Change major? Major decision! Is nursing a bust for me?

leenak · May 3, 2012

I think that nursing is a fairly versatile career and there are definitely more physical demands in some aspects of the career than others. If you are doubting it, now is definitely the time to look into other options.

You mention business but what type of business degree are you considering? What is driving that choice?

lotus180 · May 3, 2012

I believe the main reason I am doubting is because I feel it may be too physically demanding, and maybe I'm just naive about what nursing would really be like. I would love to be in a field that I could make a difference in society and not just selling a product, but now almost just want a normal desk job that pays the bills!

I am really not sure about the business major as I have really just become interested in it. I have considered choosing a path in HR or working in the public school system. In my area, the schools I have found, offer majors in Business Admin, Management, and Accounting. I actually love math and am highly organized. But I absolutely loved my chemistry class and loved all the psych classes I have taken in the past as well. I just don't know anymore what my path is. I think I have over analyzed things to the point where nothing makes sense. It is very depressing. I just want to have an education and a good job that I am proud of where I will still have the time and energy to be with my kids and enjoy life without feeling drained.

gottagetmyrn · May 3, 2012

I am not a nurse yet, but from what I have heard the nursing home is one of the more difficult places to work...so one can understand why you are tired of it. but remember, you are a CNA now. While Cna's and nurses work together, their roles are very different. Before you give up on nursing, maybe you should look into other places that you might actually enjoy working as a nurse(for if and when you become one:) You have many options such as dr's offices, public health nursing, school nursing, different specialty areas with in a hospital, and so on...I would think about what made you want to be a nurse to begin with. Maybe try to find a job else where, or volunteer at some other places and get a feel of what it might be like. And it may be that nursing isn't for you...only you will know that. But, I would just check into it a little more before you write it off. Best wishes to you:)

leenak · May 3, 2012

Except for possibly accounting/finance, you'd find the jobs you can after a degree in business administration/management would most likely pay the same or even possibly less than you get paid as a CNA. Most decently paid careers that require a degree in business are generally careers where people have many years of experience and also have an MBA.

Definitely explore your options, look at job advertisements and read their requirements, talk to people in your desired career, etc.

lotus180 · May 3, 2012

Unfortunately, I think you are right about a degree in business, leenak! Job market kinda stinks

I always wanted to be an art teacher or even elementary school teacher-or school guidance counselor. hmmmm. Maybe I'd have more luck there...any thoughts for the crazy person, lol.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 3, 2012

I am currently in the financial sector and am switching careers to become a nurse. Don't go into finance. There are so many lay-offs right now and you'd be in competition for jobs with people who have years of professional experience. I've been in the field 17 years :eek:

Being a CNA is not like being a nurse. You're basically doing all the "grunt work". Yes, there is some patient interaction, but for the most part, it's back-breaking, menial tasks. I was a CNA back in the 90s and I did not like it at all. I'm getting my phlebotomy certification instead of re-certifying the CNA for nusing school points. At least that way, I get to do blood draws and work with the lab & patients directly.

Only you can decide what is best for you. You mentioned teaching...have you thought about becoming a nurse educator?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 3, 2012

OP - You are wise to 'try before you buy' - working as a CNA to get a better appreciation of what nursing is all about. Nursing is definitely a physically demanding job. And the vast majority of the 'easier' jobs require at least a couple years of experience, so there is really no escaping bedside nursing in the beginning. In this day and age, nurse educators (like me) require an MSN - and clinical expertise... not a job for newbies.

Another thing to remember - nursing education is not like a "major". You will not be able to transfer credits from clinical classes to apply for other types of degrees. So if you find that you don't like nursing, you will find that only the pre-requisites will transfer. This is pretty discouraging, I know - but you need accurate information to make an informed decision.

Nolli · May 4, 2012

I know that going nursing school isn't easy and neither is working in a nursing home. Like many of the others have said nursing is very versatile. I've been told that each unit is different and while I am far from having experience on every type of floor I know from my experiences that the ER is very different from the OR and that is different from L&D and so on. There are also jobs in research, public health, even medevac helicopters. You don't have to work in a nursing home or even a similar environment.

As far as the academic rigors go: I too have had the proverbial crying and gnashing of teeth moments. In other words you are exhausted been studying your bum off and still feel like you are studying greek, want to pull your hair out and/or wonder why you thought you were ever smart enough to go into nursing. For me it has a lot to do with whether or not I am able to understand the material, how heavy the workload is and if I have a supportive professor or staff member I can turn to for help.

I can't answer your question as to whether or not you can do it, but I wouldn't quit without more information. Like HouTx said, your decision needs to be an informed one.

lotus180 · May 8, 2012

Thanks for all the helpful advice! I think I am going to just grin and bear it for now and see what happens. I keep going back to nursing, and have for years, so I might as well give myself a chance and see if I'm cut out for it!

I also just got a knee brace to wear and am in the market for a new pair of shoes...I hope that helps with the body issues.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

Have you considered career counseling through your college? They can give you a career interest/aptitude test and help guide you towards a suitable career. You mentioned still wanting to help people, but more of a desk type job...have you thought about social work or counseling?

IndyElmer · May 10, 2012

Being a CNA is not like being a nurse. You're basically doing all the "grunt work". Yes, there is some patient interaction, but for the most part, it's back-breaking, menial tasks.

I know people who work in hospitals where there are no CNAs. The nurses do ALL of the direct patient care, including the so-called "grunt-work." Are there any experienced nurses reading this thread who can say how common this trend is? I'm under the impression that even if I work at a hospital that has CNAs, it will still be go-go-go all day and that it will be a physically demanding job to work "on the floor" of a hospital.

It sounds like new grad RN positions are harder to come by than a lot of students were expecting and even though they hadn't planned on working on a hospital floor, hadn't planned on working nights and/or hadn't planned on the specialty that their first job ended up being in, they are nonetheless working on a hospital floor, not in their chosen specialty and/or are working at night. Certainly there are exceptions who are lucky enough to get their first choice -- whether that be a particular specialty, day shift or a non-hospital-floor position as their first job, but I think it's important to be prepared for the possibility that the first couple years might not be exactly what you would have chosen.