It’s the standard way to meet your classmates: introduce yourself with your name, your grade, and your major. This happens in every classroom icebreaker, house party, and club recruitment—so why does it stand out to me? During my first year at a four-year university, I became hyperaware of how people perceived me when I told them I am studying nursing. I want to say for myself and all other nursing majors: I am not confused and I am not selling myself short.

“Why not a doctor?” “But you’re so smart!” and “That sounds like fun” are all typical responses I have received numerous times while discussing my education. While I recognize these statements have good intentions, let me explain why they resonate with me. I’m actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the science of nursing, a degree that requires countless hours of clinical rotations, studying, labs, and lectures. In order to obtain my degree, I will need a minimum 3.7 GPA to be accepted anywhere—even the big state schools. It’s a challenge and it’s extremely competitive, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I am setting myself up for a successful, fulfilling career in an environment that I love. The big tests like the TEAS and NCLEX, the long nights of studying, and the grueling clinicals in my near future will be worth it when I think about where it will take me. Whether I decide to work in a hospital with children, or even abroad, the opportunities ahead of me are getting closer every day.

To my peers who assume I’m a pre-med failure, know that I am succeeding and actively pursuing my dream career. To the career counselor who warned me that nursing is a difficult major, bring it on. To the cute guy who tried to hit on me saying I’m “too smart for nursing”: you’re wrong—I’m too smart for you.