trying to remain optimistic

3rdgenRN2B · Dec 9, 2007

Thanks everyone, I feel much better. I think all I needed was to get it out there and have some possitive feedback (for once). I definitely feel as if I'm being called to nursing so I'm just gonna go for it and stop worrying so darn much. I really appreciate all your kind words. I'm heading off to community college this thursday to register for A&P 1 and I'm so excited about it. I've talked to my father and told him how scared I was of disappointing him and he told me he would never be disappointed of me if I was doing what I really wanted to do. I told my mother of my plans and started the conversation by telling her I had something important to say and didn't necessarily want her opinion, just wanted her to know. She's fine with it and actually when I told her I signed up for the TEAS exam she said "good!" My hubby asked me this morning why I wanted to be a nurse and I got so emotional about it that now he understands and is excited for me. So now I feel all is well and I'm looking forward to committing to this....

3rdgenRN2B · Dec 9, 2007

WTF??? I go off to work today, so happy with my decision to pursue nursing, and this feeling lasts until I speak with my mother. Can you believe she called me selfish for wanting to become a nurse? According to her the time I'll be in class is time I should be spending with my daughter and I'm just going to regret it some day. The money I'm spending on tuition is money I should be putting towards a house. I can't believe this. My hubby tells me not to listen to her and it's my life but, come on, she's my mother!! I'm still going through with this but I'm so sad that she feels this way....

NoviceRN10 · Dec 10, 2007

Can you believe she called me selfish for wanting to become a nurse? According to her the time I'll be in class is time I should be spending with my daughter and I'm just going to regret it some day. The money I'm spending on tuition is money I should be putting towards a house. ....

Sounds like she's a bit controlling. I have four young children and have worried about the impact of me being in nursing school on them, but I figure they would rather have me stressed now than in two years when they are all in school and I have to deal with their homework and they'll want/need me around more. I've been taking classes for the past two years, and now my classes will be during the day so I'll be there in the afternoon and evenings. I'm hoping it won't impact everyone too much.

WantAccel.BSN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2007

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....

I totally understand how you feel. I went to law school for a year, and ultimately decided that it just wasn't for me (sooo many reasons, that I've had difficulty concisely explaining it). My mother is a hospice nurse, and has been for over 20 years, and wasn't very optimistic when I told her I was interested in an accelerated nursing program. Friends haven't been very supportive--I guess because they supported my decision to go to law school, and they think nursing is way on the other side of the spectrum. My soon-to-be hubby supports me, but I think mainly because he has been through this whole process with me and understands how much thought I have put into it. I really feel for you though....it's hard when you feel like you really have uncovered the best fit for you, career-wise, and no one takes you seriously (or is discouraging). Like other posters have said, though, I think we just need to go for it...screw what people say. Ultimately, no one really knows better what is right for you then you.

Good luck! I just registerd for A & P I too! :)

lexi917 · Dec 10, 2007

Aww *HUGS*. Girl I have the same problem with my mom. They may technically be your mother, but not all of the things your mother tells you are right. I went through a whole phase with my mom, and currently we are no longer speaking to each other. Mind you she left me when I was a baby, and decide to look for me two years ago. Still then we didn't hit it off with any mother-daughter bond, but despises each other's choices. I have a two year old myself. And what you're doing is not being selfish. You are doing what you want to do in life for yourself, but in return it's not only benefitting you but your family as well. I'm working full time and going to school full time, my mother tells me I'm being selfish too, but I know if I don't try to do something now, I'll be stuck in the position that I'm at for the rest of my life. I want to be financially stable so I can have the money to send my daughter to a school she wants and not have her worry about working while attending school either.

Honestly, every mother's point of view about their child is different. Don't worry too much about what others say, sometimes, you just have to ignore what they have to say, especially if they're very negative and not supportive.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · May 27, 2008

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....

I here you on this one. I wanted to be a nurse when I was in highschool but my parents didn't think it was academic enough so I applied to accounting and law school ( you can enter straight from hs in NZ) I didn't think I'd get into law school it was just to appease them well guess what I did both I applied to. Then my dad was why do you want to become a lawyer you'll just be around criminals all day.

Ok fast forad 10 years. I tell my friends I'm doing nursing and one friend is all why would you want to be around whiney sick people all day?

The truth I have been treated like absolute **** by some nurses ( I had a nurse who though my boken collarbone was psychosomatic and I could heard he complaing to the EMT's about how they'll make me pay for wasting their time. Hello I can HEAR you)

and if I can prevent someone from feeling that even just tiny bit it'll be worth it.