Dropping out

Nursing Students General Students

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I started NS this semester. I was so excited to start. I am now one month into school I am having second thoughts. I just do not think that I can I am made for this profession. Don't get me wrong - I love to help people I just do not think that I can do it in this capacity. Maybe I had a glamorized view of what nursing is but it is nothing what I expected. I am thinking of dropping out and just continuing to get my bachelors in another field.

Thanks

Tracy

I waited 2 years to get accepted into a program as well. My biggest fear is letting my family know of my decision. My sister just asked me if I was going to clinical on Saturday and I said yes even though I will not be going. I have flipped flop so many times about my college career that I would have a PhD already.

I know exactly how you feel. I went 2 1/2 months in the nursing program, then dropped out after 2 days of clinical. At the time, all I could envision was working in a nursing home changing diapers. (Please no backlash)...Just not an area that I want to work in. I finally realized that there are so many possibilities after I make it though school and I won't be confined one thing. Now, I am waiting to get back in school and finish up. My point is, just really be sure before you throw it all away! Good luck.

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Regardless of what you decide, don't forget to be as supportive of yourself as you wish your friends and family would be to you. It's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to change your mind. Some things you can't know until you know. You have new information now that you didn't have earlier - not on an experiential level anyway. So you may change your mind. Or not. It's your life and you're the one who lives it each day.

What are the worst cases?

You stay in now and then drop out later. Then you'd have to pay back some loans. Not fun, but do-able. At least the loan was for a great life learning experience. The school of life is expensive sometimes.

If you drop out now and later decide you do want to be a nurse, then go and apply again. It will take time and that's no fun, but then you'll be confident about what you want and will be able to make the most of the time until you are accepted to a program.

I hope you find peace of mind. : )

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Tracey,

I've been following your posts and could totally feel your excitement when you finally got into nursing school. I too am in my first semester and get all weirded out when I have to touch someone. I feel like I am hurting them it's something that I am just not use to. But I know with practice it will get easier.

Everyone has given you their advice and only you know what is ultimately best for you. But I think that you should finish out the semester and take it from there don't quit in the middle see how it goes and if you still don't like it then leave.

Btw, I have met many nurses who say they hate the sight of blood. Many of these nurses were teachers. Like someone mentioned in an earlier nursing is full of oppurtunities. There is so much you can do with your nursing degree. I really hope you decide to pursue it.

I wish you luck in whatever you choose, though. Let us know what you decide.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

wow... i was 45 when i started as a cna to see if i could do this ... be a nurse... i was a little put out by the sights, smells, the touching. but when i stepped back and began to look at it in a clinical aspect. it was so much more interesting. it is amazes me that the more i learned the more interesting it became. i graduated in may took my nclex june12th and have been working as an rn in a nursing home.... the fast pace of the hospital did not suit me... i love long term care. i work as the care coordinator. i think it is too soon to quit. as was said in earlier posts there are so many opportunities for an rn today.

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If I could suggest just one thing to you, it would be to think this over thoroughly before you make your decision.

Are you sure that you are not just feeling completely overwhelmed by everything right now? Nursing school is really intense, and I know that there are many people in my program who seriously debate quitting at least once a week (myself included!).

This is hard work, and there are a lot of new situations & skills to learn. It's extremely awkward to meet someone for the first time, and they're buck naked, and you are there to wash them! Or you're sticking things where things really should not be stuck into! Or wiping, or measuring different fluids from different ends of the body... The sights, sounds, smells, and feeling of everything is new to us at one point in this journey. We can either keep at it, and hope that with practice, it gets easier to deal with... or we can discover that we have the capacity to fulfill this type of helping role elsewhere. There are so many other options for you if this does not work out. Just find what fits, and you'll do great!

If this isn't your thing, at least stick it out until the end of this semester. No point in losing credits you could potentially transfer elsewhere!

Whatever you end up doing, best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Adult and Peds ED, Forensic Nursing.

