I think nursing isn't for me.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 8, 2010

It's a tough question to answer because the answer is not clear. When I was a student many years ago, I hated every minute of clinical. I have also hated most of time spent at orientation on the various nursing jobs I've had in my career. However, I really liked most of those jobs. I have found the experience of being a learner in the clinical arena to be very different from being an actual practicing nurse. I hate the clinical learner experience ... but I like the actual nursing part.

So, think carefully before you make a decision. What exactly do you hate and dread? Is it your role as a clinical learner and/or your relationship with that particular instructor? Or is it the actual care of the patient? If you actually don't like taking care of the patients and/or working in a healthcare environment, then it would be best to get out of nursing now. However, if you actually like working with the patients -- and your problems are with the role of the learner and/or your relationship with your instructor -- then maybe it is worth enduring the temporary hardship to get the career you want in the long run.

tainted1972, ASN, RN · Dec 8, 2010

I love being a nurse, but damn I HATED clinicals. my last instructor was pushy, demanding and sometimes mean. She rushed us in everything we did and I never felt confident in any of my skills. She was very critical, however I learned from my mistakes and the mistakes of others... that is what learning is all about.

It is the clinical instructors job to point out your mistakes. Maybe she is being hard on you for a reason, maybe she sees something that you dont.

When I was a PCA my clinical instructor was very hard on me.. she would yell at me, threaten to put me in a corner (yes a corner!) I struggled with the simplest of things.. like putting on sterile gloves..ugh

Anyway, she pushed and pushed .. eventually I started to get things right because I was determined .. she even tagged me as being her "best" student. I thought she hated me... but she didnt, she saw a nurse in me, and she brought that nurse out.

Try to see the positive, your instructor maybe criticizing you but she is taking the time to do so... because she KNOWS you can do it. She would not be wasting her time with you if she did not have faith in you. You may not see it, but you are being given an exceptional opportunity for growth.

workinghardforit · Dec 8, 2010

Thanks to both, and llg, I think you hit it when you said that it might be the learner role that I don't like. I do like meeting and interacting with the patients, and caring for them, however, I sometimes feel nervous and flustered about doing things efficiently and utilizing the correct techniques.

I become anxious that the instructor will "catch" me doing something against procedure. At my age, I am used to feeling comfortable and in control of myself and my actions, but in nursing I feel like I'm speaking a different language on a different planet. I have a friend in my clinical group who is my age and has my same reservations and feelings about clinical. She said she is being criticized also about her assessments, PPE, etc. , but the instructor told her she thinks she will be a good nurse. The instructor did not even come close to saying anything complimentary about me. I know nurses need to be tough, but I take things very personally.

After clinical it takes a couple of days for me to stop pounding on myself and snap out of my cloud of disappointment and angst. Then I tell myself that I'm capable and I can get through this. However, sometimes I ask myself, "Why? Do I really want to do this kind of work?". Maybe I just need to take my Xmas break and decompress and think hard about what to do. Thanks, though. You did help me.

Music in My Heart · Dec 8, 2010

I have found the experience of being a learner in the clinical arena to be very different from being an actual practicing nurse. I hate the clinical learner experience ... but I like the actual nursing part.

Quoting for emphasis...

I'm with llg on this one; very different animals are the two.

anonymousstudent · Dec 8, 2010

We sound very similar. I had this kind of experience during my first clinical. I just didn't mesh with my clinical instructor, and she seemed very critical and I avoided her like the plague after week one when I figured out what was going on. My advice would be to stick it out another semester - if it's not too much of a financial burden to risk wasting if you do decide to go another route.

Good luck with your decision!

jjjoy, LPN · Dec 8, 2010

I hear ya; the apparently typical clinical learning process goes so against my grain! If I had no choice, I figure I'd survive and eventually thrive. But survival mode takes a big toll physically, emotionally and on relationships. Feeling nauseous, not being able to sleep well, unable to enjoy time off, etc. There's no way to know how long it would take to get beyond that and I *do* have a choice.

So far, working in a clinical capacity hasn't been motivating enough for me to volunteer for survival mode for what would probably be at least a year, if not more. Precepting as a licensed RN was overall a *much* better learning and confidence building experience than being a nursing student, but it was also more draining to me. And to go through something similar every time I change positions?! I so admire those who do make that choice! And while the typical system doesn't seem to work well for me, it seems to work well enough for others. Look how many people are successfully and satisfactorily working as clinical nurses!

I do have my BSN degree and RN license, that gives me a good foundation for what I'm currently doing, which is in the realm of health information management. Who knows for sure how things will play out as time goes on?!

Streamline2010 · Dec 9, 2010

What others said, plus there are bad instructors and good instructors, too, no matter what the field. Some just have no patience, hate their jobs, and/or lack people skills or teaching skills. They may know their stuff, but have no clue how to teach it. Some are witchy little despots, too, once they get "in power" as an instructor. There are some notorious broom-flyers here at the local community college. So decide to just endure it, would be my plan. It's only 2 years. The license says R.N., and tells no tales out of school, lol.

Oh, and I think some of that feeling comes with being an older adult having the college experience. We have definite goals, and some impatience to get the degree done and get the heck out to find a job, vs. first-timers who are there as much for the social life as for getting "some" degree, manana, like there's no hurry. Your motivations and expectations change when you are paying for your own education, too.