Tessseracts

I became an LPN in 2013, and I have not exactly fallen in love with nursing. I want to do something I have passion for and I have always wanted to go to school for a masters in social work. That was my plan before I became an LPN, but now I am wondering if it is worth it. I already have a TON of student loan debt, as I was undecided on a major, took out huge loans. I have two years of college gen ED credits which I'm sure will transfer to the university of my choice. However, I am wondering if going through all those years of school and putting myself into more debt will even be worth it. I HATED nursing school and I cannot imagine going through it again to become an RN. I feel like I would enjoy the social work studies much more. However, I don't know if the salary for a entry level social worker will be worth the years of schooling it will take. I know the job options are probably much less than the options for an RN. I know there are many areas to explore in nursing but I feel like I just want to get out. I work in home health and don't hate my job now but would like to do something more challenging that interests me more. I don't know if I will stay an LPN, become an RN or go the social work route. I feel so lost at this point in my life because I want to have a profession that I love. I don't know if that's asking too much, if I am just being naiive by wanting more fulfillment. Any thoughts?

If I refused the test and then came up clean when tested by the BON would I face any negative consequences?

You are right, and I am in the process of getting help. I lost my other job due to mental illness and I had a good insurance plan but lost it so I stopped going to my psychiatrist and therapist. I've also been through a miscarriage, an emotionally and physically abusive relationship on both of our parts and my partner's own issues with his mental health and drug addiction. So I'm just going through all this at once and am on the verge of a breakdown if I'm not ther yet.I have also used marijuana occasionally and am worried that would show up. In that case I guess my question is, if I think I will fail a drug test, is it better to refuse the test or to take it and test positive? If I refuse will it be easier to fight with a lawyer?

Thanks, this is news to me. I had no idea that my mental illness could have cost me my license. I am scared. I feel lost. I don't know if I should just try to pick a new career field or give up.

This is news to me. Thanks for letting me know. This is very depressing to me, however. If I knew this to begin with I may not have entered this career field. I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and ADD since I was a child. I never thought it would affect my license. This is so scary to me. I don't know if I should just think about changing careers at this time. I don't even know what I would do.

Hey everyone, I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place, this will be my first post on allnurses. I am wondering, if I refuse to take a drug test for my employer, will it automatically be reported to the BON? I am an LPN practicing in PA. I work for a home care agency. Surprisingly I wasn't drug tested upon hire and they don't do random drug testing. The only reason I am worried about being drug tested is that I have been missing a lot of work and acting very irrational due to bipolar disorder and anxiety. I did make my employer aware of these conditions. I am supposed to go into the office and speak with one of the schedulers, I'm guessing regarding a counseling due to my absences from work. Can they drug test me? Are they likely to? Is this a valid reason to drug test? Do they even need a valid reason? May I refuse until I can provide scripts for my medications? Can disciplinary action be taken if meds are prescribed by an MD? Most importantly, will a refusal lead to discipline from the BON? thanks in advance.