Is nursing right for me?

[cincin1222]

Hello all,

After all the hard work of studying getting accepted to the nursing program, today I finally had my first experience with clinicals, I am now second guessing myself whether or not nursing is really for me, I have worked in the medical field for awhile but not so much so with the patients like what I've done today at clinical, I am now wondering if it's too lated to change into another allied health like I've originally wanted to? or is it normal to feel that way on the first day of clinical?, I felt so clumpsy, and unorganized at clincals today, like I'm all over the place. Did any of you had the same feeling on your first clinical? or is any of you are experiencing the same feeling right now?. And yes I did decide to get into nursing because I felt that it was a way out to a more stable life for me and my family, I'm currently in my 30s and I'm starting to think if it would of been better if I did it when I was in my 20s.....

ps. sorry for my previous post, I did not read it before I clicked on the submit button, but thank you for all the constructive criticism that I received on that post. I will do my best to do better on my writting skills for english is my second language and with practice I'm sure I can do better.

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

Hey there! I'm still in my pre-reqs, but I wanted to stop by.

I've been reading pretty avidly all over allnurses, and while I haven't had the opportunity to indulge in clinicals yet, I do see where many students felt out-of-place during their first few times in clinical. What you described seems like a pretty common feeling from what I've gathered. I believe I'll feel the same way. If you really believe another allied health area is better for you, it's not too late to do that. On the other hand, if you really feel like nursing is your calling, try to stick it out in clinicals. It may take a couple of weeks to get into the swing of everything, but I know you can do it. :) Best of luck!

[windmill182]

Mindy is right, this seems to be a pretty common feeling on the first day of clinicals. Honestly, you have worked too hard and probably spent a bit of money to pull out now. Give it some more time. Dont judge everything based on one day in clinicals. You're going to have bad and good days! Hang in there. You can do this!

[ashulee89]

I think this is a normal feeling. Its like almost every other thing in life. Or atleast for me. If I start a new class, job, or whatever and I feel out of place or embarassed I always find that second guess myself. I'd give it a little while. At some point you will start feeling confident about something you are learning, whether it be taking vitals or whatever. If at that point you are still second guessing yourself and not feeling like this is something you could get used to, then I'd re-evaluate the program I was in.

I'm not in clinicals yet, but I'm already way nervous.

Goodluck!

[cincin1222]

Thank you all for your comments and support

[Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN]

Give it a few months before you make up your mind about this decision. Like what everyone else said, the beginning is always awkward. The first few weeks you are against a huge learning curve and everything is foreign. Once you start getting used to how things work in health care and your nursing program, then you can begin to decide if this was the right choice for you.

Good luck!

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

You have second thoughts about nursing just because you were clumsy, disorganized your first day ?! Don't let this minor thing shatter your dreams. Being clumsy and unorganized is totally fixable. No one was born a organized person, you learn/ teach yourself to be organized. There are so many nurses out there who have been nurses for over 20 years and they are disorganized. Ask friends how they organize their day at clinicals, hang out with those who seem to have everything in order, you will learn a lot from them. Make a list of things you are required to do, that way you won't forget to do something. Ex:vital signs first, meds or accu cheks second, etc. Don't give up just because you had a bad day.