[nemesis]

I don't know if someone has asked this question before on this forum, but is there anyone who wishes they were doing something else other than nursing? I just finished my first year of uni. studying Psychology. Before my first yr., I really struggled with the decision of what career to pursue; whether to pursue a career in Psychology or Nursing. In the end I chose Psych, although at the back of my head I was never sure of the decision. I chose Psych b/c I wanted to learn more about myself and others and thought I could help pple., especially kids with different problems: problems at sch, at home, with themselves, bullying, low-self esteem, etc., and also to work with those with depression and other mental illnesses. So my main objective going into Psych. was to help pple. regardless of the number of schooling it takes. These past few monthts, I've been having second thoughts. I thought a career in Nursing would help me achieve that objective, especially since I love caring for pple. So now I've decided to go into Nursing, and I've pretty much wasted a yr. of uni. The problem is that sometimes I feel like I'm making a huge mistake. I'm a rather shy and quiet person, I hate public speaking, and I get easily embarassed So I don't know if the type of person I am will fit into the nursing profession. I don't want to go into nursing and be unhappy. I've also thought many times about going into a career in drawing/fine arts b/c I love to draw, but the job prospects for it aren't that great and I don't want to end uo w/o a secured job. Another thing that pulled me back from going into a career in drawing/fine arts was b/c I thought I wouldn't be able to help pple. Some days I'm sure I would like nursing and other days the uncertainty creeps in and I question myself if I would be happy with it. Is nursing a good career for introverts/shy pple? I've taken some aptitude tests and found out that some jobs that appeal to introverts are: "library work, physical science, computer specialties, architecture, civil engineering, mathematics, optometry, and law." None of these jobs appeal to me except architecture -b/c it realates to drawing and involves hands-on type of work which I like. But it's too late for that now. I like books and reading, but I don't want to be a librarian b/c it would bore me eventually. I really want to do something that would suit the type of person I am, that I would enjoy, and would be able to help pple. I've know that many pple. are unhappy with their careers and are looking to find something meaningful, something that relates to the type of person they are and their values. I don't want to waste 4-yrs of sch (plus the one I've already wasted) and be unhappy with my job in the end. Were there times when you were't sure if nursing was what you wanted to do and are you now happy with it? I just don't want to regret my decision later-on

[utahliz]

You haven't wasted the past year. Not only have you learned something--you probably don't want a career in psychology, but you've gained knowledge in each course you took, and as they are freshman-year classes, many of them will apply to other majors as well. This summer is an opportunity to gather more information about what you DO want to do. And, Psych and Nursing, need not be an either/or choice. You could work as a psych nurse. You could become a Psych Nurse Practitioner. And please don't tell me--45 years old and just finished my nursing degree--that it's too late for you to start over. I had a previous career that was interesting but not fulfilling. I find nursing demanding but fulfilling, precisely because I can help people.

Why not spend some time this summer learning more about what you would like to do with your life? Shadow some nurses working in different areas. Talk to people working in psychology. Most people are more than willing to discuss with you what they the advantages and disadvantages of their chosen careers, and offer some advice too. I don't believe that any job is perfect, so find out what they don't like about theirs so you go in with your eyes open. On the other hand, if you're doing something you love, the disadvantages seem less so. I started in an ICU a few months ago--I love it--working nights and weekends is a small price to pay. You might even try getting a job or volunteering in a healthcare setting in order to see first-hand a variety of roles and settings.

Good luck to you.