Nursing or something else?

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

I am interested in nursing, still taking pre-reqs, but have a question for all you current nurses out there that have experience in the medical field.

I have been having my doubts about going into nursing. I initially looked into it because of the flexibility it offered, the pay, and because I have an interest in the body, how it works, and the disease process. However, and that is a BIG however, unlike many of you, I don't long to take care of people. The truth is I don't even know if I want to. So, naturally I am a little afraid at this point. I have been pushing onward because I am scheduled to take nurse assisting classes in the fall and am assuming that class would let me know once and for all if this is for me.

For all of you current nurses who see the hospital system and what goes on inside of it, what would you recommend (as a position) for someone that has the following traits:

Introverted

Don't consider myself very social

Not very patient

Like science/health/education

I need flexibility, don't necessarily need full time work at this time, want to have a job that lets me move around somewhat, and is mentally challenging. Specifically, with what I have told you, I am wondering what position you think I would be good at other than nursing, within the medical field. Did any of you describe yourself this way before becoming a nurse and still successfully made the transition? Do you have to be a social butterfly to love nursing? Do you have to yearn to care for people? I don't even have kids so maybe that is part of the problem!! LOL!!

Right now, Radiology Tech is looking good, maybe Surgical Tech, Medical Technologist.......maybe these are less socially intensive? If you could have done something differently, what position in the hospital would you have?

Thank you in advance for any advice!!

Janice

[zenman]

For all of you current nurses who see the hospital system and what goes on inside of it, what would you recommend (as a position) for someone that has the following traits:

Introverted

Don't consider myself very social

Not very patient

Like science/health/education

Janice

Ever think about Medical Records?

[angel337, MSN, RN]

you sound like you pretty much have your mind made up. i don't think you have to be a social butterfly to be a nurse but you definitely have to be patient, have excellent communication and coping skills... especially in high stress situations. maybe you should look into a career that doesn't involve alot of social contact, like computers. good luck with your career.

[OneChattyNurse]

one of the greatest things about the healthcare field is the variety. there are so many different aspects of nursing, there should be one area or another for just about everyone.

how about going into research. spending your day in a lab with specimens and test tubes should compliment your introverted personality.

or...

how about exploring forensics. this should be fascinating to someone who is interested in the body and how it works, but not the socialization with that body.

i am sure there are other "non-traditional" options out there. (besides working directly with patients) might be something worth looking in to. i am not saying that nursing is for everyone, but i do think there are opportunities out there for many.

good luck to you whatever you decide.

[bargainhound, RN]

Another thing to think about: these are your traits

that you recognize in yourself at this point in time.

They are subject to change....you can work on them.

They do not eliminate you from pool of people who

can do nursing. There are so many types of nursing to choose from...don't give up on nursing when you

have invested so much into it as a career.

We all grow and change throughout our lifetimes.

I personally learned a lot about myself and how

to work on personal issues through working at

places that do therapy. I learned from the groups, literature, etc.

[rollingstone]

How about work in the lab?

[kathy_79]

think about medical records, or physician assistantor phlebotomist, or x-ray tech, or ecg tech. i know many nurses who do not like to take primary contact for pt and they have chosen to be medical record worker.

i hope you find your way soon. good luck to you :)

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

You all gave me some valuable information. I have been having some extreme doubts, but I think I don't give myself enough credit. My family is not very supportive and act like I would be horrible at this, so I think that is also why I really second guess myself. I am trying to keep it into perspective that nursing does offer different things and trying to focus on that. Just because RIGHT NOW I cannot see myself caring for people or becoming more people oriented doesn't mean that I would eventually begin to or that I would find my "niche" elsewhere, either in another aspect of nursing or another medical field. It is really hard though, when you are working full time and going to school, and you are pursuing something you don't even know you will like. It is like blind faith!:)

I think my choice to avoid freaking out until AFTER my nurse assisting classes is a good one. I try to remember that an ADN is great to have even if you end up doing absolutely nothing with it. I think the fear is starting to set in......the fear that I won't make the cut. I just have to keep telling myself "YOU CAN DO IT!!" and try not to listen to all the nay-sayers that know very little about it.

And, nurse research sounds really neat. Some sort of mix between patient interaction and lab/research would be great. I hope I find my way soon. I have been in this purgatory for atleast a year now and have been visiting this site to try to make up my mind. Being educated about what you are considering as a career path is great, but some of the posts here scare me too! I am trying to make my mind up for myself, so I am trying not to look too hard at the negative aspects right now. It has to be that way for me to push onward....

Again, thank you all. You are the most supportive friends I have right now.:)

Janice

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

Janice, you and I share these traits:

Introverted

Don't consider myself very social

Not very patient

Like science/health/education

I have been a nurse for 12 years, and do have direct pt contact all day long. It has always been kind of hard for me- Part of my duties include pt education and training sessions which last 5-7 hrs each, 4 days a week.

I admire nurses who have an easy time with these things. Their approach w/ pts is often lighthearted- I am more serious w/ them.

I never thought I could teach groups and individuals for a living, and communicate with all different types of people, but I am doing it all day long now.

[ERNurse752, RN]

I think it's very wise to make up your own mind, like you said. Waiting until you've done your CNA training will give you a nice glimpse at nursing and whether it's for you. And even if it isn't, the CNA training will still come in handy.

What about EMT school? You still learn about the body, but you don't have to be as patient/social because you're with your patients for a short amount of time.

Good luck!

[talaxandra]

Another thing to think about: these are your traits that you recognize in yourself at this point in time. They are subject to change We all grow and change throughout our lifetimes.

I couldn't agree more - I am quite different from the person I was when I started nursing - much more outgoing! This is still much more the case when I'm in my comfort zone - I'll never be the life o the party - but developing confidence in my ability to something well has been enormously liberating for me.

Good luck!

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

You mentioned that you might be interested in nursing research. You also mentioned that the ADN would be great to have. Unless something has changed, you have to have a minimum of BSN to participate in nursing research.

Not to discourage - just FYI