kegardne

I started a BSN program this January, and I'm disappointed to admit that I'm having serious doubts about whether or not nursing is the right career for me. I know that it's normal for nursing students to feel overwhelmed and a little out of their element, but I dread going to clinicals. I have the most helpful instructor I could ever ask for and the sweetest patients (I'm in a long term care facility), but I just feel so uncomfortable working directly with the patients. I feel sick to my stomach before going to my shift, and I dread doing simple things like feeding and bathing (I think I'm nervous because I don't want to do something wrong?) I'm doing well in all of the classes, but I'm starting to lose motivation because becoming a nurse just doesn't really feel right to me anymore. I've always been a little shy, however, I can usually overcome it once I get comfortable; I do feel that my shyness is making nursing school a challenge for me. I am only 19 years old, and I'm worried that I simply don't have the life experience or maturity to make a good nurse. I fell in love with the idea of becoming a nurse and helping all sorts of people, and now I'm feeling stuck. Has anyone else ever felt this way? Any advice?

Thank you everyone for your info and input. I would just like to say that I would be grateful for any job I could get, and I would never complain or make special requests of an employer regarding holidays. I currently work a job in which I do work holidays, and I sometimes get depressed when my family is celebrating without me. I expect to be working holidays as a starting nurse as well, and I only asked this question to find out if there is hope for me to find a job in which that wouldn't be the case, once I gain experience. Looking at the comments, it seems that these jobs DO exist, but I'll just have to work very hard to get one :)

I'm a sophomore at a university and will be starting the BSN program next semester. I am very interested in nursing, but I feel like I should be more excited than I am. One of the things that's really holding me back is that I just know I am going to hate working holidays (I'm religious, my family is very close, and I plan on having children). I know that there are some jobs out there that don't require holidays, but I am aware that nursing is a 24/7 profession, and I don't want to be naive. Should I find a different career to pursue? Or should I stick with it and hope to find my niche?