Feeling a little lost.

Students Pre-Nursing

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I am confused. Beyond confused. And overwhelmed to say the least.

So here's some history to help you understand. I finished my general AA in June of this year and had intended on going on for my Bachelor's in Elementary Education. I met with an advisor from the University I was planning on attending and left there feeling completely distraught. I learned that the amount of student loan debt I would graduate with was much more than I was anticipating, and the job outlook for teachers in our community was really dim. Last year 500 teachers were laid off, and that really opened my eyes to the direction I was going. I have always wanted to work with children, so teaching seemed like a logical choice, but there are just too many cons, no jobs, very low income, and lots of debt.

So I re-evaluated and decided to persue nursing. I work in a hospital now in admitting, and knew I could become a pediatric nurse. It just happened that I had taken many of the pre-requisites my community college required to apply, and only needed to take two more. I enrolled this semester for Anatomy and Physiology, and I am WAY out of my comfort zone. I excel in classes like English and History, but sciences and maths I really don't care for. I am realizing more and more that that is what nursing is all about! I am three weeks into A&P and am having to drop the class because I am just not getting it.

So here is my question, is nursing not right for me? Do you really have to be a science junkie to become a nurse? I want to be a nurse because I want to help kids and be able to work with them everyday, but I am not sure I can cut it? I am worried that if I can't get through A&P, I won't even come close to doing well in nursing school.

CuriousMe

2,642 Posts

I don't know if you need to be a science junkie....but an RN needs to not only understand normal anatomy & physiology.....they need to understand pathophysiology, what happens to the normal physiology in a disease process. It's by using that information, as well as sociology, psychology and other disciplines that an RN can help kids out.

Does that make sense?

Maybe you just need to take a step back and take a bio class to get your feet wet. I'd chat with your A&P Prof and see what they recomend.

EatLoveNurse

17 Posts

Thank you for your response CuriousMe. I work full-time and go to school, so after taking almost 4 years to finish my AA degree I am on the crispy side of burnt out. I think I may just need to take this semester off to breath, recharge my batteries, and go back ready to learn in January. What do you think?

One of the things I did like about A&P is that it wasn't just memorization, but critical thinking. I know I can get the hang of it if I was in the right mindset, but right now my brain is a little fried.

Sart45

149 Posts

OK if this makes you feel any better I have a BA in Art Education and an MA in Education...definately NOT science degrees. I taught art for 23 years...definately not Science or Math!!! I know what you are talking about. I finished Statistics, A & P I/II and Microbiology (one class per semester...I too am working). I am taking Chemistry now...NO comment...as pre-requisites. You may have to spend a bit more time on the classes but you can get through them. I figure they are making my brain work differently than it always had!

Good idea to take a break. I know what you mean about a fried brain...

glitterygirl

97 Posts

im not qualified really to answer as I am JUST beginning to start my nursing classes in a few months.However it ti something I have always been very interested in

I dont think you need to be a science junkie per se...but I do think it should greater interest for you.From what I have seen and read,,,it will only get more in depth for me.My friend took a job as a vet asst because he LOVES animals...well,,the problem was,,,those poor animals were sick and he had to see that side.Same way with you and children.(just something to think about).Have you thought about research or tutoring if you cant find a traditional teaching job?

whatever path you chose,,,best wishes sweetie.

Specializes in School Nursing.

I took Bio I and II for my AA and and I can say Bio I was mind boggling hard. The concepts were almost impossible for me to wrap my mind around. Bio 2 was a little easier. Geology was challenging, but not impossible. I am NOT great in science, but I find it fascinating all the same. I'm currently taking A&P and while it's harder than the other three so far, I am not nearly as intimidated.

Take it slow, it make take some time but if you want this, you will get through it.

Good luck.

iPink, BSN, RN

1,414 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Our educators being paid little is nothing new. People go into teaching not expecting a 6-figure salary (unless you are a professor), but because they like teaching and/or have the ability to teach. In my child psychology class, there were many students who are desiring to become kindergarten teachers.

You changed from teaching to nursing because you found out that teaching jobs may be hard to come by. Well, I hate to break to you, so is nursing jobs. I would stick to your plan of teaching, and go outside your comfort zone (if you can) to another University in another area.

I regret not sticking to my original plan when I first entered college. So, that's my advice to you. Continue to pursue teaching, obviously that's where your heart is.

ChervRN

97 Posts

I am not sure where this falls as far as education and student loans, but what about pursuing something in Special Education? I would think that would be one area of teaching where there isn't a surplus. And you're still helping children~ones who really need it at that. or....being a child psychologist in a school. ~ the number of kids with things like ADHD and Autism seems to be growing.

just a thought. :twocents:

gtshin30303

38 Posts

Nursing is very technical. First, you have to learn everything about the normal human body. Then, you have to learn everything that can go wrong in the human body. Finally, you have to learn how to treat the abnormal human body. It takes a lot of time and practice to learn it all.

chorkle

228 Posts

ELN--

Just an idea--maybe not even possible at your school, and maybe not at all appealing to you--

If you're taking a semester off, to refocus--ask if you can audit the A&P course; this might give you a semester's lectures, no pressure. My guess is, before the end of the semester, some of it will start to come together; and, you'd have a better idea of the necessary workload to do the course. For exam content, you'd probably have to quiz your fellow students afterwards.

mangopeach

916 Posts

If you really want this, you can do it. I have a similar background where I excelled in English and History. I love history and if I thought I could make a decent living, it would have been my major. I took almost every history class imaginable. Just because I love it.

I disliked math and science when I was younger and ran far away from it. Coming from that background, never ever took a science class, except for the basic stuff in junior high; going into science classes in college seemed like a daunting task at first and I too questioned if I was over my head.

I started this journey January of last year. Yesterday, I got the confirmation that I was accepted into my nursing program. Yes me, the person that once hated math and science, that bombed my first chem exam when I started last year, same person that was so backwards in math that I needed remedial classes before taking college level math.

However, I agree with the person that said do what you love. Maybe one of the reasons that I've succeeded thus far is because I've wanted this so badly for such a long time. I felt empty and unfulfilled in my previous career. It was not something that I loved. If nursing is your passion, you find a way.

Like I said in another post, IMO its 90% dedication and 10% "natural smarts"

While you do need to be able to master these classes, no you don't need to be a "science junkie" - You just need to have the dedication and commitment and like I keep saying, finding the style that you learn best and ride it all the way home. Especially for those of us that come from non science back grounds and are used to studying very differently.

But again, I really agree with the poster that said do what you love. If nursing is just a second option, one that you feel may offer you better job security than teaching, then you may end up not being as committed to it and not put your all into it. However, if this is something you want, I think you can do it if you are willing to commit and dedicate yourself to learning the material. Its not going to be easy. There were days I was beyond frustrated, but I stuck with it and worked hard to do well.

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