Considering changing my major

[Iwannabeababynurse]

i know that i mention in the last thread that i post that i was considering changing my major. but i wanted to i guess explain why i'm considering this. i knew that going into nursing wasn't going to be easy and that there was going to be some gross stuff to do and see. but now i don't know if i can handle this.

i'm taking intro to psychology and a&p1 this semester. and i'm having a really hard time with them both. they are both really hard classes especially a&p1. there is so much to remember in a&p and to remember how to spell.i've taken 3 chapter tests and 2 lab tests...bombed the first chapter test,barely pass the second,did really good on the first lab test but haven't found out about the 3rd chapter test and 2nd lab.and i've bombed and barely pass the tests in psychology.and i know that a&p2, micro,and the rest of the nursing classes are going to hard a real pain.

plus i found out when i took the lpn pre-entrance that now before you can go into the lpn program you have to take and pass the cna classes and become a cna first.i don't about doing that.

and for the last reason why i'm considering changing my major is what happen in my a&p1 class today.for the past week we've been going over the chapters about the muscles and the muscular systems. and today in lab we went and looked at a cadever.it was the most disgusting thing i've ever seen and the smell omg.i had a real hard time looking at it and smelling that smell. i know with taking these classes and becoming a nurse that there are going to be some gross stuff that i'll have to see and do. but after today i don't know if i'm going to be able to handle this finishing the semester and even becoming a nurse. so this is why i'm really considering changing my major.even though i really want to become a baby nurse i just don't know if i can do it.

sorry for such a long post just wanted to vent and share my thoughts sense just maybe i'm not the only one going thru this maybe someone else too.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm sorry to hear that it's not going well. Have you talked to your instructors for some feedback on what is going wrong?

If you have to do more gross dissection or cadaver stuff, consider dabbing a little Vicks under your nose to help with the smell. Keep in mind that NICU nurses don't dissect cadavers (although we do change lots of diapers) - so if you can get past these classes, you're probably fine in that regard.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

A lot of people are going to read your post and encourage you to stay (I see nothing wrong with that!) However, I want to be a positive voice in the other direction and let you know that there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with you changing your major/mind.

You can work with babies and not be a nurse. You can get a degree in social work, psych, etc (Associates or Bachelors at first) and work for agencies that help kids, infants, and families. You can also work with a lactation consultant (or become one since you DO NOT have to be a nurse)! No bad smells, gross sights, no memorizing the human body, no cleaning up, gathering, or learning about bodily fluids (except in the case of becoming a lactation consultant). You only need to learn a lot of interesting theory in school and application, which you will apply in the real world through work experience.

Social Services, like Nursing, is very rewarding. I never once asked myself if I had made a difference at the end of the day. In fact, I would continue to be doing it if I had not been bitten by the nursing bug (I worked with nurses and picked up much of what they taught me quickly because I have always been good and interested in science and great with leadership).

By the way, if you change your mind when you are older (no guarantee you will since I know people who make 30 year careers out of social services because he/she loves it too much) nursing will still be around. Therefore, right now there is no need to fight against changing your major. Again, there is nothing wrong with you; changing your major might be in your best interest! GL.

[Pumpkin1621]

There is nothing wrong with exploring other opportunities. That is what college is for. You don't even have to change your major. Take a few intro classes. Ie. Intro to buisness, intro to social work, intro to elem. education, etc. Take the ones that interest you, and see if you like those classes. If you like them then take advanced classes in that area. If you REALLY like the advanced classes then change your major. It is not a race to get your degree. It is your only opportunity to figure out what you want to do with your life, and to educate yourself about the many opportunities. I have taken soo many classes that have nothing to do with nursing just so I can say that I explored other options.

Good luck.

[3rdgenRN2B]

I'll give you advice that many posters have given me on this board...only you can figure out what you want to do....follow your heart....there is nothing wrong with deciding not to be a nurse....