I don't think I want to be a nurse

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Dec 21, 2005

Hi. I'm a new RN (graduated May 2005). I think you should take NCLEX because you have your ADN already and have come this far. Once you pass your NCLEX, why not consider taking a job in psych or L & D since you said you didn't mind these clinicals in school. It is hard starting out. I've been a nurse for only 5 months now and I'm just now starting to feel more comfortable and sure of myself. It takes time to get used to the responsibility, so it's totally ok and normal to be scared. I'm still nervous at times too when I have to do something I've never done before or when it's a really stressful day. But it can be very worthwhile too. So please take your boards, and see how you like your first job, and give it some time and take it from there. :) Best wishes & happy holidays.

-Christine

Templar1961 · Dec 21, 2005

Is it just fear of making mistakes that's bothering you? If that's the case, I think that's normal, even healthy -- confidence will come to you as you gain experience.

Since there *were* a few areas that you enjoyed, why not spend some time working in those units? If you don't like one, move to another. Who knows, maybe something will click. And if nothing does, you can always pick another (yes, yet another) field.

Hope everything works out well for you whatever you choose.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 21, 2005

I hated nursing school, but loved being a staff nurse -- even though I did have my share of problems as a new staff nurse many years ago. Just because you didn't like school doesn't mean you won't like nursing.

There are many different types of Nursing Jobs and you might find one you like -- or at least one that you can tolerate while you earn some money while getting to know yourself better. Get a job (in either nursing or finance) and learn what it is like to be a member of the professional workforce. Get some experience with the work world before you invest any more money on educational programs for careers that really don't appeal to you. Even if you know you won't stay in that job forever, at least it will give you a chance to earn some money while you acquire job experience that you can build on later and that can teach you about yourself.

You may need to get to know yourself better before you can decide on a career -- and getting to know yourself takes some deep introspection and some "real-world" experiences.

llg

stefanitenzi · Dec 22, 2005

I feel EXACTLY the same way...and I honestly don't know what to do. I just took my final last night and I am done with school, I am going to take the NCLEX (hopefully in March) and thought I wanted to work in the OR ....but just found out that they don't have a program for new grads until August....I HATED all of my clinicals...psych was ok but I don't think I could stand sitting in those groups all of the time....mother/baby was ok...but can i really see myself assessing lochia all day...yuck! (no offense to any one that does that) I don't want to work 7pm to 7am...that is crazy...med/surg is gross!!! :crying2: I am so confused....

pinefarmgirl · Dec 22, 2005

I think alot of people feel that way when graduating- could just be school burnout maybe???

Maybe you could just take the test, get your license, and tell yourself your just trying a few departments in nursing to see if you can find some part of it you like...

When you finally get school finished, I don't know anyone who was very excited like we thought we would be. We all kinda collapsed for a while from exhaustion. The tension in nursing school is huge, and living the whole time with the idea that if you do even one thing they do not like, out you go!!! It can make you lose your mind!

Working in most areas of nursing are not actually as bad as clinicals, at least not to me. My clinicals were horrible! Instructor had many personal opinions about things that had nothing to do with nursing, and she brought them all to clinicals each day and used them to torture us. To me, being a nursing student became very depressing, and I would have wondered many times why I stayed, except I had fire dept. calls to go on, and they always came right when I really needed to be reminded why I started nursing school in the first place- I love emergency medicine. Clinicals were nothing like that, just drudgery and depression and tension. There are so many areas of nursing- ask yourself why you decided to go to school in the first place??? Do you remember what part of nursing you were so attracted to that you started school for it?

And for those who are just starting school, don't forget to write down why you are doing it. You go through so much change while in nursing school, you are not the same person when you come out the other end, and it can be really hard to remember why you did it...

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2005

A lot of people have fears and doubts about nursing, and continue to have it long into their first jobs. We all have them, and they are very valid concerns and fears.

Maybe you just need to give it a year and look for your niche before deciding if nursing is or isn't for you. It might not be, there's no shame or crime in that. But I would try it first, and look for an area you would like, which may or may not be your first job. Is there any reason you can't get into those areas you enjoyed in nursing school?

Maybe with the other degree with a little experience you can find something you like outside of the bedside. Or maybe bridge over the BSN and have more options, so the concerns of bedside nursing don't bother you.

Good luck.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 22, 2005

If you are sure you don't want to be a nurse, then pursue your happiness in another field. Do sit for your NCLEX though.

Good luck

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 22, 2005

I'm a little curious. Why did you continue to invest all that time, effort, and money in a nursing education if you were so turned-off by the actual work of nursing? Why didn't you drop out of the program and/or switch majors?

Any career ... nursing included ... requires a committment to be successful. All jobs have aspects of them that you don't like. There must have been something about nursing that appealed to you in the beginning that led you to make that investment in the education. You need to either "re-capture" those reasons for being a nurse and give it a try ... or figure out why you made all that investment when your heart was never in it before you invest in yet a 3rd career that you don't really want.

Good luck. You've got some serious thinking to do about yourself and your life and what you want to do with it. It's not easy, but we all have to do. Some of us just do it earlier in life than others. I hope you can figure yourself out and choose a path that works for you.

llg

NaomieRN · Dec 22, 2005

If you think you are going to hurt a patient because of lack of confidence, go see an advisor and see what type of work you will be good at. It is obvious, you not sure what you want to be. You already have a degree in finance and now you about to get one in nursing. If I were you, I would take the NCLEX and try to work as a Psyc nurse and make some money, while you pursue something else. But before you pursue a different career, go speak to a counselor, maybe you can take a test to see what career choice would be best for your personality.

Good Luck!

Sheri257 · Dec 22, 2005

There's so many things you can do with a nursing degree that are never covered in school clinicals. Just look at the dozens of specialties listed on this board. Chances are you'll find something that works for you.

:coollook:

AtlantaRN, RN · Dec 22, 2005

i would stear toward areas in your clinicals that you liked, like psych...(I hated L & D and it was the only area that I nearly passed out!)

normal to wonder "what was I thinking", but you made it this far, just see where nursing can take you...

good luck to you

linda