Doubts about Nursing

Mentalageis16 · Aug 31, 2011

I am also an EMT, transitioning to nursing school. I am a certified EMT-Intermediate, and I run with a volunteer agency in my hometown. I too left classes this week feeling very downtrodden, and wondering if I had made the right decision. I'm not so much concerned about helping people die, I get that part of the work, but I am concerned with the lack of challenging coursework in the program. I enjoyed being challenged in my pre-med and EMT courses. Pathophysiology, chemistry, biology, etc. In EMT school, it was SO much information in such a short time, and was structured in a "do or die" format that weeded out the less able, and forced you to really think, and learn. My nursing coursework, as it has been laid out to me, is SO basic and boring, I'm wondering how on Earth I'm going to stay engaged enough to be AWAKE in class. I don't feel I will be challenged at all this semester, and it's incredibly frustrating. I am also getting a taste of the more limited scope of practice I will have as an RN (MD's orders to give O2 via NC?!?!! REALLY!?), and I'm not liking it at all. I'm wondering if I'm ever going to be able to exercise my own clinical judgment again without directly consulting the physician. I know that as EMT's we work off protocols, and established standards, but I really feel like the autonomy I have as an EMT is going to be missing as a nurse, and is going to frustrate me to no end. I chose nursing over medical school, in large part, due to the lighter schedule, because I have 2 children I'd like to see for the next 10 years, and over Paramedic school because in my state you have to dual certify in fire, and I have no interest in it, and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have put in the extra 2 years to go to PA school. I'm giving nursing school a chance, because I believe once I get out of school, and into the ER or ICU, I'll find some more autonomy and feel more challenged, but I must admit I came home crying today because nursing school just wasn't what I expected. The admissions process was so rigorous, I expected the coursework, and other students, to be more up to par. So far, it's like they are dumbing everything down for the 18 year olds, and I feel lost, bored, and unchallenged. Here's to hoping we BOTH find greener pastures ahead.

hey! don't feel depresses, you are not alone. I am saying this because I have a family, a disabled brother, two jobs, a nursing school to attend and an EMT-P certificate. I never worked as EMT in real 911 system. All my experiences are from those 800 hours of paramedic rotations... but paramedic school really nurtured me and expanded my professional goal. I need to admit that when I was in college, my lowest GPA dropped to 1.9 out of 4.0. ....that kinda wiped my dream out as to be a doctor. I wished I did better so at least I am in MED school now, but you know what, there's something in nursing called FNP, and it is not less challenging than EMT nor MD. If you successfully completed the most basic classes in nursing and got your RN licensure, I'm sure it will open a new door to a brand new world of opportunities. Just remember this, EMT field has no expansion according to most ppl. versus nursing has PHD program. I think at this moment, you need to ask yourself, what do you value morst in your life, families? jobs? professionalism? friendship? reponsibilities? or everything above. to me, be a nurse needs to have more responsibilities, versus EMT won't have a chance to stay put on a patient's bedside. EMT is the beginning line, the nursing is everything from beginning till the end. the most difficult work in life is work with consistency and good integrity from begins til the end. many give up in between, but I wish that you will continue because EMTs are strong ppl that will always be there, no matter life or death. don't give up my friend, fight for it:yeah:if the curriculum is boring, make it challenging to yourself, take the most difficult patient in cilinicals and begins from there, wish you luck! :redpinkhe

