Questions about choosing nursing as a career choice

[Kitcat25]

Hi all!

I'am actually taking my last pre requisite to get into radiography.. (don't kick me out of here yet!) But recently I have become extremely interested in the nursing career. I've been wanting to do radiography for the last 3 years , but I have become interested in nursing because of the many different ways that you are able to help people and be there for individuals and their family's. My main reason for wanting to do radiography was because I shadowed a rad tech in the air force ( I was active duty for 5 years) and the career really appealed to me. ( I was a computer administrator). Also , being able to see the body in a different way with technology really appealed to me as well. But recently the world of nursing is starting to appeal to me but I get scared. One way nursing appeals to me is because of job security. My husband is still active duty Air force and he plans on retiring in 15 years. So I want a career that I will be able to continue no matter where we get stationed at. With radiography, because it is a speciality, it doesn't offer as much career opportunities worldwide, like nursing. Also, I feel that since I'am putting in the time of taking the same pre reqs to get into radiography as you would nursing, why not shoot higher for a more rewarding career.

Just a background on my experience with caring for others is :My aunt's a nurse (LPN) and when I was growing up (13-15) we helped take care of my bedridden grandmother. She had 4 strokes , alzheimers , paralyzed and blind on left side of her body, feeding tube, catheter and a lot of medical complications. I did everything from changing her, to feeding her through her feeding tube, emptying out her catheter bag and just being there for her the best I could. After I left home I was convinced that I didn't want to be nurse just because of how hard it was emotinally to see my grandmother go through everything she did. I felt that I wouldn't be able to be a nurse because I have a huge heart and care for people immensely. I'm the type of person who wonders what would happen to someone in their life, I just barely met. I only mention the above to let you know that bodily fluids don't bother me and it doesn't gross me out any. Spitting, hitting or name calling from someone sick doesn't bother me either. At first it did but I eventually knew it wasn't my grandmother it was her illness and she wasn't herself.

So my question's are:

What type , if any , of an attitude does it take to be a nurse? When I tell individuals that I'm looking to be a nurse they say it wouldn't be a good fit because I'm to nice. I don't let people run over me, but it takes a lot to get me mad. Hmm .. Okay I have never really met a downright "mean " nurse, but does it take someone with a tougher exterior to survive in the nursing world?

Do you learn to be able to think critical in urgent/emergency situations or is it something that you have already have? I have some of the "make a good decision in a life or death situation" skills from the military, however it wasn't to save someones life. I'm afraid that I may mess up badly if I was going into the nursing career field , and I'm afraid of killing someone. Any one else have these fears? How did you get over them?

Are nurses generally happy with their career choices?

For all of you out there that have been in the game for a while are you happy with your career choice?

What are the retirement benefits that hospitals offer?

I'm not to familiar with how retirement works on the civilian world but when can you retire from being a nurse? Is it at age 55 or do some companys offer competivie retirement packages? I know I sound "green" to the world but just having been in the military I'm thinking 20 year retirements, but I know that mostly the military is the only corporation that offers that. Please provide some insight.

I know that this a lot to take in . Especially from someone like me , who isn't a nurse, but if you could please take the time and offer some insight into the career as a whole.

I appreciate all of your time and consideration.

Thanks for all that you do.