Nursing or Not???

I changed my major in my sophomore year to Graphic design. I really wanted to change it to Nursing, but I was scared of the sciences and also would have to add another year to my studies (which at the time seemed like a big deal). Well now here I am 3 years later, finishing my nursing prereqs and getting ready to apply to nursing school. Wish I had done it sooner. I've decided to go back because 1. I like a challenge. 2. Nursing has various opportunites so if you really don't like one area you can try another. 3. It is decent pay in my area. 4. Stability!! You will always have a job. 5. I wanted to help people (sounds cliche, but its true).

I can't speak on the cons because I haven't experienced the profession yet, but just from reading posts on this board the cons seem to be similar to other professions. Nurses in a lot of areas are overworked and underpaid. With the shortage going on it has to be a heavy workload. I would look around this board. That is what I did. That way you can really see the gripes of current nurses and fully prepare yourself for what to expect. All of the nurses here have been extremely helpful. Even the negative comments about the profession are great insight, but if you really want to be a nurse you will not let the negative turn you away from nursing. I just take it all in and tell myself to expect it when I get into the profession.

Keep in mind when reading a lot of these posts that this is a place where a lot of current nurses come to vent after a hard days work. At first when I started to read the posts I got discouraged, but then I remembered that everyone needs to vent about their job otherwise we would all go nuts!

Good luck on whatever you decide, but keep reading the posts here...they are a real view from real nurses on what to expect.

If you read some old threads you will get plenty of cons. Mostly it has to do with feeling overworked and underappreciated. There is a lot of personal reward, it is a proud profession, it is a dynamic (constantly changing) profession, there are many ways to practice and you will make great friends. Does that help?