Help! How do I make it through Nursing school even though I hate it?!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Alright, So I'm a second year nursing student in the BSN program. I always thought I wanted to be a nurse until I got here, now I just want my degree and I want to move on. I've already made it to my second year (out of 4 awful years) and.. I'm doing great as far as sciences go, but mediocre in actual nursing courses. I can't bring myself to study for courses like Maternity and Family nursing, so usually I just try to pay attention in lecture and I get by with 3.0s/4.0 ish. Which isn't bad I guess, but this year is no different, only, I have awful clinical rotations. I have AWFUL clinical instructors which just make the experience so much worse.

Let me just give you an idea of how dumb this one instructor is, we were given a scenario and the scenario was a 62 year old, Obese client presents himself to the hospital. He states he has not voided in 3 days and has apparent peripheral edema in his legs. Upon auscultation of his respiratory sounds you hear crackles. Blah blah blah blah to the point, the doctor apparently orders 2 units of insulin via IV because he has a CGL of 12. So the instructor informed us that we should give him 82 ml/hr of IV infusion. I said that this is unacceptable, he shouldn't even be getting insulin via IV has he hasn't voided in 3 days, he clearly has pulmonary edema starting and he has marked edema in his legs!! He is clearly in renal failure and this, excuse me for saying, ***** wants to give him 83 ml/h?!?! God have mercy on anyone who has this woman as their nurse.

The other instructor is just absolutely equally awful! She contradicts herself so often and gave me hell because I didn't put my pillow opening facing away from the door. God forbid! Sorry, but that'S very 80s nursing. Oh, and I got scorned on by her because I didn't comb my clients hair to her liking, and I didn't shave my client even though whenever you go to touch his face he flails his head back and fourth.

There is so much more I could tell you about how awful this is, like how there's always a power struggle between RPNs (LPNs in the states (I'm from Canada)) RNs, Doctors and Paramedics. And the animosity and cruelty that nurses bestow upon each other. But I'll just leave it there for now.

So what I need is help. I just... I just need someone to help me find and get the motivation to get me through these last 2 and a half years, because I already feel burnt out. ANd I don't plan on being a nurse, I plan on going back to school after this for Medical Laboratory Technology, but I want my degree first, and i've already put so much financial and mental effort into this program, why turn back now. Can people tell me how they got through?

Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

One day at a time! Just remember the best part about nursing school is that it DOES have an end!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Haha thanks!

And you're very right, I always just think, it'll be over sooner than later!

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Haha thanks!

And you're very right, I always just think, it'll be over sooner than later!

Steven007,

I am right there with ya! (if misery loves company)... my mom sends me a text with the countdown of days until I graduate. (: YOU CAN DO IT!!

Either that, or switch become a communication major (super easy!) and go to medical or PA school where there's not so much "fluff".

Good luck!

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Specializes in CNA.
ANd I don't plan on being a nurse, I plan on going back to school after this for Medical Laboratory Technology, but I want my degree first, and i've already put so much financial and mental effort into this program, why turn back now. Can people tell me how they got through?

Thanks!

For heaven's sake quit RIGHT now and go get your Medical Lab Tech cert! If you really want a degree, switch to biology or something. You think you hate it now? It will get much worse!

You are only in the second of 4 years so you have time to get out.

I cannot imagine going through nursing school if I didn't plan to be a nurse. Wow.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I agree with the PP - for heaven's sake and your own sanity, don't continue in NS if this is not what you want to do. That is very counterproductive for everyone involved.

Re your patient treatment example - There are many reasons for decreased urine output and fluid imbalance. . . your reasoning is simplistic but a natural reflection of your current level of education. It is disconcerting that you (a student) apparently did not stop to think that maybe you did not understand everything. A bit more humility would made your life easier as a student.

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I'm currently in my first semester of an ADN program, but I already have my AS in Biology. Anyway, I'd have to say that I agree with the other posters. If you don't want to use your degree after graduation, then why get it? It's like getting a car and never driving it and taking the bus all the time...

If you want to work in/with the lab, then get a degree for that. I'd imagine that many of the prereqs would be the same.

Good luck in whatever you decide. :)

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You're only in your second year, why can't you change majors? I didn't even declare my major (BA degree) until the end of my sophomore year.

Why in the world would you spend 2 1/2 more years getting a degree you don't plan to use??

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I have found that I do better in courses that pertain to my degree: I feel less stress and I actually enjoy studying. Why put yourself through the stress of nursing school if you are not planning on being a nurse in the end? I agree with previous posters, get a degree in biology or another science. You said it yourself, that you do well in the science aspect of things. Sometimes, crazy amounts of stress aren't worth the money. And ultimately it boils down to- can you see yourself going through all of this for two more years?? I commend you for working hard to reach your goal and I hope that you can find a solution.

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Don't torture yourself if you need not to. Go for your Med Lab Tech degree and save time.

I kind of understand how you feel about nursing. Med-Surge was tough for me. What i intend to do is a earn an advance degree in nursing so that I can get away from the fluff stuff. I may be wrong about that.

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2 more yrs !! Can't say what YOU should do but can say your going to have more oppty w/ a BSN. You don't ever have to touch a patient but go into administration if you choose. You can do all kinds of work in healthcare that doesn't involve much of what your doing now... I say do what u have to and finnish. You'll regret it if you quit now.

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Specializes in CNA.
2 more yrs !! Can't say what YOU should do but can say your going to have more oppty w/ a BSN. You don't ever have to touch a patient but go into administration if you choose. You can do all kinds of work in healthcare that doesn't involve much of what your doing now... I say do what u have to and finnish. You'll regret it if you quit now.

Why would you want someone who never desires to touch a patient to go into administration overseeing people who actually do touch patients?

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