i hate med/surg... is nursing right for me?

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I know this type of question is posted all the time, but I feel like I'd like advice with regards to my specific situation. I am a BSN program nursing student in medical surgical nursing I've gone two and a half semesters in the program and have 3 to go but I'm seriously starting to doubt whether nursing is right for me.

The thing is, I never got what nursing is really like. I would never listen to drawbacks because I figured I didn't have to work in a hospital after school. I do not work well under stress, yet I'm continually hearing that I MUST work on the floor after graduation to get the experience I need... or I'm severely limiting myself.

I'm so stressed out thinking about this, I do not want to end up miserable working on a floor... even if it is for just a year. Life is precious, i've given nearly 4 years of mine up to school. But I also do not want to limit myself so severely, so early in my career. I know there are avenues of nursing I'd like... but am I willing to be miserable long enough to obtain a community-based position?

These doubts are making me feel so anxious they're clouding my school work. Even though I'm a good student, I know I could do better but I just don't feel like my hearts in it. I was 18 when I decided to become a nurse a lot of time, money, hard work got me here... I don't just want to throw that away especially with the endless possibilities nursing has to offer. But I feel so trapped.

So I guess what I'm asking... is there anyone who felt this way? What did you consider doing instead? Are you happy you did or didn't stay with nursing?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ER.

First of all, nowadays, you do NOT have to do a year of med-surg before specializing, in many areas. So don't panic just yet. But...

Keep in mind, also, that nursing school clinicals really don't give you the *real* feel of being a nurse. That comes when you have YOUR patients and you have to run YOUR show. It's a heavier responsibility (no matter what type of nursing you do) but it's a different feeling, too.

I wouldn't say you're not cut out for nursing, or that you're going to hate it. Many many people have a notion in nursing school of what they want to be, that changes after they get into practice. Can't tell you how many fellow students all wanted to be L&D nurses upon graduation (myself included) until I got out there and really was a nurse. I did do med-surg and learned so much, and still miss the comraderie of many of those on my old floor, but I've found ER is my home. Never woulda thunk it when I was in school.

Keep an open mind and learn all you can now. This is your foundation but you will NEVER be locked into one thing. Keep the faith.

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

:flowersfo

I had the exact same feelings as you all thru school. :no: Still do. (I am in my last semester). I had doubts before school started. Heard a lot of opinions and decided that I needed to make up my own mind. But I never did. I have just kept putting one foot in front of another and here I am. I still have the same doubts. Do I have anxiety now? You bet. Will it get better? I have no clue. Will I end up hating nursing? Maybe.

But the bottom line is: Who cares? If you finish, atleast you will have the degree and you WILL have options. Even if you leave the field entirely, you will always have something to fall back on if need be. If you drop out now, due to your anxieties, YOU WILL ALWAYS WONDER WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN. I know I would feel like a failure just because I am *NOT* sure. I didn't want to drop out and look back a year from now and regret all that I threw away. Nursing school IS a lot of work but it is only for a short period of time and then you are DONE. Remember that. Anxiety can spin out of control and really muddy your thinking. Remember that. Everytime it has practically gotten the best of me I have had to have someone slap me upside the head. Designate someone to do that for you. YOU CAN STILL LEAVE THE PROFESSION IF YOU FIND OUT IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU.

I am graduating with a girl who absolutely hates everything she has seen about nursing so far. She has no intention of going onto any floor EVER. Not for a year. NEVER. So....don't know where she'll go. Me? The absolute chicken-with-your-head-off feel of floor nursing and the ball juggling terrifies me. Like you, I don't consider myself working well under stress. My first year is likely to almost kill me. But I don't think that is uncommon. BUT I do like the prospect of being able to help someone thru the toughest time in their life. The "caring" part of nursing now appeals to me more than I thought it would in the beginning.

I can't tell you how much I have grown as a person thru nursing school. Even if I do nothing with the degree, to me, the experience alone has been worth it. I feel so much more empathy for people now. I am not so closed minded and judgemental. I realize I am lucky for my health and my position in life. I am lucky to have someone in my life because many people don't. Remember: nursing school teaches you other things too, not just how to be a nurse.