Hey Tracey,

Just wanted to let you know that today's lecture was a joke so you didn't miss anything if you are coming back (and I also missed last clinical because I was sick). Also prof. R said they know who our academic adviors are, the just haven't told us yet, I'm sure if you wanted to talk to someone they would be there for you. Regardless of what you decide, take care and good luck, we are pulling for you.

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I know exactly how you feel. I went 2 1/2 months in the nursing program, then dropped out after 2 days of clinical. At the time, all I could envision was working in a nursing home changing diapers. (Please no backlash)...Just not an area that I want to work in. I finally realized that there are so many possibilities after I make it though school and I won't be confined one thing. Now, I am waiting to get back in school and finish up. My point is, just really be sure before you throw it all away! Good luck.

This is my point. Thanks for your post.

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

So today's Friday... I hope the OP can update us with her decision :)

Hey Tracy... I see you're on the thread right now. I'm very curious to see what happened with nursing school. I saw that you have a classmate that posted on here too... it sounds like you already have a good support system! I really hope that you can make it through the semester... at least so you can say you tried. Go Tracy! :D

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I know you said you were going to make your decision by now, but I too would like to encourage you not to make a fast decision that you may regret later. If you are even 1% undecided, I would encourage you to get through one semester. One semester goes really fast, and you really do become more comfortable. My first semester, I was working in inpatient oncology. Most of my patients were total-care, and it was VERY hard to provide some of that care! I remember putting a condom catheter on a patient and just wanting to melt into the floor because I was so embarrassed. Now, it's really not so big a deal. I would still probably blush, but it's just not as horrifying as it was then. I think that you move into your role, and realize that when you're wearing those scrubs and carry the title of nurse, it's just a different "relationship". You aren't just some schmuck grabbing people for no good reason ... you are there to help, you are doing your job, you are giving your patients what you need.

I hope that whatever decision you come to is one that you can feel totally confident in. I also hope that you give it a little longer before making a final decision, if you haven't already. I felt like quitting almost every single day of my first semester (and honestly, still do a lot of the time - because of the extraneous stuff. I love nursing, but I'm not fond of nursing school). I'm halfway through my 3rd semester out of 4 now, and graduation is about 7 months away, and I'm glad I've stuck it out. It really is worth it, and it really does get easier.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

There are numerous health care career fields one can focus on and still help people. This thread of dropping out replys included alot and I would like to add one more. Although I am currently a nursing student I do have a background in Health Care Administration. I have been a Nursing Home Administrator for 15 years, then a Health Care Manager for a major prison system I have helped patients and staff along the way.

Nursing school is tough and we witness some of the most private moments a person can experience. Only you as a health professional can determine you comfort level of involvment (to include boundaries) with your client, the rest is technical nursing act practices. Given your educational status already and determination with education I am sure what ever you decide will be the right choice for you.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

You are the only person who can decide what is right for you. If you know in your heart that nursing is not right for you, that is perfectly fine, set yourself free and keep exploring....there is so much that is needed in the world and so many places where you can make a difference.

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Just an update...

I have decided to go ahead with my plan. I will be withdrawing from both of my classes. I have been approached about my plan from both my mother and sister and I told them. My mother is pretty much of the philosphy whatever makes you happy but my sister is very judgemental. My sister was ok with my plan - I suspect because I would be more available to help my mother with her children. I would defend my sister to the ends of time but she tends to be ok with my decisions as long as it benefits her.

I hate that fact that I care what people think of my decisions - but I do. Since I told my family and they were not upset with my decision, I cannot tell you the relief I feel. I will continue on to complete my bachelor's in Sociology.

I am glad that I was accepted into a program and tried nursing. I found that it was not for me and moved on. When I look back I will not wonder what if. I tried it and it was not for me.

Thank you to everyone who gave me their opinions about their experiences wiht nursing. Good luck to everyone with their educations and careers.

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