Is nursing right for me?

[cutenhugable]

For a while now, I have been thinking of majoring into either nursing or psychology and decided to try out for nursing. I am now in the pre clinical nursing program at my college and taking a biology course... although I am having a very hard time understanding the material, and not doing very good at it. Since I am not doing good at it, I am starting to have thoughts about how nursing may not be for me... although I dont know. The reason why I chose nursing was because I do love the medical field and working in a hospital enviroment (since I did volunteer at one before). And since I also like psychology, I was thinking of putting the two together and doing psychiatric nursing. Although with me not doing so good in this course, I dont know anymore. I am also scared that even if I am able to get through all the science courses, that I may realise that nursing isnt right for me when I get there. What should I do? How did you all know that nursing was right for you? I serously dont know what to do anymore

[TriageRN]

Nursing is very individual if you can believe it! What doesn't stress or distub one doesn't mean it won't to another and vs versa.

So the better question to ask is...am I up for a large challenge that will put me into a position where I help people, may get little thanks for it, do my best and still need to do more, and alway always LEARN!

Long story...but when I chose to be a nurse I actually was pregnant as a single mother (by choice! the bio dad was horrid and left me...I let him leave!)...I knew more than my MD did, and that sounds like I was bragging but even my MD said I should be an OB MD! (interesing what reading a few books and the desire to know can get ya!). My midwives (they have midwives help with prenatal here) were astounded by me, and made me swear I would b a nurse...wasn't the first time I heard that (two longer stories). So the nurse midwives donated to a fund through the state..and I was on top of the list to get in...I took it!

Did I know about nursing..no, I just knew I could do it with hard work..and put my own style into it!

Nursing school was tough, but I was doing it for myself, my son, and those that truely believed in me..and my STATE! I excelled by having 30% fun, 20% being anal and the rest studying! LOL!

I had NO idea what I was getting into..even in RN school...still didn't hit..then REAL WORLD!!!!!

Lets just say..it was tougher! I took on jobs till I found my current one...and I feel at home. Yes...7 years of jobs I loved but hated management and was abused and left (was never one to take abuse long...respectful times of probelms to deal with yes...total utter abuse of my skills...NO WAY!).

Now..ask me if I was nurse material or was it worth it? I BECAME a NURSE through many changes which I took head on knowing would change me....and it was a very good adventure through the ups and downs....was it worth it..ask my patients..I am quite sure they would say a renounded YES, and that humbles me so very much!

That humble feeling...worth every darn tear, stress, fear, anger, and hardship! I can't describe why..it is very individual and I am shocked it hit me like that personally..but I love it! May be only a few that say it..but they are worth listening to and appreciating!

No...I wasn't born to be a nurse, I wasn't in a medical family..and no, didn't have the drive to go there, but some very influential people in my life showed me the way..and I trusted them so much that they gave me the start..and it has done karma a 10000000 fold in the good direction!

So my dear..it is YOUR choice. I am not going to go off saying nursing is everything..and it calls you...BS..didn't call me it was mentioned to me and those around me found it important enough to have me choose! May you choose for yourself too, and may it be your best choice...I must say, in the situation I was in...heck even now...best one I ever made!

Huggles and good luck!

[ang82]

Nursing is hard and just because you are having trouble with the sciences does not mean that you won't like nursing or be terrible at it. I too was interested in nursing and psychology when I entered nursing school and thought, "psych nursing is what i'm going to do, kill 2 birds with one stone." However, once I got into nursing school and psych clinicals, I hate it. But I love nursing. It is probably one of the most versitile careers out there. There are so many nursing areas to choose from that if oyu hate one, you'll probably find your nich in another.

If you're willing to work hard and accept challenges and stress and get people through some of the most difficult times in their lives then try nursing.

Nursing is more than just the sciences. Its more than just the schooling. Its about the people (patients and coworkers) that you meet along the way. Keep working on it and maybe look into doing some shadowing of actual nurses at your local hospital. That might give you a better idea if you really want to be a nurse. Best of luck to you!