I've known my whole life that I belong in the medical field, but I'm not sure which part. I love helping peole in general, helping them survive is even better.  Babies are my PASSION! I'm only 19 and I don't have a family, yet, so I don't get to enjoy the little creatures as I'd like to. I've been surrounded by newborns since I can remember and it's no better feeling for me than to care for them. I wanted to become a NNP but my dad on the other hand believes being a CRNA fits more in my category. SO! I have questions for any CRNA's and/or NNP's because of me being the indecisive girl that I am. :P

1- Lets say I decide either of them.. Because I didn't take High School as seriously as I wish I would have, I feel like I need to go to a community college to create a good GPA before I decide on a 4 year college. If I do that, Will I need to go to school for 6 years vs. the 4 if I just went straight  to a 4 year school from the beginning?

2- Hows the stress level, and challenge of school? I heard that it took quite a toll on a new friend who recently graduated with a BSN and she's the smartest person I know. Plus, I have a high stress level over the littlest of things, and I'm concerned that because of this issue, it's going to affect my grades, studing habits ect..

3- What are the perks and downers of being a CRNA or a NNP?

4-How strict are hospitals and such about the physical apperance of their employees? I don't have any visable tattoos for the fact that often people see them as "criminal related" which they're far from, but I was hoping the profession I could jump into would be accepting with a few visable tattoos. Also, I have plugs (gauges). If you're not sure what those are, they're the "big holes in peoples ears" haha and I'm at about an inch and a quarter in diameter, a size that won't close up if I just take them out (they'll look like big ole' loose cat buttholes). Although I'll have the same degree as any other applying for that position, I'm worried that because of my interests it'll decrease my opportunities. :/ I understand it would be discrimination, but if I were to be turned down from employment I highly doubt they'd tell me it's because of my ears. :/

I want this so bad, yet I'm so worried I'll fail with all of these worries I carry on my shoulders. :/ If anyone could help me at all I would appreciate it A LOT!

Cannot speak as to the CRNA vs. NNP, but I can speak as to the professional standards/appearances that a lot of places have.  Your stretched ears will drastically affect your chances.  I would recommend that you get them fixed, even before applying to nursing programs.  Tattoos are still rather hit or miss on the professional appearances scale, but overall places look for a conservative appearance because it allows patients and their families to trust not only you but the hospital itself.  The impression given by a sloppy or edgy appearance is one of poor work ethics, lack of professionalism, and shoddy work itself.  Sucks, but it's true, or at least believed to be true by quite a few human resource people out there.  (I am currently volunteering while waiting for school to start.  We were handed a full page of appearance rules to be followed.)

As to high school grades affecting your chances of getting into nursing school, it also depends on what schools you apply to.  You may find that with a lot of the 4-year programs, and even the 2-year programs, you have to get your prerequisites done [i]before[/i] applying to the nursing program itself.  Check it out with the schools that you are interested in attending.  Your high school grades then may only matter on your initial college application.

Also, you may want to contact your local children's hospital and asking if it's possible to talk with one of their nurses, or possibly to volunteer there.  Volunteering looks great on resumes and school applications, and also allows you another degree of insight into the options out there.