First nursing class and not sure if I should be here...

[shindy_67]

I'm taking my first nursing class this year, and I'm not really sure if I'm making a mistake. I know we have to learn the basics first, but I'm worried that I'll get into the job and end up making beds, changing bedpans, and bathing people for the rest of my life--4 years of school and thousands of dollars wasted on training for a job I'm not going to like. Nothing wrong with those tasks that if that's what you like to do, of course, but it's not for me.

Last year I switched from pre-med to nursing because I didn't want to go to 12 years of school, wanted flexibility if I ever decide to have a family, etc. etc. I'm also a psychology major, and I absolutely love all of those classes, so I feel like there's something wrong that I'm not enjoying my nursing class. (No, I don't feel like I'd enjoy being a psychologist--I wish this were that easy.)

So, I guess what I'm asking is what nursing is really like. I don't have any nurses or medical-types in my family, so I really have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Am I going to be overloaded and have few chances to build personal relationships with patients? Is there any opportunity to make your own decisions about patient care as an R.N., or am I going to end up doing nothing but taking orders from doctors? Am I going to spend half my time filling out paperwork, and the other half bathing people and making beds?

Honest opinions, stories, and recommendations very much appreciated.

[TazziRN, RN]

Perhaps what you should do is take a break. Sign up for a nursing assistant class, or phlebotomy, something that doesn't take as long to learn and can get you into the hospital so that you can really see what nursing is all about. My daughter wants to be a nurse also, but I want to make sure she really knows what she's getting into, so I have gotten permission to take her to work with me a few times. She has seen things that really opened her eyes, but it's helped because she's even more determined that this is what she wants.

[mom and nurse]

Shindy - First of all...welcome to allnurses. :)

You mentioned you like psychology. I know of someone who had a Bachelor's in Psychology who went back to school and became an RN. The person is now working as a psychiatric nurse (this person's psychology background came in handy). There are many opportunities for nurses today. If your hospital has a psychiatric ward, ask if you can talk to a psychiatric nurse.

Nursing is hard work, especially hospital nursing, but there are other areas for people with the BSN outside of the hospital like Community Health Nursing. Notice how many different areas of nursing there are in our forums (under the various nursing specialities). As an RN many of the things you described are performed by CNAs (nursing assistants) and not the RNs (though I need to add, I've had to place bedpans under patients etc., but not often. Though I have only had to give one patient a bathe). I spend most of my time as an RN assessing the patient, handing out meds, counselling patients, comforting family members. As a rehabilitation RN most of my patients are newly handicapped (or disabled) so they stay with us anywhere from 3 weeks to several months relearning their activities of daily living and yes I carry out doctor's orders but the specialty of rehab is more team related...I'm a team member with the Occupational, Speech, Physical Therapists and also the physician (called physiatrists in our field). We have team meetings to discuss how to proceed with the patients. (more on rehab nursing at http://www.rehabnurse.org) and what rehab nurses do at http://www.rehabnurse.org/about/definition

Not sure if this is helpful.....

mom and nurse

[truern]

Changing beds, emptying bedpans, and bathing patients most certainly is not what a nurse does all the time, but there ARE times when you will.

Unless your school requires you to have your CNA certification, then they have to start with the basics of nursing care. Doesn't mean at all that they END there

Give it time, OP...

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You're learning the basics. It certainly isn't what nurses do primarily. If you work in direct care with patients, there are going to be times that you you're going to be doing these things. So if it's a big turnoff consider something else. But do you honestly think you'd be in school for four years only to learn how to make beds and empty bed pans?

Good luck to you.

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

:icon_hug:

Well, I went through much of the same thing. Still am, actually. I know it is soooo hard not to know! I am in Block 2. And you know what I came up with?? Well, there are always going to be parts of a job you hate and parts you like. It is very rare to have a job you love all of the time. Many told me to "take a break" "step back and see if it what you like" etc, but I feel if I had done that I just would have talked myself out of trying nursing all together. The farther I get in nursing classes, the more I see it is more than just butt wiping, but at the same time, I still wonder if it is for me. BUT....unless you are in your PERFECT job (if you are so lucky to really, really, know what that is-by all means go for it) there will always be stuff you like/don't like. The difference to me in nursing is JOB SECURITY and FLEXIBILITY. I can work part time if I want and do something else part time if I want. I know there are many different ways to use a nursing degree.....I don't even know what all of them are.....and atleast ONE is bound to be for me. Same for you!!

You will never know FOR SURE if something is right for you. You will, however, know for sure that a job will always be there. You can't say that in many other professions. As long as you don't HATE people and are caring, I say STAY. School is hard, especially when you are not for sure, but everyone I know says "Keep at it". It gets better. It may take a while, but it does. I still have days where I think I should get out. But then I think, "what would I do instead?" and can't come up with an answer. No other field looks quite as good to me.

Good Luck to you!! Atleast get past the first month. When you first start classes you have the flight or fight sydrome working in ya. :rotfl: Get past that to see how you really feel. What I do is keep putting one foot in front of the other DESPITE all my worries. Before I know it, it will be over!!! Sometimes that is all you can do. School will be stressful, roll with it or get rolled.:chuckle

[NaomieRN]

Since this only your first semester, wait another semester and see. You might like a different area, like Psy or maternity. Dont give up so fast. Have a little patient.

Good Luck to you

[Needsmorechocolate, ASN]

What about calling a local hospital and requesting a day to go and shadow one of their nurses? It would give you a chance to see some of the things that nurses do for their patients. But remember, hospital nursing is only one type of nursing. Nurses have endless career opportunities. Best of luck to you!!

[Dianalynn19]

hi there:

what area of nursing school are you in right now? if you aren't sure, maybe lpn would be a good place to start. i also agree with the advice on checking into the psychiatic nursing field since you already have a degree in psych.

nursing has so many variations at any level and you can go anywhere in this field. there will always be the sick, aged and dying and you belong somewhere or your education would state otherwise. i say: keep going until clarity comes. give it a chance. the rewards are endless.