quitting school, pls help.

Published

I am wondering what one can "do" with nursing school and clinical credits if he/she decides nursing is not for them.

I had a career change in my 40s, and dove head first into a ton of nursing pre-reqs, and then I got accepted into an ASN program. I am now finding myself very unhappy with the choice. Please don't tell me to stick with it. I have given it fair and thorough thought from the heart. Nursing is just not for me. I wish I had discovered it earlier on... but this is it.

My question is what is a natural transition from nursing? What careers lend themselves to utilizing the experience I have gained.. and, more importantly, which college tracks will take some of the many, many credit hours I have paid and worked so hard for?

I look online, but I cannot seem to find any ideas for what career would "flow" out of nursing if one decides NOT to be a nurse.

I am wondering if psychology is aligned to nursing? Or, any, all, ideas and thoughts are welcome. Please. Thank you.

/feeling very lost.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's not what you want to hear but finish your ASN and then move onto a bachelors in something else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have all the pre-reqs done. Finishing would just mean more semesters of straight clinical, which as far as I can tell doesn't transfer into any other sort of program. (This is basically what I am asking)

It doesn't make sense to spend the time and money to pursue something that is a dead-end. Get an ASN to do what? Jump ship and start again anyway... better to change ships now. I already have a BA in English. I want to know what sort of programs will utilize the many sciences (anat, phys, chem, micro) and etc that I have obtained on this journey. I want to know if 22 credits of nursing clinical coursework ( which seems to be specific to nursing *only) is transferable in any way to any other program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are as sure as you seem to be that nursing isn't for you, it's possible that careers that naturally flow from nursing might not suit you either. What is it that drew you to nursing? What is it about the nursing track that signals to you that you're not into it? What do you WANT to do? One of the best quotes from CS Lewis (and I'm paraphrasing because I can't remember it verbatim) is that when you make a wrong turn, you have to first go back to where you made the error and then correct it. You can't just change course from where you're at or else you'll still be going in the wrong direction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you spoke to an academic or guidance counselor? They may be able to help you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As a matter of practicality, advise you to finish the ASN program, obtain a nursing license, and place the license into an inactive status. Then discover what you would rather do for a living. You never know what the future may hold. That nursing license may become very helpful someday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are several "Allied Health" professions that include a lot of the core science and general ed requirements that nursing does. You didn't say why you feel nursing is not right for you, so it may be that none of these 'nursing adjacent' jobs would be a good fit either. Look at the other programs offered by your current school or potential schools in your area and see if any of those programs sound like a better fit. Speak to the admissions advisors and tell them *specifically* what drew you to the idea of nursing and the reasons that you changed your mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Why is nursing not for you? The poop? The work hours? The hard hospital floors? Touching strangers' bodies? Knowing your reasoning might help people make better suggestions for you.

Fields/majors/degrees that could use the science classes: PT, RT, PA, OT, medicine, paramedic, biomedical engineering, public health, nutrition, speech pathology, athletic training, massage therapy, etc.

I doubt any other program will transfer in nursing clinical as credit for anything; they're too specific.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

,I a not sure if this is the answer that you are looking for but some of the other careers I have considered pursuing were mentioned above by BrendanO. I am still mulling over the idea of becoming a physical therapist instead of a nurse if I finish my bachelors in arts instead of starting an associates in nursing right away. I love all things related to sports and fitness so it might actually be a better fit for me, as I am uncertain of how I will cope with the darker side of nursing.

As others have asked, what about nursing makes you think it is not for you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love the teaching,talking, explaining to patients. I love guiding them. I do not love, nor like, direct patient care. I do not want to help someone brush their teeth. NO, pee, poo, blood do not bother me-- I am a mom, LOL. I just am not the one who wants to be hands-on. I would rather be the facilitator.

I attend a nursing school almost military-like in its abuse of students.

I have significant other responsibilities in life and this program is more than I want to manage.

I am not looking to hear, stick it out.

I already did.. and did... and did..

More semesters down the road and I still want out.

I wish nursing offered a non-clinical track. I would love to be a patient advocate in some other way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So what would you rather do? We can not answer that for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I love the teaching,talking, explaining to patients. I love guiding them.

Sounds to me like you should look into health education or community health programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion