This question is basically to get an input on what I have been struggling with to answer for myself.  You have dreamed of being a nurse as long as you can remember - but yet you have your doubts about going into the field - your not sure you can handle certain things so to speak.  If you have those doubts but yet this is the only field you have ever wanted to do - what would you do?

Soswait, Every one who enters Nursing School, has the same reservations.. Just remember, any thing you have learned in life was probably difficult at first.. Then it became 2nd nature.. Nursing will become 2nd nature if you let it... Best of luck and please keep us posted.. Teresa

The fact that you can't deal with the emotional pain of a deceased person and certain smells you can't tolerate maybe you can just try getting into a specific field of nursing such as working in a Doctors office etc...You said that you worked as a CNA and that you made a" big mistake". RN's are also dealing with patients hands on. You might also consider another field where you can help people. You are a very caring person and please don't let that go to waste. The world needs people like you!                                  Joni

I would like to work in Labor and Delivery, but I know once I get into the nursing field that I may change my mind.  My neice is a RN and she always wanted to work in Labor and Delivery - and actually did for a couple of years but she is now working at a dialysis clinic.

I agree with all of the above. By entering nursing school, you will go through all of the rotations in various fields of nursing. At first, I wanted to become a Med Surg nurse, then when offered a job in the hospital I trained in, I was on the Cardiac and Pulmonary Care unit. This is where I met my dream...geriatrics.

I recommend from my own experience....it is better to have tried and failed, than to not have tried at all. So, go for it Girl...you will find out if you will enjoy being an RN or an LVN/LPN. As an RN, you can always work as a supervisor, a Case Manager, and increase your education to become a PA.

The sky is truly the limit...it is infinite and as far as you wish to go!!!!

First - TeresahRN congrats to your neice for her achievements. 

Everyones advise and encouragement has been great.  SusyS yours hit the nail on the head.  I do appreciate your words of advise and encouragement and like TeresahRN said - that is what this site needs.  I thought about starting out and doing the LPN program since it is only a year program.  That way I can "get my feet wet" and start working in the medical field.  Then bridge over to RN later once I have gained enough experience.  I am so ready to do this and know that with the Lord's guidance I can do it. 

Thank You TeresahRN - I feel by doing the LPN program first will be the best thing.  That way I can go ahead and get into the medical field and like I said "get my feet wet".  Then later to the bridge program to RN.  Once I get my RN I would like to go as far as I can with it.  I am ready to make changes in my life and the first thing is to start working hard on accompolishing my life long dream of becoming a nurse.  I appreciate everyone's advise and encouragement on NursingLink.

 Reading these encouraging, yet realistic, replies is wonderful!  

OMG3kids - I can say that since joining NursingLink I have received so much advise and encouragement from other members.  I was to the point of just giving up on ever being a Nurse which is my life long dream to do.  But - with the advise and encouragement that I have received here on NL - I have a more positive outlook on the journey that I am about to begin.

TeresahRN - I found out late yesterday afternoon that I may actually be able to go through an ADN program.  There is a night program offered at one of the community colleges in my area and another community college is in the process of organizing a night program as well.  That has been one of my biggest things - needing to work while I go through school.  I guess this news is the topping on the sundae!!

 Glad to hear you found an option!  I am waiting to see if i get into the classes I need for this semester.  Fingers crossed for us both.  :)

OMG3kids - have my fingers crossed for you also.  Keep us updated!!

Just give her your charming grin andthat'll win her over.....      

nonnahs, welcome to Nl,and thank you for posting. This is what our site is all about. Sharing ideas, thoughts and information.. Also, supporting one  ianother is one of the most important things we can do... Hugs,Teresa

Hi,

I love reading about all of your wishes to go ahead and try nursing school. I began as an LVN, and continue to be an LVN. I love the hands on patient care. Over the years, I have incorporated many other aspects in my nursing...aromatherapy, holistic medicine, palliative care (with MD supervision), massage and always teaching my patients. I tell them why I am checking this or that part of their body...before I touch them. I have found, by educating my patients, they feel more like humans being taken care of by a human nurse.

Also, consider this fact....in your private lives, your knowledge will be an asset to friends and neighbors.  When I was a young nurse, I had stopped by the grocery store in my neighborhood, and in the store was one of my neighbors. She never held a driver's license and her husband did all of the earrands. She told me her husband had been dx with CHF, and he had also been told to "get his business in order". I visited with her a bit more, arrived at home, and called my neighbor's home.

All of you, will develope a "sixth sense", a gut feeling,  just "knowing" without S&S....and this will sometimes drive you nuts. However, I always follow my instincts. I talked with the husband, and asked him if he would be willing to go for a second opinion. I also told him, I did not feel he had CHF. I refered my neighbor to a Pulmonary MD, told my neighbor to pick up his chest xrays from the dx MD, and get the appointment STAT using my name and the Doc I worked for to get this gentleman in.

I heard from his wife the day after his appointment...he was a direct admit to the hospital...dx pneumonia. When my neighbor was discharged to home, he called and told me thanks. He stated that I had saved his life. I told him, no, you took my advice, therefore you were the one that took charge.

This has happened many times, but I never dx, I just strongly recommend a second opinion and state the reason why. It is very rewarding to help friends and neighbors when they are in need. So many people will not seek a second opinion because they are afraid of "hurting their MDs feelings".

So, soon to be nursing students, your nursing will be very rewarding in many areas of the community. I also was a volunteer on our EMS....being a nurse met not a bit...it was, back then, only advanced first aid and the older method of CPR.

As I stated before, the sky is truly the limit....all at once you will feel a wonderful door open to you...but be prepared for learning the language of medicine, how to get along with MDs, and how to work as a team.  I could never have been happier in any other profession...it is so wonderful to be known as a nurse.

May God Bless you as you enter the Path before you. He is always with you as you practice His healing art through your own hands.

SusyS - Thank you so much for sharing such encouraging words.  They are greatly appreciated. 

TeresahRN - Thank you also for your encouragement.  I am so thankful and blessed for the friends that I have made on NL.  I look forward to continueing my journey with each of you.