Should I become a nurse if I don't like stress?

[dawn]

I am 21 years old and have been going to community college for 3 years (no loans because of scholarship). I have yet to choose a major, and really want to transfer to university within the year to complete a bachelors. I'm pretty indecisive and have considered a few majors. The first one was a degree in dietetics because I was really interested in nutrition and being healthy. But there's not a lot of room for growth in the field, and either you start up your own private practice which I probably wouldn't want to do, or you work for a hospital where most clients don't care about what you say. I then though about teaching kids, as someone I really look up to teaches and I think it's a good role. However, I have never really been around kids and and pretty shy and socially awkward, and the market isn't good for teachers. Someone I work with is going into nursing and I looked into that career. I met with a nursing advisor at a nearby state university and I may be able to get into the program next spring if I ace all the classes I'm taking this semester and summer to bring my gpa up.

I have looked into a lot of careers and don't know what is the right fit. I never thought about what I wanted to be as a kid, and now I want to make a smart choice. My dad is a carpenter and mom never went to school past fifth grade (they're divorced too) and my dad doesn't even really think I should go to college, just get an office job or something. But I want something more.

In my career I don't really want to be sitting behind a desk, I want to be moving. I would like to help people. I am passionate about health and fitness, and more so preventative care than helping people who don't take care of themselves. I want a career that will support all of the other things I want to do in life like travel and have a good healthy social and family life. I want a career I can be proud of. The only thing about nursing is that I'm not very good with stress at all and would ideally want a low stress career. I also do not want shift work. I feel like my purpose is more of having a good family life and not all about what I do in my career, but still want to help others.

I also really want to move out soon, and I know nursing school will probably not allow me to have a job. However, my boyfriend of five years finishes pharmacy school next spring (over a year) and he will be getting a job then. We're probably going to move in together then. But I really want to pull my own weight someday. Is nursing a good career to pursue?

[Michelle]

Nurses are definitely indemand abroad and locally. But this job is definitely super stressful. You need to have that passion of caring for other people or else you'll quit early.

[Brent G]

How about this? Instead, just learn to deal with your stress since that is such a lame excuse. Nobody likes stress, but learning to cope with it and handle numerous tasks at a time is a life skill needed to be a grown up; so instead of limiting your job search why don't you take some electives that help you work on
time management, delegation, organization, multi tasking, etc.
College isn't just about the subject matter, it's identifying the life skills necessary for you to be as successful as possible and alot of success has to do with one's personality.

[Pookyâ„¢]

1. You are bouncing all over the place.

2. I agree with Brent's answer - you must deal with the stress now. All jobs have stress - it's how you deal with it that you will either survive or not. You can’t use that as an excuse for everything.

3. If you are socially awkward, the therapist will help you with that, too.

[Maria]

Nursing is a very stressful job. This should help you choose a major - http://bitly.com/1kXtY4w

[Strife and Discord]

Nursing is a very stressful career. It's literally life and death. Consider pursuing a degrees in nutrition and physical therapy. As a nutritionist or personal trainer you could make $40/hour and make your own schedule.

[Jo]

Have you thought about the meaning of the word "nurse"? Most cases it means caring for someone. Nursing someone. These "someones" are injured, hurt, or dying patients. If you don't want stress - can't deal with such things - then these "someones" and their families don't need you are around.

And I doubt you can get into the more cushy jobs of nursing without paying your dues - meaning doing all that nurses do and getting experience in every aspect of nursing - including emergency rooms, ICU, etc. You will not get the cushy jobs over someone who has done all this and has seniority on you.

Your comments are all over the board. You want to "help" people but want to pick and choose who those people are - such as you don't want to help people who haven't taken care of themselves. People who take care of themselves don't need much help, do they? And you don't want shift work. Nursing is all about shift work. You are "shy and socially awkward". Nursing school will require you to give shots, enemas and do all kinds of really personal things to people. Seeing people at a very bad point in their lives. If you cannot go full on with that - with compassion - then you will not ever be a nurse. You won't get past the classes and clinicals - much less ever get or keep a job. So don't bother with the time and expense of nursing school.

You will need to find something where you do not have to deal with hurt, injured, dying people - who are in pain, scared, bleeding, vomiting. Doesn't sound like you have the compassion and caring for all that. And in nursing school - you will HAVE to do all that just to get the degree.

So you want regular hours, a job to be proud of, pays enough to support the life style you want, want to help people but not those who need much help - nursing is definitely not for you.

So take boyfriends lead - be a pharmacist or pharmacy tech. That way you are "helping" by handing out meds - but don't have to get involved with people personally.

[Monique]

Dawn, if you are really indecisive, I would highly encourage you not to spend money on college right now. There is nothing wrong with working and taking time to explore and look at where you want to focus your career. Not every career requires a four year college degree, for example.

And also, what caught my eye is "we will probably move in together then". Probably best to really sit down at this point in your life and speak with your boyfriend about the future. It is hard to make your career choices based on "probably". Does he plan to relocate, for example, for a job? And are you going to relocate and then think about what to do since schools may not be in that area and such? All of this is important in your situation.

[Rachel]

Yes nursing is a great career to pursue. I am a nurse and I love it! I also make great money. You have some great answers on here so In don't want to repeat them. But below is a great resource to help answer any nursing school questions.