Nursing School

Nursing School Is It Right For Me?(By:-Lori Havens)

From high school students to businessmen and women whose job security is on shaky ground, people from all walks of life are taking a look at nursing as a possible career choice. They are doing so with good reason: nursing has, traditionally, offered a solid career with a good salary and job security. But while these things may be the initial "draw" for someone toward the profession, they should not be the deciding factor. Nursing is a job that comes with a lot of emotional intensity, and not everyone is made of nursing material.
The most common questions that I receive about becoming a nurse include:
"Do I have what it takes to be a nurse?"
"How hard is nursing school...will I make it through all the academic work?"
"Am I too old?"
If you're considering nursing as a career, you've probably asked yourself at least one of these, and if you haven't, you ought to.
So, what does it take to be a nurse? It takes a lot of heart. Nurses, good ones, have pretty big hearts. Self-absorbed people do not make good nurses, and they certainly won't love the job. In your consideration of nursing as a potential career, if you're thinking mostly about what you'll get out of it in terms of salary and job-security, you're not yet ready for nursing school. There's a lot more that you still need to consider, and it has to do with what you'll be asked to give as a nurse, not with what you'll get.
How hard is nursing school? Nursing school is very hard. Your grades and your academic performance are important. But so are your attitude and life-experiences. There are plenty of students out there with 4.0 GPA's who would make lousy nurses! If you didn't do well in school, you made need to brush up on some skills before you attempt nursing school. Getting into nursing school is competitive these days because of a high number of applicants all vying for a limited number of spots. If you're considering nursing, take your education very seriously.
Is it realistic to enter the nursing profession later in life? Absolutely! Job changes and even total career changes at any point along the continuum are a simple fact of our working lives nowadays. With age comes maturity, experience, and (hopefully) wisdom...all great qualities in a nurse! Just be aware that nursing is a very physical kind of work. Bending, lifting, long hours on your feet...plus the emotional stress will take their toll on your body. If you're considering a career in nursing and you're not in the best of shape, whatever your age, you'll want to begin making some lifestyle changes to improve your overall physical health so you can better tolerate the rigors of the job.
Nursing can be one of the most intensely satisfying careers you could ever want if you are right for it; it can also be one of the most horrible jobs you'll ever experience if it isn't right for you. The best advice to those who are considering going into nursing: don't rush this one! Nursing school is difficult and expensive...you don't want to make a mistake. Take the time to ask yourself the important questions, and find out if a career in nursing is right for you.