Would I make a good nurse?

jjjoy, LPN · Apr 24, 2008

Choosing a course of study and potential career path can be daunting and most high school students haven't had enough life experience to really know what kind of career would truly work for them in the long run. So you just have to do the best you can with what you've got and figure it out as you go (which is what most of do in this sometimes unpredictable life we all live).

From the coursework you're already taking as a HS student, I don't imagine that college academics will be that big of a leap for you. Time management and self direction can be problems for new college students living away from home and enjoying a less structured school day. Joining study groups with other dedicated students & setting up study schedules can help.

But what about nursing? If you really aren't sure, talk to a college academic counselor about keeping your options open... maybe choosing to take courses that could also apply to other majors - such as taking chemistry for majors as opposed to chemistry for nursing majors (not all schools offer or require the same classes, so it may not be an issue at your school). And then get involved in nursing... you can volunteer at a hospital, for example, or even train as a nursing assistant and work part-time. Maybe the college has a future health care professionals club. If you decide to stick with nursing, such experience & activities would only help. If you realize your interests lie elsewhere, you could change your career goals sooner rather than later. How else can you figure out what your strengths and preferences are without a little trial and error, right? Good luck!!!

love_being_an_aide · Apr 24, 2008

I was in a similar situation as yourself once. Growing up, I wanted to be a history teacher. Nothing else EVER crossed my mind. I picked my college based on it's reputation for producing history teachers, and that's the only school I applied to. THEN, the inevitable happened. I realized in college, I didn't want to be a teacher! OMG, talk about scary. I had no idea what to do, and I ended up leaving school after two years. Now I work as a Nursing Assistant and truly enjoy my job.

My point is not to scare you at all! But don't be afraid of trial and error! I would recommend looking at other things you like to do, and research your schools majors as well. I never did this, and therefore when I realized I didn't want to teach, I had no other plans. Go into school for nursing, but keep an open mind. If you take a course you truly enjoy that's outside of nursing, try to take other classes in that field. Even if you stick with nursing, you'll be a better-rounded individual because of it. Good luck! Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be fine! Once you get to college, get to know your professors. Don't just be a name to them, but a face. That way, if you are struggling, they will be 10x's more likely to help you! :nuke:

bollweevil · Apr 24, 2008

If you think you want to be a nurse, just do it, one step at a time.

If you change your mind later, it's really ok. A lot of people start down a particular path, realize it's not for them, for whatever reason, and begin in a new direction.

Have you ever worked as a volunteer in a hospital or nursing home? Why not spend some time in the environment this summer and see if it appeals to you?

Also, why not take a test that helps you narrow your focus, in order to help you determine your interests. You probably already know what your strong likes and dislikes are but you might learn something new or come away feeling more certain about your choice.

Have you ever considered medical school? Your course load is pretty heavy and I'll bet you could become a doctor. I'm not putting nursing down but I think Medicine is an easier career in some ways - better pay, more prestige (if these things matter to you). It's certainly not an easy path but you maybe should explore it.

You are quite young and, like so many young people, you are uncertain about how to spend the next 50 years. :confused: :innerconf Guess what. This is pretty normal. Take one step at a time and I believe you will do well. I hope this is helpful.:icon_hug:And leaving home is scary. We all do it, though, and you will succeed, too. Expect some bumps but expect to succeed and you will.

BTW, why do you want to be a nurse? What do you think nurses do?

mcs1505 · Apr 25, 2008

Judging from your current course load I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark and guess you probably have plenty of smarts (kudos to Chem 2, I could barely stand Chem 1!)

My advice to you is not to become overwhelmed by "everything" you have to know to graduate. You have 4 years. Think about all the stuff you know now that you didn't know when you started high school. Just focus on the classes you are in, one semester at a time.

I was a lot like you (minus the Chem 2, as we've established) and I managed to freak myself out the first week of college...due to Chemistry class, actually (are we getting a good picture of my Chemistry phobia yet?). Anyway, long story short, I wound up switching majors, graduating and now I'm going back to school to get my nursing degree because I realized it's what I really like learning about and I can do it.

You can do it too :)

dmaccnursing_student · Apr 25, 2008

So your story sounds EXACTLY like mine. I took the same courses in High School, wasn't really sure of what I wanted to do with my life. The only difference is is that I LOVED Chemistry (5 semester of it did me in though). I always thought I wanted to go to school for something other than Nursing (med-school, pharm-school, or dent-school). I switched majors around so many times (avoiding nursing because my mother is a nurse and I didn't want to go through what she does), but in the end I decided on Nursing. I was a relatively shy person and wasn't a big fan of phones either. But once you get in a situation like clinicals you lose that fear entirely. You're there to help people and they aren't necessarily judging you...they're depending on you for help.

I would say go for it. :twocents: I would take a Nurse Aide class just to get used to dealing with patients and such. Good luck with graduation and finals! I'm sure you'll do wonderful! :nuke: