Nurses Please Help

U.S.A. Michigan

Published

Me and my mom have been going back and forth trying to figure out should I go into nursing. She and I feel it might be too hard for me and that no matter how hard I try I might not cut it. Will some nurses please tell me what nursing involves? what kind of character one is to have to be a nurse? How hard is it studying to be a nurse? What are the grades at such places like Baker that one has to have to get into the nursing program.

I feel if there is such a nursing shortage then people shouldn't make it so hard for people to become nurses. Nursing schools should be opened up again. Hospitals should train on the job again. Sometimes human beings create their own dillemias.

I never been good with tests and studying but I've been told I'm such a kind, caring, compassionate, empathetic person that I should be a nurse, I know there's more to nursing then having a good personality, I just don't know, I fear failure I guess. Anything I put my mind to I can do but even if I give my best, what if, I don't succeed? I've heard in my area women who made great grades who still didn't get into nursing, that's what discourages me.

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I know in this thankless world, I won't always get appreciated but I really do want to help people. I've been told one should do a job because they love it, not because of the pay but in this day and age, money is number one on everyone's list so people are going to want the jobs where the money is whether they really like the job are not so many are looking to nursing. I see a lot of unhappy, cruel people with high paying jobs, their not loving their job, just there for the money. I've met nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, therapists, doctors, who get paid well, but they lack that bleeding heart that one needs in that field because people look to them for empathy and healing.

I feel the ones in it for the money should move over and let people who really want to be nurses get a chance because the bad nurses ruin it for the good ones. A personality test should be given if one wants to be a nurse to see if one has the personality for nursing or just in it for the money. Anyone can make good grades but do you got in within. I have a friend studying nursing, she's struggling, she's bad at test taking but she gets what she's learning but its just hard for her but she has the qualifications within and out for nursing more then the rest in her class.

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Specializes in Home Health Clinician.
Practical nurses, patient care aides, and medical assistants, I feel sorry for because from what I hear a lot of them have to do the so-called dirty work or slave work that the nurses don't want to do, whatever the nurses don't want to do they make the LPN's, PCA's, and MA's do. The LPN's, PCA's, MA's work hard and get paid less, no "competition" to get into these programs, you can easily become a lpn, pca, or ma and you're still dealing with patients and having a lot of responsibilities so I think its unfair they get paid less. Why don't they need a degree? If nursing requires a degree then the job titles dealing with patients and having a lot of responsibilities should require a degree as well, not a certificate.

Competition shouldn't be the word used to get into a nursing program. I feel if you work hard and give your all you will succeed, it has nothing to do with others. Its up to you and how much your willing to give.

I think that you have to know a lot more to be an RN than to be the other things, and you have to have a license to do some of the duties a nurse does. A nurse does have more responsibility than a CNA or a PT. Those jobs require a certificate.

If your main issue is the competition then maybe you need to find a school with a wait list.

I understand why there is competition in school. There are 30-40 spots open, and the school is [of course] going to take the students that are the best. The only way they can quantify that is with the criteria they decide to use. There is no way to figure out in a logical fashion who is going to be best suited to be a nursing student based merely on someone "trying hard".

I guess I am not understanding the point of your post. Are you just venting because of the "unfairness of it all"? I mean, this is the way it is. Complaining about it doesn't really change anything about the workings of the world. But some of what you are saying is insulting to the people that go to work each day and put in the effort. You sound like you are insinuating that anyone can do it, and I just don't think that is the case.

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I know in this thankless world, I won't always get appreciated but I really do want to help people. I've been told one should do a job because they love it, not because of the pay but in this day and age, money is number one on everyone's list so people are going to want the jobs where the money is whether they really like the job are not so many are looking to nursing. I see a lot of unhappy, cruel people with high paying jobs, their not loving their job, just there for the money. I've met nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, therapists, doctors, who get paid well, but they lack that bleeding heart that one needs in that field because people look to them for empathy and healing.

I feel the ones in it for the money should move over and let people who really want to be nurses get a chance because the bad nurses ruin it for the good ones. A personality test should be given if one wants to be a nurse to see if one has the personality for nursing or just in it for the money. Anyone can make good grades but do you got in within. I have a friend studying nursing, she's struggling, she's bad at test taking but she gets what she's learning but its just hard for her but she has the qualifications within and out for nursing more then the rest in her class.

To be a nurse you need a degree. That's the way it is and the way it probably always will be. Sometimes in life you just need to accept things for what they are and go with the flow of society. If you want to be a nurse you'll have to go to school. End of story. To get into school there will be lots of competition with most schools accepting students with top grades and test scores. Reality can be harsh, but it is still reality.

The idea of using a personality test to decide who gets into nursing is waaay out there. A competance/knowledge is more important than a "bleeding heart" personality. Besides, it takes different types of people to fill different types of positions. I don't have a bleeding heart personality yet get along great with patients.

