Nursing student questioning career

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I am currently finishing up my last semester for my RN license and I do not know what I was thinking when I entered the profession. I absolutely hate nursing. I have met way too many burnt out, miserable nurses and I know that is not what I want to do with my life. I work currently in a hospital per diem and I see how the system abuses and uses its workers. I am a straight A student and have a great GPA. My question is should I stay and finish this last semester or just quit and get out entirely. I would hate to have all my sweat and tears go for nothing yet I know nursing is something I do not ever want to do...I currently also hold an A.S in Business Administration. Any advice? Thanks in advance

Finish school. Being at the bedside isn't the only nursing job you can have. But it does open up opportunities. I would suggest that you immediately enroll in grad school. For myself being at the bedside is much more tolerable because I'm enrolled in school and I know that I will take a different nursing career path. I still don't like bedside nursing. Actually I hate it but I don't dread going in (as much) because I'm working towards future goals.

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Finish it, then go RN-MSN in Nurse Education. Then you can start teaching and can spend more time in an academic environment vs. a bedside environment.

That way your degree won't be a piece of paper only good for collecting dust.

Whenever people post something like the OP has, I'm close to finishing school but I know now I don't want to be a nurse, people always make suggestions like this one and the earlier post about going into nursing administration. You can't get anywhere in nursing education (or nursing administration) without some serious clinical experience/competence. Nursing education (or administration) is not an "escape" for people who don't want to do actual nursing (and, seriously, do we really want people who don't like nursing preparing the next generation of nurses??).

OP, I agree you should finish the degree and pursue licensure, since you're so close to being done. You have a much better chance of getting a job as an RN than you do as a person with an AS in business. Even if you end up not wanting to stay in nursing, you can use it to earn the money to pursue something else you prefer, and, who knows, you might end up enjoying it (enough) once you're actually in it.

Best wishes!

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Just quit

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Seeing as though everyone previously is basically giving the same response, I guess my question is what made you choose nursing as your career choice to begin with? I'm sure this idea that you hate it didn't just come overnight within your last year of school 0_o

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Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.

Quit. It'd really irritate me if someone like you took a job from me when you don't even want it.

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I don't see why you would even view quitting as an option. Do you have no concern about how to support yourself in the real world? What will you do while finding out what you truly want to do with your life? Who paid for your education? Like others have said, there are many other ways to work in nursing than at the bedside. It's too bad you began not knowing what was ahead of you, but you are in a fortunate position to have a way of earning a living in such a short time from now. Good luck!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Vents, Trachs.

I would look to those 'bad' nurses as more of an inspiration to do better than them.

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Still a student myself, and sometimes I question my decision to become a nurse as well - usually when I'm burnt out.

It seems silly to stop now and let it all be in vain. Finish your schooling, get your degree, and try to find a nursing job you actually like. There are so many options! Worst case scenario, you can use your nursing career to fund whatever it is you'd rather be doing.

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I had a nurse tell me

"Don't enter nursing, get out while you can"

I thought, " wait until I graduate, i'll be happy to take your job"

It is what is within you. There's a lot of little issues, some people let it get to them, others do not.

I am more a believer of this (when it comes to working as a nurse- I am a student though)

1) Did any of my patients die during the shift?

2) Did they die because of me?

3) Did I do anything (or not do anything) that caused harm to my patients?

4) Did I advocate, listen, and help my patients in a reasonable way?

Is there a lot of nonsense with hospitals and the increasing corporate like management? Certainly. I am not here for the management, I am here for the patients.

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you sound like a more assertive person that would not be happy in anything less than an autonomous role. if so, nursing below the MSN level is not for you.

i entered nursing school after a long career in engineering and came to the same conclusion at the same moment in the educational process.

my advice? finish and claim the degree and then enter into something that will bring you autonomy. i am back in engineering as a contracting consultant. my days are mine, my deals are mine, and my future is mine. you should have your own, as well.

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