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2011

i am also an emt, transitioning to nursing school. i am a certified emt-intermediate, and i run with a volunteer agency in my hometown. i too left classes this week feeling very downtrodden, and wondering if i had made the right decision. i'm not so much concerned about helping people die, i get that part of the work, but i am concerned with the lack of challenging coursework in the program. i enjoyed being challenged in my pre-med and emt courses. pathophysiology, chemistry, biology, etc. in emt school, it was so much information in such a short time, and was structured in a "do or die" format that weeded out the less able, and forced you to really think, and learn. my nursing coursework, as it has been laid out to me, is so basic and boring, i'm wondering how on earth i'm going to stay engaged enough to be awake in class. i don't feel i will be challenged at all this semester, and it's incredibly frustrating. i am also getting a taste of the more limited scope of practice i will have as an rn (md's orders to give o2 via nc?!?!! really!?), and i'm not liking it at all. i'm wondering if i'm ever going to be able to exercise my own clinical judgment again without directly consulting the physician. i know that as emt's we work off protocols, and established standards, but i really feel like the autonomy i have as an emt is going to be missing as a nurse, and is going to frustrate me to no end. i chose nursing over medical school, in large part, due to the lighter schedule, because i have 2 children i'd like to see for the next 10 years, and over paramedic school because in my state you have to dual certify in fire, and i have no interest in it, and now i'm wondering if i shouldn't have put in the extra 2 years to go to pa school. i'm giving nursing school a chance, because i believe once i get out of school, and into the er or icu, i'll find some more autonomy and feel more challenged, but i must admit i came home crying today because nursing school just wasn't what i expected. the admissions process was so rigorous, i expected the coursework, and other students, to be more up to par. so far, it's like they are dumbing everything down for the 18 year olds, and i feel lost, bored, and unchallenged. here's to hoping we both find greener pastures ahead.

im an emt myself , and i totally agree with you on the boring part. im a senior now, and will be graduating in may, so i wont have much longer of sleeping through lecture (just kidding :lol2: ) remember in nursing its a different type of care that we are offering and we have our own standards that we follow we are not merely doing the doctors dirty work and always asking them for permission. i agree on the sillyness of calling a doctor in the middle of the nite to put a pt on 2l of o2 via nc but, there are also protocols for us to follow. i know that at the er in the hospital i do clinicals at there are protocols that the nurses follow, so its is way more autonomous and quite honestly..it would be harmful to the patient if you had to page the doc to ask to start and iv, admin fluids, 02, xrays etc during a trauma..that wouldnt even make sense.

as far as the coursework goes, remember it is still a undergraduate degree that we are pursuing (whether it be adn or bsn) they are not going to make it so off the wall difficult that it should be graduate level work.

perhaps another way to look at nursing is seeing the flexiblity we have in the areas we work in as nurses. i personally love being in the field/prehospital care, so i am looking at becoming a flight nurse which i would do for free and i cant believe that theres the perk of being paid for something so awesome and so important. anyways, leading up to that i plan on and hopeful get hired as an er nurse where i can gain the skills and experience to become a flight nurse.

dont feel down and dont limit your thinking bc the possiblities are endless :)

i dont know who said it but as nurses we dont just sit and watch patients die...not all of them. there are certain areas such as hospice, oncology or a nursing home where we may experience this but thats not the case everywhere. right now im doing a rotation in orthopedics and if anything im watching my patients some of them being really severe traumas, who are pretty banged up, going thru the healing process , and get better day by day. this is the greatest part is to see them heal and get to discharge them because you were an integral part in their healing and care that led to them going home happy !:heartbeat

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2011

hey! don't feel depresses, you are not alone. I am saying this because I have a family, a disabled brother, two jobs, a nursing school to attend and an EMT-P certificate. I never worked as EMT in real 911 system. All my experiences are from those 800 hours of paramedic rotations... but paramedic school really nurtured me and expanded my professional goal. I need to admit that when I was in college, my lowest GPA dropped to 1.9 out of 4.0. ....that kinda wiped my dream out as to be a doctor. I wished I did better so at least I am in MED school now, but you know what, there's something in nursing called FNP, and it is not less challenging than EMT nor MD. If you successfully completed the most basic classes in nursing and got your RN licensure, I'm sure it will open a new door to a brand new world of opportunities. Just remember this, EMT field has no expansion according to most ppl. versus nursing has PHD program. I think at this moment, you need to ask yourself, what do you value morst in your life, families? jobs? professionalism? friendship? reponsibilities? or everything above. to me, be a nurse needs to have more responsibilities, versus EMT won't have a chance to stay put on a patient's bedside. EMT is the beginning line, the nursing is everything from beginning till the end. the most difficult work in life is work with consistency and good integrity from begins til the end. many give up in between, but I wish that you will continue because EMTs are strong ppl that will always be there, no matter life or death. don't give up my friend, fight for it:yeah:if the curriculum is boring, make it challenging to yourself, take the most difficult patient in cilinicals and begins from there, wish you luck! :redpinkhe

