Prospective Nursing Student but need some advice!!!!!!Please!!

[SDeming1004]

Hello everyone! I have a sort of weird topic. I want to start out by saying I have always thought becoming an RN was my career choice. I am beyond fascinated with the medical field, researching, and constantly learning. Recently I applied for a position as a Technical Partner which is pretty much our hospitals version of a CNA. I wasn't even out of the training program before I was having anxiety issues regarding direct patient care. My anxiety level could not be controlled and led me to quit the position. My predicament is...I would still love to be a nurse but am not sure if I would enjoy it. I know I've had quite a few people say that an RN's duties are no where near what a CNA does. I know I would have to have at least some direct patient care but I am wondering if there are any nursing specialties that I could go right into after nursing school such as the OR or even research where I have less patient care (whether it's with one or two patients or with patients who are under anesthesia) or would I have to go through a "newbie" period and work my way up? I know this all sounds confusing but I'm already 25 and would really like to pick my career choice and start it! If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. I'm not looking for anyone to criticize me or anything, I'm just looking for some advice. :-)

[caliotter3]

The chances of being hired into a noncare position right out of school are slim. Most people go through X amount of experience-providing patient care jobs before they move into noncare positions, and even then, that type of job is hard to come by. Unless you learn to deal with your aversion to patient care, suggest you consider another career that does not involve direct patient care.

[beckyboo1, BSN, RN]

Even if you could land a position like that, how are you going to deal with direct patient care in clinicals throughout school?

[firstinfamily, RN]

Yes, you would have direct patient contact during your college training, and then have to meet minimum requirements of taking care of patients before moving in any non-direct care position. What is it that makes you anxious? Do you have a social anxiety disorder or is it because there are so many patients to take care of with your assignments?? It looks like you would need to find another type of position in the healthcare environment that does not involve direct patient care.