Is nursing not for me?

[kegardne]

I started a BSN program this January, and I'm disappointed to admit that I'm having serious doubts about whether or not nursing is the right career for me. I know that it's normal for nursing students to feel overwhelmed and a little out of their element, but I dread going to clinicals. I have the most helpful instructor I could ever ask for and the sweetest patients (I'm in a long term care facility), but I just feel so uncomfortable working directly with the patients. I feel sick to my stomach before going to my shift, and I dread doing simple things like feeding and bathing (I think I'm nervous because I don't want to do something wrong?) I'm doing well in all of the classes, but I'm starting to lose motivation because becoming a nurse just doesn't really feel right to me anymore. I've always been a little shy, however, I can usually overcome it once I get comfortable; I do feel that my shyness is making nursing school a challenge for me. I am only 19 years old, and I'm worried that I simply don't have the life experience or maturity to make a good nurse. I fell in love with the idea of becoming a nurse and helping all sorts of people, and now I'm feeling stuck. Has anyone else ever felt this way? Any advice?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse, and it is OK to admit that. Having said that, I think that you, perhaps, need to give yourself some more time and at least get to a comfort level before you decide to chuck it.

Would it be possible to get some summer work in a LTC facility or as a home health aid to gain confidence?

There are other 'helping' professions you might also consider. OT, PT, Speech Therapy, social work.

It is completely ok to not have mapped out a career plan at age 19. Best wishes to you- you'll figure it out!

[RunBabyRN]

I'm doing something TOTALLY different than what I thought I'd be doing when I was 19! Nothing says you can't come back to it eventually if you wish, once you have some good life experience (it definitely helps!). Are there other careers you've considered?

You could also consider finding a job as a CNA to really hone in on those skills and work on increasing your comfort level.

There are tons of other careers where you can help people. Have you looked into social work?

[nursey246]

I was totally terrified of patients and care when I started. No experience, at all! I was terrified before clinicals, I dreaded them. Now, I can't imagine doing something different. I would give yourself enough time to get comfortable and confident with patients before chaining your career. The first semester was quite unnerving for me, but once I got comfortable in the patient care environment, I loved it. My first patient experience was when I was 21. I liked the idea of nurse and just pushed through - and I'm so glad I did. I really, really want to encourage you to push through. If you are comfortable with patients and confident in your skills and then you don't like it, it may not be for you. It's so rewarding, yet challenging, and it's a legit good job from a practical standpoint. When I read what you wrote, I truly identified in my early career. Now, I've been a nurse for almost 4 years and can't imagine doing anything else. The first few years are the roughest, but it is seriously so worth it. Good luck!

[Lissla]

I am in the exact same boat as you except I'm 21. I dread clinicals and I do question whether this was the right choice for me. And this is all because I'm shy and I find it hard to talk sometimes with patients. Last week I had two of my clinical instructors (one from last semester) tell me that I need to get out of my comfort zone and talk more. I could take one telling me that but the second one kind of hurt...Talk about demotivating.. I confided in another of my clinical instructors for this semester that I'm having a hard time communicating and she was totally understanding and is trying to help me overcome this problem through involving the other students in simulations so I'm not singled out.

Like you, I love the idea of helping people. I'm in it for my own reasons and I want to keep on with this program and make it to the end. I really don't want to leave and be disappointed in myself so I'm pushing myself into doing things I normally wouldn't do. Two weeks ago I joined NSNA. I go to a branch campus so we didn't have NSNA here, but one of my classmates decided to start it up. I heard there were positions for chairs open and so I decided to take a chair position for community health which would require me to get involved with the community. This summer I'm planning on taking a job with LTC facilities in my area coz I can usually get comfortable with what I'm doing if I'm doing it more than just once or twice a week.

I convinced myself that I'm going to talk a lot more during my next clinical which is tomorrow... and prove to myself that I can do this.

I wouldn't say nursing isn't for you, the shyness is most likely making nursing school more challenging.. It is for me ):

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

You need to ask yourself this, Is this something I really will be happy doing for the rest of my life? If not I would look into another career, if you think this is what you want then stick it out a while longer. You are only 19. It took me a long time to find out what I really wanted to do. Don't do something that is going to make you miserable day in and day out. I would sit down and do some self reflection.