Not So Sure About This

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Hey there. I need some advice. I am in my 2nd year of a BSN program. I have all my prereqs done and am set to start clinicals in the fall. But, I dont know if I want to be doing this. I am terrified of the stress of nursing, getting fussed at, and holding people's lives in my hands. I have been considering dropping out of the program and going to a community college to get a veterinary technology degree. But I feel that would be a wast since I am halfway to a bachelors degree. My husband is very supportive and said to do whatever I want to do as long as I am happy about it. But, vet techs make way less than RN's but they have way less stress to deal with. And for some reason animal poop, vomit, and insides dont bother me at all like people's do. Can someone who is in clinicals give me some insight? I dont know what to do. I am not a person who deals well with intense stress, so I am not sure if nursing will work. But I love learning about anatomy and medical stuff. That is why I havent quit yet.

Please help

Laura

I am scared to volunteer, mainly because I dont what to expect. (stupid fear yes, I know). Also, it just hit me what might be going on. My grandad just died 2 weeks ago. And it killed me watching him suffer in the hospital. I dont know if I could watch that and the family in grief. Then again, I guess it is different if its not your family member. I'm thinking I should at least stick it out through one semester of clinicals. I dont want to quit without really knowing. My husband had some good advice for dealing with nasty bodily fluids....."they are only molecules, everything is made of molecules".

Thanks for all the advice,

Laura

I've been reading all the posts, and I'm absolutely doing my very best not to just lay it on the line. I have to agree with NICUbabyRN and marilynmom. I just can't hold back any longer, Laura. I'm sorry you are so on the wrong career path. If CNA work isn't stimulating enough then I guess your going to have a really long day at work when the CNA calls in sick, and if volunteering scares you your going to have real serious issues when as the nurse one of your patients decides to have a heart attack and quits breathing - you can't freeze in that situation because someone will definately die. What on Earth drove you to pursue nursing in the first place?

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I don't know if this could be another reason, but I'm also nearly done with pre-reqs. I was really freaked out for a while and wanted to do something different, but found it was only because I've been taking classes on and off for 8 years, and now it's coming down to the wire, so I got a bit panicked. (sp?) Just think about if it's really what you want to do, and keep in mind that there are many different jobs within nursing itself if you don't like one area.

I agree with you! Panic...definitely!! With each pre-req class I finish, I get more and more nervous..I know myself and it's not that I'm afraid of being a nurse, (I actually believe that I will make an excellent nurse) it's just that I am more afraid of failure or not being able to live up to my own expectations sometimes. I'm doubting my capability before I even get going. I've taken classes and different programs (CNA, Surg Tech) and neither fulfilled my desire - it's always been nursing and yet somehow, I always talked myself out of it. Since being a part of this board, I love reading all the positive reinforcement like "you can do it", "have faith", "believe in yourself"!! This time I'm not backing out!!! This time all my hard efforts (and money spent on classes) will pay off and I will be an RN someday soon!

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I think doubt is a normal part of the educational process - at least in my case it has been. I still don't have that 100% certainty that nursing is THE field for me like some of the other BB members seem to have (I also considered other health related fields like MD/PA, x-ray, pharmacy, dental, MT, etc).

Do some introspection. What interested you in the nursing field in the first place (besides the interest in anatomy, why nursing specifically)? Have you done any job shadowing?

In the end, money isn't so important if you have a job you hate. If you feel that vet tech is really a better field for you, then pursue it with gusto. Happiness is ultimately much more important than finances at the end of the day.

Good luck making your decision.. :)

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Prairiegirl, I see that you are still very young, and I commend you for going into a nursing program so young. When I was 19 I also wasn't sure if I was ready to become a nurse yet, so I decided to become a Medical Assistant. Big mistake, I wish I'd have done what your doing. Clinicals are not that bad. The worst part is pre-planning and careplans. If you love learning about anatomy, you'll really love clinicals. You will be able to see what you've been learning about. As far as all the smells just breathe through your mouth. I think the fellings you have are totally natural, stick to it and you'll be glad you did. However, only you can make that decision for yourself. Best of luck.

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No! Don't drop out. What's the point? What you should do, is go to the first semester of nursing school this fall! This is when you see if you like nursing. If you don't, no big deal, drop out then. But, no way should you drop out without first seeing what nursing is all about. You might as well, you have those 2 first years finished...so do it! You're not going to kill anyone your first semester! It's just basic nursing stuff. I think you'll enjoy it...and sorry, if you become a tech..you'll probably regret it, or at least always wonder what if, or wish you had a rn's salary.

