The question of WHY??? has consumed me from the very beginning when I chose nursing to be my major/future profession. The main question being, why in the world did I put myself through all this turmoil of trying to become a nursing student?
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I think about what ifs, i.e. what if I chose a different major? I would have graduated this year with my Bachelor's degree if I pursued something other than nursing. Oh why did I do this?
In the beginning, fresh out of high school, I was not sure what I wanted to do. I always leaned toward a medical profession, but I had to sift through all the options in order to find out what I truly wanted. So I would work part time, take a couple classes at the local community college and do the whole college thing. Then I saw my sister was pregnant. I took a keen interest in her pregnancy for some reason even unknown to myself. I wanted to know what was going on internally as my niece was developing. During the labor and delivery, I saw the nurses work diligently and they all seemed so nice. I finalized my decision right then and there that I would want to become a nurse. I was 18 and feeling great that I made such a good decision so early. Well jokes are on me because I did not know the sheer amount of work I would have to put in over the next few years.
I researched my options and tried to be smart about my decision. The main thing that I wanted at that time was to not be in any debt or have any loans by the time I was done with school. Therefore, I chose the community college path. I also did not think I had what it took to be in a BSN program. I just wanted to get in and get out in a speedy manner. HA! So, I take biology and chemistry one semester, anatomy and micro the next, and finally physiology. Well, silly me, thought that the B's and the couple A's I got in my classes were good grades. I was pretty proud of myself for not working too hard through my pre-requisite classes. Now it's time to submit my applications to the local cc's. I get my letters within a couple weeks. One stated I had a three year wait and the other stated that I am number 516 on the waitlist and they only accept 60 students every fall. 516?!?! Is this for real? Now begins the wait. Again, during this time, I ask myself why I did this to myself. Is there any alternatives? I know every future nursing student has been there. I start researching what else I could do. I want to be a nurse and FAST. I see a commercial promising just that. My mother and I go look into this school that has this promise of getting a nursing degree and fast and boy were we surprised by that price tag. I take the assessment test and they tell me I scored in the top 5% or something and I get a whole nice tour of the school, only to find out that it's $55,000 to get my ADN. WHAT?! Are you joking? Oh, but wait, we'll give you $10,000 off since you already finished your pre-requisites, but that makes it a little harder to get in. I did not even spend anything close to $10,000 for my community college classes. So I waltzed right out that door and took private schools off my list.
I then had another decision to make. I thought to myself; why not get a job in the medical field while I wait? Great idea. I researched the difference between CNA and MA and I thought MA looks like a pretty good job I would enjoy doing for decent pay. Then that's more research. I'm getting sick of this research thing now...That same private college I looked into earlier for nursing offers MA classes too, but that's $10,000. Remember my goal? No debt. So I keep looking and find a local cc offers the same program for about $1500 for everything. I had a blast in the MA program. After I completed it, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field. Only problem is that I graduated right when the recession started and found no job. I was disappointed, but I knew the experience I received from that program was invaluable and showed me how much I truly love the medical field.
Now to make a long story short. HA! Two and a half years have passed since that time when I received those acceptance letters. I even applied to a BSN program, but was soon rejected for not getting those stupid A's in my pre-requisite courses. I felt disappointed at first, but I knew I would get to my dream, some way some how. I am now going to finally attend the local cc this fall where my waitlist number started at 516. The excitement and nervousness is overwhelming. I can now officially say, after four years of dreaming it, that I am a nursing student and I am going to be the best nursing student which, in turn, will make the best nurse. If I can get through the rough road of a pre-nursing student, and the even rougher road ahead as a nursing student, then I know I will be able to do anything.
I still go ask myself now and again, why did I choose nursing as my major? Why, oh why? Well the answer is simple, because I love it.
