Nursing is not for you if you don't have a burning passion for it?

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So during one of my clinical evaluations, my instructor was telling me that she doesn't think nursing is for me because I don't seem enthusiastic enough and that it was as if I was always "playing catch up". She said that if I can't see myself doing nursing "for free" then I don't have enough of a passion for it. I'll admit, I am not in love with nursing school, but I'm not sure if that's enough to determine whether I'd be a good fit for the profession. Nursing is so versatile too, maybe I'd find my niche within it eventually? But I can't honestly say I'm in love with nursing. I think it's an okay fit for my personality, I don't mind taking care of people and nursing pays decently which is why I'm attracted to it. I guess it's more of a practical choice than a passion. But according to my instructor that's not enough. She's convinced that I wouldn't be a good fit. Do y'all agree with her? Has an instructor ever insinuated something similar to you? If so, how did you respond, did you keep going anyway? I feel so conflicted.

God didn't bring you this far” in nursing school. Nor is He planning for you to pass or fail. Jesus told his disciples to go and spread the good news of Christ. To love one another. To forgive. To be gracious and not pass judgement. To keep the commandments. To love God.

Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to become a nurse” or obtain any other earthly degree to prove that we are walking in God's grace. I firmly believe that one of the most common traps Christians fall into is to start believing that our success by man's standards (academics, finances, relationships, health) is a reflection of God's will in our life.

I'll reiterate this- God doesn't care if you become a nurse, or a teacher, or a garbage collector. If you fail nursing school, it doesn't mean you let God down or He let you down. It doesn't mean you didn't pray enough. It simply means that you didn't score high enough in your coursework to pass the class. You'll start to feel a lot more peace and a lot less pressure when you realize that the life choices you make (such as your career) don't mess up some master plan that God has for your life. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. That is all you have to do.

I agree with some of what you said, but it's as if you're saying that you serve a God that doesn't care about your personal wellbeing or doesn't hand out blessings. If I were to go on to become a competent nurse, that would have a positive impact on my wellbeing as far as finances go, and I would like to believe God is concerned with that. It would just be a huge blessing from God to get through nursing school despite all the challenges that come with it. You're saying praying for that is futile or asking for any discernment regarding my livelihood is pointless? I don't know about you, but I believe in Mathew 21:22. It may or may not be in God's will for me to be a nurse but I do believe that as long as I have faith in him, he'll look out for my best interest.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

If you can't pass your classes you won't be a nurse. Problem solved.

Nursing was never a "calling" for me but the job has a great many satisfiers other than money. During some of my early days in the ICU I remember actually saying, "I can't believe they pay me to do this".

I like science and the complexities and inter-relatedness of the human machine I found fascinating. I like working in a climate controlled environment. I have a lot of independence but best of all I really like being a trusted person people count on to do a job right. What I do matters and at the the end of the day I am proud of my work.

At this stage of my career (36 years and counting), I make well over $50 an hour working part time, so the pay ain't bad.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

Nursing is my calling. I never once thought about the money. I absolutely love surgical nursing and couldn't see my self doing anything else but that. But there are lots of nursing jobs I would not do, mental health aged care primary health ect. You don't have to like every nursing role. But be passionate about at least one of them.

To be a good nurse and to be happy you have to be passionate about it. Otherwise you will turn out to be one of the nurses on here that do nothing but complain and put down the profession. But hey you get paid! And you will remind anyone who listens that you do. Because that's all nursing will be to you, a job and money.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
I agree with some of what you said, but it's as if you're saying that you serve a God that doesn't care about your personal wellbeing or doesn't hand out blessings. If I were to go on to become a competent nurse, that would have a positive impact on my wellbeing as far as finances go, and I would like to believe God is concerned with that. It would just be a huge blessing from God to get through nursing school despite all the challenges that come with it. You're saying praying for that is futile or asking for any discernment regarding my livelihood is pointless? I don't know about you, but I believe in Mathew 21:22. It may or may not be in God's will for me to be a nurse but I do believe that as long as I have faith in him, he'll look out for my best interest.

I believe the Bible in its entirety, in the context in which it was written. Unfortunately what dominates religious TV and many a megachurch is this word-faith doctrine which reduces God to a genie, bound to our fleshly desires.

