I'm a third year nursing student and I don't think I want to be a nurse anymore.

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I have anxiety issues and am extremely hard on myself, so a stressful job like this will only add fuel to the fire. I hate reading all of the negative threads on this forum. It depresses me. I don' t want to go to work with a bundle of nerves everyday feeling incompetent every day. I'm not enjoying clinicals. I hate giving meds, figuring out the doses, and blanking out due to nerves. I'm not dumb and am top of my class, but the stress makes me doubt myself and blank out under pressure. I am stressed about school, so how will I be at work? I feel as though depression is caving in. This is a second career for me and I'm thinking about going back to my old one.

With what all of you said about hating your jobs and feeling completely overwhelmed and sick going to work, I cannot live like that. I am in my 30s and do not need that in my life. Should I go back to my former career? I don't think I'll like nursing, and this board is a big part of it.

Please tell me in reality if you think nursing just plain sucks. Be honest.

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

As with all things in life, there are fantastic rewards, as well as sacrifices. There will always be people who take a negative attitude, some because they are under the extreme stress of nursing school and are just venting, and some that are just unhappy people that look for the worst in any situation. I was unhappy all through nursing school due to the cruelty of many instructors to other students. I love being a nurse, and am now a nurse educator. You owe it to yourself to think on what you want, and if nursing will offer that. Don't base your decision on anyone else's views on nursing. You are to one who will go to work everyday. I can also feel the extreme amount of stress in your post. I hope you will seek out or already have an objective party you can talk to about this. Having a very anxious mindset is not conducive to making a decision this large. Remember, there are many different types of nursing, not just bedside nursing. I am still in touch with those I graduated with. All are now happy, although most of them switched jobs a few times to find the perfect fit for them.

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I am in your same age group, hated nursing in my third year.. but don't give up when you have come this far in your education. It does get better. Have you considered something like public health? It is a fantastic type of nursing that does not have the same type of pressure that you are anxious about... it is worth investigating. It is on the health promotion and disease prevention side of things.

Don't give up yet. We lost a lot of students in our third year, but I encourage you to stick it out. Even if you don't ever use your nursing degree as an RN, you can still use it towards many other careers.

Best wishes,

~Shaw~

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Remember that there are many avenues you can go to with a nursing degree. You do not have to work in a fast paced area. You can do home health one on one, work for insurance companies, triage over the phone, etc. You don't have to work in the same capacity that you do in clinicals.

True, BUT in order to get those jobs, you usually have to put in several years doing (med/surg) bedside nursing. At least that is how it is in my area. Hospital staff nurse positions seem to be the ONLY positions open to new grads.

Personally, I'm very disappointed and am very seriously considering applying to the Physical Therapist Assistant program instead. When I first wanted to be a nurse, I specifically wanted clinic work, as I have young children and family responsibilities. But, that doesn't seem feasible because of the hiring practices in my community.

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Specializes in NICU.
True, BUT in order to get those jobs, you usually have to put in several years doing (med/surg) bedside nursing. At least that is how it is in my area. Hospital staff nurse positions seem to be the ONLY positions open to new grads.

That must be area specific, as there are non-hospital nursing jobs around here that don't require experience. And if they do require experience, it's only for 1-2 years, not "several".

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I don't know if you all realize that the OP had posted this last October and considering she has only 3 posts to her name, she is probably long past this decision.

Of course, to say that others don't have this same concern would be wrong of me.

Just a note...

Kris

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we all know that, but we also know that some others come here looking for advice too, now.

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we all know that, but we also know that some others come here looking for advice too, now.

And I don't deny that others are looking for advice. I just noticed that some were directing their comments directly to the OP. That's all!

Personally, I think that anyone who is 3 years in with only one to go, would just finish it.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Thank G-d there are masters and phd programs now, you have a lot of options.

Amen to that!

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That must be area specific, as there are non-hospital nursing jobs around here that don't require experience. And if they do require experience, it's only for 1-2 years, not "several".

Yes, it is area specific....hence, I stated "in my area." :wink2:

Most of the clinics are part of our regional hospital (Sacred Heart) and they require, and I quote from a job posting at my daughter's pediatric office, "3-5 years experience in medical/surgical, ambulatory, critical care, or related; excellent assessment and triage skills." A new grad wouldn't have a chance. Private Dr. offices in my area hire Certified Medical Assistants or perhaps an LPN.

And, I'm sure there are many other areas that hire as mine does.

That being said, I'm not moving.....so....I'm not really sure what to do. I'm sure there are others that feel the same way.

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Specializes in PACU.

I just graduated from nursing school in December. I almost quit in my junior year because I hated all my clinicals and I hated being in the hospital because everyone seemed so unhappy. I swore that if I finished I would never work in the hospital because I didn't want to hate going to work. There is a really high rate of new grads leaving nursing because in some areas the work environment and shortage of nurses can make it tough.

HOWEVER, you really just need to look around and see if it is just the environment and stress that comes with it that worries you? While I was in school I worked in a clinic/surgery center and LOVED it! You could look into more of that type of setting that may be lower stress and a better environment. I wouldn't give up yet! You just need to find an area that you really like with people who are going to support you! I now work in a PACU and love it! I like going to work every day and I have a really great group of experienced nurses that help me out so much. I'm glad I didn't quit!

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