I should continue with the nursing program or change my degree?

[Joanna369]

Hi, I'm currently a 3rd year nursing student doing a BScN, so a 4 year degree at a university in Canada. I have one more year left to go until I graduate.

I've wanted to be a nurse ever since 9th grade. I saw nurses working at the hospitals and I felt like thats what I really wanted to do. I had my career already figured out since 9th grade... I've stuck along with it and had an interest in it in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. I'm not gonna lie I did not do enough research into what nurses do exactly, thats when I first started nursing school and realized there were so many things I didn't like about nursing. We did foundation courses (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and etc) in our first year of first semester and I found them to be okay. But in second semester we started taking "nursing" classes, like health assessments, nursing theory, and labs like hand washing, vital signs, bed baths and feeding. This was the moment I realized I started to not like nursing... the stuff was extremely boring. I was thinking of changing degrees during this time but clinicals started second year.. so I gave it the benefit of doubt but even then I didn't like it. In our first clinical we were in a long-term care setting and we did lots of personal care like changing clothes, bathing, feeding and I didn't like it. I went along with it until 3rd year, because thats when we start doing acute care (called med-surg in US), and thats the stuff I was into. I finished my 3rd year this year and I don't like what I'm learning... I find the material really boring and I have no interest in studying at all because some of the stuff is common sense. In clinicals, at the end of shift we always do post-conference and I never contribute or reflect on my day because I have nothing to say. Everyone in nursing seems to really like what they're doing and the people in my clinical group have so much to say and so much insight to share from their experience, but I have literally nothing to share. I feel like I don't have a "nurse" personality too. Like I don't fit the role with my personality. A nurse is very outgoing and has a lot of empathy and compassion for patients. And I'm shy, and I feel like I do care about patients and have empathy but like its not enough to showing that I really truly care if you know what I mean.

Should I change my degree or stick with nursing? Throughout high school I found that I really liked math, calculus, physics and chem. And theres none of that in nursing and I feel like thats why I'm so bored and have no motivation. I liked bio too, but in nursing the biology material we learn is very general, it doesn't go into depth. I find my memorization skills on the weak side.. I'm better at solving math equations. The math in nursing is extremely easy. We have to pass a medication administration exam before entering clinicals at the beginning of every semester and I haven't studied for any of them every since my very first clinical and I'm able to get 100% on it every time and do it within 8 minutes.

I'm thinking of changing my degree and doing engineering because I really enjoy math. But here is the problem, I'm already 3 years deep into this degree and have one more year left to go and my student loans only lets u borrow 60k for one bachelor's degree. I took out 15k first year, 12k second year and 10k my third year. If I were to start a new degree to scratch I wouldn't be able to afford it. Don't get me wrong, I really wanted to love nursing and I tried so hard to like it but I just don't. After 3 years I finally realized it doesn't fit my personality and the skills that are needed in nursing school don't match any of my strengths. I think Ishould of switched out in my first year so I wouldn't be having this life crisis right now

[mrf0609]

You have stated repeatedly that you do not like nursing, that it is not a good fit for you. Perhaps pharmacology would be better for you, you can use some of your classes towards it. Nursing is a calling, I believe. If you dislike it before you begin you will most likely never like it. I see too many people get into nursing then hate it, at least you figured it out before you began! Best of luck!

[Swellz]

I'm not a "nursing is a calling" type, but I am a "why work at a job that makes me miserable" type. If you are unhappy learning about it, especially in clinicals, you probably won't like it. No shame in that. I would approach your college guidance counselor or whoever the person is whose role is to assist you in choosing the right programs at school. They can tell you based on what courses you've taken what will apply to other programs, which might point you in a direction.

[soljhs, BSN, RN]

Even though I love nursing so much at school, working at the hospital is still hard and challenging every day. So you would have to have deep foundation and commitment to nursing if you want to make it. If you already dont like doing it, you wont be able to make it far. Just being realistic.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

You sound like you would be a good candidate for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

But they don't have CRNAs in Canada, as far as I know.

If you were in the US, I would definitely encourage you to finish your degree and find your niche, as nursing is very broadly applicable here and there is something for everyone.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to nursing student forum

[Oldmahubbard]

I'll provide an opposing view. You are correct that nursing theory especially, and most care plans are an enormous load of poop.

I didn't expect to like hospital nursing and I didn't. I was able to move on after almost a year of experience. It didn't take that long. I am not sure what the market is now.

I found my niche outside the hospital and eventually became an NP.

I don't know what things are like in Canada.

I am worried that nursing school has become so competitive that the only people that can get in probably should not be nurses.

They'll never be satisfied mostly carrying out someone else's orders.

[araew2129, ADN]

The first thing I thought when reading your post is pharmacy... I agree with a previous poster about taking a guidance counselor about which programs may be a good fit and may be able to use classes you've already completed. I know people who seem very similar to you in terms of strengths and interests and they were very happy going to pharmacy school and becoming pharmacists.

[smarie72, BSN, RN]

nursing is such a diverse field. It is so different than anything I learned in school. I think you should finish then go on for a master’s degree. You can always get your master’s in something related to the health field. At this point, switching to a completely different bachelor’s degree would be expensive. If you go on for your master’s, you’ll get loans again.

[Dollybird]

I can recall being here, hating it, planning a way out and never wanting to do bedside (good thing the profession is versatile). I also loved maths and barely studied for exams. It felt so basic. I wanted to be an Elect engineer, used to open every faulty electrical device and try to fix them growing up(succeeded a few times) and I fell so far from that tree?

Almost 6 years after becoming a registered nurse and I love the profession, i love bedside, there are some lows but there are highs also. I found a specialty I love and got a relatively good work environment and that was all it took. It got easier for me, and I have plans to grow in the profession. Also, the profession isn't as basic as I thought as a student.

I might have done well as an engineer, i will never know but I'm doing great as a nurse. Pharmacology seem like a good option for you like someone suggested but there is no guarantee. I think it's too early to judge nursing cause you haven't even scratched the surface and leaving will be a terrible financial decision.

[Green Tea, RN]

I was like you when I was in a nursing school. I realized I didn't like nursing but I didn't quit nursing school because it was competitive to get in the program (I studied a lot) and I did not find anything else to do either.
I have been an RN for a couple years, and I'm ready to get out. About a year ago I went back to school for my masters in a STEM field (not engineering though) and working as a part timer. I have no regret in becoming a nurse. Meanwhile, I also have no regret choosing to get out of nursing.
I just wanna share my story. Good luck.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I second the motion to make an appointment with your guidance counselor or academic advisor, or whatever you have available to you.

If you're already hating every minute of it, to the point that post-conference feels like you walked into the wrong party, why double down on the time and expense?

I'm willing to bet at least some of your courses will be transferable. Yes, you will have to kiss off some of the time and money you've already spent. You will have family and friends tsk-tsking. But it's your life. I'm a big believer in cutting losses, not going further down the rabbit hole you're realizing you're in.

You're young and smart. Time to start trusting your own guts. Life is full of errors and corrections. Good luck!