I need some encouragement to stick with this career...

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 8, 2009

It's important to figure out EXACTLY what it is that you like and don't like. For example:

1. Do you just have problems with the intensity of the program ... but are actually OK with the actual patient care? If that's the case, switching to a slower-paced program might be worth the investment of extra time.

2. Do you actually hate working with patients? If that's the case, then maybe nursing is not for you.

3. Is it just this one instructor?

4. Do you find the subject matter interesting? If you do, then maybe you are on the right track for a career ... but maybe not in the right program ... or maybe you just need to endure this one bad experience as part of your education. Nothing is perfect.

Do you see what I mean? Simply being dissatisfied with a particular situation is not enough information to make a big life-changing decision. Figuring out what you really like and what you really like will help you know which way to go. You also need to analyze whether the problem is a tempory one (such as a bad instructor ... or a program that is not well-suited to your needs) that can be overcome, changed, or simply endured for a while ..... or whether the problem is that you really have no interest in doing the actual work of nursing.

Keep in mind that you will probably have to actually practice as a staff nurse for a while even if you do eventually go on to graduate school and get a job away from the bedside. Do you hate it so much that you are unwilling to do that for a while? If so, then nursing is probably a poor career choice for you -- and it would be silly to throw good money away on a career that you hate that much.

Mike A. Fungin RN · Jul 9, 2009

:yeahthat:

katie_c_s · Jul 9, 2009

Thanks llq- you're right. I just needed to figure out what exactly was bothering me and if that was worth dropping out of the program. So I did some thinking... basically that one professor was the reason I was so upset. I thought it would be the nursing home I disliked, but I actually don't mind it. I mean, I don't want to specialize in geriatrics, but I do enjoy spending time with my patient and the other residents and I think it's a good place to start learning about nursing.

The class load doesn't bother me, I actually like it; it keeps me motivated and on track. It's just the disorganization and setup of the program in general that upsets me. For example, everyone is stressing the importance of pathophysiology in nursing but we had to take it in an online 8 week class. I hardly learned anything! I just crammed every week to pass the test we took every Thursday. Also, I feel like the school has these expectations from us, but we all come from different disciplines, so how can we know anything about nursing you know?

I just need to finish up the next 3 weeks, then I get a 3 week break before fall semester. Fall semester we are taking OB, Peds, and Med-surg, so our clinicals will be in the hospital, which I think I will like even more.

The professor I am so upset with is just such a b****. Really. She talks down to me, which is such BS since she's supposed to be teaching me not judging me. And she lies. She lied about 4-5 different things on Tuesday to make the students look bad and her look good. I guess if it's bothering me that much, I should just confront her about it.

Anyway, thanks for the reply llq. It was just what I needed, some logical questions to ask myself before I made some emotional decision I would regret later.

potterstudent · Jul 11, 2009

i think if you don't really love it you shouldn't do it.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 11, 2009

I have been really upset with my accelerated program lately. I'm less than 1 semester in and I feel so frustrated. I am upset with one teacher in particular and she happens to be my clinical instructor, which I think is the most important. I think this program is super disorganized and I'm wondering if I made a big mistake. I'm really not enjoying anything, but feel like I need to stick it out because I committed myself. I don't even know if I want to be a nurse. I always thought once I got my BSN, I would go to graduate school to become and NP or CRNA, but I don't know if I can get through this program, even though it ends Aug 2010. Can someone give me any advice?? Did anyone feel the same when they went through school? Much appreciated- Katie

Katie -

I also did an accelerated BSN program. Our program was "semi-organized", meaning that anything you thought was a "definite" was in reality more of a "probably." The main phrase used over & over was "be flexible". If the schedule says that your clinicals are Mon & Wed 8AM - 4PM, and in reality, they are Tues/Fri 10-6PM, we were expected to suck it up. Schedule changes were communicated only a week or two ahead of time, which made it very difficult for the students who were trying to work during the program.

Your feeling of cramming all the time, wondering if you're really learning the material, may be normal. It seemed to be in my program. Many of the students mentioned being concerned about whether they really knew the material - the pace was so fast & intense.

If it's just one instructor who's a pain, try to stick it out. Accelerated programs ARE very fast paced, and there's not tons of time to absorb the information. Many of our courses were crammed in a 5 week section. Before dropping out, make sure to speak with the director of your program, or a trusted professor.

Good luck!

Kittyfeet · Jul 12, 2009

I felt really overwhelmed and freaked out at first... even into the second semester I was questioning myself just because I felt so stupid and like I couldn't keep up (even though it wasn't true). Plus my clinical instructor was a really nice lady, but very critical and I always felt like I was missing something. The next year though, it really started to click and I had a clinical instructor who said she thought I had great assessment skills, and any time she asked me about a diagnosis even if I didn't know *everything* she said she felt confident I knew generally what to do with the patients I had. It really does affect how you feel. I would try and stick it out! You may get used to it.. a lot of people describe a feeling at some point where the lightbulb just comes on and you feel more confident.

katie_c_s · Jul 12, 2009

Thanks guys! Just the fact that some of you know exactly what I'm going through and made it, makes me feel so much better! I got to have a long weekend and I really do feel like I need to finish the program. I know I will be very happy I did come August 2010, and after when I actually have a career :)!! Thanks again! I really appreciate the understanding and the advice.

J9G2008 · Jul 12, 2009

I don't think you should talk to this clinical instructor about her behavior. I think that will only bite you in the behind. Just give her what she wants for the next three weeks, and hope to heaven that you don't get her again.

Glad you're feeling refreshed and more optimistic. Go get 'em!

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jul 13, 2009

Thanks llq- you're right. I just needed to figure out what exactly was bothering me and if that was worth dropping out of the program. So I did some thinking... basically that one professor was the reason I was so upset. I thought it would be the nursing home I disliked, but I actually don't mind it. I mean, I don't want to specialize in geriatrics, but I do enjoy spending time with my patient and the other residents and I think it's a good place to start learning about nursing.
The class load doesn't bother me, I actually like it; it keeps me motivated and on track. It's just the disorganization and setup of the program in general that upsets me. For example, everyone is stressing the importance of pathophysiology in nursing but we had to take it in an online 8 week class. I hardly learned anything! I just crammed every week to pass the test we took every Thursday. Also, I feel like the school has these expectations from us, but we all come from different disciplines, so how can we know anything about nursing you know?
I just need to finish up the next 3 weeks, then I get a 3 week break before fall semester. Fall semester we are taking OB, Peds, and Med-surg, so our clinicals will be in the hospital, which I think I will like even more.
The professor I am so upset with is just such a b****. Really. She talks down to me, which is such BS since she's supposed to be teaching me not judging me. And she lies. She lied about 4-5 different things on Tuesday to make the students look bad and her look good. I guess if it's bothering me that much, I should just confront her about it.
Anyway, thanks for the reply llq. It was just what I needed, some logical questions to ask myself before I made some emotional decision I would regret later.

I had the most gosh awful instructor one clinical..I dropped the course in about the 3rd week so that made me part time..when I retook the class the next semester, I had a GREAT clinical group/location/teacher and it got me into the specialty I'm in now. Of course I graduated a semester late, but it was worth it in the long run.

shadowrose45 · Jul 22, 2009

Just a thought--any chance of changing instructors? I did that at Phoenix when I was working on my Masters

calledtodo · Jul 22, 2009

It's tough right now but don't give up.