advice appreciated...

[carol68]

Hi everyone,

I know I am the only one who can answer this question for myself, but I would really appreciate the advice of those on this forum.

A few years ago I attended nursing school...I had a full academic scholarship and one year left. I felt very anxious during clinicals and thought I was too thin-skinned for nursing...so I foolishly withdrew. Now, four years later, I'm revisiting the idea. Because of the time elapsed I would have to repeat all of my clinicals and pay for tuition now. Although I have worked in an ER and cared for dying family members, I still feel that my personality may not be a great fit for nursing. Also, at 41 years old I'm very worried about not being able to work that much for the next 2 years while in school.

I've thought about dermatology nursing or office settings if I can't handle the hospital setting....but I don't know what to do. I have one week to decide and I've thought so much about it...I'm driving myself batty! I"m afraid I won't be able to handle clinicals again

Thanks so much for reading this and for any input...

[DebanamRN, MSN, RN]

Have you thought about Excelsior? If you live in a state that accepts them and have one year of nursing school behind you, it might be a solution. Also, you can work and study on your own schedule. No clinicals until the end. Just a thought. Check out the distance learning forum for more info.

[Ms.RN]

it all depends on you. how badly do you want to become a nurse? remember nobody is going to help you to get through nursing school. only you can do it. so you have to etiher get over your feeling of insecurity and show your instructor that you are capable of taking care of your patient and also you are able to advocate for your patients. if you cant then your instructor will flunk you.

[*ac*]

Just a heads-up: doctor's offices hire very few RN's; they mostly use medical assistants. Clinic RN jobs usually require quite a bit of acute-care experience.

Good luck on your decision.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

As you stated, you still dont feel your personality is suited for nursing. Thats the answer. If you already know it's not suited for you, probably better on a number of levels to avoid it. Don't become one of these RNs who abuses xanax/antidepresents and gains weight at monsterous levels. Me, when I was new to nursing, I developed a spending habit that I am just now getting under control again. Nursing will make the people who feel they are right for the job (personality wise) stressed and seek coping mechanisms. What's it going to do to someone who already knows it doesnt fit well with their personality.

I would do some soul searching. Is it finances, desire for a higher paying job that makes nursing tempting again? Or is it a desire to be a nurse?

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

That's just it....do you feel it just for the want to care for people and make a difference in your job? or do you want it for the financial? What about clinicals made it tough? was it being around critical instrutors or was it being a student? then you may have your answer.