Possibly quitting nursing school to instead be a PCT/LVN

[Fernanda27]

Hey guys so I just started my first semester of nursing school and I am already having doubts if the RN route is what I would like to take. Ive been feeling so off now that I started nursing school and I'm starting to question if maybe I should become a pct instead and maybe someday go back to school to be an lvn. I feel like I'm a point of my life where I really just dont want to be in school right now and I wrather start working. I also am wondering if perhaps I feel like I wrather become a pct/lvn just so that I wont deal with all the responsibilities/work that an RN has. I really want to be someone in the healthcare field ,however I feel now that I wrather do something that will require less school/stress to do. Another reason as to why I feel that I am feeling like this is because I just want a job that will offer stability in my life all while I can help care for others. I dont know what to do really since I dont want to be a failure and drop out of nursing school especially since Ive worked my butt off for the past 2 years to get where I am today but I also feel like I wrather be something else than an rn in the health care field. I would appreciate any advice.

["nursy", RN]

It's hard enough to get through nursing school when you really really want to. I can't imagine getting through it when you have all these doubts. No one can answer this question for you. You have to figure out what you want and then go for it. Everyone in the healthcare field works very hard and has responsibilities. PCT, LVN, RN all have a license and standards of care to maintain.

No question school is hard. I myself hated nursing school, and wondered how I could be a nurse when I hated school so much. Then I found out pretty much everyone else hated nursing school too, so I felt better. And in the end, nursing school has no resemblence to what being a nurse is really like. IF you really like the medical field, you owe it to yourself to reach higher, otherwise you will always feel like you could have, should have, done something more.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

Food for thought, LPN programs are almost exactly the same as the first year of RN program, LPNs I believe just do a little extra to cover some topics RNs dont till further along. So the rigor of LPN school is pretty equal to RN school, just shorter time length. Out in practice, their responsibility is a little less, but still carry quite a bit.

Just reflect on what it is you really want and why. What is your end goal? If PCT is where your heart is then that is where you need to be. Do some reflection and try to figure out what you want and need short and maybe even long term. Perhaps speaking with an academic guidance counselor could help as well.

[amoLucia]

There are other ancillary health care career tracks to consider. Dentistry offers hygienist and techs.

There's also xray, mammography, phlebotomy, etc.

They all offer pt contact but they too, require training. Schooling lengths varies.

You need to think job availability, stability, salaries, promotional opportunities.

Short term and long term goals will guide you also.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Are you financially independent or a second income in a marriage? I don't see how a PCT can manage all the bills unless you are content to have to depend on others. I guess it may depend on COL in your area.

Many people would "rather" not have to work, but if you are interested in healthcare, I would power through and get as much education as you can afford NOW. The longer you put it off, the less likely it is that you will actually do it.