What you should do is figure out what schools you are interested in going to. Find out what pre-reqs are needed, what entrance exams are needed and when to sign up for them. Find out what type of grades/scores are competitive for entrance. Then focus on meeting the schools criteria.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, Hospice, Homecare.
Of course nurses have a lot of responsibility but having a degree doesn't make one responsible as I said the greatest nurses in history never had a degree (do that make them incompetent as a nurse, some had schools named after them and their in the history books,

You mentioned Florence Nightingale in another post...Florence Nightingale went to a three month nursing school and then traveled all over gaining knowledge and training...She is the one that realized that nurses had INADEQUATE training and there was a need for more specialized nursing training. She opened up the Nightingale Training School for Nurses in 1860. Thus the reason it was named after her. Her school was used as a model for other nursing schools that came afterward. Obviously she saw a need for better training for nurses than what was being provided. We can attribute to her the great nursing programs that we have today. The curriculum model that is followed today by all RN programs is directly related to her efforts back then.

I think you have a misconception as to what the role of an RN is and I highly recommend that you shadow a nurse to see if it is something you will like doing. Nursing isnt for everyone and it does take a certain type of individual to become a great nurse. Just like it takes a special person to become a CNA or MA....A lot of them have no intentions of becoming a nurse because they enjoy their job.

You are correct that there are people out there that want to be a nurse just for the money...However, for every one of them, there is another who wants to be a nurse for all the right reasons. Those that do it for the money won't last long on the job, so you really don't need to worry about them so much.

Also, you speak of the quality of care given by nurses today and that it isn't of the same quality of nursing back in the 1800's. Can I ask you how you KNOW this for absolutely certainty? Nursing back then was not on the same caliber compared to nursing today. The technology alone would leave those nurses on the way side while the nurses today would run circles around them. I don't think it is a fair assessment for you to compare the two...it is like comparing apples to oranges. We learned from them both good and bad and that is why we continue to grow and become better.

I wish you well on your decision and I hope it is one that you will not make hastily.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, Hospice, Homecare.
Practical nurses, patient care aides, and medical assistants, I feel sorry for because from what I hear a lot of them have to do the so-called dirty work or slave work that the nurses don't want to do, whatever the nurses don't want to do they make the LPN's, PCA's, and MA's do. The LPN's, PCA's, MA's work hard and get paid less, no "competition" to get into these programs, you can easily become a lpn, pca, or ma and you're still dealing with patients and having a lot of responsibilities so I think its unfair they get paid less. Why don't they need a degree? If nursing requires a degree then the job titles dealing with patients and having a lot of responsibilities should require a degree as well, not a certificate.

Wow! The level of skills that CNA's and MA's do are on a completely different level that what an RN does. PCA's have a little more responsibility than the previous, but not as much responsibility as an LPN. RN's delegate certain responsibilities to CNA's and PCA's because that is what their job entails. CNA's are hired to do bed baths and change bed linens and take vitals, etc. This isn't because RN's are lazy or don't want to do it, it is because 1. that is what the CNA is hired to do, and 2. the RN has 100 other responsibilities that she must do in her shift that otherwise would not get done or corners would be cut and the quality of care would be compromised if she were to try to get EVERYTHING completed on her shift.

I seriously do not believe that you understand the role of an RN. Again, I highly suggest you do a job shadow with an RN so that you can get a first had feel from behind the scenes of an RN. I believe you will have a different perspective and respect for RN's and you will see that they pay difference is appropriate for the level of care provided.

Good luck!:D

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I think it's possible (probable?) that the OP is confusing traits and tasks of nursing care with the profession of nursing.

I can speak for many, I think, when I tell you that the basis for most nurses is a good, sound theoretical knowledge that comes from studying the physical and social sciences.

Nursing isn't just about the "doing". Anyone can be trained to do anything. Nursing is more about the understanding of why you do what you do. This takes study. It takes a tremendous amount of knowledge of the physical and social sciences, math, English, etc. to be able to be an active, vital participant in the healthcare needs of patients, and to be a valuable, contributing member of the team. You have to be able to communicate, verbally and in writing, your observations. You have to be able to understand the various nuances and changes, and to be able to determine what they mean. Further, you have to be able to anticipate what to do about them. Nurses don't sit and wait for instruction like they did in the days of Ms. Nightingale. Today, nurses play an entirely different ballgame.

And just so you know... those diploma programs? Very, very challenging; every bit as much as any degree-granting institution.

I don't want to scare the OP off from pursuing nursing if that is truly her desire. The reality is that nursing is not a task-oriented "job". It is so much more than that. If it is what you want, then pursue it vigorously. Study hard, learn all you can, and know that we wish you much luck and success!

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I am someone who feels that you have to want to be a nurse. It's easy to say, " I want to be a nurse because there is a lot of money". I didn't go into nursing for the money, I went into nursing because I wanted to help people and make a difference in someone's life. The money in nursing is not that great unless you pick up decent amounts of overtime. I made 80k last year but I worked myself to the bone for that money by working outrageous amounts of overtime. I'm not trying to keep you from going into nursing, I want you to want to be a nurse. Not because it's a "great job" or "It pays great". Sometimes its not a great job and sometimes the pay sucks.It's not all passing meds, wiping butt and other tasks. It's not all Florence Nightingale. You have to critically think. You have to understand why you are doing what you are doing.

