I just quit nursing school. My main fear was of making a mistake in the real world. I feel incompetent because after one year of the nursing program, I can't even give a satisfactory bed bath; in fact, I couldn't even button one of my patient's gowns because I couldn't find the snap to match. I feel stupid; maybe I am too stupid for this. I am afraid of needle sticks, open cuts on my hands, holes in my gloves, accidentally not using sterile technique, relentlessly poking a patient's arm to find a site for an IV and having him become exhausted and angry, forgetting to do an important task and putting my patient in jeopardy, etc. I used to be a waitress for about 7 months. I compare it to nursing, but instead, in nursing, we are dealing with lives, not food. I felt bad enough spilling drinks on customers' laps.
I am now in a completely different major, something completely unrelated to health care, but I am still wondering if I could possibly go back... I was in agony over my decision because I did not know what to do. I only chose nursing because I had two friends who were interested in it, and because I needed to choose a major, I was determined to prove to myself that I could get into the program. I did not hate the nursing program, and I was hoping that I would love it intensely, but I guess I was scared. Should I attempt to go back? Or is it too late... Has anyone ever dealt with this kind of problem? Or is there a specialty in nursing where I don't even have a chance of accidentally hurting the patient?
I can honesty say that can completely understand the way you felt. I came into nursing with no real experience except a CNA course that I took 4 months before I began my program. Maybe as others have said nursing isn't for you, but then again it maybe just the wrong time for you to be in nursing school. I found the first year of nursing school to be intense and very difficult. What was a "God-send" to me was getting a Nurse Extern position at a local hospital after my first year of nursing school. It both made me work in a hospital acting as a nurse without all the responsibilities and allowed me to work on my skills. It basically decreased my stress level when doing my clinical rotations at school. All I can suggest to you is if you decide to go back, completely emerse yourself in it and be aware that your instructors are there to help you....Ask all the questions that you need and never feel afraid to ask questions! That's what I think makes a good and competent nurse.
I realize that this is a more than late reply, but I am grateful and appreciate all of your kind, wise, and well-thought out responses!
I returned to nursing school, and recently took the NCLEX, and after receiving the "good pop-up" from the PVT, I am more than excited to begin my nursing career. *Crossing fingers* I am still cautious, but I think that facing my fears has made me stronger. I've also realized that no matter what happens in my nursing career, all I can offer to my patients is my best. I just wanted to thank you all for your honest replies.
elizabeth_R_N
3 Posts
I can honesty say that can completely understand the way you felt. I came into nursing with no real experience except a CNA course that I took 4 months before I began my program. Maybe as others have said nursing isn't for you, but then again it maybe just the wrong time for you to be in nursing school. I found the first year of nursing school to be intense and very difficult. What was a "God-send" to me was getting a Nurse Extern position at a local hospital after my first year of nursing school. It both made me work in a hospital acting as a nurse without all the responsibilities and allowed me to work on my skills. It basically decreased my stress level when doing my clinical rotations at school. All I can suggest to you is if you decide to go back, completely emerse yourself in it and be aware that your instructors are there to help you....Ask all the questions that you need and never feel afraid to ask questions! That's what I think makes a good and competent nurse.
GOOD LUCK!:)