confused about nursing

It's okay, I feel the same way a fair amount of the time but then I realize I'm only going for nursing so that I can be a midwife and that the LPN or RN title is for experience and an alternate route if my complete plan does not work out. Do you plan to stop at LPN or RN or continue your education after?

I plan to do a RN through the community college or a diploma program through two of the local hospitals I am looking into. I only plan to do that, but lately a lot of people have told me it will be extremely hard to get a job without a BSN. I am only 22 years old, I know still young, but I just want to get started with a career and not be in school for the next 4 years while working part time. So hard!

Keep in mind you are simply choosing a career path. What are the advantages & disadvantages? Do you think you'll enjoy it? Is the job market acceptable compared to similar careers? Is there upward mobility in terms of pay and career advancement? Choosing a career is not like choosing someone to marry where you "just know he or she is the one". Good luck to you!

I do think I'll enjoy nursing because working with patients on the paperwork side is good and to hear the patients that stop by after their xray or lab work just to say thank you really brightens the day, but I want to make a difference in someone's life. I think I'm just losing motivation because I am not happy with my current job situation, I want to be more hands on but can't do so unless I become a certified MA or CNA. I want to do oncology nursing ultimately but am open to other areas.

You sound like you want to do it, so what's the doubt about?

I think just constantly hearing from other people and nurses "school is so tough you're going to have no social life at all" freaks me out. aND going into school there's no possibility for me not to work so I have to keep a job and people say it's impossible to do both be in nursing school and work

Nothing is a blanket statement. Youll find plenty of people here who worked and went to school, even with a family. If you are organized and dedicated you will likely be fine, it wont be easy, but you'll be fine. Social life will probably take a big dive, but you have to prioritize. Im awaiting to see if I got in my adn program, I also have to work and have 2 kids under 5. I plan to get my adn at a community college that will basically be free for me then work on my rn to bsn online

It is definitely possible to work and go to school. Not everyone can do it but I think there is plenty of people that say this because they were either too lazy to work while in school or didn't want to give up their party time and want to feel better about their decision so they try to convince others that it's "impossible." I work between 40-60 hours a week while going to school full time. I also have a family with a wife that stays home with my children so I also have no other choice but to work...it can be done. You just have to want it bad enough...school won't last forever and you'll be proud that you accomplished something so great and will have set yourself up to succeed later in life.

I know lots of people who work and go to school. It's all about balance. I'm a single mom and manage to balance school, with everything I do for my son. All of his practices, school events, and tournaments. Plus, I manage to throw a few dates in there every now and again. I know people that do nothing but study and school work and guess what, many of them just failed our final yesterday. There is a thing as too much studying. I keep 3 planners and a calender in my house to keep track of everything. I print out calenders for all of the people who help take care of my son. Just get yourself organized and you will be fine.

thank you for this, hearing how much you work while goingping to school is incredible and really makes me see that it can be done

I worked full time all through nursing school. It's definitely possible but I will say, it is a huge commitment. As someone said it's all about balance. I'm a little bit of a workaholic and there were times I'd actually have to force myself to take a break. I always had one day of the week to just relax. I think that's important. Don't neglect yourself because everything will suffer if you do.

but I just want to get started with a career and not be in school for the next 4 years while working part time. So hard!

Here is the way I see it, and why I chose my path. In four years I can either be finishing school with a degree that will allow me to have a good job and opportunity for advancement. Or I can spend two years and have a degree that MIGHT land me a job. If I can get a job with a two year degree my employer will likely make me sign a contract saying that I will bridge to a BSN within two to three years anyway.

Personally I would rather spend the time all at once rather than spreading out my education.

A few other things that I considered were that all the RN to BSN bridge programs in my area are online only with zero clinical time. This may sound good to some but I know the amount of clinical time and quality of clinical placements at my local community college is not up to the same standard as the university. I want every opportunity to learn and advance my skills while still in school. I feel that this will make me a better practitioner in the long run.

Lastly, I dont want to apply to nursing school twice. What I mean by this is that I know my grades are solid right NOW. I know that I can get into a program now. What happens if for some crazy reason my grades are not as stellar in nursing school and my GPA is not high enough to be accepted into an RN bridge program. That would really stink.

Just some things to think about. We all find the path that works best for us.

Good luck!