Quit nursing school after two months...

Nurses Career Support

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Hi everyone,

My name is Elaine and I'm 23 years old. I got accepted into nursing school at my local community college in the fall semester of 2013. Nursing Wasn't my first choice, in fact I wanted to pursue culinary arts. My family members are all nurses and they pushed me to pursue a degree in nursing. I took all my prerequisites and actually enjoyed them so I assumed I would enjoy nursing too. I worked as a nursing assistant for about eight months and to be honest I didn't really enjoy it. I even volunteered at my local hospital and for some reason every time I stepped foot in the hospital, I never felt excited or eager. But despite those feelings I decided to stick it out anyway and I started nursing school in July.

I was excited because most of my close friends were in the program with me. As soon as we started learning how to do skills like inserting catheters, cleaning wounds and starting IVs, I felt incompetent but most importantly I felt out of place. I started questioning why I even decided to pursue nursing in the first place. I just couldn't picture myself becoming a registered nurse and realized I may have been pursuing it for all the wrong reasons. I broke down one day after coming home from lab and started crying and venting to my boyfriend that I didn't Want to do nursing anymore. My friends tried to convince me to stay but I couldn't. There was no motivation left in me so I withdrew from the program.

My parents especially my dad keep asking me if I am going to change my mind and go back to nursing but I don't really think that's going to happen at this point. My question to all you readers out there is have you ever felt this way about your career or major? Should I feel bad for quitting so early? I kind of feel like a failure especially in front of my parents.

I also feel stressed out because I don't really know what direction to head in now. I do like working with kids so I can do something with children or pursue a career in dental hygiene since I'm obsessed with cleaning my teeth.

I just feel a little lost and down any advice would help. Thanks for listening, this was quite a lengthy post.

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If your passion isn't in nursing, then wait and find something that will make you happy. You're only 23, you have plenty of time to make that decision (not trying to downplay your age, but you really DO have time)

Take some time off, reassess and make yourself happy

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Specializes in ICU.

You were starting IV's after only 2 months in nursing school? Wow. Maybe that was why you felt incompetent; seems like they would focus on patho, theory, etc., before doing clinical skills.

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Specializes in Med/surg.

Sorry, but I need to put in my 2¢... You did good.

You're family isn't going to have to live with every moment YOU spend in a career YOU don't want. It may be difficult if you live with them, but in the end it is your one life with your limited set of time. Spend it how YOU want, paying your bills and taking care of yourself in a way that won't make you feel like you've wasted your time.

If they truly support you--love you-- they'll get over it and accept whatever path you take. And it's more valuable to have spent your time finding your passion than languishing because of the expectation of others.

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What's wrong with culinary arts? People have to eat.

Do something that you'll be happy with, not something that makes you miserable.

Your career choice should be yours, not your parents.

Why is your father so set on you becoming a nurse?

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Yeah our Fundamentals professor insisted we start IVs on each other by the 4th week. We actually needed to be checked off on how to insert an IV on our partner before we could start clinical. He also made us insert Nasogastric tubes into each other. To be honest I didn't like his teaching style at all, which was one of the contributing factors that led me to leave the program.

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To be honest, I think he saw what nursing could provide...good pay and a roof over your head. He grew up poor and worked his way up. It's funny though because I heard he actually wanted to become a comedian but my grandma insisted he take up nursing.

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Money isn't everything, though you do need to be able to make enough to support yourself.

Dental hygiene sounds like a good field also.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.
Yeah our Fundamentals professor insisted we start IVs on each other by the 4th week. We actually needed to be checked off on how to insert an IV on our partner before we could start clinical. He also made us insert Nasogastric tubes into each other. To be honest I didn't like his teaching style at all, which was one of the contributing factors that led me to leave the program.

WTH? This sounds way screwy to me. Are you in the states?

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There's also radiology or ultrasound tech or respiratory therapy.

Research and see what the salary and job prospects are.

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Keeyumbow66......lik others have said on this post.....do what YOU feel is right for YOU!! Nursing is truly not for everyone. I constantly hear people say "im going to nursing school because its recession proof" or they think they will make tons of money. Nursing is not NOT about that. it definitely IS a career in which one has to have a sincere passion for. I love nursing because you learn alot and i like to learn and on top of trying to make a difference. But i feel you have done what is right. Pursue your dreams..because if not someone will use you to pursue their own dreams and what that person will have planned for you will be abosolutely nothing! Do YOU!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Go for the culinary arts! I love good food!

As you said, no excitement going into a hospital, didn't like being a CNA, don't do it.

I loved going into a hospital, so proudly in my Candy-striper pinafore, white shoes, hem carefully 2 inches above (no more!) the knee. So you could say I've been doing this one way or another since I was 14. If you don't want to spend the 41 years doing this, then don't. Far too many other things to do with your life than be miserable.

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