YOU WILL MAKE IT. TURN OFF YOUR MIND AND PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER AND DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.:banghead: GET SOMEONE TO SLAP YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD:smackingf :selfbonk: IF YOU DO. IT WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. AND THEN YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO SAY " I DID IT".:w00t:

GOOD LUCK to you and keep coming here for support!:icon_hug:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
:flowersfo

I had the exact same feelings as you all thru school. :no: Still do. (I am in my last semester). I had doubts before school started. Heard a lot of opinions and decided that I needed to make up my own mind. But I never did. I have just kept putting one foot in front of another and here I am. I still have the same doubts. Do I have anxiety now? You bet. Will it get better? I have no clue. Will I end up hating nursing? Maybe.

But the bottom line is: Who cares? If you finish, atleast you will have the degree and you WILL have options. Even if you leave the field entirely, you will always have something to fall back on if need be. If you drop out now, due to your anxieties, YOU WILL ALWAYS WONDER WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN. I know I would feel like a failure just because I am *NOT* sure. I didn't want to drop out and look back a year from now and regret all that I threw away. Nursing school IS a lot of work but it is only for a short period of time and then you are DONE. Remember that. Anxiety can spin out of control and really muddy your thinking. Remember that. Everytime it has practically gotten the best of me I have had to have someone slap me upside the head. Designate someone to do that for you. YOU CAN STILL LEAVE THE PROFESSION IF YOU FIND OUT IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU.

I am graduating with a girl who absolutely hates everything she has seen about nursing so far. She has no intention of going onto any floor EVER. Not for a year. NEVER. So....don't know where she'll go. Me? The absolute chicken-with-your-head-off feel of floor nursing and the ball juggling terrifies me. Like you, I don't consider myself working well under stress. My first year is likely to almost kill me. But I don't think that is uncommon. BUT I do like the prospect of being able to help someone thru the toughest time in their life. The "caring" part of nursing now appeals to me more than I thought it would in the beginning.

I can't tell you how much I have grown as a person thru nursing school. Even if I do nothing with the degree, to me, the experience alone has been worth it. I feel so much more empathy for people now. I am not so closed minded and judgemental. I realize I am lucky for my health and my position in life. I am lucky to have someone in my life because many people don't. Remember: nursing school teaches you other things too, not just how to be a nurse.

YOU WILL MAKE IT. TURN OFF YOUR MIND AND PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER AND DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.:banghead: GET SOMEONE TO SLAP YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD:smackingf :selfbonk: IF YOU DO. IT WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. AND THEN YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO SAY " I DID IT".:w00t:

GOOD LUCK to you and keep coming here for support!:icon_hug:

wow...best, most honest advice I have ever heard...thanks! I'm two weeks shy of graduation and this was great encouragement...and it wasn't even for me!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I hated med/surg and always said that if I ever had to work on an adult med/surg unit, I would leave nursing. So I didn't look for a job on such a unit. I took a job in a NICU as a new grad and loved it.

Adult med/surg nursing is only 1 of many different specialties. You don't have to like it to like other types of nursing.

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.
:flowersfo

I had the exact same feelings as you all thru school. :no: Still do. (I am in my last semester). I had doubts before school started. Heard a lot of opinions and decided that I needed to make up my own mind. But I never did. I have just kept putting one foot in front of another and here I am. I still have the same doubts. Do I have anxiety now? You bet. Will it get better? I have no clue. Will I end up hating nursing? Maybe.

But the bottom line is: Who cares? If you finish, atleast you will have the degree and you WILL have options. Even if you leave the field entirely, you will always have something to fall back on if need be. If you drop out now, due to your anxieties, YOU WILL ALWAYS WONDER WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN. I know I would feel like a failure just because I am *NOT* sure. I didn't want to drop out and look back a year from now and regret all that I threw away. Nursing school IS a lot of work but it is only for a short period of time and then you are DONE. Remember that. Anxiety can spin out of control and really muddy your thinking. Remember that. Everytime it has practically gotten the best of me I have had to have someone slap me upside the head. Designate someone to do that for you. YOU CAN STILL LEAVE THE PROFESSION IF YOU FIND OUT IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU.

