Should I become a nurse???

Help needed! I have been accepted into an RN program starting in the Fall. This is what I have worked for these past few years. I'm very compassionate, conscientious, and have excellent grades. However, I have never worked with patients hands-on and I am terrified of catching a disease from a needlestick injury! I am a very emotionally sensitive person and in some aspects I think that would make me a good nurse, but I may have to much of a "fearful" or anxious personality. What do you think? Is this something that everyone feels at first and you overcome it? I have never drawn blood, given shots, started IV's, etc, and I just hope I would be as good at it as I am with the books. I just hope I am not shaky or clumsy and stick myself!! Any input greatly appreciated!!
Take a breath. Calm down. Of course you haven't done all those things--- if you had, you wouldn't need school, now would you Yes, it's normal to feel anxious about all of this. Just take it one step at a time, pay attention and learn. One day you'll look back on this and smile.

I think those fears are perfectly normal! I was a CNA for a few years before becoming a nurse and that really helped, but I was still terrified of giving injections and things like that when I first started. You will grow both as a person and as a nurse and soon enough you will feel at ease in all sorts of situations. It sounds as though you have the type of personality that patients need the most. If your heart is in it, go for it! :spin:

Maybe a little healthy fear isn't such a bad thing. It's possible that it will make you a little more careful. What made you apply to nursing school to begin with? My point is - if you have a strong desire to be a nurse, don't let this stop you. As you gain new skills you'll begin to realize that most accidents can be avoided.

I don't mean to sound harsh but if you have to question yourself should you become a nurse. Then you probably shouldn't. Most potential nurses feel it in their heart and deep in their soul and never have to question if they are making the right career decison. Don't go into this profession for the money. Go into this profession because you love people.We all are nervous about working with patients. Needle sticks should be the least of your worries. There are countless other potential diseases that we worry about.Becoming comfortable in your own skin for any nurse will come with time. Class of 2008

I am not sure that Nursing is any more or less dangerous than any other job. Any time you hop in your car, your chances of getting killed or seriously injured increase substantially. I would bet back injuries are one of the most common Nursing on the job injuries.

Even though I was pretty sure I wanted to be a nurse I didn't "feel it deep within my soul". I was very nervous about it, and questioned myself over and over again before school started. As with any major change in your life, you need to seriously consider your decision, and it's normal to question yourself. I was scared as heck my first day of clinical, I had never had hands on pt. care before, but you get thru that and move on (the nervousness does get better with time). I love being a nurse now, and I'm glad I went for it.

Quote from penny869I don't mean to sound harsh but if you have to question yourself should you become a nurse. Then you probably shouldn't. Most potential nurses feel it in their heart and deep in their soul and never have to question if they are making the right career decison. Don't go into this profession for the money. Go into this profession because you love people.We all are nervous about working with patients. Needle sticks should be the least of your worries. There are countless other potential diseases that we worry about.Becoming comfortable in your own skin for any nurse will come with time. Class of 2008

Thank you all for your replies. In my heart I know I would be a good nurse. I genuinely care about people, and its not all about the money. I do suffer from anxiety, and I tend to worry a lot.

Hi JillPaige,I am a lot like you. I am very fearful and anxious also and not very assertive. I am in school now and i have physically trembled when giving shots. The instructors will guide you through these skills.Your instructors will see you are a caring person and will want you to succeed because you truly have a nurses heart. This is not to say that you should not be prepared to give the injection. As long as you know the six rights of medication administration, the injection sites and be knowledgeable about the medication you are giving you will be fine. The clinical instructors want to know that you are prepared.I work as an LNA in a hospital to help alleviate my anxiety and fears. If you can afford to work as a nursing assistant it would be very beneficial to you. Hospitals love to hire nursing students and most nurses are willing to let you help or observe procedures. in this type of job you can learn how to deal with patients, their families, and staff. It also teaches you to become more assertive. When I go into a patients room I tell them what I am going to do. for instance i will say- I am going to take you blood sugar. I used to ask them if I could. I have now seen so many naked body parts that it no longer phases me but you always have to be sensitive to the fact that the patients may be uncomfortable with it.Clinical is tough i won't deny it. I have cried on more than one occasion. I have cried because of anxiety and also over the patients. Most students are anxious. It is all part of the learning experience. Take care nursewannabee

Quote from penny869I don't mean to sound harsh but if you have to question yourself should you become a nurse. Then you probably shouldn't. Most potential nurses feel it in their heart and deep in their soul and never have to question if they are making the right career decison. Don't go into this profession for the money. Go into this profession because you love people.We all are nervous about working with patients. Needle sticks should be the least of your worries. There are countless other potential diseases that we worry about.Becoming comfortable in your own skin for any nurse will come with time. Class of 2008

Quote from summersentI dont agree with that. I think we all in some time have question or doubt or fear. its normal. And I also think money is an important part for a job. A job is not a hobby. I dont think anything is wrong if someone decides to do nursing for money, don't we all do jobs for money? Sure you want to love your job but I dont feel it has to be a "calling" for someone to become a nurse and a good nurse at that. All thats important is the job is done well. Anyways, to the original poster, I think we all have those fears. Its normal. I'm sure you will be fine.

it's normal to have fear of the unknown. many people starting in your nursing program have never done a shot , gave a enema, or a bed bath, many students have no idea what nurses really do when they start the program. it's okay to feel that way. when i started nursing school i had no idea what the heck i was doing. i am glad i went into it i love my patients and i as time went on i felt it was the right choice. you can get into the program and see if it's for you.. if not .. then don't contuine. many people get into the nursing program and then find out it's not what they want and quit. thats okay. happens all the time... you may find you like it.