I want to quit!!!!!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2014

Sounds like a change in matriculation is in order! If you hate it this much now.....it will only get worse.

Typically, new grads come out of their nursing programs starry-eyed, optimistic about how their futures will look. That's not an insult to new grads, it's just a reality: you (usually) suffer through the trials and tribulations of nursing school, knowing that at the end you get the chance to work as a Real Live Nurse.

Thing is, if that isn't something you are actually looking forward to and you still have two years to go....time to make a change.

I wonder if you might blend your interest in business with your interest in healthcare and look into a degree that would prepare you for Healthcare Administration? The business side of healthcare benefits from having people FROM a nursing/medical background, but that's not set in stone. A strong business background combined with a strong interest in healthcare makes a pretty good candidate. :)

Good luck in your decisions!

ChaeF · Oct 31, 2014

I have thought about it but like you said I have come across what seemed like one must have the bedside experience to move into a position like that.

SnowballDVM · Oct 31, 2014

Have you talked to a career counsellor? If you are this miserable two years in it's not going to get better. You must have a pretty good bunch of courses under your belt already, that could be applied to another field. What sort of business are you interested in owning?

You deserve a lot of credit for being so honest about how you feel about nursing. If it's not for you, it's not for you. If I were you I would make an appointment with a counsellor to discuss what other options might be out there for you, and go for what you REALLY want to do. Good luck!

ChaeF · Oct 31, 2014

Thank you. Its hard to be honest sometimes because those who haven't been through it don't know. But I will. That's actually another thing that's hard... The nursing classes are so specific it just seems like it would be such a waste ::sigh:: ...I wanted to open up a hair salon and start a product line.. in memory of my grandmother.

SnowballDVM · Oct 31, 2014

Aw, what a sweet way to honor your grandmother! Very thoughtful.

I would definitely want to finish my bachelor's degree if I were you. Either in some kind of science, depending on what you've already had for classes, or in business. At least get some business classes in there. I'm of the firm opinion that education in whatever form is never wasted, even if you don't use all of it in your working life. A bachelor's degree isn't necessary for everything, of course, but if you are already almost five semesters in, it might be worth finishing, especially if you can get a bunch of business classes in there.

Better to realize that you are not interested in being a nurse now, rather than ten years into your career. But I'd also advise you to remember that very few decisions are completely irrevocable, and if the business idea doesn't work out, there are a lot of other things out there that you can do!

nlitened · Oct 31, 2014

Why do something that makes you miserable? I think it's time to make a change. You talk about going into business for yourself...have you talked with anyone about this? Maybe someone in your town who has successfully opened their own salon? Get their perspective on things. Just an idea. But in my opinion, life is too short to do something that you hate. Go for what you are passionate/excited about. Good luck to you!

guest769224 · Oct 31, 2014

Nursing school sometimes makes me want to scream, too.

You say your dream is to own a business, keep in mind, NP could open this option for you.

Try to stick it out unless you have a solid alternative.

zzbxdo · Oct 31, 2014

Time is money. If nursing to you is a waste of time, you're bleeding money figurative and literally. If you want to open a salon go for it, you don't need a business degree. Get your aesthetics certs and whatever you need and go for it.

zzbxdo · Oct 31, 2014

Nursing school sometimes makes me want to scream, too.
You say your dream is to own a business, keep in mind, NP could open this option for you.
Try to stick it out unless you have a solid alternative.

Your telling her to suck it up for another 5 or so years. Not reasonable considering she's still a Jr in school, needs a year of experience, and then back to school where she'll be tighter on money for sure.

zzbxdo · Oct 31, 2014

@op, doing whatever you want to do is good enough of an alternative. Just know that any business is risk, so long as you evaluate demand, have the social support and capital.

Everline · Oct 31, 2014

I don't know. I'm going to graduate in a few weeks and I pretty much disliked nursing school the whole time. I was stressed out and miserable. I am certainly not going to graduate feeling starry-eyed and optimistic. I don't feel that way now and don't intend to suddenly get that feeling at pinning. Nursing school has been super hard. But I have asked many nurses about their experience in school and almost all of them disliked school and felt extremely stressed going through it. So I'm not sure it's so unusual to feel like you want to quit and dread going to class and all that, especially as you get further along in the nursing program and have already been through a lot. I do still really want to be a nurse, though. I think you need to figure out if it's nursing school you hate or you absolutely do not want to be a nurse.