In last semester and thinking of changing majors

guest769224 · Jul 15, 2014

Do NOT drop it, stick with it until you graduate. Your RN will be a safety net down the road in case your alternatives don't go through.

And that is unfair to the student who could have had your position in the program that truly is passionate about nursing.

Nursing has several avenues. If you search around, you may be able to find a specialty that fits your niche. I think you'd be able to find something satisfying if you take the time.

RunBabyRN · Jul 15, 2014

I agree with ICUman. You're so close, and there are SOOOO many avenues available in nursing.

Don't even get me started about the person who could have had your spot if you choose to waste it. That is something that really gets under my skin.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2014

Finish this last semester and complete your degree. If you can manage it with your schedule, take one or two elective courses in fields you find appealing to see if it peaks your interest.

If nursing isn't for you, that's fine. But having your degree can give you a bridge to a bachelors in another field or provide an avenue for you to work and finance your next degree.

And please, don't worry about the person that "could have had your spot" in the program. That should not even factor in this decision. You earned your spot there. You didn't enter the program with the intention of taking an opportunity away from someone else. Nor can you decide your future based on an arbitrary obligation to someone you have never met.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 16, 2014

Congrats on realizing this and deciding to do something about it. It's a very responsible and mature thing to do. There are enough nurses who hate coming to work - no need to add to that number.

You may want to look into a degree in health care informatics... it's a combo in which your nursing background would be really valuable.

caliotter3 · Jul 16, 2014

I will offer the same advice I would give to anyone. Complete the degree and get the license. If you don't want to practice, fine, maintain the license in an inactive status. But never forget that this is an employment option down the road. You never know what the future may bring, to include a change of heart on your part. Good luck.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2014

Later, when you've had a little actual practice under your belt, your aptitudes for engineering or comp sci (if they exist other than as vague shoulda-coulda-wouldas) could be just the ticket to an interesting career in biomedical engineering, R&D with an outtasight prosthetic development research institute (look up BiOM or Otto Bock, for example), health management IT, or any number of opportunities with vendors. Broader perspective here. Having the RN is a big door-opener in those realms.

MMA12345 · Jul 16, 2014

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will finish up school and continue to weigh my future options. Biomedical engineering was actually the field I was looking to get into. With so many unhappy nurses it seems and such a high turnover on the floors I have been on I am thinking that nursing is not for me. Nursing school was a great experience but the stress involved with the profession and the lack of respect nurses get from patients, families, physicians, and other nurses is really what makes me not want to practice. By just typing in google "how nurses feel about their jobs" you get thousands of posts from nurses from new-grads to veterans with 30 years experience saying how they hate their job and everything about it. I just don't see the same level of dissatisfaction with other careers when I research it. I know there are nurses that like their jobs but the proportion of those that don't is too high for me to ignore. Much respect though to all nurses it is a tough job that requires a big heart.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Jul 16, 2014

Glad you decided to finish, with only a semester left it sounds very sensible!!! Good luck! :-)

RunBabyRN · Jul 17, 2014

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will finish up school and continue to weigh my future options. Biomedical engineering was actually the field I was looking to get into. With so many unhappy nurses it seems and such a high turnover on the floors I have been on I am thinking that nursing is not for me. Nursing school was a great experience but the stress involved with the profession and the lack of respect nurses get from patients, families, physicians, and other nurses is really what makes me not want to practice. By just typing in google "how nurses feel about their jobs" you get thousands of posts from nurses from new-grads to veterans with 30 years experience saying how they hate their job and everything about it. I just don't see the same level of dissatisfaction with other careers when I research it. I know there are nurses that like their jobs but the proportion of those that don't is too high for me to ignore. Much respect though to all nurses it is a tough job that requires a big heart.

Just be aware that much of this can be said about ANY field. People go online to vent. People don't go online to gush about how much they love their job and don't want a single thing to change. I've seen hospitals with high turnover, and ones where nothing opens up EVER because people are so happy there, and they rave about what a great work environment it is. There's one local hospital that I REFUSE to apply to (even though as a new grad with other healthcare experience, I could possibly work there, and they pay well), because EVERY SINGLE PERSON I know who works there, RN or otherwise, HATES it. I did my phlebotomy externship there, and it was awful. Everyone talked smack about each other. Everyone worked against each other. If I judged nursing based on that plus what I've seen online, I'd probably feel the same way you do. But I've also seen the flip side. Give it a chance and see what YOUR experience ends up being. :)

laKrugRN · Jul 17, 2014

I would stick with it and get your RN. There are so many avenues you can take with nursing. You may find what you love! If not, you always have an RN to back you up until you find what you want. Good luck! (PS I think we all have asked ourselves at some point "Is this right for me?" It's just human nature)

Balto · Jul 17, 2014

As a PP said, you should go into nursing informatics. It is an up and coming field with a blend of nursing and computer science. I would look into RN-BSN (no more tedious clinicals, just some theory courses & more gen eds) & then consider a MSN in nursing informatics. University of Maryland has a completely online program. Here is the link: Nursing Informatics | University of Maryland School of Nursing

I think nursing has so many options for you even if you do not like what you see on the floor & as a bedside nurse. Not many clinical healthcare workers are additionally interested in computers so it is fortunate that you have the ability to use your nursing degree in conjunction with your technology interests.