7 answers
zoey
Student
Commodore, Pennsylvania
3
Questions
Asked
974 views
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
Login to comment
7 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
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
Char R.
Registered Nurse
67
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
Caroline Schmidt
Pediatric and neonatal Occupational therapist
13
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:
Brianna C., MS, SLP
Speech language pathology
148
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Brianna’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
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3629
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Zoey! 😊
It's fantastic to know that you've got your career goals mapped out and you're thinking about stepping into the world of nursing. This career path can be incredibly fulfilling, as it's all about helping others and making a positive difference in people's lives.
To figure out if nursing is the perfect fit for you, there are a few things you might want to ponder over:
Your Personal Interests and Strengths: Do you find joy in helping people and being there for those who need care? Are you compassionate, understanding, and a great listener? Nursing calls for excellent communication skills and the ability to stay calm under stress.
Job Prospects and Demand: There's a high demand for nurses, and it's only going to increase, thanks to an aging population and a greater focus on healthcare services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for registered nurses will grow 12% from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than most occupations.
Education and Training: Nursing is a profession that needs a strong grounding in science, especially anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. You'll need to finish a nursing program, which could lead to a diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Some nurses even decide to pursue advanced degrees, like a master’s degree or doctorate, to specialize in a specific nursing field.
Work Environment: Nurses have a range of work settings to choose from, such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare. Some nurses specialize in areas like critical care, pediatrics, or oncology. Think about what kind of work environment would suit you best.
Salary and Benefits: Nursing is a well-compensated profession, with median annual salaries ranging from $60,000 to $100,000, based on your education level and experience. Nurses often enjoy benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
To really get a feel for what a nursing career involves, you might want to chat with nurses in the field, shadow them, or volunteer in a healthcare setting. This can give you an up-close view of the daily duties and challenges a nurse faces.
As for your high school education, taking classes in biology, chemistry, and math can lay a solid groundwork for a nursing program. You might also want to think about taking electives like anatomy, physiology, and health sciences to deepen your understanding of the human body and the healthcare system.
In a nutshell, a career in nursing can be a rewarding and satisfying choice, but it's crucial to weigh your personal interests, strengths, and goals before deciding to embark on this journey.
References:
"Nursing Careers: What You Need to Know." (n.d.). American Nurses Association. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/career-development/what-you-need-to-know/
"Registered Nurses." (n.d.). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
"Nursing Degree Programs." (n.d.). Nurse Journal. Retrieved from https://www.nursejournal.org/education/nursing-degree-programs
Wishing you abundant blessings!
James.
It's fantastic to know that you've got your career goals mapped out and you're thinking about stepping into the world of nursing. This career path can be incredibly fulfilling, as it's all about helping others and making a positive difference in people's lives.
To figure out if nursing is the perfect fit for you, there are a few things you might want to ponder over:
Your Personal Interests and Strengths: Do you find joy in helping people and being there for those who need care? Are you compassionate, understanding, and a great listener? Nursing calls for excellent communication skills and the ability to stay calm under stress.
Job Prospects and Demand: There's a high demand for nurses, and it's only going to increase, thanks to an aging population and a greater focus on healthcare services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for registered nurses will grow 12% from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than most occupations.
Education and Training: Nursing is a profession that needs a strong grounding in science, especially anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. You'll need to finish a nursing program, which could lead to a diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Some nurses even decide to pursue advanced degrees, like a master’s degree or doctorate, to specialize in a specific nursing field.
Work Environment: Nurses have a range of work settings to choose from, such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare. Some nurses specialize in areas like critical care, pediatrics, or oncology. Think about what kind of work environment would suit you best.
Salary and Benefits: Nursing is a well-compensated profession, with median annual salaries ranging from $60,000 to $100,000, based on your education level and experience. Nurses often enjoy benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
To really get a feel for what a nursing career involves, you might want to chat with nurses in the field, shadow them, or volunteer in a healthcare setting. This can give you an up-close view of the daily duties and challenges a nurse faces.
As for your high school education, taking classes in biology, chemistry, and math can lay a solid groundwork for a nursing program. You might also want to think about taking electives like anatomy, physiology, and health sciences to deepen your understanding of the human body and the healthcare system.
In a nutshell, a career in nursing can be a rewarding and satisfying choice, but it's crucial to weigh your personal interests, strengths, and goals before deciding to embark on this journey.
References:
"Nursing Careers: What You Need to Know." (n.d.). American Nurses Association. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/career-development/what-you-need-to-know/
"Registered Nurses." (n.d.). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
"Nursing Degree Programs." (n.d.). Nurse Journal. Retrieved from https://www.nursejournal.org/education/nursing-degree-programs
Wishing you abundant blessings!
James.