nursingstudent_07

Hey there, what turned me off from nursing is the different type of work nurses do, compared to what I'm used to. It is not quite what I expected.There is a great amount of assessing and making a care plan, and teaching, and the types of skills I don't enjoy doing (catheterizations, IV monitoring, trachiotomy care,). I'm used to giving injections, performing venipuncture, ear lavages, applying and removing casts, removing staples and stitches, doing EKG's, vital signs, data entry, etc. front and back office skills...but the big difference is that I'm used to working side by side by a doctor, no license held over my shoulders,and not working with as serious of medical conditions. I feel some people can handle more intense skills and stress. A lot of nursing requires monitoring the patient and creating a care plan and adjusting care plans accordingly (not just performing a variety skills all day long). You have to be competent with your skills and be very knowledgable about acute conditions, and enjoy the area you are working in. It is not a field where you can just be trained and excel at doing the skills you are experienced doing over and over again, nursing is an ongoing learning process, it doesn't end with school. Also, I feel that I fit in more in a clinic setting and nursing is more of a hospital/long-term care field which is quite different (which I realized after going to clinicals). yes, there is a great deal of opportunities for nurses which is great, but there also is for other health care positions (that is...if money is not your main priority and working with people and helping them get better is) I just think there are different healthcare positions that are suitable for different types of people, it just takes time to figure out the right one.

I'm in my third quarter of RN school right now, and I'm finally coming to the point where I'm not sure if this is for me anymore. I've been a medical assistant for a few years prior and did not realize how different nursing is. I just don't like working with acute care and long-term care. I enjoy working in the health care field, but I prefer a less complicated and stressful setting. I just don't want to end up being a nurse who is not dedicated to his/her work which would be unfair to patients and coworkers. I find it difficult to make my decision on whether or not I should leave nursing school because I've worked hard to get into the program, I continue to have an average of 3.8, and especially because of the fact that everyone tells me I will make more money as a nurse and have more opportunities. But I think money isn't everything, and as a medical assistant I have many opportunities and am able to perform a wide range of skills. I hate complaining, but I wish I could figure things out without people thinking I'm crazy for leaving such a great program (which is difficult to get into). I would love advice from anyone who is willing to share their thoughts thanks!