Nursing is not for me possibly..losing that drive/push

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The title says it all. I think I'm becoming burned out..losing that drive now.

Let's go back three yrs. Fresh out of high school, didn't do great, didn't get into any nursing programs. Ended up at a private university..did ok. Transfered to a community college...did great. applied to their nursing program after a yr or so..didn't get in because I didn't reach the score needed on their entrance exam by two points. I decided to go into their university nearby nursing program. Took all science, general ed, and other courses that was posted in their nursing program curriculum of this university but took those courses at the community college. Now a student at that university. The thing I don't like is that you a certain amount of credits of their university to transfer into their nursing program. i contacted the undergrad advisor about taking some nursing programs w.o being a nursing student. to make it short: it didn't happen. Now im here stuck taking in my opinion pointless classes just to meet that credit mark. Another amazing thing about Jersey nursing programs is that you can only directly transfer into a nursing program that are held at private universities. I am not going down the private university road again.

My thoughts now on this is pretty much "is this even worth it?" I feel that I'm losing that drive..that push that I used to have when I left high school. :unsure: Starting to think that all this time, maybe it is a sign that this career is not for me. I don't want to be going to school forever. The only thing I want is to get into some RN nursing program. My fear is that once I do get into a program, I will realize that it isn't for me. That's my biggest fear. I feel that I am stuck and lost at the same time. I'm thinking of going back to my old CC and give their nursing program another shot. A positive thing is that I am a volunteer at a hospital and I do love it.

Nursing has been all I ever wanted since I was a little girl. I used to be a sick child, so I was always in a doctor's office or hospital. So that environment I'm so used to. I try to think of another career that I would like to take other than nursing but I can't seem to find one.

What do you guys advise me to do? Any advice and/or guidance will help. Anything at all. If you advise a nursing program, I live in Northern Jersey so I want to stick to this region. Thank you for reading this post. And especially thank you to anybody who replies. Sorry that this is so long.

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Hi Yani!

My advice for you? Go grab your STNA/CNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) license in New Jersey. Schooling is typically just 120 hours of training in first aid, taking vitals, patient care, etc. You could probably obtain your license from your community college. That way, you can get your foot in the door and really find out if this is the right career choice for you. Some long term care facilities and hospitals offer the training as well. I live in Ohio, so I am not sure of any specific facilities in New Jersey. Are you able to retake the entrance exam? I believe studying and retaking the exam would be of great benefit, because obtaining your RN at a community college is much much cheaper, especially if you have all or most of the prereqs completed for your college.

Another option is to look for Licensed Practical Nursing schools in your area. LPNs are Nurses without a College degree in Nursing. Most programs are held at a tech school. If you choose to go this route, you could become a licensed nurse within 9 to 18 months, get nursing experience, and then plan to go back to school to obtain your RN. Some community college offer LPN to RN programs, allowing the LPN to gain college credit for their license. (I am doing this now).

I typed "lpn schools in new jersey" in google and the second result took me to the New Jersey League for Nurses Website. The specific link showed more than twenty LPN schools in New Jersey. Maybe take a look :)

You could also ask your hospital that you volunteer at to shadow an RN for a shift. That way, you can see more in depth what nursing is like and if you feel as if nursing isn't for you after gaining some experience, talk to a college advisor at your community college. They will most likely be able to give you great suggestions for other career paths that directly relate to the college credits that you have already obtained.

Hope this helps!!!

-Veronica

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I also forgot to mention. I took a medical assisting class in high school. I loved it. We did vitals, became CPR and AED certified and we volunteered at different elementary schools in the town i live in. That's what also helped me continue in that nursing career dream.

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Thank you for your reply. I will definitely look into that. I will also talk to my volunteer supervisor about shadowing a nurse if its possible. I will definitely be doing some research on nursing programs of all kinds..mostly lpn and rn that are available in Jersey.

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Hey kid, keep your chin up! I think the post from Veronica is spot on! Especially the part about shadowing a nurse. Getting your LPN is great but why not go for the RN? I only say this cause in my state (MI) LPN's are mostly limited to LTC facilities and that might REALLY zap your spirit. As for me, I was a lab tech for 12 yr and then STARTED nursing school at 36yr old! I just went b*lls to the wall and got thru a BSN program in 3 1/2 yr and I know what you mean about loving the hospital...nothing better than going for a break with a buddy at 3am, but the BEST part is leaving on a Mon morn (it's raining or snowing) and everybody else is trudging in, not to mention the endless variety of positions like working w kids or the elderly or working all midnites or just working a weekend cadre...OR how about flight nursing now that's exciting...ok 'nuff said so whatever you choose you are still way young enough to completely change your mind and become an environmental engineer;-)

Best wishes,

Laura

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Hey kid, keep your chin up! I think the post from Veronica is spot on! Especially the part about shadowing a nurse. Getting your LPN is great but why not go for the RN? I only say this cause in my state (MI) LPN's are mostly limited to LTC facilities and that might REALLY zap your spirit. As for me, I was a lab tech for 12 yr and then STARTED nursing school at 36yr old! I just went b*lls to the wall and got thru a BSN program in 3 1/2 yr and I know what you mean about loving the hospital...nothing better than going for a break with a buddy at 3am, but the BEST part is leaving on a Mon morn (it's raining or snowing) and everybody else is trudging in, not to mention the endless variety of positions like working w kids or the elderly or working all midnites or just working a weekend cadre...OR how about flight nursing now that's exciting...ok 'nuff said so whatever you choose you are still way young enough to completely change your mind and become an environmental engineer;-)

Best wishes,

Laura

thank you for your response. Ive decided to apply at my old CCs lpn and rn program. Hopefully i can straight into their rn program. But if it doesn't happen then hopefully i at least get into the lpn program. And yes i know im young. Im only 21. I just dont feel young. Hahaha. So i guess that's why im all worried about this. *sigh*

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