Hello, I am almost done with my pre-reqs, I just have to retake one class due to my grade not being high enough for the program. I have been a good student up until this point with a 3.6 GPA, but have been feeling uncertain about even wanting to continue on to the application process after I take that awful statistics class again. To hopefully make a long story short, it has taken me 6 years as a single mom, 3 of these years spent working as a CNA in a level 1 trauma hospital (OR and ED) to finish these classes. I left my job as a CNA due to the pay being incredibly low (just above minimum wage), and the stress of the environment was taking a toll on my mental health, causing me to be emotionally unavailable to those that I love. With that all being said, I feel that I am unsure if I even want to pursue this career I have been working hard to get to for these years. Many nurses I spoke with in the OR/ED told me not to base my decision on the things I witnessed happening to the nurses there, but I also am aware nurses are overworked, understaffed, and generally under appreciated no matter what department. I am now working as a waitress in a casual fine dining restaurant and enjoy it alot. My wage has increased drastically and I am able to leave work and have energy to be present for my son. I do not witness traumatic things at work that cause me to lose sleep, and I enjoy getting up and going to my job. I do not dread it at all as I did working as a CNA. Is giving up on trying to become a nurse and continuing to wait tables a foolish decision? It is causing me stress to continue to weigh this out in my mind. I was in therapy during my time as a CNA and ended saying I didn't want to go into nursing anymore, but now I am questioning that choice. My main reasons for going into nursing are : Job security, benefits, insurance coverage for me and my child, steady income, and of course helping others. I recently took on a volunteer job at a local SNF to help me feel useful to others in a different capacity than waiting tables, so hopefully I can allow myself time to decide. Any input is appreciated, I would especially like to hear if anyone also doubted their choice but found that they were more than capable of handling the pressure and stress of the job.