Has anyone dealt with family members being unsupportive of you career choice?
I just recently quit my job to deal with some medical issues, and to take a CNA class so I can start working in the medical field. My parents have been wavering between being supportive and saying things like, this isn't the right time, you can't make it through an intensive program like this, things of that nature. Luckily, I have an extremely supportive SO, who is taking on the financial burdens that we have.
I am just curious if/how others have dealt with this.
I'm really glad i joined AN. I'll soon be on my own here in Amarillo as my sister will be moving back to NY to be with her husband. I know that her support for me will never waver, I'm still apprehensive about being alone. But I know that I'll be fine. I have an AN support system!
My parents have not been unsupportive at all, but my grandparents were leary about me going into nursing. My grandmother questioned if I would really enjoy it, which I don't mind her saying, but my grandfather has the attitude of "why don't you just go for med school." I was originally pre-med, and my parents have been good about it because they freaked out about how much money I would have been spending on medical school finances, but I know that I want to be a nurse through my own research, talking to professionals, my desire to help others, and from shadowing in hospitals. I kind of feel bad when people ask about medical school over nursing school because I have seen how intelligent and hard-working nurses are, and it saddens me that people still downgrade nurses...even though some don't intend to.
So..sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to thank everyone here on AN for their encouragement and you don't know how much I appreciate it! :wink2:
Most of the people I've spoken to about becoming a nurse are supportive...mom, boyfriend, various friends and acquaintances.
My dad thinks I should go to medical school instead since there's more money involved...his profession?! A member of the clergy!!! (I think there's some unfulfilled dreams on his part - he flunked out of med school himself) My grandmother asked my mom the other day if I had gotten over this nursing idea yet...but I think she's wondering why, at the age of 29, I haven't gone, settled down and popped out a couple of kids...
My grandfather made disparaging remarks about nurses and bedpans when I said I wanted to pursue nursing instead of medicine. He didn't seem to understand, that for one thing, I was already aware that I could not handle med school academically and I knew it. My Dad failed out of college, was supposed to be a lawyer, and ended up volunteering to participate in WWII. I guess I always disappointed everybody.
My sister in law probably could have a reserved room at certain motels where she lived. She always ran away to a motel when her needy husband got on her nerves while she was in school. That can get pretty expensive.
My husband also was non-supportive every time I tried to return to school. He would get surly and demanding and eventually there would be big fights and I would end up dropping my classes yet another time. He just didn't seem to want to have a spouse with a higher education than he had. Oh well.
I'd like to say that when you get older in matters less what parents think but that's not necessarily true. I am 39 and have decided to change careers. When I told my mother I was going back to school for nursing she basically said nothing and then said, "It's a shame you didn't decide on this major when you went to college the first time."
I have decided that this is the most exciting decision I have made in my life other then having children and getting married, or which neither was taken lightly. I have always wanted to do this and I am commited to the process.
i guess i am really lucky. i agonized over going back to school for a couple of years. finally, after much discussion with my mom, i quit my job june of 2006 to go to school full-time.
i was not able to start school until spring 2007 and finished all of my pre-req's last semester. i applied for ns for fall 2008 but am waiting like everyone else for that all important letter.
just keep your chin up and don't worry about anyone else.
hey there! we're neighbors.....i live on lake conroe. i'm waiting to hear from ut for the accelerated program. where have you applied? :nuke:
i've gotten support from my family. i have the best families (mine and dh's). however, i do feel like dh's family doesn't really understand why i want to go back to school/work. i'm currently a sahm but next year both my boys will be in school so i thought this would be a great time! good luck to everyone!
I had a similar situation. My family, boss, and friends kept pushing me into Medical school and I got sick of fightin back and defending my choices. I talked to them separately and spelled it out for them why i never want to be a doctor and why nursing is perfect for ME. After giving them pros and cons for each field, they finally got it! it was amazing, now my mom is constantly asking about my nursing applications. It's stressful but way better than questioning my choices. It sucks to have to explain yourself, especially to people who are close to you, but sometimes that's how it is.
I am really saddened by the fact that some of you are finding no support when you are trying to better yourself. I do have lots of support from my husband, parents, and the rest of my family. I just don't know how I could go through this without them. However allnurses is such a good support for all of us. I encouraging you all to go for it. I hope that once your families see how much this means to you and how happy you are going to be doing what you desire in your heart to do, that they will beging to see things differently. Good luck to all.
I have an un-supportive husband, so much so that when I get into nursing school (hopefully this fall!) I will most likely have to move in with my parents. It kills me to think that I may have to turn my 4 year olds life upside down in order to finish school. I am just looking forward only, and viewing this as an investment in not only my own future but my daughters. School is too important to let anyone stand in your way even if it is a husband (or wife, parent, etc...).
:wink2:
joyjranin
4 Posts
I guess you're right. I'll just focus on my studies right now and go full speed ahead on this track.
Thanks a lot!. I appreciate it.