Is Nursing the Right Profession for You?
Nurses are a main part of the medical community. Without them, it would be difficult for the whole system to function. Think about when you go to the doctor. You probably interact much more with nurses than you do with your doctor. These medical professionals work hard to ensure patients are well taken care of while also providing essential support to other medical staff.
The idea of becoming a nurse is a noble thought, but this profession can be tough. It is not for everyone. So, before you take the leap and enroll in nursing school, it is a good idea to answer the question "Should I become a nurse" by looking at the profession closer and finding signs you should be a nurse.
Can You Handle the Demands of the Job?
There are some specific aspects of nursing that can tell you right away if you would be a good fit for this career. Here is a look at some nursing quiz questions to ask yourself to see if you could handle this job.
Are you comfortable with handling health issues and everything that comes along with them?
Nursing is a dirty job sometimes. You will see things that you may wish you didn't. You will be working around blood and other bodily fluids. There will be disgusting smells. You need to be comfortable and able to handle such things.
Can you handle long working hours with many of them spent on your feet?
Nurses are busy people. They rarely get a chance to sit down and are pretty much going constantly once they begin a shift. In addition, the nursing field is notoriously understaffed. This means you will probably work very long hours and not get much time off. You may also have to work all hours of the day, even on holidays, because healthcare is a 24/7 field.
Are you a good student?
Becoming a nurse is very demanding. School is hard, even for those who were good students in the past. It requires a lot of studying and memorizing. You have to be able to focus on your studies and commit 100 percent to the learning process to graduate.
Do you handle emergencies well?
Regardless of where you end up working, the chances are pretty good you will face an emergency at one point. You need to have the ability to be levelheaded and calm in the face of an emergency situation, so you can take charge and help the patient.
Pros and Cons
If you are still reading, then you probably are still on board with becoming a nurse. That is a good thing, but before you make that final decision, here's a look at some of the pros and cons of nursing.
PROS
You have the ability to impact lives in a positive way.
Offers a lot of job security.
A chance to work anywhere.
It's dynamic. There is always something new going on.
Get to meet and work with a diverse group of people.
Get to wear comfortable work clothes or scrubs.
Option to only work a few days a week.
Earnings are pretty great.
Loan privileges through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
CONS
A nurse is exposed to contagious diseases.
This is a highly stressful profession. One decision could save life or could lead to death.
Patients may not like you or refuse to accept your help.
The profession is emotionally driven specially in times of patient's death.
Final Advice
Now that you have a rundown of the profession and all the good and bad it offers, you are probably ready to make your decision. However, there are a few final things you should know.
Nurses are highly valued by the public in general. While you may face issues on the job, just know that people are grateful for what you do. They respect you and trust you, which is important. People may not always trust doctors, but they do nurses. They look to you for advice and help above anyone else when it comes to medical care. That is huge. That can make you feel like your decision to become a nurse is validated.
On the other hand, you should remember that this is not a career for everyone. It is hard. It is demanding. It can be frustrating and upsetting. Not everyone can deal with the daily grind of nursing or the things that are seen by those in this profession. It is nothing like you see on television.
Take all this information into consideration as you make your choice. You could be entering into one of the most secure, stable and respected careers or you could be deciding against a career that could be a disaster for you. Whatever your decision, just make sure it is the right one for you.