I have been a nurse for 7 years. My doctor was very much against this, but it was my passion. I had to be careful what areas I worked in, but it all worked out. The only problem was my "dream" was to be an ER nurse, but my doctor said absolutely not! You never know what is coming in the door. Lots of flu, TB, etc. Once when I "shadowed" down there in nursing school, there was a SARS case that came in, scary! So, I chose the next closest thing to ER and that was a trauma unit. I loved it, but got burnt out very quick, both mentally and physically. So, after 2 years of that, I transferred to the newborn nursery and loved it too. In May I "retired" due to a decline in my health. Medically school and residency will be a challenge because you won't have the option to not do a certain unit. You have to do a little of everything. Good luck in whatever you chose.