I am graduating with a girl who absolutely hates everything she has seen about nursing so far. She has no intention of going onto any floor EVER. Not for a year. NEVER. So....don't know where she'll go. Me? The absolute chicken-with-your-head-off feel of floor nursing and the ball juggling terrifies me. Like you, I don't consider myself working well under stress. My first year is likely to almost kill me. But I don't think that is uncommon. BUT I do like the prospect of being able to help someone thru the toughest time in their life. The "caring" part of nursing now appeals to me more than I thought it would in the beginning.

I can't tell you how much I have grown as a person thru nursing school. Even if I do nothing with the degree, to me, the experience alone has been worth it. I feel so much more empathy for people now. I am not so closed minded and judgemental. I realize I am lucky for my health and my position in life. I am lucky to have someone in my life because many people don't. Remember: nursing school teaches you other things too, not just how to be a nurse.

YOU WILL MAKE IT. TURN OFF YOUR MIND AND PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER AND DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.:banghead: GET SOMEONE TO SLAP YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD:smackingf :selfbonk: IF YOU DO. IT WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. AND THEN YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO SAY " I DID IT".:w00t:

GOOD LUCK to you and keep coming here for support!:icon_hug:

:yeahthat: Great speech. You have motivated me and lightened up my doubts. I'm starting nursing school soon and sometimes think, am I smart enough, what if I screw up, or was this the right career choice?

Thank you for these kind words. I hope the OP takes these words of guidance and wish the OP and everyone else well. :yeah:

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I felt like you did when I was in nursing school. I worked in a step down, then ICU, then PACU. I eventually left nursing b/c I still had that dissatisfied feeling. I found myself back in nursing after 10 years b/c of life circumstances, and I am amazingly surprised at how much I'm enjoying it this time.

Also, my time in nursing has opened sooooo many doors for me. It has caused me to mature in many ways. I've learned compassion and strength and other skills I would not otherwise have. You may find you are better able to deal with stress over time.

Nursing school is just a glimpse into what nursing life is like. School is stressful, not knowing what you're doing is stressful, no matter what field. There are a million different ways you can go once you have your degree, in nursing or out.

Good luck

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I wouldn't leave nursing just because you hate med/surg.

I just graduated in May with a RN BSN and have been hired as a supervisor in donor services (RN required) at a local bloodbank where I've worked as a lab assistant for the past 3.5 years while in nursing school. I am really happy that I have been hired for this position. I get to travel to the mobile blood donation sites and supervise the phlebotomists, assist with collections, perform QA etc.

I really enjoyed community nursing and was depressed when everyone kept telling me that I needed to do med/surg (as if you're not a real nurse if you don't....believe me, people have actually said that to me!) I don't like the stress of running around, taking care of 5-7 patients (with my license on the line), dealing with doctors, patients' families (I feel as though I don't have the opportunity to help them as well as the patient), discharges, meds, admits, surgeries, testing, labs...aaaaahhhh! Part of me thinks that I made the right choice in deciding to take this job and not go to the med/surg interview that I had. But there's still a little part of me that hopes I didn't make the right decision. Alot of nurses say that I'm limiting myself and my career, and everything I learned will be lost. I was going to try to find per diem med/surg work...but since my FT job is already every other weekend, that would leave me with NO weekends off! That, on top of having to do med/surg, would make me so miserable. :(

Does anyone else, that is already a nurse in the field, think that you NEED med/surg, even when you know that you're NEVER going to work in a hospital. The closest I would get to med/surg is a community clinic or outpatient setting.

I hope this helped you nursedani08...you'll be fine, just stick with it. And hopefully someone, on the flip side, can help me as well...

Best of Luck! You'll be great...just give it time. There are other opportunities out there. :wink2:

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

>

I was told the same thing and so, I went over to med-surg and oriented. I still hate it. I did it and did well, I just have no desire to do that type of work. I am back to mental health/psych/community nursing and I love these areas. I loved my psych rotations in nursing school. I have years of LTC experience which I feel gives me a good base of assessment skills. Anything I was oriented to on med-surg I can be oriented to again if need be. I no longer believe I have to work a year on med-surg., 3-4 months was enough for me.

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