Recent college grad new to nursing school thinking of dropping out

lilarox · Feb 19, 2011

I'm not sure of your reasons for getting into nursing school, but I will tell you that I grad in May and Nursing school takes alot of dedication and time. I your burned out, you may need a break. If it is your "calling" then go for it.

pitaya · Feb 20, 2011

I did the same thing! Immediately after I graduated from college with Bachelor's degree #1, I entered nursing school. It has now been 1.5 years since I finished my first degree, I've been in nursing school that whole time, and I am beat. I haven't even had summers off. The last time I had a summer break was in high school because I have always taken summer classes. After nursing school ends in August, I will study for the NCLEX, hopefully pass it, and then take a few months to myself. It is hard. It's really hard. But it can be done. I have 6 months left. If I took a break from nursing school, I would probably never go back to it. You're already in, just keep at it. It actually goes by fast and furious.

mymy1219 · Feb 20, 2011

Struggle now and then have fun later. That's how i feel. But think hard about the decision because you don't want to make a choice and regret it later.

ProudRN2B · Feb 20, 2011

I agree with mymy. The thing that got me through nursing school was knowing that it was just a short, temporary time in my life that would forever benefit my future. First semester was the hardest, it does get easier.

NP Sam · Feb 20, 2011

I graduated in May and started nursing school in Aug. So I did get a little break. But it is hard. Hang in there! My accelerated program will be done in December. When will you be finished?

Nicole74 · Feb 20, 2011

Maybe take a semester off and decide, it's a program that requires alot of dedication it seems. Good Luck!

newRNstudent02 · Feb 21, 2011

It's so hard getting into nursing school it would seem like a total waste if you just dropped. If you dropped now, what would you do?

Jennagirl6 · Feb 21, 2011

Thank you guys so so much for all the advice. It's great to hear from people further along in it than I am. I am in a two year program. It hasn't been that hard school wise. My bachelors was definitely more difficult but I enjoyed it a lot. I am not sure I like nursing enough right now to just tough it out. Do you guys feel like you knew you wanted to do nursing so that motivated you or were you also not sure if nursing was for you? I have thought about taking a year off and applying for an accelerated program instead if I decide I do really want to do it. I'm only 22 the youngest in my whole nursing school so some of my thoughts are...if I finish at 26 compared to 24 is that a big deal? Maybe time off would help me be more certain about being a nurse.

Thanks again so much all of you for your responses! Its a big help to hear different thoughts

NP Sam · Feb 21, 2011

Well I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. I am also the youngest in my accelerated program (21). You don't have to be a certain age to become a nurse, we have 50 year olds who academically kick my butt every day! It is very hard to get into nursing school as you know. If you decide to take time off that is up to you, but you do have "nursing on your brain":) and might lose a lot of that in the time you take off.

Oh and at least half of my class has questioned their decision about entering into nursing school. Do you have classmates that you are close to? Maybe you can talk to them about your concerns also for support.

We were warned when we first stepped into class the first day of our first semester by our instructor... she said "Nursing school SUCKS!" You can do it!