the school you are interested in to see how many of your credits from your previous schooling will transfer, and if they will at some point expire. This will give you an idea of how long you can wait to make your decision before losing the credits you already have.

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You are 23. Your perspective is going to change 3-4 more times in the next decade, I promise you. Stay where you are and experience life a little. After that, decide what you want to do when you are ready. Nursing is an extremely selfless career. Again, you are 23 and I cannot believe I am saying that lol

There is nothing wrong with having goals and dreams....and wanting to make money at the same time. Why not work at the O&G company while you are weighing your options? Life is not all about taking risks. Sure, it is good to, at times.....but it is also a good practice to research a lot and ask yourself....do I really want to do this? Of course you could always do a CNA training program and start there to see if it is something you would like. At least then, you will know and it will not take much time to start helping people. Either way, I just do not want to see you thinking, "O&G is gonna be it for me" with the fear that if you try something else and find it does not fit you--that it will be the end of the world. Because it wont be. There will be other jobs just like O&G that will want to hire you, mold you and advance you. Trust me. The world is your oyster!

Of course, that is just my honest opinion. Perhaps it is not very practical for your thought process or situation at this current time.

I am curious, what is your interest in the arts? What are you most passionate about? What fills you up with joy, more than anything else?

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

It is good that you are questioning your decision and weighing your options. We all have to take our lifestyles and circumstances into account before moving forward with major decisions such as school/career. Just because you question it does not mean you are not meant to be a nurse or that you will be a bad one. Even while in the program, many question if it is still "right" for them. Nursing was my second choice. Does that make me a bad nurse? Nope. I am a damn good nurse. Do I love nursing. Nope. Can't wait to move on from the bedside. I left the bedside only to return due to not loving case management from home even more than bedside nursing. That is the beauty of nursing. You do not have to be a bedside nurse. Wishing you the best in whichever decision you make.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

If things are going well right now and you're "up in the air" about it, then don't. Wait until you are truly ready to commit yourself to this profession. You can come in at any age :)

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Med-Surg.

I'd say to do whatever is best for you. You should take a good hard look at what you want in life and make your own decision. No one else can say what is best for you.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Is it rewarding enough; do you guys love being Texas nurses!?

I don't find nursing rewarding due to my personality. I'm not the type of person who yearns to be needed by patients. Unlike others in this profession, the sight of patients and their family members doesn't exactly light up my day, so I smile and pretend I'm happy to see them.

Although I don't exactly hate nursing, I don't love it. I stick around because it is a lucrative means to an end, even though I have not yet figured out what the end is.

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First I’d like to say thank you for your response! It was genuine and not judgmental.

And to answer your question of “what my interest is in the arts” ummm everything! ^_^

I love every medium: I paint, I draw, I love film and I have experience with making short films, ceramics, sculpture and photography. I love to create. My ideal job right now would probably be a creative consultant for photo shoots, videos, marketing campaigns etc. But I have such a broad interest, I haven’t the slightest clue how to get a job doing this, or if I would have the creditials to get hired by anyone.

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Thank you so much Serenity1!

Your comment is greatly appreciated! Thank you for being so informative,

real and honest! :)

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What art degree are you finishing?

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