Considering dropping out of BSN Program

MKay77, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2018

Hello, I just wanted to tell you what your feeling is normal, nursing school is hard. It is draining and most of the time you feel incompetent but it does get better. May I ask what classes you are in? What made you choose nursing?

foreverprenursing · Apr 14, 2018

Hello, I just wanted to tell you what your feeling is normal, nursing school is hard. It is draining and most of the time you feel incompetent but it does get better. May I ask what classes you are in? What made you choose nursing?

Im taking the nursing fundamentals, nutrition, patho and pharm. pretty much the foundations of nursing. I originally chose nursing for it's great career outlook and vast specialties. I was very well aware of duties an RN has. But as I'm completing my first semester, I keep feeling doubtful and like you mentioned incompetent. I know it's going to get a lot harder than this and if I can't handle this I don't think I can handle the tougher semesters. I just wouldn't want to waste my time and money to continue and ultimately drop out. I would appreciate any advice you have :)

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Apr 14, 2018

Im taking the nursing fundamentals, nutrition, patho and pharm. pretty much the foundations of nursing. I originally chose nursing for it's great career outlook and vast specialties. I was very well aware of duties an RN has. But as I'm completing my first semester, I keep feeling doubtful and like you mentioned incompetent. I know it's going to get a lot harder than this and if I can't handle this I don't think I can handle the tougher semesters. I just wouldn't want to waste my time and money to continue and ultimately drop out. I would appreciate any advice you have :)

I mean, we are incompetent right now - we're supposed to be. We're at the beginning of all of this - the only way to go from here is up.

Yeah, nursing school is pretty tough. So much info, so little time. Everyone tells me that things get harder, but you develop the necessary skills as you go - time management, study habits, test taking skills, etc.

If you don't think this job is for you, then you should probably drop out. But don't quit because it's hard - most things worth doing are difficult.

caliotter3 · Apr 14, 2018

Don't get a degree in healthcare administration expecting plentiful work opportunities.

MKay77, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2018

These are the classes that weed out the weak, don't be that person. YOU can 100% pass and I promise it will get better. I wanted to pull my hair out and cry every day of pharm but I didn't give up and now I am moving forward to pediatrics.

Med Surg is your next hump to get over but all these topics you are currently studying will start to click and that is when you will have more to do in clinical. So, I feel that it will be great if you stick it out till then. By no means was this my favorite clinical but it taught me SOOO much and made me feel like a nurse for the first time.

Advice:

-Have a planner for the semester and use it religiously

-Meet your people; people that will boost your spirits and get you through rough patches

-Give your self a time during the week where you can NOT think about school

-When you're at clinical engage with the nurses, patients, and be willing to try everything. (Within your practice)

Any other questions you have feel free to ask. I know it is rough but after med surge you get into specialties. I am just finishing up maternal and it is AMAZING. Classes are never "easy" but they become very interesting.

bitter_betsy, BSN · Apr 14, 2018

Advice:
-Have a planner for the semester and use it religiously

What does your planner look like - and how do you use it?? Looking ahead!!

MKay77, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2018

What does your planner look like - and how do you use it?? Looking ahead!!

Target has very nice planners, I like the ones that have a calendar as well as the week by week scheduler. My school will post rubrics a week prior to class starting, I will then use that to fill out my planner. I will write due dates, chapters, and projects in week by week.

For readings I will write down page numbers for each day so that they will be completed by end of the week. This helps me to have a goal and keeps me from doing it all in one day.

I also try to to get things done by the weekend so on my planner I have goals MON-FRI.

Once its completed I highlight and it really helps keep me organized and on task. Everything is in my planner. Any other questions feel free to ask:) Hopes this helps.

foreverprenursing · Apr 14, 2018

Thank you for your advice! It's just I'm so conflicted. Part of me wants to stay and finished and the other part wants to just leave and venture into something else because there's an inkling that nursing might not be for me. I know I worked so hard to get here, I just don't want to throw everything I've worked for away

direw0lf, BSN · Apr 15, 2018

Don't get a degree in healthcare administration expecting plentiful work opportunities.

I agree with this 100% but also, don't go into nursing if it's only because you think it's easier to get a job.

direw0lf, BSN · Apr 15, 2018

Thank you for your advice! It's just I'm so conflicted. Part of me wants to stay and finished and the other part wants to just leave and venture into something else because there's an inkling that nursing might not be for me. I know I worked so hard to get here, I just don't want to throw everything I've worked for away

You wouldn't be throwing it away IMO because the knowledge you gained can be applied to something else. I'd make out a list of pros and cons for nursing and see what you come up with!

caliotter3 · Apr 15, 2018

People can function successfully in a career for thirty years and still maintain a sense of being conflicted all the time. Don't let this sense of conflict allow you to muddle into a decision by default. Then, your efforts will revolve around the emotional conflict instead of constructive action that might lead to some sense of accomplishment.