Plan B!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2015

Did you have a plan B in nursing school? Like if you failed or did not like it.

I didn't have a plan B since failure was not an option. It was not as if I had the good fortune of a rich uncle to financially support me in case I failed out. People tend to change their outlook when they have no one else on which they can depend.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2015

Plan B for me was changing careers after a few years if I really hated nursing. The fact is, I was making $10/hr in customer service with few prospects open to me, even with a previous bachelor's, and I was very dissatisfied with my quality of life at that level. There are few jobs in my area where you can make $40k+ a year right out of school with just a bachelor's degree.

I wasn't worried about failing because it's not in my nature to fail.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 10, 2015

I started with the LPN program because I wasn't sure if I would like nursing. I knew I could push through a year of anything and at least have my LPN certificate so that was how I initially hedged my bet on nursing school. Once I decided I liked it and found psych I didn't look back.

thinwildmercury · Oct 10, 2015

I did not have a plan B! Sounds kind of crazy considering how difficult it is to get into nursing schools in my area. I had many academic advisors tell me to pick a back up major or to change my major all together. Somehow, I never let that get to me. I knew I wouldn't enjoy any other career as crazy at it sounds. I wouldn't discourage having a back up though. I think it's pretty smart.

canigraduate · Oct 10, 2015

I always have a plan B. Always. My current plan B is to get a job at a retail store that I like until I finish my MSN and get a teaching job.

When I was in nursing school, I worked as a server, as a CNA, and as a graphic designer. I would have done odd jobs and housecleaning if I had to.

Having a plan B is smart, not asking for failure.

People who develop all or nothing thinking have just as much chance of ending up with nothing.

Nursynursenurse, ADN, RN · Oct 10, 2015

Nursing was my plan B. Right out of high school I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer but was talked out of it by my parents and other rational people. I also consider going back to school to be a lab technician.

emmy27 · Oct 10, 2015

I did not let myself think in terms of a Plan B during school or I would probably have opted for it at the most difficult moments- the times I was pulling an all-nighter between clinical days following a week of night shifts at work, etc. While quitting or failing wouldn't have been the end of the world, I'm sure I would have found something else to do with my life, it would have been a huge waste of time and resources, a major financial setback, and a disappointment to myself and my family.

On the occasions I worried about failing (I never considered quitting) I just told myself I'd cross that bridge if I came to it and then redirected my mental energy towards studying.

ThymeRN · Oct 10, 2015

Plan B for me was changing careers after a few years if I really hated nursing. The fact is, I was making $10/hr in customer service with few prospects open to me, even with a previous bachelor's, and I was very dissatisfied with my quality of life at that level. There are few jobs in my area where you can make $40k+ a year right out of school with just a bachelor's degree.
I wasn't worried about failing because it's not in my nature to fail.

When I was working a low paying retail job and suddenly found myself being a single mother, I had 3 choices: Lose everything, because $10/hr would wouldn't pay the bills, commute 1.5 hours and get my masters in library science, or go to the local community college and get an ADN. Having been a CNA many years ago, I had an idea what nursing would entail, so it became my first choice. But if it hadn't worked out, I would have gone for the MLS.

I found psych nursing fairly quickly and I'm a happy camper who made the right choice.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2015

I always have a plan B. Always. My current plan B is to get a job at a retail store that I like until I finish my MSN and get a teaching job.
When I was in nursing school, I worked as a server, as a CNA, and as a graphic designer. I would have done odd jobs and housecleaning if I had to.
Having a plan B is smart, not asking for failure.
People who develop all or nothing thinking have just as much chance of ending up with nothing.

Well, NOT having a Plan B doesn't mean you're NOT being smart, just that you have so little expectation for failing out of the program that spending time devising a new course of your life in such an event is a waste of time. Could it happen...? Sure. But if you're someone who hasn't failed anything in school, generally does well in school, there's no reason to think "what happens if I fail in school"...KWIM? I suppose I could have a plan in place for what I might do if both of my vehicles AND my husband's vehicle became inoperable on the same day at the same time...but the likelihood of that occurring is pretty remote, so I don't.

If someone's academic history is sketchy.....if his/her history on following through with things is questionable....sure, a backup plan might be a rather good idea. But for others....it's nothing more than a distraction to do it.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Oct 10, 2015

Well I am already an LPN so that would obviously be my fall back but I won't fail either so I won't need it. I've maintained a 4.0 with three kids, post partum depression hell, working, husband/home duties so I refuse to even entertain that thought because it's not a realistic choice for me. But usually I am a plan B person otherwise :)

Farawyn · Oct 10, 2015

I thought this thread was about the safety and effectiveness of Plan B:

Plan B (Morning-After Pill): Effectiveness and Side Effects

delawaremalenurse · Oct 10, 2015

"I've got two left feet so that's not an option for me!"

they have feet ???!!! :wideyed: