Several things are making me consider dropping nursing school

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I'm 3 weeks away from ending my first semester at my nursing program and I am not looking forward to next semester. Things have not been going so great for me and I am starting to feel very stressed out and unhappy. I just feel like I'm stuck and I am not sure about what to do. As a teen, I've always wanted to go to med school, but that dream went away when I transferred to a 4 year university (bad grades). I decided PA or NP was the next step, but PA school required 2000 hours of experience and I had none. I decided to go for NP, but I have never wanted to be a nurse. I just felt like it wouldn't be something I would enjoy. I really needed the income though and it was a job in the medical field, so I thought it would work (it is very easy to get jobs in my area). I also thought that I could use the hours while working as nurse to go to PA school if I decided to pass on becoming a NP. Forwarding to now - every week, I keep thinking this isn't for me. I am always searching the internet for other educational options. I'm not failing my classes, but my grades are not amazing. I have very little motivation to study. I'm not crazy about the nursing program bc it can be very disorganized. I have been feeling very frustrated lately because our clinical instructor just told us she doesn't give out A's. I hate writing major care plans with a passion - nursing diagnosis's bore me. Adding more fuel to the fire (which also worsens how I feel and thus, makes me feel even more unmotivated), I am broke as heck. I pretty much have no support from my mom and older sister. My boyfriend who was helping me in the beginning is now unemployed. I don't qualify for aid and no loans are offered. I have applied for jobs and I have not been considered for any because of my schedule. I just heard that a nursing assistant job that is offered to students is not going to be offered this spring after-all (I have been waiting for this job for months now). My living situation sucks; I have no personal space and it can be impossible to study there (I usually take my stuff to my boyfriends home and it's annoying to take all my books). My whole family would freak out if I told them I was considering dropping the program. The only person I had mentioned this to is my boyfriend, and he thinks it's the worst idea ever. They all think it's a great, stable and awesome paying job and there are always openings in my area. I just don't know what I can do anymore.

I really hope this doesn't come off bad - I respect nurses and I think they are very intelligent and hard working people. I just feel like the job is not right for me.

Thanks for hearing me out. As always, feedback is great.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Perhaps, you are right and this is not for you. Most people I knew in school were dedicated and passionate about their work and refused to let a lack of A's hamper them. The real world is much different than nursing school and much more fun. Although, you'll never be happy if your dream was to be a prescriber and you're already this frustrated with school, because it only gets harder and more frustrating.

Perhaps a paramedic certification would be more for you with the autonomy and personal responsibility.

Meh, i'm probably talking apples and oranges. Whatever you decide. Good luck in your endeavors and go for your dream. Don't settle on something you're heart is not in.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

If you were to drop out what exactly would you do? If med school is out, an MSN is out, and PA school is out as well?

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Thanks for the comments :)

That's the problem that I'm facing - I have no idea what to do otherwise. I can try entering into B.A. PA programs, but those require 5-6 years to finish & what are the chances they'll accept me? I had the chance to work as a histology assistant before nursing, but I gave it up because I didn't think it would count as clinical experience for the PA program (my friend claims it does count though). I just feel like I have to suck it up and finish. I'm just worried that my grades will stop me from continuing with a PA program. I also changed hospitals next semester, so that might help. If I am able to get a job and move out, that will really help me out with studying (like I mentioned, I have no personal space and it's suffocating). Thanks again :)

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
Thanks for the comments :)

That's the problem that I'm facing - I have no idea what to do otherwise. I can try entering into B.A. PA programs, but those require 5-6 years to finish & what are the chances they'll accept me? I had the chance to work as a histology assistant before nursing, but I gave it up because I didn't think it would count as clinical experience for the PA program (my friend claims it does count though). I just feel like I have to suck it up and finish. I'm just worried that my grades will stop me from continuing with a PA program. I also changed hospitals next semester, so that might help. If I am able to get a job and move out, that will really help me out with studying (like I mentioned, I have no personal space and it's suffocating). Thanks again :)

Pa schools are super competitive as I'm sure you know, so yes, bad grades are going to hurt, but dropping out of NS isn't going to get you there either.

I understand the desire to do something you love, but it sounds like what you really need as soon as possible is a J. O. B. and finishing school will help you get one of those. If you feel so inclined when you're in a better position you could go back to school and try to raise your GPA and take upper level science classes to try to look more favorable, but realistically...you're in a bad spot right now. You're on the path to make it better.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I don't know where to begin.. I could be off base but you're coming off as if nursing is beneath you and you can't be bothered with taking it seriously. I have yet to meet one student who enjoys writing care plans or are immensely interested in nursing diagnosis'. You need to do what is right for you-- you can't do this stuff for anyone else but yourself. FAFSA offers non-need based loans..

Can you study at the library, or on campus?? That will help too. Accept the position you're in. Suck up living with family for now-- getting a low-paying job just to get out of the house is NOT going to help you in the long run.

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Specializes in Home Care.

Seems to me that there's a lot going on in your life that is causing you stress. Perhaps its just not the right time for you to be in school, there's nothing wrong with that.

Maybe you need a semester off to get yourself sorted. Take some time for yourself, sort out your living and financial situation and get your head in the right place.

Its been my experience that unless my head is in a good place then I'm not ready for school.

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I do not think you should quit. You do not have long to go. There has to be something in 'nursing' you like. Hema/Oncology, med-surg, BMT, NICU, etc. You do not have to stay a nurse.

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For what it's worth I dropped out of nursing school in the 90's, when I was in my early 20's for many of the same reasons that you are describing. I followed other opportunities and happily earn pay comparable to an RN's. I knew after about two years though that I missed health care and that someday I would come back to this. Here I am 12 years later and the only reason it is logistically possible for me to go back to nursing school is that, because I was in the military, I have the GI bill and a good paying job that is flexible around school.

My advice is to tough it out. If you change your mind later it is more difficult when you have children, mortgage and other responsibilities in the way.

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I have always heard that when you are ready to do something great for yourself, something terrible will always try to stop you. In your case, you may be that terrible thing. As moonchild86 says, nobody likes writing care plans and everybody would like the glory of an A but my daughter says "you get what you get and don't throw a fit". Either suck it up or move on, but be a grown up. Do yu know how many people would kill to have a shot at a nursing career?

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Daynip,

It seems you have a lot going on in your life, that perhaps are major contributing factors with not wanting to continue in your current path. Please take the time to re-evaluate your situation. I'd start by writing down the pros and cons on whether to continue or not. Make sure to realistically take into consideration all aspects that would impact your future.

I wish I could offer more solutions. There's always light at the end of the tunnel. It may take awhile to find the light....but its there. Whichever path you choose to take....best of luck to you! God bless!

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Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

if not nursing then what? That is what you have to consider. I read that some PA's do not take the nursing route, they go the EMT and paramedic route to get their experience, those courses are a lot shorter but with low grades you might end up looking at an expensive private PA school. And acutally some PA programs are only 2 years if you already have a bachelor degree. Since you finish your first semester check local hospitals for nurse tech positions...

Just know that your decision will get no easier 10 years later when you find your self all of a sudden married then kids start coming and u got a mortagage and bills piling up. My sister was in a similar situation when she was younger,she had no clue what to do, she just went to nursing school cause her aunt told her to try it,she sucked at math but she stuck it out. Years later in her 30's she's now happy with her decision to stay with it, she now makes more than twice her husband salary and is able to do things she always wanted.

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