How can I become a pediactric nurse?

Should I become a nurse even though I'm bad at science?

• Should I become a nurse even though I'm bad at science? I'm very passionate about helping people better themselves. I'd like to become a pediatric travel nurse and then settle down and become a school nurse, and teach about STD'S, but I am HORRIBLE at science and I hate science. I'm in high school right now and I have a D in chemistry. Some people say to go into nursing because the pay is good. What do you suggest I do? I'm 16 by the way I mean how else can i help people world wide in poverty stricken areas without being a nurse. Are there any other jobs out there where I can help people? I though about being a detective, social worker, or whatever. I want to help people, but I don't like the hospital setting or looking at ring worms, chicken pox, blood, and etc, but, if I'm not a nurse who will need me in life? I feel like, if I don't become a nurse then I'm worthless.

• Answer:

  First, your grades won't get you into nursing school, if you don't get them up and you will have to take college level science to get in as well. Then, you want to be a hospital peds nurse but not want to look at illnesses. You are being very naive about what it means to be a nurse. You should volunteer in a hospital to really see what is going on. To be a school nurse (and they are becoming more & more rare) you will need several years of experience and advanced training. The same for traveling. You can become a public health worker (look at public health-it is a broad field- that does all kinds of education, STD followup, surveillance etc-that may be far more what you are looking for).