Please help- RN vs MSW advice needed (long)

[TiniestLights]

Hi everyone,

I am in a bit of a dark place and I could really use some guidance.

A brief background:

Became interested in nursing after being my dad's sole caregiver for his 2.5 year battle with pancreatic cancer. I took A&P 1 last spring and got an A. In May, my dad passed. In August, I had my son (our first). Quite a year.

I began getting overwhelmed with how long it would take me to obtain my RN. Decided to apply to MSW program thinking it could be a good compromise into the field and still be a focus of helping others.

I was accepted and I started the program a month ago. So far, it has been a big disappointment. The two classes haven't been as challenging as I hoped and many of the folks seem (I am sorry to sound insensitive) lazy and just trying to get by doing the bare minimum.

I am confused now. I feel like I made a mistake with this program in a way. I loved A&P, which surprised me b/c I was always an English/Art gal growing up.

With my grief and being a new parent, I am often on an emotional rollercoaster. I feel like I am a quitter and/or fickle. Can anyone shed any light? Thank you so much.

[verene, MSN]

I think you may need to take a step back and really look at both roles. Both social work and nursing are broad fields and while there are areas they overlap they are two different professions with different focus areas. Why social work? Why nursing? What are the pros and cons for each field for you? What are your values and life goals? How do each of these jobs tie into those? What is the local job market like for each profession? Would you be willing to move to take a job in either profession? I would also mention that difference schools of social work have different focus areas. You may like social work but not be at a program that is a good fit for the goals of what you would like to do with the degree and so aren't focused on the information that is going to challenge and inspire you.

Becoming a social worker isn't much faster than becoming a nurse if that was your main draw to the program. The degree itself may be quicker but becoming licensed typically requires a couple thousand hours of supervised work before becoming eligible to sit the exam. (Typically 1.5-3years work experience) whereas an RN program may take two years to complete but you are eligible for the license exam immediately upon graduation.

With how much of an emotional roller coaster you've been on in the last year it may be wise to simply take a break to take care of yourself and give yourself the mental space to figure out what you really want to do.

[TiniestLights]

I truly appreciate your insight, verene!❤