I would first like to say I know this post my offend a few people but I have to get this out.
I wrote a post a few weeks ago about my contemplating staying in nursing school. I wondered if all nursing was like this. I've see and experienced some things that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Just in case no one read my previous post, I'm a young nursing student. I'm half way done . I'm at the top of my class. Today, I officially decided that I am not coming back to finish my last year of nursing school. I've never cried this much, obsessed about my health this much( #1 to me) and worried that if I said the wrong thing I'd be kicked out of the program. I'm intelligent and I have a lot to offer. There are other careers out there. I'm so much better then this. I'm sorry if this is coming across the wrong way because I don't mean it. I just think all the good nurses don't deserve this treatment. I know I'm a (ex) nursing student but I've met a few nurses already that made me smile and were so genuine get dumped on and disrespected.
Right now I'm a vibrant 23 year old and I can see a sad future ahead of me if I stay in this. I don't want to walk out a burned out 55 year old. For a long time, it was between nursing and pharmacy school. I've decided to go to pharmacy school . I know no job is perfect but this has to be the worst job. I also don't see where all money in nursing is. The hospital where I do my clinical rotation at, they start at 20 dollars/hr ......give me a break.
I do appreciate all the support and encouragement i've gotten from here. I really do. I really feel in my heart I'm making the right choice. After being miserable for 8 months. I'm saying "yes" to life again and my future.
I wish you lots of positive thoughts and joy!!! Good for you for making a difficult decision instead of just letting the river take you along. As long as you have passion you will find your way:redpinkhe
Reading these posts that are so negative, freak me out!!! I am trying to get into a program, finishing my pre-req. and I am scared to death....what goes on in nursing school????
I guess I better stop reading....lol.....
When I was a carpenter, lateral violence meant punching someone in the side. In nursing, it can encompass anything from rolling your eyes as someone gives you report to punching someone in the side, but most complaints are a bit more serious than eye-rolling, while rarely devolving to fisticuffs. Generally, it's hostil, aggressive behavior between peers. It happens. It can be dealt with. Forewarned is forearmed.
What happens in nursing school? LOTS of hard work. LOTS of stress. Not enough sleep. Eating from drive-thrus on the way to class or clinicals. It's hard. Some people can't do it, but many get through, though most, at times, doubt they will. It isn't uncommon to feel one or more instructors are out to get you. In a few cases, they may actually be, but more often it's the student's misperception. Or maybe a combination of both.
The good news is, if you make it through school and survive NCLEX, you get to be a nurse. Your first year as a nurse will make school and NCLEX look easy. Somewhere during the second year, though, you begin to find your feet and have a pretty good idea what you're doing, and from there you'll either love it or hate it, or some combination of both.
Personally, I found these boards helpful while I was going through school. Not for homework help, but to see that others were going through much the same as me, some occassional venting, and figuring out why I wanted to be a nurse. It has helped me develop my philosophy of nursing. When I started school, I didn't even know I needed a philosophy of nursing.
Quite a few people who thought nursing school was unreasonable, unbearable, and impossible now have RN after their names, and some are even happy about it. Also, a lot of people go to movies and pay good money to get the crap scared out of them. Here, you can do it for free.
I really needed to read this today. I myself I'm a nursing student who doesn't have to much longer until I graduate. I worked very hard to get to this point...infact years to get into nursing school with taking pre-reqs, and getting accepted. I myself never thought it was going to be like this. I've been debating on whether or not to leave nursing and nursing school behind and after reading this I will follow my gut feeling and just leave instead of forcing it like i've been doing for a while now. I've never been so miserable and worked so hard in my life. I worked retail for years during breaks from school, and I got treated better there.
Its amazing that im leaving before I even start. I think I just see the reality of it, while a lot of my fellow nursing students are still so naive and delusional about it all. In clinicals in the hospital I never been treated with so much disrespect. I'm only there twice a week for 5 hours. I just can't imagine being there for 12 hours 3x a week with full responsiblity- I'd be wornout and miserable before I even reached 1 or 2 months.
Just thank you, its so good to hear that I'm not the only one who is feeling like this. Reading this gave me the extra push I need to just leave and go back and finish my previous major.
