Hi all... I am completing the prerequisites for nursing school currently, and I have a question for you. I hear so much about the reasons one becomes a nurse...they go into nursing because it's their calling, they want to help people, make a difference, etc.
My reasons for wanting to become a nurse aren't really because I have a huge drive to get out there and to help people. Of course, I gladly help people in everyday life and it's an enjoyable thing, but this is not my "drive" in life.
I want to become a nurse because I love science and anatomy and I can see myself enjoying learning about the body, talking to people, figuring things out, and seeing tangible results of my actions. I have been drawn to specializing in OR nursing, or maybe psych nursing, because nothing really phases me. I am not trying to sound arrogant when I say that, it's just that I have a high tolerance for crazy.?
I also don't mind being on my feet most of the day and tend to have a good amount or energy and stress control - I grew up the oldest of 7 kids in a very wacky family so maybe the chaos that was my every day life has contributed to that.
Anyway - what do you all think? Is a big underlying desire to help people really required of a good nurse?
All the answers here have made me feel even more confident in my career choice. Or, I should say, my second career choice. I'm going into nursing after spending wayyyyy too many years in corporate America. I know as a nurse things will be tough and every day will present it's own challenges, but I am still fantasizing about the day I get to turn in my resignation letter and take all my business clothes to the Goodwill. ?
I want to become a nurse because I love science and anatomy and I can see myself enjoying learning about the body, talking to people, figuring things out, and seeing tangible results of my actions. I have been drawn to specializing in OR nursing, or maybe psych nursing, because nothing really phases me. I am not trying to sound arrogant when I say that, it's just that I have a high tolerance for crazy.?
How old are you? Go to medical school and become a medical examiner or pathologist if you love science and anatomy. ER nursing or OR nursing might also not be a bad fit.
I would not suggest psych nursing if your sense of satisfaction is tied to tangible results. You say nothing phases you, but have you ever sat on a 1:1 in a psych facility and had things thrown at you all night by someone suffering their first psychotic break? ?
Seems like you’d be better off going to PA/Medical school or NP (but thatll take you longer than PA.
My husband is an MD and went into the field because he loved science and putting pieces together from the micro level -up. He always tells me how us nurses put up with so much and really empathizes with nurses doing so much with so little resources. Needless to say nurses love him... he changes patient diapers when he sees nurses are swamped lol.
I didn't start out with a burning desire to be a nurse. I wanted to be a pharmacist and when that didn't work out I went into nursing. I like the work and I have found the hard science background helped me in the job. We all go into nursing for different reasons. The main concept is to understand we are there for the patient and carry out jobs ethically within our scope of practice.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
13 hours ago, not.done.yet said:
Lots of nurses out there went into the field because it is a solid way to earn a living with little chance (most of the time) of being unable to find work. You don't have to have a calling to be a good one.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Did I go into nursing because of a deep desire to help people. Not really! I do like helping people but I went into nursing after a serious failure to launch in two different careers. Nursing has been very very good to me. It has given me a job that is intellectually stimulating and for the most part emotionally satisfying. It has also given me stable income so that I don't have to worry about living comfortably.
How old are you? Go to medical school and become a medical examiner or pathologist if you love science and anatomy. ER nursing or OR nursing might also not be a bad fit.
I would not suggest psych nursing if your sense of satisfaction is tied to tangible results. You say nothing phases you, but have you ever sat on a 1:1 in a psych facility and had things thrown at you all night by someone suffering their first psychotic break? ?
I'm 41. I haven't had things thrown at me by psych patients but I do have three teenagers. lol
How old are you? Go to medical school and become a medical examiner or pathologist if you love science and anatomy. ER nursing or OR nursing might also not be a bad fit.
I would not suggest psych nursing if your sense of satisfaction is tied to tangible results. You say nothing phases you, but have you ever sat on a 1:1 in a psych facility and had things thrown at you all night by someone suffering their first psychotic break? ?
Going to have to disagree with the second paragraph, I personally don't think there's anything better than seeing a patient come in to the psych unit unable to function and leave stable and with a support system built up around them.
Contemporary nursing is a job or career just like any other work. It’s manual labor in a lot of ways. The entry level wages are comparatively good because it’s tough work... but you don’t have to be a saint to do it!
Im a senior in a nursing program about to graduate and scared outta my mind bc I still don’t know where my passion lies. I got into nursing because I had a daughter and I wanted a job that I could support her with. That was my initial reason. Once I started taking the pre-reqs and got into my nursing classes, I LOVED learning about the science and physiology behind everything. I still love everything about the study of medicine. That is what drives me. Of course, I care about helping others as well but it definitely isn’t the main reason I continued with nursing. It is a great field with so many opportunities and avenues. I think you will do just fine! Best of luck to you.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
On 2/13/2019 at 6:57 AM, Jedrnurse said:
The greater the person's self-perceived "calling", the more posts they'll end up writing about being disillusioned, burned out, etc.
It's a profession with the potential for amazing variety and experiences. You'll have good days, bad days and everything in-between. But one thing it's not is a romanticized/holy "calling".
This!!
I'd much rather work with nurses who are interested in the anatomy and physiology and like figuring things out than the holier than thou ones with "a calling."
HotSauce77
40 Posts
All the answers here have made me feel even more confident in my career choice. Or, I should say, my second career choice. I'm going into nursing after spending wayyyyy too many years in corporate America. I know as a nurse things will be tough and every day will present it's own challenges, but I am still fantasizing about the day I get to turn in my resignation letter and take all my business clothes to the Goodwill. ?