Only 2 semesters left & I'm have doubts about going on

sharann, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2004

What is it that is really bugging you? Do you faint from blood, or are the realities of healthcare and "managed" care too depressing? We all get cold feet, but this seems like more. What made you decide to be a nurse in the first place? If you can answer it would help in helping you out.

ManEnough · Apr 28, 2004

Don't give up!!! I was SO where you are not too long ago. Was disenchanted with nursing, with healthcare, with school.. you get the idea. Not until my final semester did I start to realize just how many things one can do as an RN. As the previous poster said, think about what's really bugging you before making any decisions. I have NO regrets about sticking with my program, insane stress and all. Keep us posted.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2004

what is giving you the negative vibes? Is it generic to many jobs or particular to nursing? Remember, you don't have to work in a hospital. There are many ways to be a nurse. Jot down what bugs you and discern if there is a common thread, or concept, that clues you in to what makes nursing a good/bad match for you. I would even call the testing center at your school to see if they have personality or career testing to help you out. Good luck.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Apr 28, 2004

I think what you're going through is common. A lot of nursing students get burned out when they're almost done, and that coupled with the reality of what it's like "in the real world" of nursing can be scary. The feeling tends to reappear after a few months of working as a nurse, too- once you're on your own. But after that, most of us find the middle ground and begin to enjoy nursing again. Try to indentify whether it's fear that's causing you to feel this way right now. If it is, Keep the faith and it will subside over time- I promise.

CIRQL8 · Apr 28, 2004

My wife quit nursing school with 1 semester left. She decided that she didn't like it enough, but there were also other mitigating circumsatances that caused her to leave the program. Seven years later and there is nothing that she regrets more. There are so many nursing choices. Once you have it, you have it, and unless you break some great law of the land it cannot be taken away. You do not have to use it. Please make sure that you have that choice in seven years - do not quit.

Good luck in your career, whatever road you may choose.

ferfer · Apr 28, 2004

:) I know exactly how you feel. It is nearing the end and you wonder if this is even right for you. And the more you wonder, the more you think it is wrong. The only thing I can say is that even if you do not want to do it now, do not stop school! If you finish, at least you are giving yoursef the opportunity to change your mind. And at least you will have a diploma or degree behind your name. It will open up many opportunities. Nursing is not only floor care, but can be home care, school nursing, community health, management, doctor's offices, private business, etc, etc. I know a nurse that had 2 kids and started her own business, "strollercize" for new moms. She exercises with new moms and babies than they have healthy snacks afterwards and gab about their kids and life. She makes great money and loves her career. I know another nurse that teaches in schools, does CPR classes, and nothing else. She loves it. Trust me, do not give up at this point!! It is true, you have come so far. And even if you do not ultimately choose this as your career you will be so glad that you finished! You will have such a sense of accomplishment and a lot of skills and traits that would be valuable in a host of other careers. Also, knowing that this is a very common feeling among many of us about to finish may help give you that needed push to finish it up and give yourself TIME to think things through. In the mean time, explore the other options in nursing. Shadow some RNs that work in other areas for a day. Write down a list of the things you like and don't like about nursing. Review why you began in the first place. DO NOT STOP AT THIS POINT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL LEAVE NURSING!!! You will be so glad you did! I wish you the very best of luck!:)

Erin RN · Apr 28, 2004

I went through that as well..I decided rather than nursing , I wanted to do something in bio chem or another science. As I went through the nursing classes, I realized that I loved the science ones so much more. I did finish school though and have been a nurse for many years now. I have held some non traditional nurse jobs..Although there are still times when I wish I would have changed, nursing has been good to me..another thing to think about is that in one year you will be capable of making a decent living in a job where you can pretty much choose your hours..if you figure out you want to do something else..work as a nurse and pursue it. If you had 3 years to go I might think that you may as well change but with one, take advantage of the opportunity..you can always look at it as a stepping stone..once we graduate with the degree doesn't mean our lives are now all planned out for us.:) Erin

leslie :-D · Apr 28, 2004

i have to agree with iggy.....SO many students get burnt out when the end is near...SO many emotions and ambivalence is also the norm. i remember around 6 mos. before i graduated the remaining ones in my class (close to 70% were gone by then) were edgy and anxious, questioning if they were in the right field. it is just SO SO SO normal when the end is near. trust your instincts on why you entered (and worked so hard!!!) nsg in the 1st place. this too will pass, take it from those you have been there and know. peace.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2004

:) DO NOT STOP AT THIS POINT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL LEAVE NURSING!!! You will be so glad you did! I wish you the very best of luck!:)

I really agree with this point. We also had a girl in our class that quit with only the final semester to go. She had good grades the whole way through but just didn't feel that nursing was for her. She also had some medical stuff going on with her. I feel that if you are that close, you may as well finish for the degree. At leas then you have a degree and can probably put it to some use. Also if you decide to give nursing a try "in the real world" you will be done from school. Nursing is different from what you experience in school. I wish you luck in your decision and truly hope that you find something that fits you and what you need to be happy. IMO, I would graduate and then decide what the plan is since you have already come this far.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 28, 2004

Another point to consider is that even if you decide in the long run that nursing is not right for you ... with a nursing degree, you'll be able to get a decent job and earn a decent paycheck while you go back to school for something else. If you drop out now, you'll be faced with having to start over in another field with a limited ability to earn money to support yourself.

I've known several people (including myself, sometimes) who have had similar doubts who have handled the situation by getting a second degree or graduate degree in another field and then combining that other field with their nursing knowledge to work in the health care field, but not as a bedside nurse.

For example, they may get a degree in Health Services Administration, or an MBA, and work as an administrator. They may get a computer science degree and work for a company designing healthcare software ... or training staff members how to use that software. Several people in my graduating class went to law school and specialized in health care law. All while supporting themselve through school as a nurse.

There are loads of possibilities. And who knows, like a lot of us, you might find that it is nursing SCHOOL that you don't like, not nursing itself. A lot of us who hated school find the real world of nursing to be much less stressful.

Me, I always thought I would get a graduate degree in another field. But when I worked as a staff nurse right out of school, I discovered that I really liked my job. So, I got my graduate degrees in nursing and now to staff development and a little administration. While I sometimes wonder, "What if..." I had followed another path, I don't really regret my decision to stay in nursing.

llg

Genista, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2004

What you are feeling is normal. Please think carefully about your decision. You really don't know if you will like nursing or not till you try it in the real world (there are many specialties that you might not have tried). Also, you have invested this much time and effort, so you might as well give it a go, don't you think? Then, at least you will have a career to fall back on in times of need. If it turns out nursing isn't for you, then you will know from having tried it out, rather than being full of regret or questioning your decision. You know most people get tired and doubt themselves as they near the finish line...but that's when you have to push past the doubts and visualize the horizon.

I have been a nurse for 6 years. It has been rewarding in many ways, but at this point in my life I am feeling like I want to do something else entirely. So, I am back in college training for another career! But you know what- I don't regret my nursing degree one bit! I have learned so much, and grown both professionally and personally. I also feel like maybe some day I might come back & find my place in nursing- who knows. But for now, I want to do something else! I am really glad I finished my nursing degree and have my license. Even if I never work as a nurse again, I will always feel proud and value my nursing education and experiences.I am still working as an RN right now, and it has been fabulous in the flexibility and pay that I have. It has been a blessing while I've been in school full time.

Good luck in your decision! I know you are giving this a lot of thought.