Not sure about nursing anymore

allthingsbright · Jun 9, 2003

Hi Tonya! I am not in your position, but if you are feeling unsure, why dont you give yourself time to think after you graduate. You may just be burned out from school, or maybe you need to go in another direction in the future. Maybe take a break then...

Since you HAVE put so much time into your education, why dont you get licensed, get a job and see how you like it? It's totally normal to have doubts in life-why do you think so many people have 3 to 4 careers in their lifetime? Time always makes things clearer, in my opinion. Oh, also it might help to talk to a school counselor, another RN in a specialty you think you would like, or even one of your professors. They can be good sounding boards and often will offer excellent advice.

Good luck!!

Amy :)

Jen2 · Jun 9, 2003

Hi Tonya. I've never felt like that because I've known I wanted to be a nurse since I was 6 years old. Why don't you look into the teaching aspect of nursing? It would be a great way to merge the two. How about becomming a school nurse? There are many options in nursing, it's very diverse and maybe you just need to find your niche.

FutureNurse2005 · Jun 9, 2003

you could always go through to teach nursing!

best of luck to you!:)

janleb · Jun 9, 2003

I think we all have our doubts right towards the end I know I did. And so did my sister. Something motivated you in the beginning to get into nursing. I think you are just burned out from school and studying. Give yourself a break from everything. Once your out there on your own it is a different story.

TCW · Jun 9, 2003

Thank you for your insight everyone! I think I am alittle burned out from school AND work. I know I have a whole lot to think about. For some reason I already feel like I will be back in school again after graduation. :)

2banurse · Jun 9, 2003

Hi TCW,

I wasn't able to get into the ADN program this year, just short of 2 prereqs and a large application pool. I had been thinking of other health specialties, but I know that with nursing and since you are so close to finishing, there are so many different directions you can go. Nursing encompasses so many different things.

Pat yourself on the back for doing so well in the nursing program. The attrition rate is really low and your finishing your ADN will be a major accomplishment. School nursing would be a great opportunity for you to be around kids, helping them and teaching them. I was just reading a newspaper article how even though schools have been cutting down on their school nurses they are going to have to revisit this issue. Because there have been so many advances with preemies, the survival rate is good, but these little kids still have some major health problems. Also, there is that whole sedentary atmosphere kids are growing up in, a higher obesity rate among young children and with that comes health problems such as diabetes. Children and teachers need someone to instruct them and who better than a nurse.

Good luck to you!

Kris

Genista, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2003

Tonya-

I agree with previous posts that you probably just need a break from all that hard work. Congratulations on your achievement! :cool:

Before I became passionate about nursing, I had thought about being a teacher. Maybe I was crazy, but I didn't have too many doubts about nursing going through school. Although, when I started my first med/surg job as a new grad, I had some serious doubts, and wasn't sure I liked nursing as much as I thought I would. I had a big dose of reality shock, I guess. I sent away for information about teaching credential programs, but kept on plugging away at nursing. I wasn't ready to give up yet. I changed hospitals, and switched specialties 3 times in the past 5 years. It turned out for me, that teaching kept coming back in my mind. Now, after having at least tried several areas of nursing, I know that I REALLY want to try teaching & am back in school to do just that. I know my excellent nursing skills will serve me well in the equally challenging world of education.

However, I hope you give nursing a chance. The first year can be rough for new grads, so give yourself time. It's tough being new. There are so many areas of nursing you can explore. Who knows, you might find your niche & love it! As for me, it turns out I am really wanting to move on to something different (not teaching nursing, but teaching kids), and if that becomes your mindset later on, it's okay too!

Life is an adventure, and we never know what's out there until we take a chance. Good luck in your career! You worked hard to get where you are, so pat yourself on the back! :roll

pokey sn · Jun 11, 2003

Hi Tonya!You know right at this moment I feel exactly how you were feeling when you wrote the thread starter. I am not as far as you are but I am feeling soooo burned out. I feel like why am I here (while at clinical).

Maybe it's because I am doing nothing but CNA work at clinical. Other students are giving IV meds, injections and so far my patients only need PO meds and total care. It's like working for free and having to put up with nasty attitudes from nurses that hate students to boot. At this point I don't know if I want to continue. For 12 years, all I felt like I wanted to do was be a nurse. For more than seven years I have worked as a CNA with no complaints but at this point....hopefully it will get better. Hopefully I can hang on until I graduate. Three more semesters left. I need to rediscover why I wanted to go to school in the first place.

TCW · Jun 13, 2003

Thanks to all who responded...I think I am experiencing a lot of things right now...I know I am burned out from my classes, but I just have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I don't want to do this anymore. I am thinking of asking my advisor if I can sit out for a semester or something. I just have a lot of thinking to do.

Tonya