Did I make a mistake by going into nursing?

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2015

"this field doesn't really respect mental health of individuals" ???

This "field" is not about you..it is about your patient. If you are not mentally stable enough to work in fast paced stressful environments then do something else. Nursing does not exist to make you comfortable. It is hard, intense, stressful work. Do whatever you want..that is your choice.

anewsns · Nov 14, 2015

Not being suited for nursing does not reflect badly on you in any way even if it is a highly regarded profession. It's good that you're recognizing this now.

MistyRD · Nov 14, 2015

No one can tell you that a person with anxiety or one when snuffers from depression isn't suited to be a nurse. Not all nurses or healthcare staff will understand anxiety or depression unless they have suffered themselves. Some nurses look beyond the symptoms and try and help you/themselves overcome the fears and uncertainties; many times that's what sparked it in the first place.

Remind yourself-I can do this I've already made it this far. A nursing degree opens your career for a variety of opportunities. Just because you don't want to work in a hospital doesn't mean you're less of a nurse. Being a nurse in a hospital doesn't mean your job or nursing ability is any better than the nurse who chooses to be a school nurse of Home Heath nurse... It just means that type it nursing isn't for you and you know that's ok. Remember this, God didn't plant the desire in your heart to become a nurse if he didn't already have the perfect position for you. You can do this. And as nurses we should be lifting each other up not tearing each other down.

heron, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2015

I just want to point out that the workplace is not a therapy group. The OP has told us that she has severe anxiety and that caring for her grandmother is turning her off. I think we do her a disservice by trying to talk her into a career choice that's obviously making her unhappy.

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2015

I'll be blunt. The real world of nursing is very, very different from nursing school. Most will tell you that it is much more stressful. Many of us went into nursing with no history of anxiety or panic attacks but now deal daily with those issues.

Pay attention to your gut feeling. Your family will get over it. You must do what is right for you.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2015

Most people on the planet have no interest in nursing. The fact that you might be one of them doesn't make you "a failure."

However, you do need to address your anxiety issues, because they may well follow you into the next field of study you enter. Remember, "wherever you go, there you are." Anxiety and depression can suck the life out of you if you don't get treatment. I would seek help for your anxiety. You will feel so much better about life in general, and you will be better equipped to figure out just what you should do with your life and particular talents. Your health should be your priority for now.

Good luck in the future.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 14, 2015

Merged threads

strawberryluv, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2015

You might be just going through the stress and anxiety of being a nursing student. Nursing school was difficult for me.

There were times I felt like I couldn't handle the stress but you will get used to it. At first, it seems everything counts and you need to be perfect, that there is a small margin of error. But I got over it. With time, perhaps you will grow out of your anxiety. That's how it was for me, at first, I was scared of everything. I got used to it as I progress and by my last term I wanted to just graduate. You can do this!

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2015

There's not a whole lot in nursing that takes it easy on someone's psyche. It sounds more like you're having issues dealing with caring for your grandmother. In nursing school, you learn to do self-care -- you have to take care of yourself first because no one else is going to do it for you. I don't know if you should keep going or not. I really questioned things when I was in my third quarter because the facility my clinical was at was so terrifyingly cavalier with patients But, at a certain point, you will learn what you can take care of and what needs to be urgently dealt with. You're very young and, unfortunately, this is part of the struggle, no matter what field you're going in to.

Don't make any quick decisions. Give yourself time and be kind to yourself. As you emotionally mature and grow, you may find that you truly do love nursing. For right now, you need to find your inspiration. What are you doing this for? It may change over time but right now, find what really inspires you in life overall. You need to recharge and find what makes you grateful for the position that you are in.

I'm curious what it is that is turning you off about nursing re: your grandmother's hospice care.

everlongRN · Nov 15, 2015

I have to agree with you to an extent, that the profession doesn't exactly respect the mental health of it's own. Part of me agrees that the workplace is not meant to be a group therapy environment. But when you work (or go to school) for so many hours with a group of people, you just expect a little compassion and empathy from them.

As far as school goes, there is a good chance that nursing is not for you. If you're losing sleep, can't think, and are so panicked (even in lectures, not just clinical), then that is no way to live. It is incredibly stressful, and there is an expectation that you will be 'on your game' at all times. You sound like you would make a very empathetic nurse, because you understand people on a different level. But if right now, you're struggling so much, maybe it wasn't meant to be. You could always take a break- to regroup, and take care of yourself. See if you can either withdraw (it might be too late) or take a leave for the next semester. Take some general education courses (if you need to continue in college, because your parents expect that of you), and see if your school has any counseling services where you can talk to someone about your anxiety and your future.

Parents only want their kids to succeed. But, It pains me to hear that people are so fearful of letting them down by telling them that they are changing their career path.

Amistad, RN · Nov 15, 2015

Nursing is a very difficult career path. I am one of those nurses who developed anxiety once I started working in the field. It is very stressful, especially in your first year. You will encounter patients/family members who are anxious, fearful, or upset every single day. One of your responsibilities will be to ease their fears and anxieties. Nurses are expected to take on more patients and more responsibilities than is typically possible for a single person. We do the best we can. Depending on the setting, you may have to work on holidays instead of spending those with your family. Most hospitals do not offer very many vacation days and allow very little sick days (the two hospitals I worked at only allowed 4 sick days per year).

I have many friends who went into careers outside of healthcare. I don't think any of them experience as much stress at their jobs and they have weekends and holidays free to spend with friends and family.

As difficult as this career is, it can be extremely rewarding. You will learn how to ease your patients fear and anxiety. You will touch the lives of many. After a few years of experience, many doors will open for you.

I can't tell you what to do, but I would advise you to think very hard about going into this career.