RN Nursing Program Struggles - Keep Going or Try Another Medical Field?

[rae25star]

I'm currently taking a semester off of school because I failed a third course in an RN Program and was kicked out. I had one semester left of the program before graduation so I was mostly done with the required classes (all generals and some nursing).

I'm looking into other RN campus programs to transfer into for either fall 2018 or spring 2019 semesters. I could get my LPN and then complete an LPN-RN degree program and be done with all of that in 2 years.

I love the technical side of nursing ie. skills (taking out surgical staples, wound care, IV medications/pumps, etc.) but don't feel as confident in my bedside manner which I know does come with time and experience on the job but is a big part of clinicals.

I know nursing school isn't easy at all nor should it be because we're in charge of peoples' lives. I've been in college for 2 years of generals and then 2.5 years of a 2-year RN program (took 2 different semesters off to repeat classes) so part of me is wondering if I've gotten burned out to some extent with constantly thinking I'll be done in another semester and being super close (by points off) to passing but not passing at the very end of the semester.

My question is this: is it totally wrong to be reconsidering the nursing field and wanting to check out other non-nursing medical field programs before jumping back into nursing?

For example, I'm interested in the surgical technician program. Now I know it doesn't pay as well as an RN degree job and I wouldn't be as flexible to transfer into other units like I could do with a nursing job but I think it might be a good fit for me.

At this point, I'm second-guessing myself and my abilities to be a competent and compassionate nurse. I think those doubts were probably in my mind at the beginning of the program but now have manifested themselves up-front since I blew my final chance at graduating from this certain program.

I was interested in working in the ER (I work as an EMT for an ambulance service right now) or the NICU (I was a preemie myself - 3.5 months early so I have a personal connection) but also surgery.

I'm interested in surgery mostly because of an experience during EMT clinicals where I got to watch a knee replacement surgery and it was one of the coolest experiences so far in my school career!!

It seems like this might be the time for me to explore other options but I also know that nursing is a very versatile field with different avenues and job possibilities after graduation.

I have talked to different friends who are done with nursing school and working as well as an academic counselor but I still have no clear idea of what I should pursue now - going back to nursing and trying again or pursuing a different field for now and finishing nursing later on.

I don't want to be a quitter just because nursing school is difficult - nothing good in life is easy and I've wanted to be a nurse since I was 7-8 but now I'm not so sure.

Any advice/suggestions are appreciated!!

[YankeeRose11, ADN, RN]

I just graduated with my ADN in May. I graduated with several people who had to repeat classes (especially psych; our final was worth 50% of our grade). They're all now gainfully employed as RNs in different units, including ICU. If and when you go back to nursing school, don't be afraid to ask questions during class/attend office hours with professors if possible. Classmates can also be a good resource. Find someone who really understands an area you're struggling with and ask them for help. I was always willing to tutor people/offer study tips.

If you think surgical technician is better suited to your personality, by all means, go for it. A big part of success in any type of medical career is knowing thyself. I personally would hate working in a long-term care facility, but there are many people who find it rewarding and are good at it.

You sound like a driven individual who'll definitely succeed in whichever career path you choose. Good luck.

[christineNM, ADN]

Please don't take this as rude.

But rn programs are so difficult where I'm from. They are also very competitive to get into. How do you fail multiple times yet still have options to continue? Please, again don't take this wrong. I'm asking because I struggled with my GPA before figuring out I wanted to pursue nursing so now I'm playing catch up and scrambling around to try and figure out my best options. Any advice or input would be helpful since you have insight.