As far as nursing school goes, find yourself a couple of friends and have a study group. Yes, it can be competitive or at least that's how it was when I was in school.

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Wow! I never thought of people going in to nursing for money! I'm quitting my job in a couple weeks to move and begin nursing school, a career that will pay me about half what I get now.

I guess it makes sense though, decent pay for two years of super cheap education. Not a bad deal if money is what you want.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

To the OP

I would just like to say that you really have nerve coming on this site and saying the naive things that you have said.

The reason you have to sit in a classroom in nursing school and receive a degree is because you have to learn disease process and problems to assess on patients and what these assessments implicate...then you have to learn how to react to them and what interventions to take.

I find all of your posts highly offensive.

The suggestion that it is unfair that Nursing assistants and MA's get paid less "to do the dirty work that nurses dont want to do" is RIDICULOUS.

I would guess that if you spoke to some of these people they would agree with me. Nursing has evoloved A LOT since WWII.

In this generation, Nurses are licensed professionals that are held accountable for their actions and the lives of every patient they take care of. Each medication that is given has to be double checked by the nurse. Even if it is what the doctor prescribed, and it is not right and the nurse gives the med....the nurse is the one responsible.

I am working during school as an SNA. (Kind of like an aide) and I must say that the money I make is definitely reasonable for the job I do. If something is going on with my patient....The nurse is one who has to use his/her knowledge of the pathophisiology of the human body and the nursing process to help the patient.

As far as haveing to learn on the job...that is what clinicals are for.

From reading everything that you have written, I suggest you stay far away from being a Nurse. I personally wouldn't want to be your patient if all you did was change my sheets and do the "dirty jobs".

Get a life.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Gotta agree with you Jill.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
will some nurses please tell me what nursing involves?

please read the information on these websites:

the healthcare industry has gotten very complicated and medicare drives much of it these days. the red tape and regulations imposed by medicare affects every facet of the industry including nursing. things have gotten so complicated that it sometimes takes a college degree just to read and understand the documents coming from the government! and, that's just the way it is and there's not a whole lot none of us can do about it. you can't fight big brother and win when there is no one else willing to join the fight.

you talked about florence nightingale, but keep in mind that she lived in a different era. she was an educated women, maybe not by our standards of today, but educated for a woman of her era (http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/nitegale.htm). in her time, it was through her efforts as a hospital administrator and particularly as a statistician that she was able to make an impact. much of her work was done in the political arena. the fact that she was also a nurse is secondary. she had a long row to hoe as a woman, believe me. you don't think that having an education wasn't a help to her? she didn't sit around and grouse; like every nurse i ever worked with, she saw a problem, rolled up her sleeves and did something about it. nurses are problem solvers, not whiners and complainers.

you said "i've been to the hospitals where nurses weren't very nice or helpful." so, have i. i've also been to restaurants where servers were nasty, car repair shops where the mechanics could have cared less about being thorough and grocery stores where they just threw the eggs i purchased into grocery bags. not everyone who works in a service industry should be there, yet they are. nursing is not exempt.

"there was a woman my mother knew who gave patients the wrong medicine a couple of times, so i guess they "faked" their way through school or whatever school or training they got they got "easy" training, but some of these women were older then me (late 30's, 40's) so i'm sure they didn't go to college to be nurses, they learned elsewhere but i see in a way now its manadatory to have a degree in nursing." you know this how? i'm 58 and i went to college for my rn when i was 24 and i have a bachelor's degree in it. it is your state board of nursing that regulates the requirements for someone to get a nursing license. the reason for licensing was settled years and years ago to protect the public from quacks, charlatans and frauds. as a citizen you can go onto your state board website and read the nursing law and requirements to become a nurse, including the educational requirements. if you disagree with the educational requirements, write your state officials or the state board of nursing. many of the nursing standards today came out of the fine nursing that was done by the military nurses during wartime. florence nightingale, by the way, did her work during the crimean war. professional nursing, as florence nightingale demonstrated, is all about problem solving. that, as most rns will tell you, is what they do during most of their workday. rns are paid to fix problems of one sort or another, big, small, patient related, visitor related, administrative related, significant, and miniscule. routine nursing tasks may or may not be involved. you have to have intelligence and horse sense to be a good nurse.

"most nurses i've seen in hospitals are older mean women who want to get you in and out." i'm sorry that you saw this. it's not true of all places. you can't assume that your experiences are the same as everyone else.

"college can't teach you to be a compassionate and empathetic nurse, no one can train you to have those characteristics those are qualities one has to be born with." that is very true. part of my job as a manager was to detect that when i was interviewing people for jobs. some are very good at pretending they have these qualities when they want to get hired. but, i have to wonder about your compassion and empathy. you are very judgmental of others. i wonder if you have the compassion and empathy that it takes to be a nurse. maybe that is why you and your mother have been going back and forth about this idea of you going into nursing. you never did say where your mother stood on the issue.

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