Don't think Nursing is for me

Nursing Students General Students

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I am in my first semester of a diploma program. So far, it's been fine. I am not failing anything. All my grades are in the 90s. However, I don't feel interested by it. I like it, but not passionate about it. I am thinking about transferring to the local university. I either want to go into biology or history. I just think that if I am not too keen on nursing now, I'll wind up hating it late. Nursing is a profession where you need to be passionate about. I feel as if I continue and do finish the program, I wouldn't be the best nurse I can be because my heart will not be in it.

I just don't want to jump the gun and make a mistake. I need to talk to my dad about it since he pays for my college. I am worried that he'll be upset because I am changing my mind but at the same time, I think he'll understand.

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There are so many fields within nursing, I wouldn't close the door just yet my friend. I can tell you that I personally wouldn't be satisfied being a floor nurse (for example)...but the opportunities go way past that. Before you make any rash decisions, you should take a look at all the options available once you have your license. I once worked for the home office of a firm who creates various health care products and they employed nurses to help teach about the products (not sure how much they make in relation to other jobs in nursing - but that's just for an example)

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I understand that they are many different options and places to go with nursing, but I really don't think I can emotionally connect with patients. I was on clinical, and I really couldn't see myself in that field for the rest of my life.

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If I were you I'd give nursing more time. A few weeks into the first semester is not enough to get to the interesting parts and not enough time to learn to connect with patients well. As the other poster said, there are many careers in nursing. That being said, there are pretty much NO careers with a biology or history degree. The market for high-school teachers in these fields is beyond saturated, plus you'd need a master's degree. The market for college professors is even more saturated (and you have to spend years of your life getting a doctorate degree to teach university to begin with). University is more expensive than a nursing diploma program as well. Sticking with the nursing degree gives you a good chance of getting a well paying job when you graduate and the ability to pay back loans if you have them. A 4-year degree in history will leave you with more student loan debt and a LOT slimmer chance of landing any kind of job.

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i'm also in the same position as you, we are only on our 6 weeks...and so far i don't think doing the clinicals is the thing for me...and u know what, my mom said the same thing to me that that's not all we do as a nurse, we don't just change the linen, get the bed pan, and talk to the patients...so i guess i'll give it more time since we're only on our first semester, i'm really looking forward for peds though, coz i can see myself just working in the nursery with the babies..but i don't know coz i don't wanna waste my time if i really don't like nursing...so i'm really confused. >.

need some advice too.

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Yea, that's how I feel. I don't want to waste my time, but I kind of snapped out of it. I was just in a rut I guess. Once it gets to the point where it affects my grades, then it'll be time to leave.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

There is nothing wrong with making a change -- and it is MUCH, MUCH better financially if you switch your major sooner rather than later. If you and/or your parents are spending lots of money on school, you owe it to them and to yourself to not waste that money by dragging your feet just becauase you don't have clear plan.

But before you start spending money on another course of study... be sure to do plenty of homework about the career options in those other possible fields. Whether you switch or not, you don't want to spend a lot of time and money on a degree that does not get you a career that interests you. (What would you do with a bachelor's in biology? ... or history?)

If you really do not yet know what kind of work you want to do as an adult ... perhaps you are not yet ready for college. Perhaps you would benefit by taking a year or two to actually work in the fields that interest you (after finishing this semester, or course). For example, you could get a job in the health care field and see how that feels to you ... get a job in something related to history ... etc. Talk to people in different careers, explore possibilities, etc. ... maybe take a couple of classes as a local community college .... and then resume your full time studies after you have a clear sense of what you want to be when you grow up.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I'm thinking about quitting too. I'm middle-aged, and am in my first semester of nursing school after taking 29 hrs. of pre-reqs. I'm coming into it for good reasons - was my mother's caregiver, am a cancer survivor, am empathetic/caring - but at the same time, I think the paperwork is going to drive me mad, nit-picky rules-must-never-be-broken-for-any-reason-even-if-our-rule-doesn't-always-make-sense types are going to drive me crazy... it just all seems so rigid. However, I'm sure part of that is just that they want us to learn everything The Right Way first. In reality there's probably a little (but maybe only a *little* leeway in the real world). The workload is insane, and not for the first time, I'm thinking 'this may just not be enough "me"'. Sigh.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
A 4-year degree in history will leave you with more student loan debt and a LOT slimmer chance of landing any kind of job.

Trust me on this--my first degree is in history (without the education component). It was great, but pretty much useless. Unless you plan on going on to law school or other grad school, history is a waste of a degree. I can't believe I'm saying that, I don't believe that any education is a waste, but in terms of practical economics, it's not a great choice.

I'm assuming that you've already paid for your fall semester and can't get a refund--I'd stick it out that long and see if things improve. I found I hated the first couple of months of my LPN program, but loved it in the end. Now I'm hating the first couple of months of my RN program, but just keep telling myself if I can through to May, I'll be all right.

Now to sound totally contradictory--there's nothing wrong with changing your mind. Everyone has their own gifts and talents, and maybe nursing isn't for you. There's nothing wrong with that. I wish the best for you!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

My :twocents::

I think you need to at least finish this semester. I, like the above poster, HATED my first semester of LPN school, when I was introduced to geri pts, I FELL IN LOVE! I spent more time studying and learning everything I could. Now, I'm back in school and hating it. All the studying, etc. But, I know I love nursing.

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Thanks everyone. I really thought about it and snapped out of it. I just think I felt overwhelmed by the career and had some self doubt. I remembered how excited I was when I got accepted and how anxious I felt waiting for that acceptance latter. I had class today and I feel really good about it. Basically I was just out of my comfort zone.

Living by a new rule that I came up with today:

No more self-doubt because today, I am living the dream

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So it's safe to say the nursing field ISN'T overtsaturated?? We're living in times where the mindset is "Be a nurse. Make good money." And whether we want to admit it or not, the vast majority of nursing students out there are going through the motions to become a nurse to make money. When going to clinic, it's the same sourpuss nurses that should've retired DECADES thast are still there with the proverbial dark cloud hanging over them....the new grads that soon realize that they have 8 crybaby patients that won't give them a moment's peace, and come to the conclusion that there is no dollar amount aht could make them happy in the nursing field.

I would give it more time, too. It's just the beginning. Exlpore the other options you have within the field, but please don't do it for the money. It'll suck the lifeblood out of you and make everything you touch turn to poop.

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