I'm a third year nursing student and I don't think I want to be a nurse anymore.

JLKNurse · Jul 31, 2008

There are an array of nursing opportunuties available. You don't ever have to work at the bedside. Don't be hard on yourself. You must like nursing and understand the difficult concepts or you wouldn't be top in your class! One more semester to go

jonathanknbo · Jul 31, 2008

There are an array of nursing opportunuties available. You don't ever have to work at the bedside. Don't be hard on yourself. You must like nursing and understand the difficult concepts or you wouldn't be top in your class! One more semester to go

And what is that array of opportunity?

thanks

lisabeth · Jul 31, 2008

I understand exactly what you are feeling. It was that way for me last year, only it was the grades for me. Clinicals were awesome. I had to drop because I knew I was going to fail. I came back this year feeling like it would help out with the test taking, and it sure enough did. The problem is, I am having some health problems, and therefore, I didnt feel like I would do so great with clinicals...giving meds, etc. There is no room for mistakes. I just dropped Monday, the only thing is, I dont have a first career, so I am kind of wondering...what next???

Good luck to you. I know one way or another, things will work out, so I am not going to worry about it.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

nursing school sucks - no doubt about it. Working as a nurse and being much more independent is not all bad all of the time. Often times there are great moments where you can feel great about yourself. Passing meds isn't fun, but it becomes more tolerable. Maybe you can go to a speciality (like ER, of course I have to plug my location!) where it's more invigorating than the floor (for me). Get through nursing school and try out a job, see if you like it before moving back to your old job. What did you do in your former job, anyway? If it was something great like an actress, musician... I'd say chuck nursing, but that's just me!

Don't get too down about reading the negativity within these posts... there are many burned out nurses out there, but then there are also some fantastic nurses. You just have to ignore those that will pull you down. Good luck!

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

If I didn't enjoy nursing school, especially clinicals, I would QUIT.

NO, that's not valid advice. You're likely done with school or dropped out a while back, seeing this post is a bit old.

The real world of nursing begins the moment you're out of nursing school. Hang in there.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

Here goes, WHAT THE HELL? I find it very hard to understand how anyone could simply quit something that they have put this kind of time into. For me, I've asked my entire family to put their lives on hold, in a manner of speaking, to give me time to get this done. I have been wonderfully blessed with an opportunity to seek out a career at the ripe old age of 30. No matter how old you are when you start this road, the ability to start it is a blessing in itself. To throw it all away would be equivalent to spitting in the face of those who have helped you get this far. Harsh? Probably.
This job is hard. Don't doubt that for a minute. But touching other peoples lives in this most intimate way is an absolute honor. And for me, I will sweat blood before I quit. Take what you want out of this message or throw it away. It's human nature to "put your hand to the plow and look back" but YOU control where your thoughts go and if you entertain the thought of quitting, you surely will quit.

More than half of my class quit their nursing school journey when it was 4 months shy of it being over... many people quit after investing time, money, and energy. Who knows why, but just because you feel it's hard to understand quitting doesn't mean people don't have their reasons for doing such. That's a judgmental statement and implying that they're less than you or anyone else who succeeds at nursing - it's a choice, maybe they desire to do something else....

ADPIE10 · Jul 31, 2008

I have anxiety issues and am extremely hard on myself, so a stressful job like this will only add fuel to the fire. I hate reading all of the negative threads on this forum. It depresses me. I don' t want to go to work with a bundle of nerves everyday feeling incompetent every day. I'm not enjoying clinicals. I hate giving meds, figuring out the doses, and blanking out due to nerves. I'm not dumb and am top of my class, but the stress makes me doubt myself and blank out under pressure. I am stressed about school, so how will I be at work? I feel as though depression is caving in. This is a second career for me and I'm thinking about going back to my old one.
With what all of you said about hating your jobs and feeling completely overwhelmed and sick going to work, I cannot live like that. I am in my 30s and do not need that in my life. Should I go back to my former career? I don't think I'll like nursing, and this board is a big part of it.
Please tell me in reality if you think nursing just plain sucks. Be honest.

It sounds as if you are very critical of yourself and would like to learn better coping strategies. I have an extremely high tolerance for stress, but physiologically react by sweaty palms. It's a small price to pay, but makes it difficult to put on nitrile gloves. :chuckle

This forum probably attracts more people that need help than those that can provide help. The people that are enjoying their careers are probably too busy to come to this forum because they are practicing their profession and enjoying a balance of life with their families. When I asked the Nurses in E.R. if they were familiar with this forum, they communicated surprise. The topic of their discussions are rarely of how bad things are. Aside from helping patients, the majority of their conversations revolve around buying a house, vacation, furniture, or specials at a local spa.

Nursing school isn't the best place to determine if you will enjoy nursing. As a fly on the wall, I've noticed that nurses have less of a problem with the patients and more problems with themselves, other nurses, doctors, and Administration. Although some would like to think that this is exclusive of the nursing profession or clinical environment, it has been my experience that humans have a tremendous capacity for complaining and feeling unempowered.

You should decide to stay in or get out based upon your opinion, perspective and experiences. There are a heck of a lot of nurses out there. This forum doesn't reflect everyone's opinion, only those that have too much time on their hands or need to vent. (Myself included :rolleyes: )

Good Luck.

LauraTheNurse · Aug 1, 2008

It could be your nerves talking. If thats the way you really feel remember it is ok. Not everyone loves nursing. Thank G-d there are masters and phd programs now, you have a lot of options.

LauraTheNurse · Aug 1, 2008

Just get your few yrs experience and time flies, it will over before you know it. You might even like it, who knows.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2008

There are a heck of a lot of nurses out there. This forum doesn't reflect everyone's opinion, only those that have too much time on their hands or need to vent. (Myself included )

There's not only venting/negative posts on here. However, when people have a negative view on things, then they seem to seek out the negative (be it venting threads, negative views on nursing, etc). If everything around you is negative, then it's time to take a look within.

There are many great threads that tell of success stories and all kinds of positive nursing experiences.

To the OP: You remind me of myself when I was in nursing school. I had a hard time with the stress. I didn't like it, I thought I was making a big mistake, and I didn't know what I was going to do. But I stuck with it. I'm not going to say it was easy, it definitely wasn't. Going through school and even that first year in nursing ..... it was HARD. But if you can stick with it, the reward can be great. The reward for me was that I can honestly say "I love my job". And I don't say that to sound corny, I say it because it's true ...... I really love what I do and I feel blessed to be doing it.

LauraTheNurse · Aug 1, 2008

Inspirational

LauraTheNurse · Aug 1, 2008

If you LOVE your job as a nurse you are very lucky!:redpinkhe:bow: