Second Thoughts about Nursing

[acbamy55]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if any of you have felt that nursing was not for you at some point, or know someone who switched careers?

I am currently in the second semester of my sophomore year in college and I'm enrolled in my school's BSN program. For the first year and a half, I was on the fence about going into nursing, but I stuck with it because so many of my family and friends supported me to see it through (none of these people are nurses). I had never shadowed a nurse, and never worked as a CNA, so I really didn't have much first hand experience when I made my decision to go to nursing school. I figured it would be a well-paying job that I could get a degree for in four short years, and I like heath and science. I also liked the thought that I could work in so many different areas or eventually get an advanced degree and work my way up.

Fast forward two years into college. My professors are miserable nurses who turned to teaching due to burn out. They tell horror stories about what could -- and does go wrong in the field. Some of my friends' parents are nurses and they are the most exhausted people I have ever met. I struggle with charting and am absolutely horrible at critical thinking/NCLEX type questions, and really have no desire to practice any of this stuff. It just doesn't click in my head. I have gone from the dean's list to getting straight C's this semester, and I am honestly losing motivation.

I could go on and on forever about my fears about both nursing school and the profession. I am not scared of a little hard work; that has never been the issue. I'm already dreading possibly having to work the night shift and be on my feet for over 12 hours without getting a break, and not being able to devote as much attention to each of my patients as I really should. I am starting to learn more about the corrupt politics and crazy stress that come with nursing as I get further in my program, and I am starting to worry that I am wasting my time and money on school.

Any thoughts? Should I finish my degree and try to find a specialty that I can stand, or should I explore some other options? I am interested in switching to dental hygiene or occupational therapy. Still in the health field, but perhaps a little lower stress (not to say these jobs aren't difficult) and a more flexible schedule. I'm a strong believer that truly good nurses feel a calling to the profession, and I am grateful for these nurses. I'm just not sure if I'm one of them!

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

Have you completed any clinical rotations yet? Just curious.

Also, trust your gut. It sounds to me like you've answered your own question. You took this academic path because it was "there," not because you were excited about it.

You will most likely have a few rah-rah's coming on here and telling you all the avenues you can take, all the different fields you can go into with a nursing degree, and don't give up until you have more experience. It's good to give those points some consideration, but again, it sounds like you already have.

[acbamy55]

Guttercat,

I start my first clinical in three weeks. It's in a nursing home, with a small group of other students. I am terribly nervous about them, but so are the rest of my peers. I figured I will push through the rest of this semester and see how clinical goes, and maybe that will help me make up my mind.

Like you said, I think I already have answered a lot of my own questions. I hate to give up on something, but I guess it's only considered giving up if I look at it that way!

Thanks for your input!

[Laurie52]

When I was a 3rd year nursing student I decided to switch majors and get a double history and literature major. My father said that's fine if I know how I was going to support myself. I stayed in nursing.

After graduation I got a job in heme once and after 18 months I then decided to go back and get an education degree because I loved my peds rotation. One of the attending a I worked with told me to try the ICU, that I was born to be an ICU nurse so I did. 40 years later I am still loving the ICU. I have experienced health care from both sides of the bed. Don't discount the difference you can make in someone's life.

[acbamy55]

Laurie52,

Maybe I just need to give it a shot for the rest of the semester and job shadow some nurses from different specialties. I am very interested in labor and delivery, so maybe having some sort of end goal to get to a desired field will help me through school. I think it's hard to know if I want to stick with it until I go through clinical and have actual patient interaction. Maybe I'll love it!

Thank you for your advice.