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Should I be a nurse? Nurses help me! Thanks in advance for advice.?

I would like advice should I become a nurse? I've been thinking about it a lot because of how the economy is in Michigan, the only careers that are available it seems is in health care, the other jobs are not secure or I would have to move. Nursing provides security, people will always need help and plus money is good which is a must for me in the future. Being a nurse isn't what I really want to be but in life sometimes you gotta choose the best for the future. I am a nice, friendly, compassionate, empathetic person which are qualities meant for nursing but I just wonder could I handle the hard work and training. I wonder if I could be successful? I know once I put myself into it, I will give my all. I just wonder if I can handle it. I hate throw up and blood but I know I will learn to deal with it. I have long nails which I know can't have in nursing and it'll hurt me to take them off but I choose a career over nails. What are the duties of nursing? What is the pay and days like? I would like to be a pediatric nurse? How do I go about it and whats it like and what training do I need?

Public Comments

1. My little sister is a pediatric oncology nurse, she loves it, but she's also known she wanted to be a nurse since she was two years old. She makes good money, the hours are long and hard. She works 3-4 12 hour shifts a week. Nursing school is VERY difficult. Very stressful. I think that anyone can be a nurse, but not everyone can be a good nurse. In order to be good and really enjoy working with the patients you need to be passionate about it. While she was in school she worked with old folks, she hated it and doesn't want to do it again. Despite the pain of being around sick kids everyday, she loves working with kids.
2. The pay varies from place to place and goes by experience. There are alot of opportunities, you can work in a hospital, nursing home, you can travel or work for an agency just to name a few. You have to be able to deal with high stress situations, long hours, you will most likely work on the holidays, you will chart endlessly and you will do most of the work but get little of the credit. The nurses are the ones in the trenches day after day but rarely get the recognition they deserve. That usually goes to the doctors. You have to have the ability to remain neutral. You will see some of the most horrible things that humans are capable of, especially in pediatrics, and you still have to be respectful and nice to the same people that inflicted the damage. But I think nurses are the most amazing people on earth, and it is a very rewarding profession.
3. hi, my name is lisa and im currently in college to become a medical assistant i want to work in the maternity ward because i love pregnant women they are beautiful . my schooling has been pretty hard as im raising 3 young children but it is gonna be such a rewarding job i cant wait to start working i think if you want to be a nurse thats awesome you will love it i also cant stand blood but i'll have to get used to it good luck
4. The reasons that you are choosing to go into nursing aren't bad ones, and the personal qualities that you have are really essential to being a successful nurse. Also, job security is a huge thing in today's economy. Plus there are so many different options for work in nursing once you graduate. My daughter changed her major to nursing in her 2nd year of college because of what you are saying. She saw many of her sister's friends graduating from college with non-useful degrees and having a heck of a time finding a job (let alone a good paying, rewarding job). She graduated 1 1/2 yrs ago and is a Pediatric ICU nurse - now a traveling nurse and she is loving it. She is SO happy that she choose nursing as a career --- making an extremely great wage, full time benefits and able to live her life around her job (vs. the job being your life). Nursing school is extremely hard and for the time that you are in school it is pretty much your life. You'll learn to deal with things the same way that all of us who are nurses have dealt with it. No one likes vomit, blood,etc. It isn't a huge part of the job but you are exposed to things like that. You'll be fine. Yes too with the dress code - nails, etc. If you apply yourself, you will be able to handle the training and all work required to become a RN. The hardest part will be getting accepted into a nursing school. (well not the hardest, but that isn't easy.) Nursing is a terrific career - I've been one for 31 yrs and wouldn't have traded it. Have always been able to work where and when I want while raising and family and moving all over the place. Good luck!
5. I cant help but notice the number of times that you mentioned money in your question. The issue for me with this is: if you are considering nursing for the money, you wont last a year int he profession as you will burnout OR you will make a mistake that could cost a patient their life. As nurses, we have the honor of accompanying a patient and their family through the wilderness of health, illness, wellness, birth and death. We are well compensated for our efforts, however, that is secondary to the joy that we take away from these interactions. We deal with many situations that the average person would run away from. So, you have to ask yourself, is this what you think of when you consider nursing as a career choice? Good Luck in your decision making process.