What is a Nurses Calling?

[hopepedersen87]

Hello, I am having trouble deciding on whether or not I should be a nurse, and was hoping real nurses could give me some advice.

My whole life I've been an artist who has never been career oriented. I've only worked in retail, and after moving to another state I decided it was time to settle down with a real career. So I was immediately taken with nursing. It's an amazing career, exciting, where I can help people and save lives and make a difference, and the pay isnt bad either. But apparently everyone I tell that to says they are terrible reasons for becoming a nurse. And it doesnt help that I've been occupying my time with a steady stream of nursing horror stories from veterans online and in books. I'm scared of being bit and punched and verbally abused by patients, scared of C. Diff, and it seems like the best reasons to become a nurse is to be super excited about getting abused and changing bedpans.

I know that's not true, but it seems like my reasons are childish and unrealistic. A true nurse has a 'calling'--but I cant find any definition for the calling nurses get. Why did you become a nurse? What is a calling? When did you first have it? What is a real reason to become a nurse other than wanting to help people and fix problems and being awesome? Am I wrong to want to go down this path because I think it's an exciting and economic career?

Thank you for any information you can give me, I really appreciate it.

[hopepedersen87]

Haha you guys all seem like myself. Like it's okay to want to be a nurse for a stable career that helps people. Thanks a lot for your input I really appreciate it :) For now I will get my certification in medical assistant first and then move up to nursing, since in my neck of the woods you need medical experience to even be considered for nursing school. But seeing so many of you are so normal really gives me hope for myself :)

[No Stars In My Eyes]

Haha you guys all seem like myself. Like it's okay to want to be a nurse for a stable career that helps people. Thanks a lot for your input I really appreciate it :) For now I will get my certification in medical assistant first and then move up to nursing, since in my neck of the woods you need medical experience to even be considered for nursing school. But seeing so many of you are so normal really gives me hope for myself :)

Who started the rumor we're 'normal'?

[Lmomma]

Haha you guys all seem like myself. Like it's okay to want to be a nurse for a stable career that helps people. Thanks a lot for your input I really appreciate it :) For now I will get my certification in medical assistant first and then move up to nursing, since in my neck of the woods you need medical experience to even be considered for nursing school. But seeing so many of you are so normal really gives me hope for myself :)

Have you considered doing CNA work instead? If the only reason is t get the medical experience you could do that much more quickly. But MA sounds like fun too, so if it appeals to you then go for it