Unsure about Nursing

[Rivv91]

I really need some advice. My plan was to get my BSN and work as a Nurse. I have my associates degree in liberal arts and I'm almost done with a CNA program. The purpose of me doing the CNA program was so that I can get my foot in the door and see if this is something I really want to do. I only have to take 4 classes and then I can take a 4yr RN program. I'm finding that maybe nursing isn't something for me and I don't know what else is out there. I love the medical field and I find it to be really interesting I just don't think I can handle the stress and liability that's placed upon RNs. I also feel like in a way I'd be getting into nursing for the wrong reasons (flexibility, security, decent pay) I'm already having doubts about this profession and I don't want to continue on and be miserable and end up being a bad nurse. I just don't know what to do and I have to make a decision soon. I'd prefer to do something medically related and something that requires a Bachelors degree. I was looking into SLP but I hear that it's impossible to find a job. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[dsb_fam]

How about something like X-ray tech or Respiratory tech? I'm not sure of the field requirements. Also, there are great jobs out there for occupational therapists and physical therapists. What are you passionate about? If you love children, look into something that has to do with Autism, this field is sky-rocketing. If you like the technical end of things, what about lab tech? Good luck!

[Glenna, LPN]

I think that you are wise to be taking that CNA program. Finish up those last classes and work as a CNA for a while and see how you feel afterwards. Then turn around and get your CNA 2 acute care and work in the hospital. Now that is the real eye opener. After I worked at the hospital as a CNA...I knew this was my calling, this was where I was meant to be, a nurse. Of course here it is really hard to get right into an RN program so I want the LPN route and I'm working towards getting into a bridge program.

I enjoy working with people and taking care of them. The things that you listed about being a nurse the whole flexibility, security, decent pay part is just a bonus.

[readyforachangenow]

I would look into rad tech, respiratory tech, or physical therapists assistant

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

I could have written this post! I'm in the same boat as you are - just finished a CNA course, finishing pre-reqs, etc. I will be starting my first CNA job next week, but I am already freaked out by all the craziness the nurses I work with have to deal with. They have to be so quick and precise and have such thick skin, and I really don't know if that's something I'll grow into or not.

When I get in those moods, the careers I look at as alternatives are:

-Physical/occupational therapy, either as a therapist or an assistant

-Dental hygiene

-Counseling/social work (obviously not medical careers, but you can be employed by hospitals, etc. and work with patients)

-Medical imaging

The thing with some of these is that they do not require a Bachelors. For the therapy, counseling, and social work, I believe a Masters is the standard; for therapy assisting and dental hygiene, you are only required to have an Associates. So depending on how important it is for you to have a Bachelors degree, these might not be the way to go.

I definitely feel your pain: I really enjoyed my pre-reqs and want to use what I've learned to help people, but the incredible fast pace of nursing really scares me. After working for a few months, hopefully that will tell us whether we can acclimate to it or not.

[msquaredthefirst]

I was also unsure about getting into nursing because of all the crazy things I've heard, and also because the programs are super competitive to get into since everyone and their mom wants to go into nursing. I find my anatomy and physiology classes extremely interesting, but like you I don't think I can handle the stresses of nursing. The good news is there are so many healthcare careers out there, so I plan on going into something else. It's great that you're taking a CNA course, because you can work for a while and decide if that's something you really want to do. And if you find that it's not for you, you can look into the programs people have suggested above.