I really needed to read this today. I myself I'm a nursing student who doesn't have to much longer until I graduate. I worked very hard to get to this point...infact years to get into nursing school with taking pre-reqs, and getting accepted. I myself never thought it was going to be like this. I've been debating on whether or not to leave nursing and nursing school behind and after reading this I will follow my gut feeling and just leave instead of forcing it like i've been doing for a while now. I've never been so miserable and worked so hard in my life. I worked retail for years during breaks from school, and I got treated better there.
Its amazing that im leaving before I even start. I think I just see the reality of it, while a lot of my fellow nursing students are still so naive and delusional about it all. In clinicals in the hospital I never been treated with so much disrespect. I'm only there twice a week for 5 hours. I just can't imagine being there for 12 hours 3x a week with full responsiblity- I'd be wornout and miserable before I even reached 1 or 2 months.
Just thank you, its so good to hear that I'm not the only one who is feeling like this. Reading this gave me the extra push I need to just leave and go back and finish my previous major.
All I can say is if you are supposed to graduate in May or June you would be foolish not to stick it out and get something for your wasted time. You never know what life will throw you and it is good to have a skill even if you never work as a nurse. If you have longer than that to go, then I would not blame you if you don't stay. Nursing does have certain perks including a million different places and types of work, different shifts and shift lengths that you can work, weekend only programs for moms, etc. It is not all hospital floor nursing, that is only one aspect. But all of nursing involves some stress, responsibility, and the desire to help others. I can't think of any area of nursing where you don't have to interact well with sometimes difficult people. The traits you need are the same across the board. If you don't have them, you don't have them.
All I can say is if you are supposed to graduate in May or June you would be foolish not to stick it out and get something for your wasted time. You never know what life will throw you and it is good to have a skill even if you never work as a nurse. If you have longer than that to go, then I would not blame you if you don't stay. Nursing does have certain perks including a million different places and types of work, different shifts and shift lengths that you can work, weekend only programs for moms, etc. It is not all hospital floor nursing, that is only one aspect. But all of nursing involves some stress, responsibility, and the desire to help others. I can't think of any area of nursing where you don't have to interact well with sometimes difficult people. The traits you need are the same across the board. If you don't have them, you don't have them.
I'm not graduating in may or june. I have longer then that. Nursing isn't for me. I can find a decent job outside of nursing where I can be treated with respect,use my skills, don't have to worry about my health and get paid my worth. No job is perfect and everyone has their bad days but this to me is of a different kind. Good luck to all:specs:
I really needed to read this today. I myself I'm a nursing student who doesn't have to much longer until I graduate. I worked very hard to get to this point...infact years to get into nursing school with taking pre-reqs, and getting accepted. I myself never thought it was going to be like this. I've been debating on whether or not to leave nursing and nursing school behind and after reading this I will follow my gut feeling and just leave instead of forcing it like i've been doing for a while now. I've never been so miserable and worked so hard in my life. I worked retail for years during breaks from school, and I got treated better there.
Its amazing that im leaving before I even start. I think I just see the reality of it, while a lot of my fellow nursing students are still so naive and delusional about it all. In clinicals in the hospital I never been treated with so much disrespect. I'm only there twice a week for 5 hours. I just can't imagine being there for 12 hours 3x a week with full responsiblity- I'd be wornout and miserable before I even reached 1 or 2 months.
Just thank you, its so good to hear that I'm not the only one who is feeling like this. Reading this gave me the extra push I need to just leave and go back and finish my previous major.
If you don't have much longer to graduate, finish school and get your RN license. You have no idea what will happen in the future. That nursing license may come in handy and for that matter, your entire attitude might change. Don't deprive yourself of this means to support yourself. Nobody says you ever have to work as a nurse, but having the license makes for a good backup throughout life.
Minee - not to detract from the OP but may I ask just how much longer you have til graduation? If you're just *weeks* away from graduating, and having invested so much to get to this point, it might be worth it to stick it out. Having a degree in nursing doesn't mean that you HAVE to work as a nurse. Think of how many economics and history majors don't work in economics or history! If you're in a BSN program, the bachelor's degree will work to get you into any job that requires a bachelor's, including non-medical jobs, maybe something in the area of your previous major.
I'm not saying you *should* stick it out. If that other major it calling, that may be the way to go. Do you know how easy it is to get back into that, how long it would take to finish the degree and if you can afford another couple years of school? If you really want to do that and it looks feasible, then go for it!!!
