Long hours, virtually NO respect (especially from male doctors), and lots of cleaning out bed pans. If that sounds like fun, go for it.

I chose nursing for some of the same reasons as you, because I wanted to help people, good pay and excitement about the idea of becoming a nurse. I loved it that I got to help people so much with my nursing skills and through kindness. Nursing can be stressful but I've seen a lot of nurses deal with the stress very well. Working as a CNA might be good for helping you evaluate whether or not to choose to be a nurse.

Luisa, what you said might be true in some cases, but it really depends what kind of nursing you go into. For example, one of my friends takes care of premature babies and helps in the delivery room, another works at an STD clinic. Neither of them clean out bedpans, and my friend who works at the STD clinic works regular 9 to 5 hours. To the poster: research as much as you can. Don't allow people to discourage you from your choice. Do what will make you happy. Good luck to you.

BTW, I am a Psychology student, and it is very, very competitive to get into grad school for a masters. Like, 200 people apply per year at my university and only 12 people get in (honours students). But I am not an honours student, so I am (hopefully) going into a masters in counselling, which is more based on experience. But if you truly are interested in Psychology, you should do it. I think you should do whatever you are more interested in.

The great thing about nursing is there are so many paths you can take. Even if you decide hands on nursing isn't for you, there is always administration, recruiting, teaching, etc. The field is projected to grow 24% over the next 5 years, so you'll never be unemployed.
That being said, don't devote the time and energy and money to a career that won't make you happy. Nursing school is tough, and if you don't have a passion for it, you may not do very well, which will limit your options when you graduate. Do the research and weigh your options before taking the leap.

I am actually a nursing student now..well sort of, I still have to apply to get into the program. Where ever you decide to go to school chances are the program is competitive. Where ever you decide to go chances are the classes to get into the nursing program or pre-req's are going to be hard and difficult. It is going to be a LONG 4 years. You will probably be soooo stressed from all the classes. You'll want to give up, like I feel like doing at least once a week.

Then I remind myself, if I don't do this or if I don't go for this, I am ALWAYS going to wonder "what if?". Sure, I can tell you go for what you feel is best. But if you are already if-y about it all, just go for it. If you go to a 4 year university, go in telling them you're majoring in nursing. There's a couple of reason's for that: 1. depending on the school, you're accepted right into the program 2. You can start taking pre-req's for it. If you decide well, maybe I don't want to do this, you can always get out of the program/change your major. I decided late that I wanted to be in the nursing program. I was if-y about it too when I was in high school, I wish I would have just gone into it, because now I'm behind a semester. It's harder to get in a program once you're already in college.

Also, many nursing students minor in psychology, so if you do change your mind about being a nurse, you'll already have some courses done in that area. Seriously, just go for it. You're going to regret it if you don't, or at least wonder. Whatever that first comment said ignore it, yeah sure you do some work, that may not be fun, but that's not what nursing is about. You seem really nice and smart. You'll be a good nurse. Ask yourself, why did I "seriously consider" nursing?