Direction Needed

[foxhead]

Hi there,

I am in my 2nd semester of nursing school (just started yesterday). I feel like I need some advice on which direction to take. I had started taking pre-nursing course and then I was diagnosed and treated for testicular cancer. I had to take almost 2 yrs off due to chemotherapy, surgeries, ect. One I was able to, I returned to school.

At first I was not sure which direction to take, but then I decided to continue on with nursing. Now I am in nursing school and I pretty much hate it. I dont like clinical, and am not sure what to do. I know that once I get my degree, I will not want to be a nurse. My parents and wife are telling me just to continue on, because having the degree will help me get a job doing whatever. However, I feel like I am wasting my time and my instructors time. I dont want to continue in the program simply because I have already started it. I am considering switching to a business major, which would put me behind, but would save me alot of depression/headache.

Any advice?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

This is a real case of "God forbid you change your mind!" :hug:

I think if you hate it, this is a profession where it really is not wise to continue. People's lives and to some extent their emotional well-being during illness is at stake. You won't be good at your job/schooling/clinicals if you are miserable and you won't enjoy your life. You have not survived testicular cancer just to plod onward. You have unique insight into the frailty of life. You have faced down the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis and no doubt re-evaluated everything about your life in the process.

It is not unusual to find yourself weeding out the unwanted after a cancer diagnosis. Yes, your wife is affected by your decision, but she will also be affected by your unhappiness if you continue. The rest of your family needs to bounce off you like oil on water. They don't get a vote and any angst they have will surely fade when they see you happy again. And if it doesn't, they are toxic and you need to limit their presence in your sphere regardless.

If you don't want to be a nurse, give up your spot and get on with the rest of your life in a way that speaks more to your heart and head. You have already made your decision I suspect, just need help with the courage it takes to tell those around you what YOU want is going to come first. Assure your wife you will take care of her no matter what, but that a change of directions is in order...then do it. And tell your family you didn't get through cancer only to be miserable. If that doesn't shut them up, nothing will.

[foxhead]

That is really good advice and pretty much what I needed to hear. Thanks!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

If you are thinking of business but want to utilize your sciences, look into Health Information Management (HIM) which includes the billing and collections and statistics part of healthcare to name a few of its specialties. HIM is the business end of healthcare and instead of getting a license you get nationally certified in a number of different areas. These are the people who can cite chapter and verse of HIPAA and Medicare law. It's what I did when I could no longer do the physical work of nursing. There are many different specialties within HIM just as there are in nursing. They have a national organization: http://www.ahima.org/

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

When you go through something so serious I think many people tend to take a long hard look at their life. If nursing is not something you are not interested in, then switch and have no regrets! I'm sure you see life differently now and you should follow your heart. I hate when loved ones try to point us in a direction we don't want to go. I'm sure it is all meant well, but still it's your life and your only you one time around. Do something that will make you content.

I'm a nursing student and while I was on the wait list I just about finished a BA in Health Care Administration. I loved the classes. There are many other careers out there. I wish you the best

At least you realized this before you started working the floor. Can you imagine the misery of hating your job, pt, families, etc!? UGH!

[Feels Like JD]

That little red light blinking in your head is the "OMG my life will be miserable forever!!" light. It's telling you to bail. Quick story. On day one of my first clinical rotation we did the whole icebreaker where everyone says why they want to go into nursing. After all the cliched answers came and went I flat out told the group it was all about the money. After the gasps settled I went about my way. Last Fall I failed med-surg I miserably. I had all year to think about it: how hard I didn't try, the effort I didn't put in, eveything. I came to the conclusion that while the money would be great it wasn't really enough to motivate me in and of itself. I looked within and realized that I would be really good at helping people in the clutch. I've always had a knack for being able to slow time down in my head and make great snap decisions. I know one day with my training bhind me I'll make a difference in someone's life.

If that kind of thing doesn't appeal to you on a "nursing carreer level" don't sweat it my man. But you gotta look deep down where your guts are and see what does.

[foxhead]

Thanks for everyone's advice. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I spoke to a counseler yesterday and he basically repeated what everyone else is saying. I know what I need to do, thanks!