I'm just asking because if you truly are almost done (such as less than one term) and you're not really sure 'what next?', then it might make sense to go ahead, finish the program and then decide 'what next?'. Or it might not because of any number of valid reasons! Just food for thought. If you do decide to drop out and do something else, I certainly won't hold it against you! Best wishes to you, too!
Thank you for the explanation...you managed to put everything in perspective for me.
No matter where you go there is going to be problems among peers, I guess that is a reality. It just surprises me how it seems like everyone is out to get each other.
I am 38 and a single mom, nursing is suppose to be a positive career change for me, something I waited a long time to pursue and it just gets so discouraging to hear such negativity....it makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing..,,
I would first like to say I know this post my offend a few people but I have to get this out.
I wrote a post a few weeks ago about my contemplating staying in nursing school. I wondered if all nursing was like this. I've see and experienced some things that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Just in case no one read my previous post, I'm a young nursing student. I'm half way done . I'm at the top of my class. Today, I officially decided that I am not coming back to finish my last year of nursing school. I've never cried this much, obsessed about my health this much( #1 to me) and worried that if I said the wrong thing I'd be kicked out of the program. I'm intelligent and I have a lot to offer. There are other careers out there. I'm so much better then this. I'm sorry if this is coming across the wrong way because I don't mean it. I just think all the good nurses don't deserve this treatment. I know I'm a (ex) nursing student but I've met a few nurses already that made me smile and were so genuine get dumped on and disrespected.
Right now I'm a vibrant 23 year old and I can see a sad future ahead of me if I stay in this. I don't want to walk out a burned out 55 year old. For a long time, it was between nursing and pharmacy school. I've decided to go to pharmacy school . I know no job is perfect but this has to be the worst job. I also don't see where all money in nursing is. The hospital where I do my clinical rotation at, they start at 20 dollars/hr ......give me a break.
I do appreciate all the support and encouragement i've gotten from here. I really do. I really feel in my heart I'm making the right choice. After being miserable for 8 months. I'm saying "yes" to life again and my future.
Good luck in everything you do!!! You have many years ahead of you and you sound like a bright young lady. Life is about being happy and doing what you want. You will do great. Life is just toooooo short. Carla
Thank you for the explanation...you managed to put everything in perspective for me.
No matter where you go there is going to be problems among peers, I guess that is a reality. It just surprises me how it seems like everyone is out to get each other.
I am 38 and a single mom, nursing is suppose to be a positive career change for me, something I waited a long time to pursue and it just gets so discouraging to hear such negativity....it makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing..,,
I don't mean to minimize anyone's woes, but do bear in mind that hardly anyone, including me, ever thinks, "Wow, I had a really great shift! I think I'll post about it on allnurses!" Also, my father says that when he was in the military, they never worried if the troops were griping. They only became concerned about morale when the troops were too beaten down to gripe. It's a bit like that with nurses, too. Even when things are fine, we grumble. It's part of the bonding process.
Unfortunately, as the OP has found, the only way to know for sure if it's for you is to go through it. I'm tempted to say if you're lucky, you'll realize early that it sucks and run for the hills. I guess that is luckier than feeling "stuck" in a job you hate. Still, I'll have been a nurse for 4 years in June, which doesn't make me a veteran, but it's long enough for the "new car smell" to wear off, and I still love my stupid job. A lot of my shifts are kinda routine: assess, pass meds, assess, chart, assess, pass meds. Day at the office. A few are nightmares. More are merely intermittently frustrating. Some--including some of the intermittently annoying--are golden. I really like a quiet shift where all God's children are safe in bed and everything goes as expected, but there is an undeniable high when something starts to go wrong and you know just what to do to head it off, or have a patient whose biggest need is someone to listen and you can actually find time to do so.
A few weeks ago, I had a patient in restraints and was in her room for the umpteenth time to reposition her. I was kneeling at the bedside, retying her restraints, when she looked at me with the utmost concern and asked if I needed her to help me up, because I looked like I was just worn out. Well, I was pretty worn out. It was a long night. But I found myself chuckling to myself for the rest of my shift, and it still tickles me to think about it.
So, hey, go for it. No law says you can't use a nursing degree to sell used cars, if it comes to that.
mom35
507 Posts
I wish you lots of positive thoughts and joy!!! Good for you for making a difficult decision instead of just letting the river take you along. As long as you have passion you will find your way:redpinkhe