Confused...

jennafezz · Sep 4, 2008

If you're not in a super crazy hurry to get your RN, start another major if you don't get in, but keep trying to get in every year. You can do something like psych, biology, health sciences, etc.. something that might help give you more knowledge for your future nursing path. That way, if you eventually get into the nursing program, you can graduate with a double major. Or, if you don't get in, you'll have a bachelor's from the school that you love, and you can try to get into another school somewhere else, like a 2-yr program or an entry MSN program.

allnurses Guide · Sep 4, 2008

Sooner or later you will have to move on from your friends (or they will move on from you). This is a time in life to start making decisions based on practicality and with an eye to the future rather than the emotion of here and now. If you want to be a nurse, you need to broaden your base of school applications, because it IS hard to get in. You will feel pretty bad to not get in where your friends are, hang out anyway, not have what you wanted out of life and watch them all graduate, get married, move, move on without you, etc.

sunray12 · Sep 4, 2008

Since you're a sophomore I can understand you wanting to stay in the same school till you get your first degree. First of all I assume if you're applying to the nursing program then you know what's required in terms of prereqs and gpa, etc., and you're applying because as far as you know you qualify, so there's no reason to assume that you won't get in. But if you don't then I agree with Jennafezz - just pick something else in a related field to major in - it won't go to waste. Then you can look into BS to MSN programs instead.

Cari001 · Sep 5, 2008

I would definately apply other places and go where you get in. I got a major in something else because I didn't want to leave my friends, and now I reget it. You'll be able to keep the friends that matter, and make new ones in the nursing program. I wish I could go back to sophmore year.. and focus on getting into nursing school.. where ever that may be. :)

amarilla, RN · Sep 5, 2008

Hi there,

It's okay to be confused and anxious about which direction you'd like to pursue, with everything that means - leaving behind friends, going out of your comfort zone, not knowing what may come next, wondering if you'll be accepted or not...

those are a lot of worries, and most folks have the same, (or similar), concerns at different stages of their lives when facing upheaval and change.

Take a few breaths...

and first thing: that's great you've already found nursing! Second: happy to have you here on allnurses exploring your options. Third: congrats for trying to feel this out and take initiative towards the direction you're hoping to take.

I agree with others who have advised to research and consider other programs. Nursing schools operate unlike any other program I've ever observed; they each have individual guidelines and admissions protocol that must be followed to the letter. It is a competitive process and you might need to re-evaluate your goal:

to graduate from the nursing program affiliated with your school...

or to become a R.N. through an accredited program, whether it be at your home school or not.

Sometimes, to achieve a dream, we need to reach outside of our comfort zone a bit and do what it takes to make it happen. Opportunities will not always come a-knockin' at the front porch; sometimes, you need to reach out and take them as they come, even if the opportunity leads you away from what you've known til now.

Your life after college won't be the same as it is now. You will grow and change, and your focus will shift toward balancing your working and personal life. It's normal to stress about letting go, but it is part of growing up and moving on to the next stage of your adult life.

The only piece of advice I have about this: you need to follow your heart and do what is best for you, long-term. When I was younger, I wanted to go into medicine. Unfortunately, I came from a very modest upbringing; there isn't nary a person in my family who even went to college, let alone became something like a physician. My family, to whom I felt a great responsibility, urged me to get a good job and make a secure living. They reminded me that I wouldn't have the money to pursue a good college or spend enough lean years to become a doctor anyhow. I did what they said - going into finance and finding great success. I felt good to be able to have stability as well as help my family...

but I was never happy. It took me more than ten years to prepare to leave everything I'd known and take the chance that I could start over in health care. I don't regret it for a second.

Take care of yourself and invest in your future.

Best,

Southern