If God is as you seem to think, that His "failure" to give you success in your nursing program indicates a disregard for your wellbeing; and that He gives us whatever we want as an *isolated, out-of-context* Matthew 21:22 appears to say................. Why are so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ being worked and starved to death in North Korean concentration camps? Why are they being slaughtered so horrifically in Syria? (Some months ago I made the decision to Google Image "Christians in Syria." Some delusional online acquaintance was whining about how persecuted we are even in the US. I am a longtime subscriber to the VOM newsletter, I am an enthusiast of church history..... those pictures gave me nightmares for a good week. Yeah I decided against the photographic evidence of what persecution looks like.) Why were most of Jesus' own apostles martyred?

Because according to the Bible, followers of Jesus should expect it.

1 Peter 4:12-14

2 Cor 4:8-12

John 15:18-20

Do I believe that nursing is a calling, where medicine or law or architecture are professions? Absolutely not. Do I believe that God can direct our paths? Of course -- when it's His sovereign will to do so.

But this isn't the first semester you've had trouble, correct? You may not need passion, but you do need to pass your program, and pass it with enough knowledge to pass the NCLEX. Only you can decide if you're willing to press on, but I would encourage you to have a conversation with your academic advisor and consider her advice.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
I agree with some of what you said, but it's as if you're saying that you serve a God that doesn't care about your personal wellbeing or doesn't hand out blessings. If I were to go on to become a competent nurse, that would have a positive impact on my wellbeing as far as finances go, and I would like to believe God is concerned with that. It would just be a huge blessing from God to get through nursing school despite all the challenges that come with it. You're saying praying for that is futile or asking for any discernment regarding my livelihood is pointless? I don't know about you, but I believe in Mathew 21:22. It may or may not be in God's will for me to be a nurse but I do believe that as long as I have faith in him, he'll look out for my best interest.

I don't want to turn this into a religious debate- I'm happy to discuss further through private messages. God can certainly care about your well being and livelihood. However, we live in an imperfect world. Tragedy can, and does, befall good, unsuspecting people every single day. When I became a nurse and started working in PICU, it was a true crisis of faith when I would see church-going, Bible-believing, praying families have a child diagnosed with cancer, or drown, or die from some freak surgical complication. There's a pretty pervasive Christian believe that as long as we are doing things the right” way, God will bless us. While I do believe there can be miracles and blessings, I also believe that we weren't promised a smooth ride here on Earth (John 16:33). Above all, God gives us peace, and He can work all things together for good.

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I believe the Bible in its entirety, in the context in which it was written. Unfortunately what dominates religious TV and many a megachurch is this word-faith doctrine which reduces God to a genie, bound to our fleshly desires.

If God is as you seem to think, that His "failure" to give you success in your nursing program indicates a disregard for your wellbeing; and that He gives us whatever we want as an *isolated, out-of-context* Matthew 21:22 appears to say................. Why are so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ being worked and starved to death in North Korean concentration camps? Why are they being slaughtered so horrifically in Syria? (Some months ago I made the decision to Google Image "Christians in Syria." Some delusional online acquaintance was whining about how persecuted we are even in the US. I am a longtime subscriber to the VOM newsletter, I am an enthusiast of church history..... those pictures gave me nightmares for a good week. Yeah I decided against the photographic evidence of what persecution looks like.) Why were most of Jesus' own apostles martyred?

Because according to the Bible, followers of Jesus should expect it.

1 Peter 4:12-14

2 Cor 4:8-12

John 15:18-20

Do I believe that nursing is a calling, where medicine or law or architecture are professions? Absolutely not. Do I believe that God can direct our paths? Of course -- when it's His sovereign will to do so.

But this isn't the first semester you've had trouble, correct? You may not need passion, but you do need to pass your program, and pass it with enough knowledge to pass the NCLEX. Only you can decide if you're willing to press on, but I would encourage you to have a conversation with your academic advisor and consider her advice.

I never said me failing out of nursing school is an indicator of God not caring about my wellbeing. I've just been questioning the path God wants me on and whether I'm supposed to "gain" or "learn something" from all of this whether I get through nursing school or not. I hope that makes sense.

Just to be more clear, I've never believed God to be some sort of genie. That's not how I was raised to interpret the bible. There have been plenty of times when I've prayed for "good" things or prayed for God to relieve any kind of suffering me or my familiy/friends are going through, but my requests were not granted. And I don't hold any resentment towards God for that. I believe a lot of things happen for a reason. Whether it's to build strength, morale, etc. I'm not saying those Christians in Syria deserved to be persecuted, but we all have a specific time on this earth and it's up to us to carry out God's will however it's meant to be within that time. I don't think it's wrong to keep praying for guidance or fortune and that's what I've been doing. I have faith that God will take care of me despite what's going on in Syria or anything else you're saying to make me believe that God has no interest in how I'm able to make a living. Matthew 6:25-34

I was just hoping to gain more clarity regarding how valid my instructor's comments were. I believe God speaks to us through other people and I appreciate all the feedback so far. There seems to be a general theme within the comments and I've taken note of that. I'll take what my instructor says with a grain of salt. She's just one person who doesn't know me very well or what I'm capable of. I've only ever received encouragement from my other instructors.

