need support

[Kms210]

Just started nursing school this week. I have a BA in psych and am getting my master's in counseling. unfortunately, counselors make NO money and I have crazy loans, so I'm getting my asn as well as my masters. I know what you're all thinking (you're insane and you can't handle it). My master's classes are cake, I can do them with my eyes close. I never have to read, everything is done in class and I just do really well. So my issue is this- I don't know if I want to do nursing. I think I'd like it, but I just DON'T KNOW and it's killing me to think that I'm sure of my future. I have looked up tons of information on nurses and I just don't know what I want to do (maybe an identity crisis going on here).

Anyways, if there is a nurse reading this can you please maybe go through your day of what is expected to do? I know all days are different, but if I get a general idea then I may still be interested or not at all. I am paying cash for nursing school and it would save me tons of I could finally decide. I would really appreciate it.

[ErikaMarie]

You might get a better response from an actual nurse outside of the student forum...

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Unless you have a burning passion to become a nurse, don't do it. And, I am talking about bedside nursing practice, with all of the "personal care" that repulses a lot of people.... this is nursing. Nursing is the "low man on the totem pole" in terms of healthcare hierarchy. We perform the tasks that no one else wants. Nursing jobs are highly regimented with very little toleration for deviation of any sort. The physical workload can be exhausting. Healthcare is a 24X7 business, and new grads are frequently relegated to night shift. Nurses work weekends and holidays. In some organizations, they are not permitted to take more than 1 week's vacation at a time.

Those 'cush' high-salary jobs in nursing just aren't available to anyone without years of experience and (usually) advanced certifications and education.

Nursing education is not "cake". Even if you are lucky enough to be able to learn easily, it will involve a serious amount of mental and physical work. If you spend enough time on AN, you will see that many "straight A" students hit the wall and are shocked and devastated to see their academic success go down in flames when they move into the clinical education phase. It is also very difficult to even be admitted to a nursing program - a stellar GPA isn't sufficient these days. Commercial schools (investor owned) may offer quicker admissions, but they are ridiculously expensive.

I repeat - don't do it unless you are following your passion. Nothing else would justify the emotional, physical and financial cost.