Career Research: Nursing

Deciding which career is best for me is a very difficult decision. There are so many different types and areas of study to choose from and many that I am interested in. Ever since I was little I have always wanted to become a nurse. When I was ten years old, my grandmother experienced a stroke right in front of me. No other adult was home at the time and I had to manage the experience alone. I remained calm and took care of her until emergency personnel arrived to take over her medical needs. Everything ended well with her and I felt that I managed everything with maturity. Later on, at age thirteen, I also observed the process of this same grandparent going through a battle with breast cancer. Because of these experiences, the idea of a nursing career blossomed and has stuck with me the longest. So many different aspects of a nurse appeal to me and there is a huge selection of various fields of nursing, any of which I could specialize in. Interestingly, teaching mathematics has also always been appealing to me. The idea of having a math degree did not present itself until I started college and scored so well in entrance exams. There are a lot of benefits that come along with being a teacher and it is a job I know I would enjoy. After exploring various math related careers with a family friend (and Dean of Math Studies at Washington University), I decided that I would be good at working in a school district teaching math at various levels. I have also explored the career of being a high school counselor and feel it would be a great career for me for numerous reasons. Growing up, I have watched my mother work in the counseling field and have decided that it is a career that would never get old and would always give me new challenges. All of these career choices are in fields that are helpful to other people, which is what I know I would do best. No matter which career I choose, I know that I will be benefiting and helping people every day.

Because nursing seems to be the best match for my interests, I feel that going into the field of nursing would be best for me. The opportunities are almost endless in nursing.