Switch fields? = quit nursing school...

[amyk_ncsu]

Hey everyone! I have posted a few times on here, but never made a thread. So I'm counting on you guys for some sound advice. I know in the end I'll have to make my own decision, and I'm sure I'll make the right one, but I really need as many viewpoints on this as I can get.

First of all, I am in the first semester of five of nursing school at a very good school and I am doing fine gradewise (based on first test/quizzes, etc). Now, I have wanted to go to nursing school for a long long time, though I have never really been able to come up with a concrete WHY I wanted to. I already have a BA in psychology, which was something I wasn't incredibly interested in (long story... pretty much irrelevant).

Anyways, lately I have been serioulsy considering quitting nursing school and applying for the same school's rad tech program. I work for a place that does MRIs, and I absolutley looove the technology associated with imaging of any kind. I really like talking to the patients and love answering their endless questions. I am just the receptionist at this place, but I find myself going into the "suite" and looking at all the images and asking questions and its jsut soooo cool.

Now, as far as nursing goes, I find all of that interesting as well, but I just dont see myself as a bedside nurse (dont jump down my throat on that, I know its bad to say that, but oh well). If I am an RN, I see myself in the ER, OR, ICU or as a radiology nurse. I am deadset on the healthcare field, and I think that until now, I didn't realize that you didnt have to go to nursing school to be an integral part of the health care team. I saw nursing school as the logical way to work in the hospital. I have contemplated med school and becoming a PA, but for various reasons, I dont like those options.

SO, what do you guys think? Should I stick nursing school out and then move on to what I want? Am I making a rash decision? The app for the rad tech program is due March 1, so I plan on submitting it and then if I've changed my mind, no big deal. It really sucks to think you know what you want for years and years and years and then when you get it, youre not so sure anymore....

[JaxiaKiley]

When I first considered going back to school, it was for RT. I loved imaging, and the basic job description. However, after talking candidly with several RTs and nurses, I decided nursing was a better long term option for me. The RTs I spoke to were tired of their jobs after a very short period of time and didn't really have much of a career path.

Best of luck with your decision.

[lala123]

I can totally relate to you. Even though this is my first career choice and my first time in college, I also my first semester in nursing school was skeptical if this is really what i wanted to do. From all the stress that comes from school and clinicals, knowing that it will be about the same when you are a nurse. There were plenty of times that i questioned myself and seeing if i really wanted to do this. I had thought about other options, I thought of maybe becoming a teacher instead. Well i stuck it through and finish my career in about 5months. The reason I didnt quit was b/c I dont have enough courage to quit something and b/c i didnt know the reason to the way i was feeling. I talked to other people in the class and they said exactly the same thing. Now i am greatful that I did not quit and am loving every minutes of nursing and the education. I couldnt be happier!! Good luck in w/e u choose!!!