I dont like it

The tummy ache is largely due to working so hard for FREE. It should go away after you get licensed.

could you elaborate a little more about what you dislike about clinicals? what specific things bug you? if it is just giving meds, what about the process do you dislike?

Ok I don't like clinicals because I constantly worry that I'm going to do something wrong and when I go home I keep thinking about the night and what I could have done differently. It is always on my brain. I have a bachelors degree in biology and I'm in an associates program now. I do well in clinical and theory, but I just don't enjoy it. I feel like this program isn't preparing me enough, especially compared to other schools I've been to. I don't like to give meds, especially high alert drugs, I don't like working with people who don't want help (which seems to be often). I don't feel like I know enough to graduate in May. I don't think I've done enough skill stuff (like catheter insertions etc.) to know if I'm even going to like to skills part of nursing. I know there are lots of jobs for nurses that aren't in hospitals though. What I really want to be is an OB nurse to start out. I had a 10 day OB rotation and didn't get to see a birth or even assess a baby because it was so slow! I don't know - I'm a worry wart and I get have GAD, so the stress of the job won't help that out! :) I always wanted to be a teacher, but went into nursing because of the high demand. I think that in my heart I just don't like nursing and I am always looking into teaching programs out of state online. So I think I know in my heart what I really want to do, I think it would be smart to finish the program (I only have one more semester) and get my license so I can always have it....and see what happens from there.

I agree. I think you should at least finish the program. You've made it this far, don't give up yet! Also, after you have your license and work, it might make the world of difference, it never hurts to try. If you work for awhile and still hate it, you could do something else, you could always teach for nursing? Either way I wish you the best of luck!

So do you think that overall you are not being challenged/prepared enough? You should def go ahead and get your license. No education is wasted education. You could always try working as a nurse and see if you feel differently then, and if you still dont like it then atleast you will have a job and a way to make money while you persue something else. Good luck w/ whatever you choose!!

Many of your concerns are valid and quite normal. We all worry and stress that it's tough, we'll never know enough, that we'll harm patients, etc. But given time it we all survive those doubts.

On the other hand, it sounds like you're doing some soul searching and if you don't enjoy (enjoy is a strong word, not many of us enjoyed school) then you need to consider that process because for a while passing meds, educating noncompliant patients, etc. is a big part of the job.

Only you can decide what you want to do. Best of luck.

Part of me says, get out if you don't like it and part of me says stay in at least until you graduate.

- If you really don't like it and don't have the passion for it, their is no shame in going into something else you will actually like. Life is short and you should love the work you do. Don't stay in nursing if it doesn't really make you happy. I too worry all the time about mistakes and I doubted myself at first but when I got to work with the patients I re-realized that nursing is right for me. If it isn't right for you and you feel it in your spirit, then do something you love.

- On the other hand... you have come so far in a very HARD program and may is sooooooooo close. It would be crazy to let all that time and money go to waste when are are just about at the finishe line! Even though I don't reccommend nursing if your heart isn't in it, if you made it this far I really think you should just stick it out... finish your program and take the n-clex. Then you will at least have something to show for all your time and effort. Who knows, you may find some avenue of nursing that your really love!

The way I see it is that you've come this far why not go just a little further to get your license. If you were saying this in your first semester then I'd say quit but you are approach your last so I think the wisest thing is to just finish up. Because what do you have to lose? If you stay in the program and fail for some reason - then it really wasn't for you (thats a lot better then REALLY wanting to be a nurse and then failing). If you stay and pass then you have your license and you can choose what to do with it. If you leave now, you get nothing out of all the time and money you have put in. Stick with it just a little more!

I agree with morningland. Pass your Nclex and get your license. It's many on here that are changing their careers from something else to nursing. Some on this board are currently in Master's programs! So why should nursing be any different if you feel you dont like it after trying for a little while then change careers. I have ran into former nurses that are in other careers. A lot of them arent even in healthcare anymore. Good luck in whatever you choose!

6-10 patients????????? What part of the world makes you do that?

Where do nurses take care of 6-10 patients?! I work on a pretty easy floor and even on night shift nurses max out at 6!!

I always wanted to be a teacher, but went into nursing because of the high demand. I think that in my heart I just don't like nursing and I am always looking into teaching programs out of state online.

Maybe you dislike nursing because you didn't go into the career for the right reason? You should really think hard about what you want to do for a career because it seems like you're already thinking of working on a third degree.......

I too am a worrier, really OCD and tend to perseverate on things. But do keep in mind that nursing school does not equal nursing. In all my rotations thus far, we have had minimal orientation to the floor. We do not have access to the Pyxis keys for the med cart. In some places, we couldn't even get linens/briefs/wipes/alcohol pads by ourselves. This means running to the instructor and competing with 7 other students for her attention. This obviously adds to the anxiety level.

Just being a nursing student means role strain...expected to do xyz, but don't you dare do abc. Having to explain for the hundredth time that the instructor must be present for this or that. Getting comfortable with the unit/staff/clientele and being uprooted yet again. It's just the nature of school.

I haven't done a Foley yet either...all my patients either already had one or didn't need one. I'm just looking forward to my role transition--me and my preceptor, one-on-one. If I were you, I'd just hang on--you've already come this far!