Should I quit nursing?I need advice!

[kiukit]

I am a third semester's nursing student. I am thinking of quitting my program. I don't know. Somehow I don't think I will be a nurse. I have spent 2 years waiting to get into the program in my previous college, finally I get in, and I got kick out in the first semester because of the policy changed of the college. They said they no longer take my english transfer credit that is from another college and they said I am missing an English course and I cannot complete my first semester.

Then, I wait for another year to get into my current college. I don't know if I like it or not. I studied VERY hard and I mostly given up my other priorities in my life because of the studies and I successfully passed my first year.

Things happened 2 weeks ago. I made a medication error in my practice because I overlooked the drug name. I am not going to tell the whole story because it is a very long story. My instructor failed my clinicial and she required me to go back to the previous semesters. Sigh..I don't know. I just think that I should not continue because I have been spending so much time and effort but I still couldn't get through.

I have been thinking of quitting for a while. Other than failing my course, I also doubt about the career because of the busy shifts and random schedules. I wanna help people and care for others. However, I feel like I have no time to care for my friends, family, boyfriend, and help with my church events. Considering my future is not only about the career, it also about my life. I want a life that can let me do more stuff on my own and have time for own family.

I have applied for a nursing unit clerk program. I do not think I will do that for long term because my real passion is to help people suffering in drugs and homeless. I thought doing nursing can give me an opportunities to help them. However, my friend who worked in those area told me that I do not neccessary to be a nurse if I want to work with those people. To be honest, if I will be a nurse, I think I will only be a community nurse that I can talk and care for other's emotions. I do not want/like bedside caring at all.

I need advice. Should I quit?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I need advice. Should I quit?

Yes. You obviously lack the committment and have other priorities that are far more important to you. By staying in the nursing program you are keeping someone out who really wants the opportunity. So, step back and let someone else have a chance to fulfill their dream. Good luck in your other endeavors.

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

Yes. You obviously lack the committment and have other priorities that are far more important to you. By staying in the nursing program you are keeping someone out who really wants the opportunity. So, step back and let someone else have a chance to fulfill their dream. Good luck in your other endeavors.

I don't understand this response. All I am hearing the OP say is that she is frustrated with school due to it's demands on her schedule (all of us feel like that at some point in NS) and that she is doubting nursing d/t busy schedules/low staffing/etc, NOT b/c she doubts if it is for her. She is saying she really wants to help people. So why does she not belong here?? I think it is harsh to say she "lacks the committment". I hear she is just frustrated at this time. She made a med error that got her thinking....likely too much. We all make mistakes.

I'd hate to see the OP give up something she really wants d/t expected frustrations and inevitable student mistakes. Nursing school is hard and yeah, sometimes you go "Man, is this all really worth it?". I mean, you guys say that a lot and you are nurses, "fulfilling your dreams"!! Helping patients may fulfill one person's dreams but hey there is still short staffing, mean doctors, rude patients, rude nurses, way overworked conditions....all that can burst someones bubble. Right??

Sometimes I wonder if I was more cut out for social work. I NEVER would have thought that when I started school. But school does change you, often in good ways. It is never possible to know 100%, without a doubt, how you will like something until you do it. Even if I had observed for a day in a hospital, I'd never know what I know now. No one would blame me if I went for a degree in Engineering and then changed my mind. Why do they do that to you in Nursing School. You got the seat, you earned it! I am also paying for it. I don't in any way feel guilty for staying in school even when I am unsure. I don't know what the future holds. I know that NS has made me a more compassionate person, and that I would be a good, caring nurse. That is all I have to know. Whether I decide to stay in the profession after I graduate, well, that is up to me.

[NaomieRN]

I am sorry to hear about your situation, but if you really want to become a nurse, you have to work at it until you accomplish it. Good luck to you.

[CrystalClear75, BSN, RN]

Things happened 2 weeks ago. I made a medication error in my practice because I overlooked the drug name. My instructor failed my clinicial and she required me to go back to the previous semesters.

Don't you get written up? How could she fail you when your a student and you are vulnerable to make mistakes, your still in the learning process. And you made it this far so you know something!

I just think that I should not continue because I have been spending so much time and effort but I still couldn't get through.

If you made it this far, you CAN get through. I would look at the rules about student mistakes, usually the policy is a written document, ours is called an "unsafe". I also made a med error but I was in the process of catching it but I guess that wasn't good enough, and have a thread on it called "Is it right for me to get an unsafe."

[Bala Shark]

To the orginal poster, look you are only 22 years old..That is still very young..I had classmates who were in their 50s, 40s, 30s and they still went to school..Just keep on trying to pass since you are young..You dont want to miss the opportunity and go back to school when you are not young anymore..Just go for it since you worked so hard in nursing school.

[Sheri257]

Just about everybody in my class has talked about quitting at one time or another. There were so many times when we couldn't help but ask ... is it worth it?

But the job opportunities in our area have gotten so much better just in the last year that yeah ... it's definitely worth it. There's so many things you can do outside of floor nursing also.

Definitely worth hanging in there ...

I also know a lot of people who quit and now really regret it.

:typing

[lankenau07]

First let me say this to you Nursing School is a full time job in itself and I know exactly how you feel. I am a 31 year old mother of two girls, one is 6 and the other is 3,I have a very supportive fiance and I continue to work 40 hours a week and go to school full time and I to am a very active member in my church, but since nursing school I can't be all that active with my children, my fiance nor my church because school takes up all of my time and all I keep telling myself is it's only temporary. I am a senior who is looking forward to graduation in May. So DON"T QUIT!!! if God has opened doors for you to get into school he will keep the doors open for you to remain there. Remain prayerful and faithful to God and watch all of the many blessings he will send your way.

Be Blessed...