Should I Do Nursing?

Davey Do · Sep 10, 2022

If we really want to do something with enough conviction, there is always a way to get to our goal, HanDamn.

In a nutshell only, and certainly not the whole enchilada, there are ways to deal with memory and social behavior improvement.

For example, in terms of forgetting someone's name immediately after being introduced, we learn to saying their name three times: "It's good to meet you, HanDamn", then to ourselves twice, thinking, "HanDamn, HanDamn".

Acting a part is a method to improve social hesitancy. We become somebody else, for example we may ask ourselves, "What would Clint Eastwood say if something he heard sounded incorrect to him?"

"Well, what is it kid? Are ya feeling lucky? Do ya feel like having your statement challenged?"

Like anything else which is learned through repetition and/or association, we need to practice these techniques.

bsd058 · Sep 10, 2022

On 9/9/2022 at 10:45 PM, HanDamn99 said:

I'm 23 and just started the second year of my AA transfer degree. I've wanted to do nursing for a long time but am very hesitant because of my bad memory. I am very forgetful. I can instantly forget something someone tells me to do. I often misplace my phone and instantly forget a thought I just had. These things are holding me back. What if I forget to give medication? What if I forget something important and accidentally make a fatal mistake? What if I instantly forget something and have no time to write it down? Another thing holding me back is speaking up. So, for example, if someone says something to me and it sounds incorrect or off, I won't say anything. I will mentally acknowledge what they said is wrong but assume that they know what they are talking about and I'm the wrong one. Turns out they are wrong most of the time and I should've spoken up. I am working on this but, I'm still scared. What if a doctor puts an order for something in and I only mentally acknowledge that it is wrong but don't speak up? What if this results in something fatal? Would you do nursing if you were me? IDK what else to do.

Okay…you’ve described my life. LOL. I’ve actually learned tools and tricks with help from others and strategies I’ve used to help me remember what I’ve been told. And I keep great notes (my most powerful tool) BUT a behavioral health provider may be able to help you, too. But it will require a real work on your part to overcome these impediments. If you explain your issues, they might be able to offer suggestions regarding strategies to help with memory, and in severe cases you could be referred to a doctor that might be able to prescribe you medicine that will help you focus. You never know if you might have a personality trait that causes you to lose focus, like adhd. I’m not diagnosing you. My life experience has shown me that people often don’t realize they need medication, even when it is affecting their lives to the extent that you feel it is affecting yours. They often go for years without a diagnosis and suffer needlessly when all they need is just a little help. I would discuss this issue you’re having with focusing with your PCP, if I were you. They might be able to help or refer to a psychologist for an evaluation. I personally have tried a psychiatrist for certain things like depression and I find they aren’t as good as a PCP who takes your whole medical history into account and who probably knows you better than specialists. Don’t get me wrong. Specialists are needed, but for initial behavioral issues, I would start with your PCP. If they think you need a referral they’ll give one to you.

If this is the only thing standing in your way from going into nursing, it’s probably worth checking out. And the fact that you are worried and thinking “patient first” makes me believe that your heart is in the right spot. But only you can know if you should go into nursing. Don’t be afraid of going to a doctor, though. You may just need help with organizational strategies you aren’t aware of. Or you may need medicine. I don’t know you. I do think a lack of focus is negatively affecting your life though, based on what you’ve said, so you may wish to seek help from a professional. There’s no shame in anything like that.

Regarding speaking up when you feel someone is wrong about something, that will come with confidence gained through experience. That’s a natural part of life. And you’ll gain more confidence, the harder you study and the more you immerse yourself in your topics, and the more life you live. Nothing wrong with humility. But again, a behavioral health provider could give you strategies to help point out mistakes in a way that you can feel comfortable and that doesn’t hurt the pride of the person you are correcting. Sometimes a person just needs to be asked the question, “what about this?” Or “what if such and such happens?” And this comes across, not as hubris, but as a willingness to learn. Teachability is a hard trait to find. This humility is a trait you can turn into a strength, imo. So talk to your provider and be as open as you were with us about your issues and your concerns, and mention that you want to go into nursing. The doctors I work with (I work for an insurer which is also a medical group) definitely care. I hope you find one that cares for you, too. Again, just my opinion.

HanDamn99 · Sep 12, 2022

Thank you for your reply. I'm hoping to get it checked out soon, I just don't know where to start with describing it.

On 9/10/2022 at 8:07 AM, Davey Do said:

If we really want to do something with enough conviction, there is always a way to get to our goal, HanDamn.

In a nutshell only, and certainly not the whole enchilada, there are ways to deal with memory and social behavior improvement.

For example, in terms of forgetting someone's name immediately after being introduced, we learn to saying their name three times: "It's good to meet you, HanDamn", then to ourselves twice, thinking, "HanDamn, HanDamn".

Acting a part is a method to improve social hesitancy. We become somebody else, for example we may ask ourselves, "What would Clint Eastwood say if something he heard sounded incorrect to him?"

"Well, what is it kid? Are ya feeling lucky? Do ya feel like having your statement challenged?"

Like anything else which is learned through repetition and/or association, we need to practice these techniques.

Thank you for your advice. I actually tried the three reputation thing today to remember something. I am going to try and talk to a professional about my problem and work on fixing it the best way I can.