trying to remain optimistic

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I have to rant for a second. I have wanted to be a nurse for the better part of my life so far. Yes I have wavered, tried other things, but the desire is still there. Why do I face so much opposition when I tell people what I want to do. My mother, who I know in the long run will support my decision no matter what, says not to do it, and this is coming for a 30+ year veteran nurse. My father sees how stressed my mom is and says don't do it. My hubby, who has had some bad experiences with medical personell, says not to do it b/c i'll be around sick people all day and have to work weekends/evenings/holidays. However he too says he'll support my decision no matter what. So how do I remain optimistic in the face of so much pessimism??? Does anyone else face mixed reviews of their decision? It's my life afterall and if I wanted to work behind a desk I would, but I don't!!!! Thanks for listening....

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Specializes in pediatric and geriatric.

If you want to be a nurse go for it. Not all nursing jobs require weekend and holiday work. I do peds home care and work no holidays and very few weekends so don't let that hold you back. You sound like you have a good attitude and that makes all the difference.

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If that's what you want to do, follow up on it! Good luck to you.

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my suggestion is to stop talking to people about it. if you know in your heart of hearts that it's something that you want to do FOR YOU, guard it like your own personal secret and make it happen :-)!

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My family isn't against it, but they don't want to hear about it either. Their feelings are that it's my dream not theirs. They don't mind my pursuing it, but they also don't want to discuss my problems/dilemmas/accomplishments. Of course, I'm 30 and have kids of my own, so they've been more interested in the "little ones" for many years now!

If this is something you really want to do, you must do it for you and you alone. Be proud of yourself every step of the way and try to find some time to forget about school and just be you.

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I have to rant for a second. I have wanted to be a nurse for the better part of my life so far. Yes I have wavered, tried other things, but the desire is still there. Why do I face so much opposition when I tell people what I want to do. My mother, who I know in the long run will support my decision no matter what, says not to do it, and this is coming for a 30+ year veteran nurse. My father sees how stressed my mom is and says don't do it. My hubby, who has had some bad experiences with medical personell, says not to do it b/c i'll be around sick people all day and have to work weekends/evenings/holidays. However he too says he'll support my decision no matter what. So how do I remain optimistic in the face of so much pessimism??? Does anyone else face mixed reviews of their decision? It's my life afterall and if I wanted to work behind a desk I would, but I don't!!!! Thanks for listening....

Firstly I'd take little consideration to the opinion of your mother even though she has extensive experience in the field. She is from a different generation that sees things differently, she has had different experiences, and the options for nursing nowadays are vast.

You don't have to work weekends/evenings/holidays, heck...you don't even have to work in a hospital. Believe it or not, you don't have to be around sick people all day either. Just last week I was doing a clinical day in a gestational diabetes clinic that has normal office hours and is closed for the holidays. And that is just one example...

The beuty of nursing is that there are SO many options...and if you don't like one area then you can switch to another.

As for receiving mixed reviews about my decision...yep and then some. As a male I am always getting "***" responses when I mention that I am a nursing student.

But I want it bad enough, I focus on the support I have and tune out the bad...like anything worth having, you won't always have full support and it won't come easy.

But, like it has already been said, you have to do this for yourself. Besides, it looks like you have more support than many do if they are trying to turn you way but will ultimately support your decision.

If you want it, go for it...with the full force and passion that it is going to take. If you want it bad enough, it's already yours.

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OK, so my father threw me a curve ball...he said if I study accounting I could become partner and inherit his business some day. Now, on top of the mixed reviews I will have guilt if I don't pursue this path...

I need to get beyond this...

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Would you be happy as an accountant? If not, then it wouldn't be worth it. I've had jobs that made me miserable. It's no way to live.

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OK, so my father threw me a curve ball...he said if I study accounting I could become partner and inherit his business some day. Now, on top of the mixed reviews I will have guilt if I don't pursue this path...

I need to get beyond this...

So you are already 29; what are you doing with your life now? Do you already have a degree in something? Why does nursing interest you? My family is very supportive of me pursuing nursing. My mom is my biggest cheerleader, my husband is totally behind me. What does everyone want you to do that sounds better than nursing? Besides the possible accounting gig.

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So you are already 29; what are you doing with your life now? Do you already have a degree in something? Why does nursing interest you? My family is very supportive of me pursuing nursing. My mom is my biggest cheerleader, my husband is totally behind me. What does everyone want you to do that sounds better than nursing? Besides the possible accounting gig.

I work in retail, at a florist, and have been with the same employer since I graduated high school. After graduating I went to community college with the intention of studying nursing. I dropped out to work full time because at the time that's what all my friends did and I liked the idea of making money. Before long I went back to school, but only part time, and have been a part time student ever since. I have tried many different majors but never got my degree in anything (I currently have 52 credits after 11 years). After I got married I revisited the idea of becoming a nurse so I returned to community college to start working on my pre-reqs. Then I got pregnant. So I took another year off from school but in the meantime have been driving my family crazy with "what should I do with my life"? I always come full circle back to nursing and I know in my heart that they will all support me no matter what I choose, as long as I choose something and stick with it. My hubby was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 10 months and has consequently had many many encounters with healthcare workers, and not always the best experiences. He didn't want me to be a nurse because of this until we met a new diabetes educator who recently came to our house. She was an RN and was soooo awesome that he has since been somewhat encouraging of be pursuing this path, however he's not convinced that I'll love working holidays but who does? But like everyone else he just wants to see me pick something and stick with it. He is self-employed and many people that are in his field that are successful have business degrees which he wishes he had done. But since he didn't choose this route he has tried to encourage me to study business, but it just doesn't interest me. I've taken accounting and even work part time as a bookkeeper and it's great to make a few extra bucks but I don't think I could sit behind a desk for at least 8 hours a day. Also I want to do something that I can feel good about. I want to help people. I remember volunteering in a hospital when I was in high school and I loved every minute of it. There was always something happening and the energy level was so high, that's what first sparked my interest. Plus I used to shadow my mother at work which also fueled my fire...

I want to add that when I was last at college pursuing my pre-reqs everyone in my family was very encouraging. My mother was very proud of me, even tho she would tell me that she tought I was crazy, but couldn't wait to pin me at my ceremony. I have only myself to blame for everyone's reaction since I've changed my mind soooo many times they no longer know what to support. See, I know this, it's just hard to admit...

Thanks so much for asking....sorry my response is so long...

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Honestly 3rdgen. The only opinion that matter with the choices of your own future is your own. You are the only person who would know deeply in your heart what you want to do and what you are capable of. Friends and family on my part are very pessimistic also. There's also a few who tell me not to do it and just stay at the place I'm at until my daughter goes off to school. Honestly, I make decent living, but I really want to pursue something that I really want to do and would know would set my family on a financial security. My heart is set at helping others, and currently volunteering with delivering foods to the elderly. I know that's where my heart is, so I ignore all the criticism of others, and follow my heart. If you feel in your heart, upon the act of helping others, you smile and feel good inside, nursing is definitely the field for you. Follow your heart to your dream. Don't let anyone decide your future for you. Take care and good luck dear.

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LIKE your mom, my mom is a nursing veteran and she's actively discouraged me from pursuing nursing twice in the past (in 2001 & 2005), saying that it's a lot more dangerous and tedious now than it was in her days. While true, I still have a calling and this time I didn't even bother to tell her, at least not yet. I'll let her know when I visit for Xmas.

Point is, be selfish and do what's right for you. Don't let the thoughts of others dominate your path. You need to walk your own and this is your destiny. **huggles**

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