Why I Want a New Degree: Discovering My Passion for Nursing
“SDSU has a great nursing program! Nurses make great money and only work a few days a week. That’s a degree worth going for.” Nursing was a career my dad heavily tried to push me towards when I was first applying to colleges. Regardless, I stood my ground and applied for the degree I wanted to pursue and now, 4 years later, I’m preparing to apply to nursing schools. Luckily, I can truly say that I don’t regret getting my first degree, a bachelor’s in biology, one bit. In fact, I think it gives me a greater understanding of medicine and gave me time to branch out and gain a higher respect and devotion to nursing that I don’t think I would ever have if I just applied straight out of high school due to my family’s influence. For anyone who isn’t sure what they want to do yet or is considering nursing among other medical professions, I hope hearing my journey helps you find out how you can confirm which direction you want to go in.
I applied to San Diego State University (SDSU) with the goal of becoming a neuroscience researcher. In my second year I took a class on Deaf culture just to fill a general education (GE) requirement. One topic that really struck me in that class was the controversy surrounding cochlear implants. I have a family member who was doing research on cochlear implants and my thoughts up until then were that they were good since they helped people hear. I didn’t know that cochlear implants had so many risks and were a permanent procedure that is not guaranteed to improve hearing loss. I didn’t know that they perpetuated the idea that those who are deaf are in need of fixing, when many in the Deaf community view their deafness as a part of their identity rather than a disability. This helped me realize that I wanted to understand the people I was helping in order to give them the best care possible rather than be removed from them as I would be if I worked in a lab. Now this is not to discredit research at all! Even research on cochlear implants is necessary to continue improving the technology for those who want it and feel it will improve their quality of life. However, for me personally, I realized how much I value being able to listen to my patients and focus on their individual needs and wants when contributing to their care, so I redirected my goals to the medical field.
My first step was to gain some experience in a clinical environment, so I applied to become a volunteer at my local hospital. While I wasn’t providing direct care, it gave me the opportunity to focus on the emotional needs of the patients. I got them blankets, listened to their concerns, held the hands of worried mothers, and rejoiced with new grandparents. Even to the patients who were short with me, I wanted to give my full compassion and support in a situation where they or their loved one was sick or hurt. My volunteer experience was a major factor in helping me realize that the medical field is the right place for me. It also exposed me to a lot of people who were older than me, had already graduated college, and were still deciding which path they wanted to take. Many of them were also gaining experience, making themselves more competitive applicants, and were building the same devotion and passion for the medical field as I was. It was relieving to see that I wasn’t “too late” and I’m not the only one who didn’t know exactly what I wanted right away. It’s okay to take your time and I definitely believe that extra time is what helps some become better health practitioners.
After verifying that I wanted to enter the medical field, I had to decide which path I wanted to pursue. I did consider becoming a doctor or a physician assistant (PA) at first and I had many people who were disappointed that I was choosing nursing instead. It took me a year, a lot of flipping back and forth, and wondering if I was undermining myself before I was sure in my desire to become a nurse. I recently finished a course to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) so I can gain more patient care experience and it was definitely another thing that assured me that I would feel most fulfilled as a nurse. While all medical professions are great choices, I love how well-rounded and holistic the nursing approach is. It considers the person as a whole, including their dignity and their emotional, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs in addition to their physical condition. After learning this philosophy, I had a heightened respect for nursing and felt that its principles resonated with me the most.
Whether you’re set on nursing or still weighing your options, I think it’s a great idea to start by getting yourself into a clinical setting. It’s a great way to find out if you are comfortable in that environment and can stay caring when patients are frustrated, scared, or grieving. Many hospitals like Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Healthcare, Scripps, and Rady Children’s Hospital accept volunteers year-round and are very flexible and appreciative of your time. You can also choose a variety of departments based on what you’re interested in; I started out in information and radiology to get myself used to the environment, and then I switched to the emergency department when I wanted something more fast-paced. There will also most likely be many health-related clubs and communities on your campus. If you’re going to SDSU, check out the Health Professions Advising Office (HPAO) or look into some clubs like the Aztec Professional Pre-Health Organization or the American Medical Student Association. There are also specific clubs for those interested in PA, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), physical therapy, occupational therapy, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary, and nutrition. If you want to take the next step and get some experience in direct patient care (a requirement for most medical/PA/DO schools), it’s a great idea to take a course to become a CNA, emergency medical technician (EMT), medical assistant, medical scribe, or phlebotomy technician. It’s also a great way to accustom yourself with providing care and creating trust with your patients, feeling more prepared when you do become a nurse/doctor/etc. and helps you confirm that this is the field for you. Medical programs love to see that you have explored your field and can confirm a passion for it. For many of them, these experiences are more important than your GPA, and they are extremely valuable for you too!
For anyone like me who already has a degree, remember that there are tons of different nontraditional ways to become a nurse/health professional and none of them are inferior. Regardless of whether you are entering nursing straight out of high school or a few years later, there are plenty of ways to gain experiences that will help you determine your passion and help you build confidence as a health professional.