EMS, is still young... its the baby of the medical field hehe. I cant wait for the day where people can go to college in get a 4 year degree in EMS or EMS management, and be just as respected as any other medical discipline. It still has to go through its growing pains and phases. Remember in the days where nursing was just a diploma program and had no where near the standards/meds/protocols etc that are present today. It just takes time :)

LostEMT · Aug 31, 2011

Wow, DollBaby, I'm so happy I'm not alone. I actually went and talked to my mother-in-law, who's a nurse practitioner. She pointed out that although it is technically against the rules to apply O2 to the cyanotic patient (this was one of my major rant points) A good nurse will do it anyway, and most doctors will just sign off on it. Also, they say ER nursing won't be too bad, so I'm looking forward to it. If necessary, I'll go all the way through to the Masters Degree so that I can do whatever is necessary to keep the person going.

But I'm still going to have a sucky attitude toward the necessity for doctor's orders, and probably the concept of hospices. I guess, just like anything else, I just should shut up and do it.

At least, you're right, Pathology and in depth Anatomy etc. are interesting.

theantichick · Sep 1, 2011

I'm starting my 3rd semester (Adult/Med-Surg) in my ASN program, and I was an EMT-P about 20 years ago. (Knee injury sidelined me to computer work during that time.) I know what you're saying about having to "ask permission" for stuff you KNOW needs to be done (like O2 for the cyan pt) but what I've seen in most of my clinicals (all hospital) is that there are standing protocols for certain things - O2, insulin, etc. which are available. I know there are a lot more standing protocols in the ER and ICU areas, too, so that the RN's can respond quickly to changing situations. That's not really any different than the standing orders we work with in the field.

I've worked with RN's on the floor who look at an order, then assess their pt, and defer a med or implement something because it's appropriate, and call the MD for confirmation. I think it's an issue of experience, and the working relationships with the docs... when the docs trust you and you consistently demonstrate good judgment, there's a greater latitude.

peas&carrots · Sep 1, 2011

I don't mean to be rude but what were you expecting. There has to be a reason why you want to be a nurse. The nursing home is very valuable experience. It taught me how to have respect for people when they are at their most vulnerable. How to have patience and understanding when I might not have all the time in the world. It showed me that I truly want people to be happy and well taken care of no matter what their situation. To say you don't want to be a nurse because you don't want to watch people die sounds horrible to me. Do you think it's all rainbows and puppies? It makes you sound like you are going into a profession you know nothing about.

doomsayer · Sep 1, 2011

First- nursing school is more in depth than EMT training. I come at this statement as a nursing student who's sitting right here next to an EMT-P retiree of 28 years. It's going to seem boring to some, of course. It's not as quick and dirty, or immediately gratifying, perhaps.

Next- nursing is not always heroic. Sometimes the best condition of a person is not good at all...it's about provision of care, not saving people. So many people you work with will not get better- that's just life...

doomsayer · Sep 1, 2011

PS- If you don't like asking permission, be an advocate for those in your profession by seeking better training and less bureaucracy!

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with the concept of hospice. It's not an area that I'm interested in now but I think about my patients and their families. Hospice is about making the dying patient comfortable at home, in the hospital or in a special facility. What's so wrong with that? Did I misunderstand what you were trying to say Lost EMT?

Rob72, ASN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

Wow, DollBaby, I'm so happy I'm not alone. I actually went and talked to my mother-in-law, who's a nurse practitioner. She pointed out that although it is technically against the rules to apply O2 to the cyanotic patient (this was one of my major rant points) A good nurse will do it anyway, and most doctors will just sign off on it. Also, they say ER nursing won't be too bad, so I'm looking forward to it. If necessary, I'll go all the way through to the Masters Degree so that I can do whatever is necessary to keep the person going.
But I'm still going to have a sucky attitude toward the necessity for doctor's orders, and probably the concept of hospices. I guess, just like anything else, I just should shut up and do it.
At least, you're right, Pathology and in depth Anatomy etc. are interesting.

