Pre-Nursing Student still in High school.. NEED HELP

[mkhs08]

I am a senior in High school and started my pre-req's this fall term I am taking Anatomy and Physiology and Psychology. I found out the hard way that these classes are alittle different then what my high school classes are when i saw my scores from my mid-term. I am at that stage in high school where i know what i want to do with my life i am just really scared about how to get there. I have had so many people tell me that i wouldnt make a very good nurse because i have a strong personality and am very stubborn, ive even had teachers tell me this. I have always wanted to be a nurse i really want to be a Labor and Delivery nurse but i have a major fear of needles and am very afriad that this will hold me back once i get into a program. Since i also dont want to be in school forever so i want to know what would be the benifits of being a RN verses being a CNA?

I could really use the advice anything would help right now!!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you're having a bit of a "wake up call".

The advantages of RN over CNA are like comparing apples to organes. No shame in being a CNA, in fact it's a great starting point. But RNs are in charge and make two to three times mroe an hour (where I work CNAs start at 9.00/hr and RNs start at 23.00/hr.). There are more job opportunties for RNs.

You need to tame your personality and stubborness to be a nurse. Nurses should be compassionate and gentle. But you can use your qualities to your advantage if you tame them. For example, in L&D you're going to deal with difficult patients who aren't going to listen to your instructions because of pain and feelings of being overwhelmed, so you have to be firm and persistent. Yet you have to have to be compassionate and empathetic to their pain and situation.

Many nurses have a fear of needles, but have not problem giving injections and starting IVs on other people.

So if you really seriously want to be a nurse, you can overcome your fears and personality traits that might hinder you. But your really really have to seriously want to be a nurse to make it through.

I'm going to move your post to the Nursing Career Advice forum. (This forum you posted in is for nurses who are in the first year of nursing after graduation from nursing school. )

Best wishes in all that you do.