nursing school yes or no

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Hello to all. I am trying to decide if I really want to go to nursing school and need some input. I have always wanted to be in the health field and specifically nursing. I started school and started taking pre-reqs for nursing. I applied for nursing school but did not get in (found out later I missed it by 5 points) so I applied for respiratory therapy instead and was accepted. Ihave spent the last year in RT school but have now moved and RT is not what I want to do. I am now thinking of reapplying to the nursing program but I am unsure. I feel I could get accepted because I have the pre-reqs done. I have done clerical work for 20 years before going to school after raising my children. I have now met a wonderful man and he says it is strictly up to me to go to nursing school or business school. I love being home with him on evenings, weekends, holidays, etc. but then think of the long picture and wonder what if something ever happended to this relationship (heaven forbid), would I regret not going. My question I guess really is if you all had to do it all over again would you still choose nursing? RT school ended my last marriage as he did not support me on school so that scares me now. I know how much support is needed and I know my boyfriend will support me whatever I decide and so will my 14 year old. Thanks for your advice in advance.

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Specializes in Home Health Case Mgr.

Since it is on your mind, you will always wonder if you should have gone to school. I say do it, while you have the support. Being able to support yourself and loved ones is very important. Fact of the matter is; an RN can work anywhere, anytime. There will always be something a nurse can do out there. And a decent living attached to it. Granted, you won't get rich but you can live comfortable. If it is on your mind.....do it! R/T is also a great career, however a nurse can probably find more work and/or options to choose from. Once you are a nurse you will never look back. Best of luck....................

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I think that you should go for it! I would go through nursing school all over again, if I had to. I really liked it and I am happy with my job and the path that I have chosen. I also know that whenever I get totally sick of CCU, I can do something totally different, I'm not stuck with only one option. There is so much that goes into being a nurse and I think that if I were to change careers I'd be bored. I like people and the feeling I get when I know I've made a difference. It's not all fun but it is always interesting.

I wish you the best of luck with your decision. There is a lot of support here on this BB so you can always come here when things get tough. Don't be afraid that the people in your life won't support you. If they love you and want what is best for you they will want you to be happy. Most importantly you have yourself and your son and thats all you need.

Good luck!

Gator

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Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't do it. Nursing school is really tough; not just academically, but it takes up your entire life for 2 and a half years, and then the first year of nursing is pretty tough (as I am experiencing now). I love nursing. I feel God called me to nursing. But I have to say that nursing is tough. I will always be a nurse, but for me it's a religious thing. And I'm really whacked out when it comes to religion and the "kingdom." I don't know how normal nurses handle it. I really don't.

What's wrong with business school? What's wrong with managing a retail store or something like that?

Why does everyone feel they have to be a nurse?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

NO, "everyone does not have to be a nurse" and "everyone" does not have to feel called by GOD to be a good nurse. Just remember that. I say go for it! It will be tough, but you are mature enough to handle it! Best wishes and go for those dreams!

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NO, "everyone does not have to be a nurse" and "everyone" does not have to feel called by GOD to be a good nurse. Just remember that. I say go for it! It will be tough, but you are mature enough to handle it! Best wishes and go for those dreams!

NO KIDDING ! :angryfire Just because someone doesn't hear the "voice of God" telling him/her to become a nurse doesn't mean (s)he shouldn't !

My MIL became a nurse so she could be more independent and was going through a phase where she was questioning her marriage. 15 years later she LOVES it and does very well at it. If you feel you should, go ahead ! Don't be discouraged. I was recently reading through a pharma sales message board and see "get out!" and "run" , "i hate this sh)t job" etc. etc. I guess you see what i am saying.

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If it's your dream, then do it! Religion has nothing to do with nursing. At least not for me. Not any more than religion had anything to do with my decision to work with computers (something I did for 5 years and hated).

I'm enjoying nursing school and working in a hospital environment. I love my clinicals and learning how to think like a nurse. And I agree, you should always be able to support yourself if the unthinkable happens down the road. Is your relationship with him holding you back? It sounds like he's supporting you--go for it!!!

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If it's your dream, then do it! Religion has nothing to do with nursing. At least not for me. Not any more than religion had anything to do with my decision to work with computers (something I did for 5 years and hated).

I'm enjoying nursing school and working in a hospital environment. I love my clinicals and learning how to think like a nurse. And I agree, you should always be able to support yourself if the unthinkable happens down the road. Is your relationship with him holding you back? It sounds like he's supporting you--go for it!!!

Your right. 90% of nurses are just paycheck nurses doing a job. Some do it well, some don't but religion or building the kingdom of God on earth is not what they are in nursing for. We need those 90%.

All I know is that I came to nursing following a deep religious conversion, and it is the strength that sustains me in it. I don't know how regular nurses do it. I'm so selfish that unless nursing benefited me in a deep spiritual way, I wouldn't do it. I suspect others are selfish, too, so it makes me wonder what they get out of it. I mean, imagine wiping someone's orifice if it wasn't for the glory of the love that is shown doing it. Imagine letting an old lady or man ramble on about their past while pretending to be interested if it wasn't for the glory of hanging on that particular cross. I think most of nursing sucks. But I'm at my best on the floor. I become like Christ when I'm on the floor; it's like Christ takes over and my ego/identity fades away. On my days off, I'm just another a**hole who judges, snips, and needs everything to be my way.

Working the floor is hard and it often sucks, but in that it changes me into my "Higher Self" it becomes like glory--just like when Jesus hung on the cross and considered that to be his glory.

I told you I was whacked.

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I will add my two cents: just do it.....................It is something that you will always have and nothing that can be taken away from you (unless you do something really stupid). It can give you a security blanket that you know you will always have.

And I don't think that religious beliefs should dictate whether you will be a good nurse or not............I have always loved nursing and have been proud to be a nurse, even when it wasn't fashionable to be a nurse. And I will always be a nurse................. :)

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I started nursing school years ago while hubby was in college. We had 3 babies then and he had to go to do his student teaching. I was carrying 26 units because it was a special program that combined pre-req's and nursing program together (crazy). I also kept up our janitor job (with the help of a friend) while my husband was gone thru the week. I was very stressed out. Anyway my hubby got offered a full time teaching job from his student teaching site. We jumped at the chance, as we were both tired of being poor students etc. So we dumped our original plan for me to finish school and hubby to get master's...It was alway's a nagging thought/regret that I didn't finish my dream.

I had another baby and spent many happy years raising children. I would entertain the thought of returning to school every now and then, but with 4 children -and hubby now owned very successful business there was no need financially. Still...I thought about going after children were raised. No hurry, I was busy being a happy mother/homemaker.

Well, things changed. After a nearly 20 year marriage to my high school sweetheart/father of our 4 children I needed to end my marriage. I moved out took care of legal matters etc. and decided to go to Surgical Tech school as it was a 13 month program and it still was medicine. I went to work at a wonderful clinic with 5 female doctors. I loved it. The one particular Dr. I assisted and I became good friends,and she encouraged me to go back to school and obtain my R.N.-- that I wasn't too old. I was 40 when I started pre-req's. I just graduated in May and took NCLEX last week (still waiting results in CA). Anyway what I'm trying to say is--that it was always unfinished business for me. I don't think I would have ever felt complete if I hadn't gone for it. I am so happy now that I did, and am looking forward to an exciting new position in the ER! If you want it--go for it!! I'm so glad I did! :) Kim

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awesome, kim ! I love positive stories.

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