Hmmmm. I'm taking it that you haven't dealt with much death in your practice so far.

I'm going to be really blunt: its time to grow up, before you really hurt someone.

You seem to be agressive and intelligent. Those can be positive, with the right self-assessing attitude and good mentoring. I've been blessed in practicing at the outer-edge of my scope of practice most of my professional life because I sought out good mentors, who could teach not only advanced skills, but the reasoning (and the ability to verbalize that reasoning) behind the performance.

Any jacka** can stab a couple of 14g in, and squat on a bag to push it, while doing compressions, and shout "Hoorah!" when they drop the pt. off. It takes something a "bit more", when triaging a dozen people, and being able to look into someone's eyes, tell them you'll be back, and you both know that one of you ain't gonna be there, so to speak, when you make the second pass.

If you continue with your program, learn that, if nothing else: there are things you won't be able to fix. Part of the "integrated care" and "psycho-social needs" in nursing is allowing us to acknowledge death, and to help our patients deal with the steps in incorporating that realization/experience into their existence, however long that may be. It may (if you allow it) also help you to learn some of that gentleness as well. If not, every death is a failure, and sooner or later, one will really hit you close to home. Some care providers get out of the field because of such experiences, and I've personally known one suicide.

I've had around 200 people die, under my care(EMT/MA/AUA/RN), most trauma, many codes, only a few "progressive failures". I don't work oncology or hospice because I'm not capable of that profound, continual expression of empathy.

If you are serious about doing "whatever is necessary", you'll lose the sucky attitude, and get a firm grip on when enough is enough.

Not trying to tear you a new one, but there is a big difference between the simple science, and the art.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

Wow, I'm really surprised by some of the posts on here in response to the op. I really would like to know if every single person on here thats in nursing school has ever had doubts because I sure have. I don't think that means I need to "grow up" or that I'm not meant to be a nurse quite the opposite. It means I take my life and career seriously enough to constantly evaluate myself so I can move on and grow. I also doubt the op meant he can't handle death, my husband, as well as many relatives, are in EMS and tehy deal with death a lot. Suicides, accidents, and other deaths where they are on scene and transport the person. My husband actually just last week called me from work because he had picked up a woman younger then me that died on the road with him. My point is I really don't think the op can't handle death, I'm going guess they are just starting nursing school and have done their LTC clinical and had what I would assume a normal reaction. I worked in home care and hated it. I love older people but it was an area that I had a hard time with. I know I can handle it but I also know it's not an area I want to work in after graduation. Nursing offers lots of different areas for lots of different types of people.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

Wow, I'm really surprised by some of the posts on here in response to the op. I really would like to know if every single person on here thats in nursing school has ever had doubts because I sure have. I don't think that means I need to "grow up" or that I'm not meant to be a nurse quite the opposite. It means I take my life and career seriously enough to constantly evaluate myself so I can move on and grow. I also doubt the op meant he can't handle death, my husband, as well as many relatives, are in EMS and tehy deal with death a lot. Suicides, accidents, and other deaths where they are on scene and transport the person. My husband actually just last week called me from work because he had picked up a woman younger then me that died on the road with him. My point is I really don't think the op can't handle death, I'm going guess they are just starting nursing school and have done their LTC clinical and had what I would assume a normal reaction. I worked in home care and hated it. I love older people but it was an area that I had a hard time with. I know I can handle it but I also know it's not an area I want to work in after graduation. Nursing offers lots of different areas for lots of different types of people.

and now it seems like I'm going to spend two years learning how to watch people die.

i dont think they understand what nursing is all about. theres a difference between handling traumatic deaths..like MVA, decaptitation etc and dying from from illness in a hospital bed. or maybe they are disillusioned to what it was going to be like and didn't turn out that way... No one knows everything about every profession out there. its better to find out you dont like it early on than to put the work in be miserable and hate your job.. :twocents: