In nusing school, really need some advice!!!

[cf264801]

Hey everyone, I need some HONEST advice from some seasoned nurses.

I'm 23, halfway through a 2-year ADN RN program here.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in speech/language pathology, but did not pursue grad school to be an SLP because my undergrad coursework was so tedious, and I was never once able to work directly with a client/patient, as we do in nursing school.

I went into the RN program here for several reasons:

1. Chasing the "big money, for such little hours" that nurses supposedly make

2. I felt like there would be more job opportunities for an RN than a speech pathologist

3. I felt like I would have a more profound effect on the lives of others working as a nurse, as opposed to an SLP

Now I'm halfway through this program, right in the middle of some very difficult med/surg material....AND I HATE IT!!!!!

I've got great grades, and I do fine in clinical. My patients and classmates seem to love me.

But here I am, depressed, as nursing school has completely consumed my entire life.....and for some reason, I'm afraid that this is as good as it gets. I'm afraid I'm going to hate nursing....

If I would have went to grad school for speech pathology, I'd be starting my clinical fellowship right now, making between 40-70k a year, and not worrying about passing the wrong meds to someone

I'm in a hole right now, please help!!!

[queenjean]

I just want to reassure you that nursing school and the career of nursing are two entirely different entities. I work three 12 hour shifts a week; then I'm done. No studying, reading, tests, or projects hanging over my head--my free time is indeed FREE TIME.

Hang in there--just keep telling yourself: Four days off a week, four days off a week, four days off a week.....:)

[need2nurse]

I know this is an older post, but sheesh your response ms. jean is dead on what I needed to hear. I too have several degrees, still trying to find the right fit between ideal and reality and I'm pretty sure now that nursing is it. thank you for the kick in the pants! I'm in my late late 30s and starting my prereqs while still keeping my day job. I know it's what i should have done a long time ago, but let self doubt get in the way. not any more. thanks!!!:

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

Regarding the pay and work hours: People who are not nurses think the work hours are great - 3 12's and then 4 full days off. Doesn't quite work that way. Whether you work days or nights, you're so exhausted from working 3 12-hour hectic shifts that it takes a full day to recover. If you work nights, it is hard to readjust to being awake during the daytime. And you don't always work 3 shifts and then have 4 off due to the need to cover weekends and holidays, and then there's those staff meetings that management expects you to attend.