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I love nursing and DO have a passion for it but NO I would not work for free lol. That's nuts! I will say my determination and passion for it is what got me through school and made me work hard. I just got pinned Saturday, it was a long haul as I am sure you have experienced, if I would not have really wanted to be an RN, there is no way I would have made it. But that is just me and I realize that will not ring true for all.

I definitely do not think you have to have a "calling" or a passion to like being a nurse, it's all in your personality I think with whether or not passion matters as far as a career choice. I am a spiritual person but do not personally believe in organized religion so I can't offer any advice or clarity on that issue.

If only one instructor is saying this to you and you have received remarks from other professors contradicting what she is saying to you, then honestly I wouldn't worry much about it. Not everyone will like you, I don't mean that like harshly but that is something that took me awhile to be okay with, and not everyone will see you how you see yourself. So she could totally be off the mark. If you really want to be a nurse, then be one! But I always think its wise to reflect if your having doubts just to make sure you aren't wasting your money on something you ultimately do not want to do.

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I was just hoping to gain more clarity regarding how valid my instructor's comments were. I believe God speaks to us through other people and I appreciate all the feedback so far. There seems to be a general theme within the comments and I've taken note of that. I'll take what my instructor says with a grain of salt. She's just one person who doesn't know me very well or what I'm capable of. I've only ever received encouragement from my other instructors.

Her assertion you are not enthusiastic enough and always playing catch up is worth thinking about. Was there any lack of initiative on your part, a disinterest in that particular rotation, or is the subject matter a weak spot for you? Anybody you worked around who you could ask?

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OP,

Thank you for sharing your story. Honestly, it is tough for many people to realize that everyone show their own way of interest differently. For example, when you attend a funeral not all people cry. Does that mean that person is not hurt? We can not make that judgment. Everyone grieves differently just like everyone shows enthusiasm differently.

" Your character speaks more volume than your grade evaluations. I struggled in my LVN program and was told "Nursing is not for me". It did hurt but I realized that the person who told me did not know me very well personally and their constructive feedback was based from a grading stand point. However I had an instructor who knew my character as a person and my personal values. With that being said the instructor continued to encourage me and have patience in me even when I was struggling.

My favorite quote: "Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree." - Marian Wright

OP, I wish you the best and continue to stay strong. :)

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Does she work for free?

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To be a good nurse and to be happy you have to be passionate about it. Otherwise you will turn out to be one of the nurses on here that do nothing but complain and put down the profession. But hey you get paid! And you will remind anyone who listens that you do. Because that's all nursing will be to you, a job and money.

Glad you feel passionate about nursing (although you aren't one yet)but this is utter and complete bunk. It's pretty ballsy for you to even consider that you absolutely KNOW what kind of nurse someone else will be based on an internet post.:yawn:

Sorry if I sound harsh...I'm in a mood.

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There might be conflicting issues at play here. Not showing enough enthusiasm during nursing school, what is "enough"? I'd hate to think that someone being a Nursing Cheerleader is a requirement for this instructor to indicate a successful future nurse.

You said she's told you that you are "always playing catch up" well that's something to think about. That is NOT a good sign regarding time management and maybe something you need to work on in order to get through school in the first place. You will need good time management skills to survive nursing in general, too and it's not something to ignore as a potential pitfall.

Her assertion that if you wouldn't do it for free you shouldn't be doing it for a career can't be a bigger bunch of horse pucky, plain and simple! I don't have a burning desire to give away my skillset for free, does that mean I shouldn't be paid to be a nurse? I also don't have a burning passion about my job, but I do it pretty darned well according to most people, but according to your instructor I guess I shouldn't be a nurse. What nonsense!

People who claim that you must be "called" to nursing as though it were some kind of religious order instead of a professional career are killing this profession. People who claim that wanting to be paid commensurate with experience and skills instead of demurely being thankful to "serve" for free are what is killing this profession.

Know what I think you should do? Get through school well, be the best nurse you can be by taking advantage of continuing education and constructive criticism and prove to her what a ridiculous judgment she made about you!

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