Confused

[Studentnursec]

Hey everyone. I'm new here. ill give you a little back story. Before I got into nursing I did 2 years in an education program. Loved it but withdrew for personal reasons. Fast foreword 4 years I'm in my 3rd year of nursing. I'm 28 years old and I have a prosthetic left arm which obviously poses challenges for me in the hospital.

Im just finishing my first semester of 3rd year and having some serious questions as to whether this is right for me. This semester my clinical instructor was INCREDIBLY tough. Like above average tough. It has given me major anxiety and a serious dread of the hospital setting. I'm now reconsidering whether I made the right choice to go into nursing. I see all my friends who finished their Ed degree happy and stress free. I understand nursing school is hard and it's different when you're done. But I've gotten to the point of I don't want to work in the hospital. I'm even questioning if I'm doing this for the right reasons now. (Enjoyment vs money)

im also concerned about the long term effects on my body. I already worry because of my arm but the added stress of nursing as well.

ive tried talking to my husband and friends and they think I should see it through but I'm worried I'm going to go through the next year and a half and still end up not liking it and wasting my time. Everyone is putting pressure on me to see it through but I don't know if it's right for me.

What at do I do?

also, if you are located in Canada could you please provide a list of out of hospital jobs for nurses that you are familiar with? Thanks!

[VampyrSlayer, CNA]

Don't forget, you don't have to work at the bedside to be a nurse. There are so many options! I'm in nursing school now, I don't have the experience of working as a nurse, but I feel like you'll probably be able to find something that fits your needs/wants :)

[WalterWho]

It seems to be a common theme that there's always at least one heinous professor that makes you question your entire existence in every nursing program, at least through my experience that is. What I can tell you for sure is that the first year out of school will be the hardest. You'll learn more in the first six months than you did throughout your entire college career and at times you'll think you made a huge mistake. Some of the other nurses will be mean to you for no reason and you'll most definitely leave a few shifts in tears. Your feet will hurt. You'll fall asleep on the couch from exhaustion. Eventually you will make a mistake that you'll beat yourself up about forever. You'll miss tons of lunches. You'll stay late charting. Doctors will be rude to you. Did i mention that you'll think that you made a huge mistake? But, you know what else will happen? After that first year, nurses will come to you for answers. You'll become a time management master. You'll eat every lunch. You'll leave at 1900 on the spot. Doctors will listen to you. Other nurses will recognize you for your proven skill. Patients and their families will sense your experience and actually listen to you. You'll be able to handle crazy situations like doing jaw thrusts while writing a note or family member fainting in the room while you're doing compressions on their loved one. I've had a lot of feelings similar to the ones you're having now, but to be honest I wouldn't change a thing. I love being a nurse, you just have make it through the rough parts, i.e. the parts you're in right now.

P.s. I went to a liberal arts college so I have a lot of education friends and almost all of them presently hate their jobs

[schen12]

Is the doubt for nursing new? Triggered by the clinical instructor? Or have you actually been on and off kind of not so sure about nursing profession?

I ask these question and I hope that you calmly examine deep inside of your heart. I don't think nursing is for everyone, just like teaching is not for everyone. I also believe that each one of us possesses our unique tenant and passion, which is very important. These unique indivual qualities we have make us good at certain jobs.

I am happy to see that you ask yourself a very important question now. Perhaps you have experienced enough to make you doubt. And this doubt is also very good for you. I highly encourage you to revisit the initial moment in which you made a decision to pursue nursing profession. I also want to say to you that I admire your self-doubt. Because it gives you the chance to learn more about you and nursing.

I agree with VampyrSlayer- nursing really is a versatile profession. You can branch out to be a nursing educator, which your passion and previous education training would be very helpful. You can pursue higher education in law and specialized in healthcare regulation. You can serve in school settings...

I would encourage you to re-examine your intention of pursuing nursing. Please search. The answer is inside you.