I just don't know if nursing is really for me

itsmejuli · Jun 3, 2010

There's nothing wrong with discovering that nursing isn't for you. Don't be miserable in your job, go find something that you like.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2010

What is is specifically that you dislike? I know that even in my pre-nursing work life, almost every job I ever had made me want to quit in the first week or two. Change is difficult and learning curves are steep everywhere.

advsmuch08 · Jun 3, 2010

Feel the same way here. I was in an accelerated program and kept expecting to find my niche in nursing but never felt like I found an area that fit. Between graduation and my current job, I felt so much happier and back to being myself. Now I've been in this RN position for 2+ months and know in my heart that this isn't for me. I have a great deal of respect for nurses and this profession. I think I was more in love with the classroom material vs. the clinical portion. Try talking to family and friends for some advice since they know you best. I know there is no perfect job but happiness is most important in life.

bumLVN · Jun 3, 2010

Thanks so much for the replies. IDK it's just so much responsibility and I feel like it's a burden for me knowing that these people's lives depends somehow in me not making a mistake and all that. Sometimes I feel that it is okay but most of the time I feel like I can't handle the stress. I just feel guilty with all the support that I got from my husband while I was in school and all those time looking for work. I feel like I would let him down if I quit nursing altogether. I have so much respect for nurses too but just don't have the confidence that I can do it. I should have known from the start (

Jen{NAR} · Jun 3, 2010

Honestly, I think you have to give it a little more than a week. The first month or two is going to be the most stressful because you are orientating to a knew facility and you are finding your niche in the system. I know it is stressful ((I am not a nurse, but I am a nursing assistant and see it first hand through how stressful the first couple of weeks it was for me and how stressed some of my nurses look after a hard days round)). I think there is a reason you went into nursing and now that you have graduated you have to find what that reason is. Geriatrics is not for everyone, SNF, ALF, etc. Med/surg not for everyone either. There are other opportunities out there, such as childrens hospitals...OB....stuff that is a little less intense and a little more light hearted...and if even after 6 months you don't like it you would have the experience to try non-bedside nursing. So don't give up...just breathe and think real hard....what do I want to do. Good luck!

LaurenMichele88 · Jun 3, 2010

I think you should stick with it for a little bit longer.... you just might like it after you get used to where everything is/how everything works! :) If you still don't like it, then there is nothing wrong with that. Do what makes you happy, that is most important! Best Wishes to you!

Tina, RN · Jun 4, 2010

I think you should give it a little more time. Maybe it's direct, bedside patient care that you don't like? There are so many other options in nursing. How about Case Management, or school nursing? Maybe even home care? That seems like it would be a little less intense than bedside nursing.

Best wishes!

bumLVN · Jun 6, 2010

Well right now i'm just trying to do my best and try to stay and get the experience I need. Who knows maybe you are all right and that I might like it. I just always remind myself that if I don't succeed in this then it will not be the end of the world.. and it helps...thanks everyone.

Moogie · Jun 6, 2010

Thanks so much for the replies. IDK it's just so much responsibility and I feel like it's a burden for me knowing that these people's lives depends somehow in me not making a mistake and all that. Sometimes I feel that it is okay but most of the time I feel like I can't handle the stress. I just feel guilty with all the support that I got from my husband while I was in school and all those time looking for work. I feel like I would let him down if I quit nursing altogether. I have so much respect for nurses too but just don't have the confidence that I can do it. I should have known from the start (

Please don't be so hard on yourself. It's difficult to know right away if nursing is right for you. I do agree with other posters that you might need to give a job a bit more than a few days to see how you feel and that anxiety is pretty normal among new grads. Maybe you could talk to your favorite nursing instructor about what you're experiencing and your fears of making a mistake.

Nursing is stressful. What kinds of things do you do to handle stress? You might need some help in handling your stress and anxiety, maybe a therapist, maybe yoga lessons, physical exercise, something fun with your husband. Stress-management techniques won't eliminate the stress but they'll help you deal with it more effectively.

Also keep in mind that you need to make a decision based on how your feel, not on whether or not you would "let down" your husband. If nursing proves to not be what you want, you will need to be open and honest with him about your feelings so he can support you in whatever decision you make.

You know, if you want to do daycare, it is possible that being a nurse would be a real plus for you...but do remember that you are responsible for little lives in daycare, much the same as you are responsible for other people as a nurse.

Good luck in whatever you decide! But do please try to hang in there a little longer because you do need to give a place a fair chance. I think you might regret it if you don't give nursing at least a chance.

amu_ranate · Jun 6, 2010

I would like to share that what you finish in college doesn't determine your work. My dad is a nursing garduate but later ddin't like it and he eventually became a school bus operator. As you go along the path of life, you would see what you want, and you will feel where is your place in this world.

-bro. amu_ranate

bumLVN · Jun 7, 2010

Please don't be so hard on yourself. It's difficult to know right away if nursing is right for you. I do agree with other posters that you might need to give a job a bit more than a few days to see how you feel and that anxiety is pretty normal among new grads. Maybe you could talk to your favorite nursing instructor about what you're experiencing and your fears of making a mistake.
Nursing is stressful. What kinds of things do you do to handle stress? You might need some help in handling your stress and anxiety, maybe a therapist, maybe yoga lessons, physical exercise, something fun with your husband. Stress-management techniques won't eliminate the stress but they'll help you deal with it more effectively.
Also keep in mind that you need to make a decision based on how your feel, not on whether or not you would "let down" your husband. If nursing proves to not be what you want, you will need to be open and honest with him about your feelings so he can support you in whatever decision you make.
You know, if you want to do daycare, it is possible that being a nurse would be a real plus for you...but do remember that you are responsible for little lives in daycare, much the same as you are responsible for other people as a nurse.
Good luck in whatever you decide! But do please try to hang in there a little longer because you do need to give a place a fair chance. I think you might regret it if you don't give nursing at least a chance.

That's exactly what I am doing right now...trying to hang in there and see if I like it. If i really don't like it, at least I can tell myself that I've tried really hard. Thank you so much for your time and advice...I will take it to heart.