Please Help! I need advice/encouragement about entering nursing!

Expect to see favoritism during clinical......I guess that's where the old saying goes "life isn't fair".

I am currently in my pre-req classes at a community college for nursing. Choosing nursing was difficult for me becasue there are so many things that I want to do! I am doing very well in my current classes but I am terrified to enter clinicals. School has always come easily for me but I am so nervous for nursing! I am terrified of making a big mistake (that could cost someone's life!) I am currently a CNA in a nursing home and I definitely do NOT want to do it forever. I enjoy it now but I would definitely get burnt out. Do you feel that nursing IS indeed rewarding? I have so many people say that they HATE their job. I am not going into nursing for the money. I honestly feel that I will like caring for others. Does everyone feel this uncertain and scared to insert IV'S and caths?

Ok this is my own personal piece and I hope it helps.....First, I just got accepted into the spring semester 2011 and yes sincerely I have my fears, anxieties, no prior CNA,PCT or medical experience whatsoever. Yes people complain they hate their jobs but you and only you know the reason you are on this career path. Of course, some of us have been burnt out without being nurses which I think is normal as long as it's not frequent. Anyways, my point is nursing school is a school to learn all of these things and yes you will have classes, labs, clinicals, studying and practicing to help you perfect yourself and after few years, there are other fields within nursing career you may want to consider. For me, my long term goal is to be a nurse educator, so all these emotions you are experiencing to me are ok as long as they don't get the best of you.

the scariest part of clinicals is talking to the patient. you can be spot on with IV's, basic exams, meds all of that...but if u cant talk to ur patient and build trust.. its not gonna work.

you say youre a CNA so im going to guess you have experience with pt care and talking to them, so i think you will be fine in that aspect :)

think positive..if u want to be a great nurse you will be

Here's the thing, no matter what you do in life and what position you work in, you will ALWAYS have bad days - it's natural. And you're currently working as a CNA - so you're basically in the health field and pretty much know what to expect becoming an nurse. Are you happy now? Of course you want to move up and expand your career - however the more you study, the further you go, the more responsibilities you will have.

This is a decision you have to make. Go with what your heart tells you to do.

My two cents :) Good luck!