need help - no enthusiasm to finish nursing school

drea930 · Dec 4, 2014

I think it is normal to doubt yourself. Do yourself a favor and finish nursing school. There are so many specialities no doubt you'll be able to find your knack!

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 4, 2014

Be honest with yourself and with your friends & family. Is there another career you are interested in? If so, then I recommend taking a semester or two off from school to explore that option. It's silly to waste time and money on a career you don't want. That's how people end up with enormous debt and no career -- from not having the guts to drop out of school when it is something they don't want to be doing. If you need a little time to "grow up" and "think about your future" before making the enormous investment of higher education -- then take that time and avoid expensive mistakes.

Sometimes, all it takes is a few months of trying something else to discover that the grass is NOT greener elsewhere.

But if you do decide to take a little time off from school to clarify your direction in life ... don't just squander the time drifting. Make a plan to use that time wisely. Get a job. Earn money. Explore volunteer and/or work opportunities in other fields that interest you. Set a deadline for yourself to either get a full time job and totally support yourself financially -- or go back to school to prepare for a career that you will be committed to.

Don't just drift from program to program, spending time and money but not getting anywhere.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Dec 4, 2014

I simply CANNOT "like" what the above member, llg, just said to you ENOUGH. Bingo.

(although as I'm re-reading this, it kinda looks like I cannot LIKE what she said....but that's the opposite of what I meant.....hope this comes out right! )

Raviepoo · Dec 5, 2014

This is your life. Do you want to spend it doing something that you don't love? Maybe you're just having doubts. Maybe not. You should be sure. Nursing school is too hard to endure just because your family wants you to keep going. Heck, if I wasn't 100% sure that I have a calling to be a nurse, I never would have subjected myself to it.

Is there something else you would rather do with your life? Now is a really good time to find out.

PS - If you make the "wrong" decision, there ARE do-overs in life. I'm living proof of that, old enough to be a grandma and in my final semester of RN school.

caliotter3 · Dec 5, 2014

Finish nursing school, obtain the license. Then, think it over, and do what you want to do. Nobody says you have to work as a nurse. But having that education and license could come in handy down the road. If you decide not to work in nursing, make your license inactive so that you can easily reactivate it if you need to do so.

wellcoachRN · Dec 5, 2014

I once heard "your purpose is your passion". If you couldn't do nursing, what would you want to do? If you are questioning continuing on the nursing path, at least explore a few others. You may discover that you do truly want to pursue nursing or you may decide to go another path. Do not go into any profession because someone told you to. You may consider talking to a career counselor at your school.

Good luck with your decision!

augurey · Dec 5, 2014

I'm with those that say take a break and give yourself time to think about what you really want to do. You can always go back if you decide that nursing is the path you want to take.

I know it may be hard, but don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. This is your time and your money. My brother went to school for CAD. He wasn't too far into his program when he knew it wasn't what he wanted to do. He told our parents he wanted to come home, but they begged him to finish school and get the degree. He graduated, but never did anything in his field. He's now working in a bank and absolutely loves it.

Listen to your heart and do what is best for you. You can always decide to go back if you decide it's for you. You can even give it another semester to see how you feel, but whatever you decide to do, make sure you're doing it for you and not because others are making you feel you should do it.

BertG77 · Dec 6, 2014

I spent years in careers where I had the feeling you describe and as a 37 year old first semester BSN student, all I can say is, listen to that little voice that questions what you're doing! In my experience. The lack of enthusiasm you feel now will only become frustration and resentment. This will make you miserable and this will affect your quality of life as well as that of the people around you. The answer may be to take a break and return to nursing or you may be surprised with what you realize you really want to do. The key is to talk about these feelings and to actively look for the answers to your questions. Good luck! You're on the right track.

strawberryluv, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2014

I think most nursing students have that feeling since its overwhelming and stressful.

Heck, I know I did. But, I think you should look within yourself and ask what made you apply

in the first place. Obviously, since you like being CNA you have a knack for taking care of others.

Things are hard because nursing is HARD and stressful and it involves having lives in your hands

but beyond that, there are many many awards and doors open when you become one.

You can work in a lot of different areas if you don't like a specialty or could even go to school to teach

or to become an independent practitioner.

Don't be let down so quickly. Really, really think if this isn't for you or rather its because of just the nursing

student blues.

caliotter3 · Dec 6, 2014

You could be in trade school to be a welder and have similar feelings. It still would not hurt to finish the program and get any associated certifications/licenses, in case you find that you need a job skill in the future. Quite often people have feelings of 'let down', no matter where they are in the school/work continuum. You just want to make certain that you do not shortchange yourself over feelings that may only be temporary.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2014

Up to you. Doesn't matter what others think. I am a big believer in finishing what you started so you don't develop a pattern of quitting things when a challenge arises. However if you want to quit then quit. Or don't quit. Totally up to you.