Argh. So I went through 2 years of prereqs and 1 year of nursing. I ended up quitting because I really despised clinicals. I originally went in to this major b/c my parents told me to. I thought I'd learn to like it. How could I not like it? It's a respectable profession that ensures job security for life. It's about caring! Everyone and their mom wants to be a nurse! Well, I didn't like it. I must be crazy. I like the learning and teaching part, charting, and assessments; honestly, I didn't like patient care at all. Sorry. I dreaded every clinical. I had a 4.0 even in nursing, but I didn't like actually doing what I had learned. I wasn't good at it either. My clinical instructors always said I was fine, but I knew I was the slowest and that they only saw me 10% of the time. I feigned interest in whatever we were doing. If I had stayed, I would have had to endure 2 more years of clinicals. Then after graduating, I'd have to do 1 year of med-surge before being hired for anything else. What I want to do though, is health education or pharmaceutical sales rep or anything related to medicine but not involving patient care. I know that by quitting, I have closed so many opportunities, but I really couldn't stand clinicals. I knew that the patients I was caring for deserved better (I didn't kill anyone; no worries). Now I'm wondering whether I should have quit or not. Gah. So the million dollar question: Was I wrong or right in quitting?
(Yes, I know I took someone else's spot who probably wanted it more. Sorry, but if you want to criticize me, you can pm me. I would rather receive answers to my question). Please be honest. I can take it (I've been drinking :wink2: ). Thank you all for reading and responding.
Life's too short to regret it. If you hated it, be glad you're done with it. I think I would have _hated_ nursing when I was in my early 20s. Now, in my 30s, the idea is more appealing.
I went to school initially for "Clinical Lab Technology", which got me an associate's degree. I could work in a hospital's clinical lab doing all the bloodwork. Rather than stick with that, I went on to a 4-year school, and earned a degree in biology. I've been doing labwork/research for 6 years now, and enjoy a lot of it. We're even doing clinical trials to treat a hereditary blindness. I have to do absolutely no patient care. I think it was a great career for me, but now I'm feeling a calling for nursing.
So, I think science rox! You can work in academics, pharma/industry, or even sales (after you get some experience, I think). Granted, I _hated_ each semester more than the last, I am really glad I finished and found a career that gave me satisfaction.
You did what you thought what was right. You will figure out what you want you want to do and then think Finally!! It will fit. You will find your way.
So the million dollar question: Was I wrong or right in quitting?
Here's the best advice no one ever gave me:
live to be happy.
Really.
Chase down your own dreams.
I wish I'd followed my heart and done what I really wanted to do, instead of wasting years doing what I thought I 'should'. I carried the expectations and obligations of a fractured, needy family on my shoulders for well over a decade before realizing that living for others meant I'd never see out my own hopes, dreams and happiness.
You already know the answer to your question...
you were absolutely right to be honest with yourself and head in a different direction. It's not foolish or silly to want to find your own place in the world, nor is it selfish to want to be happy. You did the right thing for you, and that is what matters.
Do you have a degree already in something else? Just curious...I have a BS in Public Health/Community Health Ed. and couldn't get a job...so I am going for my RN. The other option is going all the way for your Masters in Public Health. But I do agree w/everyone who said ou made the right decision following your gut. Good luck!!!
If you are interested in Health Education, I'd suggest going the Public Health route. In all honesty, you'd probably have to end up getting a MPH (Masters of Public Health) but its totally do-able. I have a friend that was a MPH (has since gone on to get her PhD in public health) but before she entered her PhD program, she ran a drug outreach/education program for a state college in NC and absolutely LOVED it.
CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN
1,017 Posts
Life's too short to regret it. If you hated it, be glad you're done with it. I think I would have _hated_ nursing when I was in my early 20s. Now, in my 30s, the idea is more appealing.
I went to school initially for "Clinical Lab Technology", which got me an associate's degree. I could work in a hospital's clinical lab doing all the bloodwork. Rather than stick with that, I went on to a 4-year school, and earned a degree in biology. I've been doing labwork/research for 6 years now, and enjoy a lot of it. We're even doing clinical trials to treat a hereditary blindness. I have to do absolutely no patient care. I think it was a great career for me, but now I'm feeling a calling for nursing.
So, I think science rox! You can work in academics, pharma/industry, or even sales (after you get some experience, I think). Granted, I _hated_ each semester more than the last, I am really glad I finished and found a career that gave me satisfaction.