a question for the nurses

[jaylily]

I've been agonizing over this decision for 3 months now.. Should I continue my attempt to get into nursing school?

I'm 29 and have been working as an architect/interior designer for 4 years now. I've realized that architecture isn't a fabulous fit with me. Sometimes I love it, but mostly I'm unmotivated by it. I don't mind interior design though. My first career choice was in the medical field, either a physical therapist or doctor, nursing hadn't even come into my mind. Long story short, I have a weak stomach (but getting better) so I decided to go into architecture instead. Almost immediately upon graduating from arch school, I started looking into med school. I even started studying for the MCATs. It was only last year that I heard of a Nurse Practitioner and thought that was the fit for me. (I've never been too keen on the lifestyle of a doctor, too much on call time) I've also been on a ride along with a friend who's a paramedic and loved it, but I know I couldn't be a medic.

So I decided to apply to a 2 year accelerated BN program, but this required that I take one year of upgrading/prerequisite classes. I finished my first semester great, with 2 A+'s and one A-. But I was feeling burnout by the time Christmas came. This semester I'm taking 4 classes as well as working my day job 32 hours per week. I haven't been able to get into this semester at all. I have no tolerance for it, nor any interest in it. It doesn't help that only one of them is related to nursing, but even that class I can't seem to find any excitement in. To add to this, I've been stressed out beyond belief, although mostly about my decision to go to nursing school. If I can't get into school full time now, how on earth would I cope with quitting my job and going to nursing school full on for two straight years with no summer break? If this were my first go around at university I would have no doubts, but right now all I have are doubts. I already have $40k of student loan debt, do I really want $10k more? Add to that that even after nursing school I'll have another 2 years (minimum) of school to become an NP. The road just seems very long and I feel like I don't have the steam.

I'm sorry for being so long winded, but basically I guess I'm just looking for some advice. Should I finish up this semester when I'm not even 100% sure I'd go to nursing school if accepted? Or should I quit now and just say that this is what I had to do to realize its not for me? What would you honestly do in my situation?

[clee1]

I've been agonizing over this decision for 3 months now.. Should I continue my attempt to get into nursing school?

I'm 29 and have been working as an architect/interior designer for 4 years now. I've realized that architecture isn't a fabulous fit with me. Sometimes I love it, but mostly I'm unmotivated by it. I don't mind interior design though. My first career choice was in the medical field, either a physical therapist or doctor, nursing hadn't even come into my mind. Long story short, I have a weak stomach (but getting better) so I decided to go into architecture instead. Almost immediately upon graduating from arch school, I started looking into med school. I even started studying for the MCATs. It was only last year that I heard of a Nurse Practitioner and thought that was the fit for me. (I've never been too keen on the lifestyle of a doctor, too much on call time) I've also been on a ride along with a friend who's a paramedic and loved it, but I know I couldn't be a medic.

So I decided to apply to a 2 year accelerated BN program, but this required that I take one year of upgrading/prerequisite classes. I finished my first semester great, with 2 A+'s and one A-. But I was feeling burnout by the time Christmas came. This semester I'm taking 4 classes as well as working my day job 32 hours per week. I haven't been able to get into this semester at all. I have no tolerance for it, nor any interest in it. It doesn't help that only one of them is related to nursing, but even that class I can't seem to find any excitement in. To add to this, I've been stressed out beyond belief, although mostly about my decision to go to nursing school. If I can't get into school full time now, how on earth would I cope with quitting my job and going to nursing school full on for two straight years with no summer break? If this were my first go around at university I would have no doubts, but right now all I have are doubts. I already have $40k of student loan debt, do I really want $10k more? Add to that that even after nursing school I'll have another 2 years (minimum) of school to become an NP. The road just seems very long and I feel like I don't have the steam.

I'm sorry for being so long winded, but basically I guess I'm just looking for some advice. Should I finish up this semester when I'm not even 100% sure I'd go to nursing school if accepted? Or should I quit now and just say that this is what I had to do to realize its not for me? What would you honestly do in my situation?

Honestly, if it were me, I'd not spend the additional $$$$ unless I was SURE this is what I wanted.

Ultimately, you'll have to make that decision for yourself if you will ever be happy with it.

Nursing school is VERY stressful! (so is nursing itself, for that matter) Add finances, etc..... you'll have to decide what it is worth to you.