Quit nursing school after two months...

[keeyumbow66]

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.

[livebreathloveit]

Hi,,,,I just wanted to give you a big pat on the back for stepping aside of this field,if its not what your heart truly feels is rite for you. If I may say ( your calling on Gods green earth!)

Iv been in the field for awhile now,and never felt I have the intelligence to apply for just basic LPN.

Not saying by no means LPN is easy....It is not!!! But for some one that has been in the field for 18 years and can run with the best of them in almost in situation setting,meaning ER,ICU,CCU,HOSPICE..ect and have told i should go back to school, I worry so much about failure.

You are blessed to the brain cells..lol.... to do what ever your heart desires and you should go for what ever that may be!!!!!

Keep your chin up, and be HAPPY.:)

[pookyp, LPN]

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

Oh my! I'm cracking up!

[lovemyplants]

Cullinary arts sounds great! It's important to follow your heart. If you hated every moment of being a nurse, the stress would eventually wear you down and lead to illness.

[DoeRN]

Picture yourself 10 years from now and then picture.

Edit: Hit send too soon. Picture what you will enjoy doing. Culinary Arts is a great career. Don't worry about what others think. It's your life so live it the way you want too. From my perspective 23 is considered an adult.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[mskeaton90]

have you thought about ultrasound

[coola]

For early nursing students o start IVs on fellow students and NG tube insertion on same?!! If that isn't against the law it should be!

[hopefulNP2017]

I am a dental hygienist and have decided to pursue nursing. I will be starting my first semester this spring..As one of the other posts stated, look at the job market for dental hygienists. In my area there are at least 50 applicants for one job. I have been unemployed for 6 months.

[keeyumbow66]

I know I was shocked too! Some classmates had nosebleeds. I refused after hearing that!

[keeyumbow66]

Wow that's really unfortunate! How long were you a Dental hygienist before you switched to nursing? If you don't mind me asking what state do you live in?

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

I liked your post, but not b/c you're unemployed =( Thanks for verifying what I said, and I wish you well!! I was in dentistry for 21 years before I went back to nursing school. I heard lots of stories of new grads not finding jobs after 2008 when the economy took that big ol' dump. Whereas hygienists at one time could "write their own ticket", that, like nursing, has taken a complete 180!

[keeyumbow66]

Back in the early 90's it was a lot easier for new grad nurses to find jobs in Southern California but nowadays it's so much harder. Most of my friends and family members who are nurses are finding it hard to find Hospital jobs due to the fact that they want at least 1-2 years experience. My sister works at a Skilled nursing facility, she works the night shift... 4 days in a row then she has two days off. She graduated with her BSN but has yet to find a job in the hospital setting. But she loves what she does, so it keeps her motivated when she's job hunting.

[A&Ox6, MSN, RN]

Thanks again guys for all the great feedback! I've taken all your suggestions into consideration and I will continue to do some more research and soul searching! I still want to use my prerequisites that I've taken because I love science but I also love food. That being said I'm going to take an organic chemistry class next semester as well as some cooking classes! I'll combine my love for both and I'll see where I end up :)[/quote']

Maybe food science?