6 answers
zoey
Student
Commodore, Pennsylvania
3
Questions
Asked
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my career goals!
my career goal to help people. i would like to go to school for nursing or something involved into nursing department. but how do i know if right for me? i would start will in high school learn all the health stuff like about the body etc. then colledge i hope
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6 answers
Mary Anne Smith
medical transcription/editor
1
Answer
Putnam Station, NY
Updated
Mary Anne’s Answer
Nursing involves a lot of hands-on patient contact. If you are a people person and can deal with sometimes tense situations in a calm manner, this may be a good fit for you.
Volunteer at a nursing home or hospital to help you decide.
Study -- it takes good study skills to pass nursing classes like Anatomy and Physiology and testing for certification.
Mary Anne recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
zoey
Char R.
Registered Nurse
48
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Char’s Answer
Hi Zoey,
I can imagine that it's hard trying to figure out what career to choose. It's a good thing that you have an idea though. Nursing is a great career if you want to help people, but it's also challenging. If you learn how to get good at doing many things at once, nursing will be easier for you.
You're exactly right. Take high school health classes and pay attention. In college, you'll take more health classes, so it will be easier if you already understand about health.
As far as knowing if nursing is right for you, you seem to already have an idea of what you want to do. You already have the desire to help people. So far, you seem to be on the right track! Continue asking questions about nursing as time goes on. If you think of anything else you want to know about being a nurse, come on here and ask. If you never lose your desire to be a nurse, then that's a good sign.
I can imagine that it's hard trying to figure out what career to choose. It's a good thing that you have an idea though. Nursing is a great career if you want to help people, but it's also challenging. If you learn how to get good at doing many things at once, nursing will be easier for you.
You're exactly right. Take high school health classes and pay attention. In college, you'll take more health classes, so it will be easier if you already understand about health.
As far as knowing if nursing is right for you, you seem to already have an idea of what you want to do. You already have the desire to help people. So far, you seem to be on the right track! Continue asking questions about nursing as time goes on. If you think of anything else you want to know about being a nurse, come on here and ask. If you never lose your desire to be a nurse, then that's a good sign.
Your advice was so helpful!
zoey
Bekah Odle
Mother Baby, Med-Surgical RN
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Bekah’s Answer
Hi Mary Anne!
It's so hard to know for sure what you'd like to do for the next 40 years of your life before you've even left high school! But people won't stop asking what you want to do right? Goodness! And, of course, you want to know too! I'd say give yourself OPTIONS! Nursing is a great way to help people. But we often have idealistic perceptions of things before we get in the middle of them. So start off getting to know how awesome and unique you are first!
I would begin by asking yourself WHAT makes you come alive! Do you remember moments, even small ones, that made you feel ALIVE when they happened? Get specific. And what THINGS are you drawn to? Do you have lots of outdoor hobbies or are you passionate about drawing on the side or teaching people about things? Then ask yourself what you are naturally good at - making conversation, problem solving, paying attention to detail vs big picture, math vs english, emotional connection vs logic, etc. Make a list of these things (what makes you come alive, what you're drawn to, and what you're good at). Then TRY a few things - shadow at the hospital under a nurse for 12 hours (yes, the whole 12). Like it? Volunteer or work as a nurse aid. Or if you have a lot of emotional intelligence, reach out to a counselor at school or another location and see if they will sit down and chat with you and tell you about what they do!
Your love for helping people is such a beautiful place to start! But knowing YOU will help you find the perfect avenue for it! :)
Find a way to converge the things that matter most on your list. Be creative! Think outside the box. And if you find you love nursing, know that the possibilities in nursing are ENDLESS too! Best of luck!
It's so hard to know for sure what you'd like to do for the next 40 years of your life before you've even left high school! But people won't stop asking what you want to do right? Goodness! And, of course, you want to know too! I'd say give yourself OPTIONS! Nursing is a great way to help people. But we often have idealistic perceptions of things before we get in the middle of them. So start off getting to know how awesome and unique you are first!
