Is this right for me?

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I am halfway through my second anatomy and physiology class, and only a few more prerequisites until I can start applying to nursing school programs. I. Am. Struggling.

My grades are fine, but mentally, I'm struggling to feel motivated, struggling to get myself to study, and for the very first time, I'm second guessing if nursing really is for me. And that feels terrible.

I follow a lot of nurses forums, social media pages, etc., and see the things I'll learn in nursing school, like care plans, memorizing drugs, interpreting results.. and honestly, that doesn't look appealing, or maybe I'm doubting if I can do well enough in school to learn those things? I see how HARD it is just to get accepted in to a program, the many hoops you have to jump through, only to have a slim chance of being accepted and it feels so discouraging right now. Sometimes I can't put my finger on why I am second guessing.

For years, I've been chipping away at my prerequisites, working toward nursing school. I want a career that is fulfilling, that I can genuinely help others, but I am wondering: have I romanticized nursing too much?

How can I either get myself motivated again, or realize this isn't right for me?

Thanks for reading my novel!

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

I'm sorry you are struggling. Is it possible for you to shadow a nurse? Do you have a school counselor you can discuss talk to?

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Thanks for the response! Shadowing a nurse (or two?) is a great idea.

I've reached out to a family member and another friend who are also in nursing. I'll buy them coffee and pick their brain :)

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Hi!

I wanted to comment on this because I have found myself in the same situation, I have struggled in some classes and I am started to really question if this is right for me or if I'm cut out to become a nurse. My advice would be to really think about why you chose nursing in the first place, for me this really works and gives me the dedication I need to stick to it and keep trying. Another thing I would suggest is to speak to an advisor or a career counselor if your campus offers that, they can be extremely helpful and give you solid advice!

I hope everything works out for you and don't worry you are not alone :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

It may help to know that nursing school and real-life nursing have essentially nothing to do with each other. Sure, I use what I learned every day in my work, but the things that are considered so critically important in nursing school are not important when you're a nurse. Care plans, for example. We do write them and they are included in our patient's chart, but they are not the end-all-be-all that they are made out to be in nursing school. By all means learn and study and do what is expected of you in your courses, but know that you are preparing for a career, not an exam. That may help you find some motivation. It's not going to be like this forever. Shadowing is also a great idea, as others have said.

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Thank you for sharing, it helps to not feel alone! I talked to a nurse colleague of mine, who said she also struggled with studying and also second guessed... But yeah, I think I need to figure out if the day-to-day tasks of a nurse is something I would enjoy? I know there's a lot of different areas in nursing, too..

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I have feel the same way many times. I am applying to nursing schools now and sometimes I wonder if I'm cut out. Not really worried about schooling but if I will be happy in this career. I always bring myself back to I like working with people. I can't get too carried away in details like a crazy day at a hospital where doctors will yell at me and I'll mess something major up. In all honesty, what helps me is that there are SO many options in nursing that we can all find something right for us.

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From 2011 to 2014 I was going part time to School to complete my pre reqs for a BSN program and the struggle was so real juggling two kids under 4 and working full time and eventually I dropped out of school because life got entirely too crazy and I didn't want to risk failing out... 3 years later I complete my CNA and 4 yrs later I'm accepted into a LPN program and plan to bridge afterwards... I felt like nursing wasn't for me at one point but once I dropped out of school nursing was all that I could think about! I wish you comfort and motivation to continue going but always remember if it was meant to be..it will be..much luck and many blessings..

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