Have You Got What It Takes To Be a Nurse? Five Questions To Ask Yourself First

Nursing school is no place for the weak! Nursing school programs are intense, time-consuming, exhausting...and also very expensive. So before you commit to a nursing school program, here are some questions that you should ask yourself. This way, you don't realize only halfway through the program that you were never meant to be a nurse.

• Realistically, honestly, how high is your tolerance for blood, vomit, bodily fluids, exposed internal organs, and other generally gross sights, smells, and situations?

As a nurse you will encounter all of those things. At some point in your nursing training, and even when you will be licensed already, you will need to assist in cleaning up urine, mucus, feces, blood, and vomit. It isn't that you have to enjoy this, but if you simply cannot handle any of this stuff, nursing is not for you.

• Can you cope with extreme stress as well?
  

People's lives depend on your answer. If you break down when multiple trauma patients are rushed towards you in the E.R. or when a woman in labor is facing complications, again...think of other career options.

• How disciplined and self-motivated are you?

You will have huge amounts of memorization, constantly, throughout your schooling experience. If you fail any of your classes, this could cause the school to expel you, right in the middle of the school year.

• How much time do you have on your hands?

Take stock of your current situation. Can you really devote at least 80% of your time to nursing studies for however long it takes you to get that degree? Do you have childcare, living expenses, and school expenses adequately covered so that you are able to give nursing school your all?

• Do you possess excellent people skills?

Not good, excellent. Remember that patients you face may be in their worst moods. They are scared, physically uncomfortable, possibly in a lot of pain. You will also need to talk with their family members, who may be frightened and worried, and may direct their stress at you.

If you think that you can handle all of the above, then you have your answer...you will make an excellent nurse!