I would begin by asking yourself WHAT makes you come alive! Do you remember moments, even small ones, that made you feel ALIVE when they happened? Get specific. And what THINGS are you drawn to? Do you have lots of outdoor hobbies or are you passionate about drawing on the side or teaching people about things? Then ask yourself what you are naturally good at - making conversation, problem solving, paying attention to detail vs big picture, math vs english, emotional connection vs logic, etc. Make a list of these things (what makes you come alive, what you're drawn to, and what you're good at). Then TRY a few things - shadow at the hospital under a nurse for 12 hours (yes, the whole 12). Like it? Volunteer or work as a nurse aid. Or if you have a lot of emotional intelligence, reach out to a counselor at school or another location and see if they will sit down and chat with you and tell you about what they do!
Your love for helping people is such a beautiful place to start! But knowing YOU will help you find the perfect avenue for it! :)
Find a way to converge the things that matter most on your list. Be creative! Think outside the box. And if you find you love nursing, know that the possibilities in nursing are ENDLESS too! Best of luck!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
zoey
Lorraine Romero
FNP-C
43
Answers
Modesto, California
Updated
Lorraine’s Answer
Zoey,
High school is a good time to begin thinking about career options that you might be interested in in the future. Once you have entered college, you will begin by completing general education courses and will have time to decide which area of study you want to pursue.
While in high school, I would recommend volunteering at a hospital or other healthcare-related facility. As a volunteer, you will be able to get a better sense of what it would be like to work as a nurse.
While you are still in high school, you might be interested in taking classes such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, and psychology. These classes will help you prepare for nursing school.
High school is a good time to begin thinking about career options that you might be interested in in the future. Once you have entered college, you will begin by completing general education courses and will have time to decide which area of study you want to pursue.
While in high school, I would recommend volunteering at a hospital or other healthcare-related facility. As a volunteer, you will be able to get a better sense of what it would be like to work as a nurse.
While you are still in high school, you might be interested in taking classes such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, and psychology. These classes will help you prepare for nursing school.
This was super helpful, thank you!
zoey
Caroline Schmidt
Pediatric and neonatal Occupational therapist
12
Answers
Updated
Caroline’s Answer
Hi Zoey,
I applaud you for thinking of your career early on and trying to make the most of your time in high school.
Healthcare is a diverse field filled with profession that may be unknown to the general public. I've been in rehabilitation medicine for a while and I'm still learning about the diversity of the healthcare team. From the OR to the ER there are many different types of career paths and options.
I highly recommended you start volunteering or shadowing at a local hospital or doctors office. Explore the different units, departments, and professions. This opportunity will also give you a first hand experience of what the day to day entails.
It's also important to purse your own interest outside of your career to help maintain a good work/life balance. Finding your own passions may help you figure out how you want to help others. For example, if you into fitness and working out Physical Therapy or Occupational therapy can be good options. There are art and music therapist helping people cope with difficult situations through creative means.
Good luck on your journey into healthcare! It's a good field but has it ups and downs =)
https://www.edumed.org/medical-careers/little-known-odd-unusual/
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/weird-jobs-in-the-medical-field-you-never-thought-about-123015
I applaud you for thinking of your career early on and trying to make the most of your time in high school.
Healthcare is a diverse field filled with profession that may be unknown to the general public. I've been in rehabilitation medicine for a while and I'm still learning about the diversity of the healthcare team. From the OR to the ER there are many different types of career paths and options.
I highly recommended you start volunteering or shadowing at a local hospital or doctors office. Explore the different units, departments, and professions. This opportunity will also give you a first hand experience of what the day to day entails.
It's also important to purse your own interest outside of your career to help maintain a good work/life balance. Finding your own passions may help you figure out how you want to help others. For example, if you into fitness and working out Physical Therapy or Occupational therapy can be good options. There are art and music therapist helping people cope with difficult situations through creative means.
Good luck on your journey into healthcare! It's a good field but has it ups and downs =)
Caroline recommends the following next steps:
Briana Pelle, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech language pathology
148
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Briana’s Answer
You've been given pretty great answers so far. I'd also like to point out that the healthcare field is incredibly vast, with many options. Don't think that being a nurse or doctor is the only way to work in healthcare, or the only way to work in a hands on field that helps people. Here are a few other careers that you may enjoy:
- counselor or therapist
- psychologist
- medical social worker
- physical therapist
- occupational therapist
- speech pathologist
- home health caregiver
- counselor or therapist
- psychologist
- medical social worker
- physical therapist
- occupational therapist
- speech pathologist
- home health caregiver