I'm thinking of dropping out

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2002

Barb, I was once in your shoes. My very first semester of nursing school. I had all the paper work filled out. I was walking to the advisors office with the work in my hand. I still had mixed feelings but felt I should go ahead and drop. My advisor told me that she don't want to see me give up, she said she knows I have what it takes, if I just become a little more organized and give it my all. She told me to stick it out till the end of the semester. I did and I am so glad I did. If I had dropped out when I was going to I would have DEFINITELY regretted dropping out. Every semester after that I got better and better and started developing more and more confidence. I would NOT say it got any easier because it did NOT get any easier but things did get better. I am a senior now and will graduate in May 2003. The light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine a lit bit. It is still dim but I am at the point where I can see it more and more.

Only you can decide what is truly best for you. Listen to what you feel is best for you. Try to stick it out to the end of the semester if you can. If not let it be a choice because you don't like it not because you are scared or feel it is too much.

Nursing school is VERY stressful. Have you tried stress management classes or reading stress management books. If not I highly recommend them. They are VERY helpful to a student. My school started requiring them.

Melisita · Oct 2, 2002

i think u should really take a minute to think abuout why you worked so hard for 4 years to get into nursing school. it must really be what you want to do in life. Think about what your gonna do if ur not a nurse. B/c i know that if i wasnt in nursing school, i really couldnt think of anything else to do. If it is truley your dream and goal in life, dont let the stress get to you, dont let anyone discourage you, and keep everything in perspective. Think....after all this, I will finally be a nurse...and it 'll all be worth the hard work.......Good Luck

dstudent · Oct 3, 2002

That's the way keep your spirits high and good luck

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 3, 2002

My personal story is that I hated almost every minute of my undergraduate program and wanted to quit every day. In fact, I always left myself an option "out" by taking a lot of classes in political science. I figured I could always go to law school if I hated nursing. However, after graduation, I really loved being a staff nurse and went to graduate school in nursing.

So ... my question for you is ... do you hate the stress of your school? ... or do you hate the practice of nursing? If you still love nursing, but just hate your school, then I would recommend sticking it out or finding another school. However, if you really find the practice of nursing to be the hateful, stressful part ... then perhaps you should consider other career options. Life is too short to be stuck with a career you hate.

By the way ... for those of you who are not going to grad school because you hated your undergraduate program ... I LOVED graduate school. Most people I have talked to have felt that graduate school was much more pleasant.

llg

Dublin37 · Oct 6, 2002

Hey llg, just curious, where did you get your masters? Thanks, Heather :)

Mkue · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by llg
Most people I have talked to have felt that graduate school was much more pleasant.

llg

I have a niece who is in Grad school for a Master in Education, she says it's very "easy". :)

shrek · Oct 7, 2002

There have been many times over the years that there were other things I would rather be doing or places I would rather be or that I'm just plain tired. This would have been the easy way out, where would the sense of accomplishment,pride be, and if nothing else when someone asks, what do you do for a living, and you can say I'm a nurse. Excellent feeling. Ultimitely you will do what you feel you have to do, I think you would regret it. You have to much time invested. You'll be fine.

Love-A-Nurse · Oct 8, 2002

originally posted by barb wilson
i want to thank everyone who replied with such thoughtful things to say. this is a great place to write about your feelings. the support has helped me out alot. i agree with alot of you, maybe i should give the program more time. i would hate to have regrets later in life. thanks again to all of you.

barb, how are you and how are things going? let us know.

RNntraining · Oct 13, 2002

i was accepted into a two year program after only a few pre-nursing class and i thought i was going to go crazy! i was used to doing assignments at my leisure and having time for me...blah blah blah. i paid the price at the end of the semester when i was dropped with a 79.5 since i didn't meet the mandatory 80 average. as much as it was depressing and damaging to my self esteem, it was also a blessing in disguise. i did alot of growing up in those 4 mos., i realized that it really was what i wanted to do, and i now know what is required so i can better prepare myself for the second go around.

just remember that the preparation for this profession is difiicult for a reason..... nursing isn't always easy. nurses are put in a variety of situations that require them to be tough as nails one minute and sweet and soft spoken the next.

you know what you can and cannot do and how much you can and cannot tolerate. It's totally natural to question your capabilities, but if you seriously thinking of pulling out just remember that it doesn't mean you can't use the break to gather yourself and give it another try when you feel a little more confident. I hope everything works out for you :)

rebelwaclause, ASN, RN · Oct 13, 2002

1, 2, 3 or 4 years from today is that many years later. Maybe try it again latter, when you are more up to it?