Taking RD pre-reqs, but is it leading me to nursing?

[Bgirl05]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post here, but the amount I've learned from just reading and browsing has been incredible, so thank you.

I'm 27 years old and recently left a corporate job (product manager at a retail company) because I couldn't see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I wanted to be in a field with compassion, where I could help others, but still use critical thinking skills to make a difference. I am a big critical thinker - but feel unfulfilled if what I'm doing isn't actually of HELP to someone else. So I began to volunteer, mentoring and tutoring high school kids. I love to teach. I love to be that mentor.

I am also extremely interested in wellness. I read up on nutrition in my spare time. Regularly practice yoga and hope to one day become certified. This all led me to becoming an RD.

My mom is an RN (former cardiac, now LTC). My dad is a cardiologist (retired). So it's safe to say I grew up in a very medical household. I didn't know what a fart was until a kid yelled it out in my kindergarten class, because my parents had taught me to call it a flatus. True story!! But I never aspired to follow in their shoes, because I wanted to be my own person.

The point of this post is, I'm taking my RD pre-reqs now. They are the same pre-reqs as an ABSN. I am wildly fascinated by A&P. I'm disappointed when class ends.

For the first time in my life I'm beginning to understand the world of knowledge that my parents actually have. My mom is able to help if I'm confused with my assignments. (This never happened as a kid. Her brain is wired to be a nurse and nothing else). And guess what study I find the most fascinating? the HEART.

A big part of me wonders, why did it take until 27 to discover this? But I guess it was important for me to feel some autonomy first.

For those of you who work with RDs and have an opinion, or maybe considered becoming an RD yourself, any feedback to my story would be so greatly appreciated. I am very much leaning toward ABSN because I'm realizing that I'm wired for this. But I also really do care about nutrition.

Thanks for reading.

[nursel56]

Bgirl05 I just want to give you a warm welcome to allnurses! I'm not well-versed on the topic of nutrition specifically, but I can tell you that your interests are very well represented throughout the profession of nursing. This is one reason I chose it myself eons ago. I'm hoping those with more specific replies will chime in, but in the meantime check out our array of more specialized forums on our site map. You may also find some good information in the Holistic Nursing forum or by doing keyword searches.

In addition, patient education on the crucial topic of diet for a great many chronic diseases is an ever-present part of our work life. Some nurses enjoy that type of work to the point they specialize is some type of nutrition-teaching full time. All the best to you!