Food for thought

[CareRx]

So it seems a lot of people on here are career changers. Just like me, many are worried about accumulated debt and have come to notice that perhaps, nursing is that one career that may bail them out and that, surprisingly, they might actually like nursing with all its subfields.

It's late or early (1:40 am); whichever way you look at it. My basketball team lost, and I painfully work on physics & calculus problems trying to remember as much as I can and get into a rhythm so as to apply to engineering schools. It's not happening! I'm tired of jumping all over the place. I'm at a time in my life where I need real income fast and that I'm confident I can finish a program without too much stress. I'm a nontraditional student.

I'm waiting for a possible acceptance letter but I'm also worried that the Committee will see that I am in pharmacy school. In addition, there are many super competitive applicants with experience as CNA, LPN etc... Perhaps, they might be suspicious as to why I'm applying last minute with no nursing tech job under my belt etc... If I don't get into nursing school, my options will be limited. I'll have to consider continuing in pharmacy, which I like, but as I've said before, is too expensive.

Meanwhile, friends and family see me and go: wow, you must be smart, you'll make a lot of money!

Strangers look at me in my white coat and give me this stare: wow, all this math and chemistry. You must be smart! Money!

I say to myself or to Allnurses.com:

Thank you for a minute of your time.

[boojum]

There are no quick fixes in this world. I think people jump into nursing thinking it is their ticket to a quick paycheck, but more and more I am realizing that it is not. If you get into nursing school, sure, consider going, but don't expect it to solve your problems... if you are already in pharmacy school and you like it, I would say stick it out. That is the most likely way to be able to pay off your debts.

[CareRx]

Thank you so much!

I am not sure why I'm feeling this way. In my youth, I racked up all the good grades believing I'll find the perfect career. But this is far from reality. I see people here that comes from different background and for one reason or another decide they want to try something new. I hate debt. I suppose this is why I worry so much when I face a very tough exam in which I had to memorize so much. But I chose pharmacy because initially, I'd be scared to prick someone.

In class one time, we were learning how to immunize someone or even checking someone's blood sugar and I was so scared to do it on a dummy model. Somehow, I knew they weren't the real deal. But hey, they say, most fears can be overcome.

Anyways, I'm only in my first year so I need to go back to the drawing board, and remember why exactly I chose pharmacy over medicine or nursing. I need to find that passion again.

However, the work is challenging and sometimes, when I'm unprepared, I panic which then leads to wonders about the consequences of that debt. It seems I don't really enjoy the education because of this stress.

In any event, searching on here, I found out about this website. As it is just my tough luck, the National Health Service Corps doesn't seem to have a loan repayment for pharmacy. Anyone know of such other programs?

Your point is well taken and somehow, I just might toughen it up and enjoy my career as so many people would love to be in my shoes right now. Thank you for your candid reply.

P.S. My interest in nursing is also genuine. I've been in hospitals where I had to care for a dying, very close and young family member. I know the fears. Perhaps I was too busy and worried to notice the emotional side of nursing... but I definitely know the sadness.

[leenak]

So I had trouble sleeping last night because I was having a bit of a pre-req crisis. Considering what I needed to take and when. Then I figured, it doesn't matter whether the schools I apply to are concerned about what pre-reqs I have filled out by the time my application gets in. It really just doesn't matter. If they don't like it, I'll just apply the next round.

Having a crisis about your degree/future/etc is normal I think. I had one in college when I decided I didn't want to go to med school. And I don't regret changing my mind one bit. Will you regret changing your mind though?

I know debt sucks. I oddly enough only went into real debt AFTER I graduated college. I had always been poor so I had no concept of what a real paycheck and taxes and what not all meant. Now the fact that my only debt is a mortgage (which I pay more than the minimum on) and I have a real savings, it is quite liberating. Anyway, I understand the concern but for most people, some debt is required to go to college. And remember, you will be working for a while at whatever job you decide to go so weigh the benefits of your job satisfaction versus the debt you'll incur to do so.