Scared to go into nursing.

Published

Alright, so let me just state first that I'm not in college yet. I've only just applied, as graduation is quickly approaching for me. I'm planning to go to a local community college and get my prereqs for nursing out of the way but I'm a bit hesitant about it because I'm doubting myself already. Growing up, I've always wanted to be a teacher. As an eleven year old, I had all of my six year old cousins in my room, sitting at their little foldable desks with notebooks and I had this huge whiteboard and ugh - I'm telling you, my dream as a kid was teaching. It's always been teaching. However, as of lately, my interest has moved towards nursing. I've been Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul and the stories are really inspiring. I've also spoken to people who work in hospitals about it and so my interest has slightly shifted. However, I'm worried about getting my prereqs done and applying to nursing school. I'm not sure I can do it. I've never been good at science (I'm decent) and definitely not good at math. Like, at all. I'm much better at English -- you know, reading and writing. I also tend to forget things under pressure and I know that as a nurse you're probably overwhelmed all the time. I'm not sure that I have what it takes to ever be a nurse. Not the intelligence or the logic. Probably not even the people skills, as I've always been shy (I have social anxiety and that's something I have to work with). I don't want to slave through prereqs and apply to nursing school only to fail. That'd be so much time and money wasted. Have any of you ever felt like this? Like you were unsure about your ability to be a nurse? I don't know why I'm posting this, I guess I'm just nervous about college altogether. Sucks that you need to pick a career path at such a young age. I know I can always go back to college if I don't like my job, but still. Like I said, so much money and time wasted for nothing. That'd be a bummer. I really want to make the right choice, and I don't want to regret my decisions later on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I say be a teacher first then after a couple of years if you're still interested then become a nurse. At least if you don't like it you have teaching to go back to. If you don't like science or math then pre reqs will be straight torture. There is prestige in being a teacher. Weekends and all summer off and you stick get paid verse working 12hr and 24 hr shifts and having to o work holidays. I suggest you do a lot more research. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Have your shadowed a teacher? A nurse?

Look into volunteering in a hospital as well.

I would research the market for teachers and nurses in the area, and get an authentic picture into what you plan to do. Ultimately whatever decisions you decide on will be yours.

Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I say be a teacher first then after a couple of years if you're still interested then become a nurse. At least if you don't like it you have teaching to go back to. If you don't like science or math then pre reqs will be straight torture. There is prestige in being a teacher. Weekends and all summer off and you stick get paid verse working 12hr and 24 hr shifts and having to o work holidays. I suggest you do a lot more research. Good luck

Mmm, I thought about that but wouldn't it be almost impossible to work full time and attend nursing school? I read that teachers work 8 hours in the class room and 3-5 more outside of class. I mean, there's always the option of quitting but that seems a bit silly to me, I don't know. Maybe. Thank you though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Have your shadowed a teacher? A nurse?

Look into volunteering in a hospital as well.

I would research the market for teachers and nurses in the area, and get an authentic picture into what you plan to do. Ultimately whatever decisions you decide on will be yours.

Best wishes!

Not yet! I live across the street from an elementary school, I plan to volunteer there. I also live about 15 minutes away from a hospital and I haven't gotten the papers yet to volunteer but I've looked into it, yes. I plan to do that. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I would say go for the teaching degree, unless nursing is really your passion. It is so hard to find a job right now in nursing you'd probably be able to get as a teacher much easier.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Follow your heart. What you can do to get an idea is volunteer at a school tutoring kids and see if you can you are able to shadow a nurse. Talk to current nurses and teachers in different specialties. You may find that you love the idea of Emergency nursing, but hate Labor and Delivery. Teaching you may find that you don't like the idea of dealing with younger children, but love the idea of inspiring and instructing high schoolers. Take the prereqs that apply to both majors first to allow yourself more time to decide if necessary.

As far as nursing being hard...Nursing is hard stuff and some days I feel like I won't make it and I have to remind myself to breathe an that I can do it. Almost everyone in my section including myself was moody and torn between throwing up and crying when we had to take our midpoint exam. If we passed it we continued if not we were unable to take any nursing courses for 6 months and were one step away from being kicked out. I think nerves are normal, but I will say my confidence has grown the more I'm experience I get with specific diseases, surgeries, and equipment. If it seems overwhelming its because it is. No one becomes an expert on the first pass, but it grows on you and you'll find yourself looking back and laughing about what you were worrying about.

Whatever you ultimately end up doing I wish you the best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Definitely follow your heart! Don't do nursing unless you're 100% into it, because it's a tough ride, and I only just completed my pre reqs!! Good luck in whatever you choose!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm 16 academic weeks away from nursing school graduation and I realized after my first semester that nursing is NOT Florence Nightingalesque ... if you will.

I would do some heavy shadowing. Sounds like you have a passion for education ... I don't think reading a book should be able to sway you that much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree about following your heart, and about volunteering in both environments and seeing how they feel for you.

What about becoming a CNA for now? It would be a good way to make money while in school, and you'd be knee-deep in the nursing environment. Certainly easier than spending years and years becoming a teacher "for a couple of years" then going into nursing. Look at prerequisites that work for both routes in the meantime.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Trust me nursing isn't all that chicken soup writes about. In my experience those are the exception to the rules. I was just talking to my friend who is a teacher (we make almost the same salary) and she was telling me about what she plans on doing for her Christmas vacation. Though I don't have to work any of the holidays I don't have a Christmas vacation and I still have to work just not on the holidays. But I'm the exception to the rule with bedside nursing. Most have to work holidays.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I say do what you love! We need teachers! Maybe, become a teacher first, and if you still have interest in nursing, go to nursing school, get your bachelors then a masters in nursing education, and you could teach in nursing! God knows we need better nursing instructors, seriously, I have had some nursing instructors that aren't the best at teaching, -_-. Then there are those nursing instructors that have natural teaching ability, and are amazing! So, I say, teach first, go back for nursing if you're interested still, get a masters in nursing education, and teach at universities/nursing programs. It's a longterm goal, but you could do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion