Not sure if I want to stay in the nursing field...in desperate need of advice.

Published

Specializes in LTC.

Hello everyone. I'm in a pretty hard place right now and I would really appreciate some advice. I'm currently an LPN. I graduated last April and received my license in May. I'm also taking my pre reqs for a fast track program. But I'm really starting to regret my decision to pick this path..I had the worst time in school and have never been more miserable in my life. I understand school is meant to be tough...nurses should be tough! But I realized my unhappiness is still here, even after school. Don't get me wrong, I loved the theory portion of school. I was probably the only person who enjoyed a&p, med surg, and even the tests! But the clinical portion was awful! I've always been an introverted person and not super social...this tended to have me targeted by my class mates and make clinicals extra tough and stressful. However, since school I've been so miserable and unhappy my husband sat me down and told me he was worried and thought I was depressed and needed help. We talked some more and he suggested maybe changing career paths since I'm only 20. Well my local community college, which I'm attending now, offers a registered health information technology program. It sounded perfect. I still get to be in the medical field but not have the direct patient care which I loathe. Don't get me wrong nurses are amazing! But I'm thinking it's not for me. The thought of quitting the nursing field made me feel so relieved I almost cried. But I hate that I wasted all my blood, sweat, and tears in LPN school. And I've never actually worked as a nurse. Maybe it's different than school.. I'm just not sure if I should continue with nursing or change paths. I would really appreciate any and all advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

So you're saying you went to school, graduated and got your license and you want to give up even though you've never worked as an RN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Dialysis, Hospice.

Speaking as an RN of 23 years who regrets going into nursing and wishes I would have chosen a different career path when I had the chance, I say that if you hate the "people" side of nursing because you are an introvert, then why not pick a different major before committing the time and money to become an RN? The training you got in LPN school would be of great benefit in any health-related field, and there are fields where you don't have to deal directly with people all day long, which nurses generally do.

I am the polar opposite of you; I love the "people" part of nursing, but I hate the technical aspect of it. I have never been good at memorizing various types of meds, etc. and I feel like I don't retain my technical knowledge like other nurses do. On the other hand, I love, love, love talking to patients and their families and being able to comfort them and help them problem solve. Looking back, I should have chosen a field like social work that is less technical but more about listening and helping people through their problems.

If your husband is supportive, I say go for it and pick something that better fits your personality. Clinicals aren't exactly like working independently, but some aspects of it are the same, namely having to present a confident, open manner to all patients, and if you don't feel like this is within your comfort zone, then you probably won't like working as a nurse any more than you liked clinicals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hello everyone. I'm in a pretty hard place right now and I would really appreciate some advice. I'm currently an LPN. I graduated last April and received my license in May. I'm also taking my pre reqs for a fast track program. But I'm really starting to regret my decision to pick this path..I had the worst time in school and have never been more miserable in my life. I understand school is meant to be tough...nurses should be tough! But I realized my unhappiness is still here, even after school. Don't get me wrong, I loved the theory portion of school. I was probably the only person who enjoyed a&p, med surg, and even the tests! But the clinical portion was awful! I've always been an introverted person and not super social...this tended to have me targeted by my class mates and make clinicals extra tough and stressful. However, since school I've been so miserable and unhappy my husband sat me down and told me he was worried and thought I was depressed and needed help. We talked some more and he suggested maybe changing career paths since I'm only 20. Well my local community college, which I'm attending now, offers a registered health information technology program. It sounded perfect. I still get to be in the medical field but not have the direct patient care which I loathe. Don't get me wrong nurses are amazing! But I'm thinking it's not for me. The thought of quitting the nursing field made me feel so relieved I almost cried. But I hate that I wasted all my blood, sweat, and tears in LPN school. And I've never actually worked as a nurse. Maybe it's different than school.. I'm just not sure if I should continue with nursing or change paths. I would really appreciate any and all advice!
If you really hate it...that is ok not everyone is meant to be a nurse. ((HUGS)) You are so young....take that course you might find you love it...your nursing school will only help you understand all the terminology that will give you an advantage. I hope you find your path.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SDU, Tele.

To slinkyheadcna, I knew since 2nd or 3rd semester I would probably hate nursing but felt stuck since I had already made so many sacrifices to get in. Now that I have been an RN for 7-8 months, I regret getting into nursing altogether. You don't have to be practicing as an RN to realize this ain't for you. Sometimes you realize it later...

To the OP, you are super young. I feel like you sometimes, guilty and stuck. Actually, I feel that way all the time. But it's never late to find out what your career is. Find shadowing opportunities to get a good feel for different careers in healthcare. Actually this is what I did, I started shadowing an MD and a PA and I liked what I saw.

You've got time. But since you're already an LPN why don't you just work with that for now. Maybe not at a hospital but maybe a flu clinic or something so you can pay your bills, but have time in the evenings to take classes. Or do home visits if you need the flexibility.

Good luck :) you're not as stuck as you think you are!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You need to look at this with a positive spin.

You quickly realized nursing is not for you and are preparing to move one. That's so much better than wasting years trying to make it work.

You most certainly did not waste time earning your LPN. Anything you choose to do in the future will be supported by your professional licensure and you have a solid base of scientific /medical knowledge.

Good luck, don't look back.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Maybe you should at least try out a job working as a LPN to see if you like it compared to clinical. If you still hate it, then move on while you are young.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCCN.

I would go back for HIMgmt. It does pay less, but will be so much better not dealing with direct patient care. Good luck. I'm jealous too- you are young , and have time to turn things around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Yes slinkyheadcna you are right...I haven't practiced as a nurse since getting my license. That's why I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do. But the one thing that I'm sure of is the fact my personality is not clicking right with what I've done so far. Nurses are compassionate and love being around other people. The thought of being around people all day makes me want to puke. (Sorry for being so descriptive but just being honest.) The reason I didn't quit school sooner was my teacher said I would grow out of being quiet. I believed that was true so I stayed. But then my instructor let me drown in school and get tormented by a few select classmates and suffer in clinical all because I couldn't force myself to be outspoken like them. I am proud of myself for graduating even though I went through h*** to do so. I was even valedictorian of my class. Even though I hated it, it made me respect nurses even more. Especially the ones who love their jobs. But shouldn't the nursing field be just that? Nurses who actually love their jobs? I don't think people who are miserable at their job should be going around wielding needles, dangerous drugs, foleys, etc. :shy:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

As for everyone else.....thank you all for being so supportive. I'm very touched :) I'm still deciding what to do but I will definitely keep your ideas in mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

Usually to someone that says they hate their career choice I would say change. However, it sounds like you have potential to like nursing given that you liked school. I was very shy and bad at talking to people when I started nursing. Nursing helped me to learn people skills and improved my social life in all aspects. Just some food for thought.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, trauma, pediatrics, neuro.

Slinkyheadcna why do you feel the need to be so snarky?

OP, I admire you for being truthful to yourself. At 20 years old you have a world of opportunity ahead of you! I actually think a HIT degree would be an excellent idea. You have an understanding of the medical terminology already. I know that you don't want to be a nurse but I think that perhaps picking up a PT position might allow you to get some experience while you are getting your other degree. I see a lot of hospitals moving to EPIC that are looking for HIT candidates with medical experience. Don't forget about the companies that write the software are looking for people too. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion