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How can I know whether nursing is suitable for me or not?
I'm just a student in the 9th grade. I'm not sure that nursing is suitable for me or nt
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Sasha DaSilva-Stillwagon
Neonatal & pediatric critical care transport
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Sasha’s Answer
Hello! I can completely understand wanting to make sure nursing is the right career for you before committing massive amounts of focus, work, and money to achieve it.
Personally I think you should consider being an Emergency Medical Technician on the ambulance. I live in the US and every state is different as far as what age you can obtain your EMT certification. But some allow you as young as 16, depending on where you live. The advantages to working: and or volunteering as an EMT is you will encounter nurses. Many nurse from all different backgrounds and specialties. You will also encounter all kinds of healthcare professionals. So if you decide that nursing isn’t for you, but you like healthcare or working in a hospital there’s physician assistants, radiology technologists, all different things.
If you decide healthcare, or working in the hospital is not for you; well the good things about being an EMT is you work with fire and police. So you can also observe their jobs and how they work and if that interests you.
Also in the US you can work as a paid EMT so you could potentially be working a job while figuring out what you actually want to do based on your own experience, and then maybe your employer with have tuition assistance.
Hope this was helpful. Please feel free to reach out to me on my LinkedIn page if you’d like to discuss this further.
Personally I think you should consider being an Emergency Medical Technician on the ambulance. I live in the US and every state is different as far as what age you can obtain your EMT certification. But some allow you as young as 16, depending on where you live. The advantages to working: and or volunteering as an EMT is you will encounter nurses. Many nurse from all different backgrounds and specialties. You will also encounter all kinds of healthcare professionals. So if you decide that nursing isn’t for you, but you like healthcare or working in a hospital there’s physician assistants, radiology technologists, all different things.
If you decide healthcare, or working in the hospital is not for you; well the good things about being an EMT is you work with fire and police. So you can also observe their jobs and how they work and if that interests you.
Also in the US you can work as a paid EMT so you could potentially be working a job while figuring out what you actually want to do based on your own experience, and then maybe your employer with have tuition assistance.
Hope this was helpful. Please feel free to reach out to me on my LinkedIn page if you’d like to discuss this further.
Updated
Joyce’s Answer
Check with your local nursing school for information on nursing. I believe you have to work as a Certified Nurses Aide before you can start school. This will definitely show you what goes on in the hospitals or nursing home facilities. If you know anyone that is a nurse, ask them what led them to nursing. Ask yourself why you want to be a nurse. Sometimes you never know if a job is suitable for you or not until you've done it. Keep in mind though....nursing isn't only about patient care. With a nursing degree, you can do just about anything. I wish you luck.
Updated
Christine’s Answer
@Joyce I've never heard of a requirement for someone to be a CNA prior to starting nursing school. I don't believe this is a requirement especially for BSN programs at least the BSN programs I know of in Maryland and Virginia.
@Thy, I would suggest perhaps asking around if there is someone you might know who is a nurse that you can talk to about what it is like to be a nurse day to day. I would ask teachers at your school, friends (their parents) if they know of someone who is a nurse. There are a lot of different things one can do as a nurse depending on your level of education, and if a nurse opts to work in a speciality area there are other venues that nurses can work. Perhaps through your network you might be able to shadow a nurse for a day to get an idea of what their day-to-day might look like.
I wish you well, my journey into nursing got started with the idea when I was in the 10th grade, I wanted to be a therapist. In a chance discussion with my primary care doctor at the time, I mentioned this and he had said well you can be a nurse and be a therapist. Well lo-and-behold, I did some research and yes it was a possibility, although once I got into nursing school I realized I did not really enjoy my psych nursing rotation all that much and my career took me in an entirely different direction.
@Thy, I would suggest perhaps asking around if there is someone you might know who is a nurse that you can talk to about what it is like to be a nurse day to day. I would ask teachers at your school, friends (their parents) if they know of someone who is a nurse. There are a lot of different things one can do as a nurse depending on your level of education, and if a nurse opts to work in a speciality area there are other venues that nurses can work. Perhaps through your network you might be able to shadow a nurse for a day to get an idea of what their day-to-day might look like.
I wish you well, my journey into nursing got started with the idea when I was in the 10th grade, I wanted to be a therapist. In a chance discussion with my primary care doctor at the time, I mentioned this and he had said well you can be a nurse and be a therapist. Well lo-and-behold, I did some research and yes it was a possibility, although once I got into nursing school I realized I did not really enjoy my psych nursing rotation all that much and my career took me in an entirely different direction.
@Christine in NE it is a requirement that you become a CNA prior to nursing school.
Joyce Melotz
Updated
Dawnette’s Answer
With over 30 years of nursing experience and licenses in three states, my journey began as an LPN. I chose this path to "try out nursing," and back then, it was a one-year certificate program that didn't require any prior medical experience. Life took its course, and I spent 14 years as an LPN before transitioning to an RN through a one-year associate degree program. I've now been an RN for over 20 years. I encourage you to reach out to your local hospital and see if you can "shadow" a nurse for a shift. Nursing offers a wide range of specialties, so there's something for everyone. I hope this inspires you!