Second thoughts/cold feet

phoenoryker · Apr 21, 2014

In my opinion, the title to your topic provides more insight into your dilemma and what you volunteered in your post. Could it be that you are smart, have always been told you are smart, but are afraid to invest time into something that you may fail at? If that is the case, it would make sense that you are searching for reasons why this wouldn't be a good fit for you. It is hard to tell you what you should--too many unknown factors. Truly look into why you are second guessing yourself, get to the root of that question. Your answer should be somewhere in there. Perhaps you should speak to a mental health professional. I don't think you would be on this forum if you didn't have a desire to be in nursing. Good luck!!

zzbxdo · Apr 21, 2014

Drop out, bum around and live life a little. If you're on your is already then kk, if you're still under your parents wings go learn to be financially responsible. Go back to school when you realize you need a career and know what you don't mind seeing your self doing down the road. I never wanted to be a nurse, but I don't mind it. it pays the bills and will get me far down the road. If I could be a bum for the rest of my life I would, but I have stuff to do.

prettydoll123 · Apr 21, 2014

phoenoryker- I'm not afraid to invest time into something. I'm just confused about what to invest it into. I don't want to invest it into the wrong thing and waste time. I will consider seeing a mental health professional! Thank you for your advice!

zzbxdo- I'm not under my parents "wing". I work/support myself/ put myself through school. I started college at 17 and paid for it with scholarships, grants, and money I had saved up and fed myself and paid for what I needed by working on days I didn't have class and on the weekends. I DO realize that I need a career, but I don't know WHAT I want to do. Nothing is appealing to me.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 22, 2014

You started really young and have been working very hard. Maybe you need to take a break from school for a while to decompress. I know that it is a really antiquated phrase, but back in the Stone Age, we placed a lot of emphasis on "finding yourself"... (yeah, unapologetic Hippie here).

You're wise beyond your years - realizing the importance of choosing your own path. It's important to discover exactly who you are and where you want to go in life. I am enormously proud of you - for realizing that a commitment to nursing should be motivated by more than just a paycheck. If you do decide on nursing - you'll be dynamite!

WavyGravy · Apr 22, 2014

I think this advice column might helpful for you to read. SparkLife » Auntie SparkNotes: I Don't Know What I Want to Do with My Life

The advice column basically said that it's a big myth that you have to be passionate about your career, because you actually don't need to. They also gave some good advice for helping figure out if you like a certain career option

sj20fame · May 1, 2014

I think if you don't know then that's Okay. I was a drop out (@15 yes old) I began working right away & at age 20 I had an epiphany while sitting at work as a receptionist I thought "omg-am I gonna sit here at the front desk foreverrrr??" Got my butt back to school & knew I wanted a career that made a difference in other peoples lives so I thought social worker, then changed my mind & thought dental hygienist, but knowing that I'm a person that needs variety & change all the time I finally chose Nursing! It took me a while to figure out but here I am - eager to start my bsn! There are moments I still have doubt because I get scared that I might not make it in nursing school(I also hear how intense it is) but we have to try before giving up :) take a break & continue to search for your calling!:)

Cuddleswithpuddles · May 1, 2014

I think the key to happiness is to not confuse it with the feeling of joy.

There will always be times when you will be miserable, no matter how fantastic your lot in life is. There will always be days when you feel that school sucks, your job sucks, your family sucks, you suck etc. To avoid all misery and experience joy all the time are simply unreasonable and unattainable goals.

Does this mean nothing in life is worth pursuing? Of course not.

Nursing has brought me more misery than anything I have ever done, but when I look back at my seven years of experience, I am incredibly happy. All of the pain, the tears, the worry, frustration, doubt, vomit and feces have been worth it. All of it is meaningful and worth doing all over again. That, to me, is true happiness. Not the pursuit of that fleeting feeling of joy.

Also, things may not be appealing to you because you are looking far too much as an outsider. How exciting can a course catalog be? Reading about nursing is one thing. Experiencing it as a volunteer or as a student nurse is a whole different world. Same goes for any life pursuit, really.