How difficult is it to become a nurse?

Question

I live in the United States and am somewhat interested in becoming a nurse. For nurses out there, what is the most difficult part of your job and what was most difficult in becoming a nurse?

Answer 1

My question to you would be "why do you want to be a nurse?" Nursing offers many rewards and there are many career options, but you should examine your motivation. While opinions vary, I would recommend that you enter the profession with a BSN obtained at an accredited 4 year university. The curriculum is challenging but not impossible. I also have a degree in Biology, and would have to say that the BSN was easier (perhaps because I was more mature, who knows. I practiced clinically for 23 years as a Navy Nurse. Challenges include rotating shifts, organizing and prioritizing your day, and utilizing extreme attention to detail. Patients and their families can of course be very demanding, and you should have good communication skills and interpersonal skills. You will be working with a wide variety of professionals and should be a good team player -- doctors, aides, respiratory technicians, social workers -- and many more. If you enjoy helping people and can learn science, it is a wonderful career. You might want to consider working with nurses to get more of an idea. Nurses work in hospitals, clinics, hospice, emergency rooms, ICUs -- the options are nearly unlimited. Good luck to you.