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you had a rn's salary.

Never, ever, ever make money a issue when going into any health care job. Money should not be a factor for any job for that matter. The ppl I know that went to college for computer science degrees because they knew out of school they would make atleast 60-70K are so unhappy. They hate it. I know several who have left.

I would take a semester off if it was me. Take some stock in whats going on. I also hated volunteering, I dreaded it every time I went in and I was also a CNA several years back so I pretty much knew what I was getting into. Doubt is comon yes, but just because you are this far along dosn't mean you need to finish. No one says you have to do this, but no matter what make sure you are doing this for the right reasons.

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gotta agree w/ iliel on the salary issue.

if you are feeling some resistance about going into nursing, you need to search deep down and see where it's coming from. I originally planned to go into nursing and took a CNA certification class. I did great in the class and okay in clinicals, but it just didn't feel right. I couldn't put my finger on it, until I took a pt down to get a chest x-ray and chatted w/ the tech. I immediately felt at home and after going and observing for half a day, I really knew what I wanted to do. I could have been a competent nurse, but not a great one, but that's just me. You really need to search and see what's right for you.

A

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Laura, I've been doing this for 30 (gasp) years and I'm still not sure it's what I want to be doing. Okay? Stop looking for absolute assurance there is none. What there is, for me at least, is the assurance that I am doing something important, that is compatible with who I am and how I view the world.

Way back a long time ago when I started nursing school and clinicals I was overwhelmed by the notion that they wanted me to talk to naked people. At that time I was so shy I wouldn't talk to people with their clothes on, refused to use the telephone when I didn't know who would answer, and generally was probably unfit to be a nurse. But, they let me in, gave me a chance, and I gave myself a chance.

You haven't started clinicals yet. Wait and see how it goes. There is something about doing for someone other than yourself that makes a lot of things much easier. I learned to use the phone in spite of getting yelled at by physicians because someone other than me need me to make that call.

You ask about death and dying. How can you stand it? Sometimes it hurts so bad all you can do is cry. You do what you have to do because it's not about you, it's about someone else who needs you, patient, family, or both.

If after a semester of clinicals you find you really don't like nursing for whatever reason then reevaluate your options. Seek out the career office on campus and let them help you find a way to utilize the classes you've already taken. Don't worry about the time the change will cost. It's much easier to spend an extra year or two at the front end of your career than years from now.

Give yourself some time, get your hands dirty, even Ms. Nightingale started out as a student.

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I think doubt is a normal part of the educational process - at least in my case it has been. I still don't have that 100% certainty that nursing is THE field for me like some of the other BB members seem to have (I also considered other health related fields like MD/PA, x-ray, pharmacy, dental, MT, etc).

Do some introspection. What interested you in the nursing field in the first place (besides the interest in anatomy, why nursing specifically)? Have you done any job shadowing?

In the end, money isn't so important if you have a job you hate. If you feel that vet tech is really a better field for you, then pursue it with gusto. Happiness is ultimately much more important than finances at the end of the day.

Good luck making your decision.. :)

Doubt is definitely a "normal" part of the educational process no matter what major/field you are in. I was accepted into a master's degree program in a field I thought would bring me happiness. A week before I left for the program something in me just yelled "No! Don't do it you're not going to be happy." It's been 2 years since that and I am currently in a graduate program in nursing...I am truly happy (not to mention stressed out!)!

Allow yourself some time to really delve into your innerself. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years, 10 years? What kind of people do you see yourself working with...do you see yourself working with people? Ultimately, what is going to make you happy? This might be a scary, frustrating time but in the end you'll find the answers to all your questions...just keep searching.

Good luck! :nurse:

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Hey prairie girl,

FOLLOW YOUR HEART. What does your gut say? Talk to your educational counsellor. You seemed anxious. Also, I dont know if this will help. On my very first clinical....I was on tears while giving incontinent care, to a quadroplegic lady. Nursing is very broad, big biggggg world of nursing. You will be needed, very much as a nurse. But of course, if you would not think nursing will make you happy. There would be no point torturing yourself to years of nursing school, and deprivation of sleep for countless nights, trying to finish a case study, a care plan or whatever is needed for you to pass nursing classes. But if you want to serve people....in whatever stage they are in life, it's gotta be nursing.

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When in doubt, get out! See ya!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Now THAT'S a positive spirit, hater! :D

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