Nursing Schools Doubts; Is This for Me?

[MizzRob]

I am going to be completely honest...

I am looking into nursing because it is a stable career. I am 27 and recently got out of the military after six years of service. It wasn't really planned, just was the better option. I have the oppourtunity to go to College for just about anything. And while I would love to be and Art's major or Businsess Management, the bottom line is, I will probably have more success finding employment to sustain my family in the nursing field. I am dont think I am squeamish in anyway. I am very empathetic by nature and generally want to help people. But In all honesty, Nursing has never been my dream job.

I want to go into nursing for my family. I am willing to sacrifice my comfort zone for them to provide a more stable life for my children. I did it for the Military...but I am scared...My biggest fear is that I will be a "bad" nurse, or worse someone will see me as incompetent. I never been a great student. I can retain a lot of information and for the most part I am decent as far as intelligence is concerned. School itself turns me off. Classes, homework, etc. if I am reading and writing about something that grabs my attention I am solid. But things like math and science always get me. It will take A LOT from me to get decent marks from those classes I know. I want to be good at what I do, no matter what it is...I am mainly just venting here. Maybe there is someone else who has ever felt this way. Or maybe someone who could share some insight. It would help me out a lot...

Thanks for reading...

[leenak]

I think you should do something else. Life is too short to do something you don't want to do. How do you think your family will feel when you come home miserable from a job you hate?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I agree with PP - find another direction. Nursing school is a very intense process, why put yourself through it if you don't even want to go into nursing? However, most "stable" career fields are also those that are associated with rigorous academic preparation.

Have you considered a skilled trade instead? Seriously - there is a national shortage of Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC, Construction managers, etc.... my BIL is a specialty welder, with annual earnings in the 6 figures; cousin is an electrician who has more (well compensated) work than he can handle. Classroom training is coupled with extended apprenticeship programs during which you are actually earning a salary, so it is easier to deal with than a long trek through academia.

[dkmamato3]

My advice would be to take an inventory of what you really like to do and the skills you currently have. Then match those up with schooling and a future career objective. Your path should be something that you not only "want" to do but that you also feel passionately about. You will spend a lot of time at work during your life time ~ if you are not doing something you enjoy, then you will just end up very unhappy which will impact the rest of your family.

Going into nursing because it is a stable choice (using your words) will likely make you very unhappy in the long run. You have all the options ahead you with the military paying for your schooling - reach for the sky and go for what you really want to do. If nursing is it then by all means go for it ... but if you are unsure then take a little more time before you make a decision. Good luck!

[maddiem]

If you don't feel a "spark" with nursing, I don't recommend putting in all the time and effort for something you don't really want to do. Being a nursing student is crazy hard, both academically and mentally. I'm a pre-nursing student still and just the science prerequisites are challenging enough! I don't sleep these days because I'm constantly studying so I can be fully prepared for nursing school. But I find a reward in this because its my dream to become a nurse. If you see no reward or pleasure from all this work, you have nothing to drive your motivation. My suggestion is to do something you LOVE! Don't make yourself do something you don't want to do. You will be much happier in life :) Hope this helps!