Should I change majors and goals to Nursing?

tattoogirl · Feb 5, 2001

Originally posted by HeatherC:
Hi everyone!
This is my first message on here so it's all new to me! I've enjoyed reading everyone's postings and share a lot of the same feelings and ideas with many. I am a students soon to graduate with an Elementary Education degree, next Fall...I almost switched majors to Nursing this past Fall but chose not to because I was so close to getting my degree already. The idea of Nursing is still in my head and I wonder and think about it off and on! What should I do? I have so much $ taken out in loans from prior school already (that wouldn't stop me necessarily...) and am not sure if I feel like I want to teach. I love children, and love to work with them, but am scared to teach and create the plans/units for that. Plus, the pay is not that great for teachers. I know, you should do what makes you happy no matter what and $ shouldn't matter, to a certain extent. I am interested in Nursing but afraid of all you have to learn and being in school longer. I would like to hear some good advice please. Also, if anyone knows some good Nursing schools or programs in Hawaii let me know, I know of only 2 schools here, UH and HPU. Thank you!

I know how you feel...I used to want to do elem. ed and recently changed to nursing about 2 yrs. ago. I changed my degree plan so many times, that I'm paying for it now with actually being a senior (suppost to grad. in May) but I'm a junior nursing student graduating may 2002. I'm going crazy sitting in class. I would recommend sticking with your plan to teach now since u r so close. Try it, and if it's not you, go for nursing. I'll say this...nursing should be considered seriously. I didn't realize that it would be as difficult as it is (I think it also depends on the school you go to). But the good thing is that nurses are teachers also. You could get the best of both worlds!

Good luck

Stacie

HeatherC · Feb 5, 2001

Hi!

Thank you for replying to me. What made you change majors? How far did you go as an ELED major? Are you sorry you changed, I mean are you happier in Nursing? It is a serious change and I most likely will try out teaching, but maybe can take an intro. to Nursing class to see if it still appeals and interests me? You mentioned being a nurse and teacher...how? Talk soon,

H.

Originally posted by tattoogirl:
I know how you feel...I used to want to do elem. ed and recently changed to nursing about 2 yrs. ago. I changed my degree plan so many times, that I'm paying for it now with actually being a senior (suppost to grad. in May) but I'm a junior nursing student graduating may 2002. I'm going crazy sitting in class. I would recommend sticking with your plan to teach now since u r so close. Try it, and if it's not you, go for nursing. I'll say this...nursing should be considered seriously. I didn't realize that it would be as difficult as it is (I think it also depends on the school you go to). But the good thing is that nurses are teachers also. You could get the best of both worlds!
Good luck
Stacie

tattoogirl · Feb 7, 2001

Originally posted by HeatherC:
Hi!
Thank you for replying to me. What made you change majors? How far did you go as an ELED major? Are you sorry you changed, I mean are you happier in Nursing? It is a serious change and I most likely will try out teaching, but maybe can take an intro. to Nursing class to see if it still appeals and interests me? You mentioned being a nurse and teacher...how? Talk soon,
H.

Oh, gosh. I decided that teaching wasn't enough for me. I always loved biology and watching hospital shows, and I started to feel very drawn to medicine. I did some student teaching my senior year in high school and loved it, but as I was going thru my first couple of years in college, my interests changed. I wanted more of a challenge and I personally felt that nursing would make me happier. My college really stresses patient education in nursing, we even had a class on how to educate our patients. Nurses really need to know how to teach all different kinds of people about their disease, how to take their drugs, how to become healthier, and the list goes on and on. Think about it, if you just got diagnosed with cancer, for example, you would probably be terrified and the Dr. might just confuse you with the treatment plan you would have to start doing. Guess who gets to clarify everything and make sure that you are ok...the nurse! (A good nurse would take the time). I was not too far in elem. ed, so changing didn't make that much of a difference. I don't know if I'm happier now because school is hard, but I really think I will feel on top of the world when I graduate. You get to do so many different things and see some really crazy stuff. And, things move sooo fast. My first week of my second sem. in nursing, they already had us starting IV's and putting tubes in people. I was blown away with all the excitement. Sorry this is so long. One more thing..to find out if you really would be interested in nursing, I wouldn't recommend taking an intro class, but find a way to get into the hospital, volunteering or something. That way you would see hands on what the nurses do and how things in a hospital really work. That is the best way to find out.

Stacie

HeatherC · Feb 8, 2001

Originally posted by tattoogirl:
Oh, gosh. I decided that teaching wasn't enough for me. I always loved biology and watching hospital shows, and I started to feel very drawn to medicine. I did some student teaching my senior year in high school and loved it, but as I was going thru my first couple of years in college, my interests changed. I wanted more of a challenge and I personally felt that nursing would make me happier. My college really stresses patient education in nursing, we even had a class on how to educate our patients. Nurses really need to know how to teach all different kinds of people about their disease, how to take their drugs, how to become healthier, and the list goes on and on. Think about it, if you just got diagnosed with cancer, for example, you would probably be terrified and the Dr. might just confuse you with the treatment plan you would have to start doing. Guess who gets to clarify everything and make sure that you are ok...the nurse! (A good nurse would take the time). I was not too far in elem. ed, so changing didn't make that much of a difference. I don't know if I'm happier now because school is hard, but I really think I will feel on top of the world when I graduate. You get to do so many different things and see some really crazy stuff. And, things move sooo fast. My first week of my second sem. in nursing, they already had us starting IV's and putting tubes in people. I was blown away with all the excitement. Sorry this is so long. One more thing..to find out if you really would be interested in nursing, I wouldn't recommend taking an intro class, but find a way to get into the hospital, volunteering or something. That way you would see hands on what the nurses do and how things in a hospital really work. That is the best way to find out.
Stacie

HeatherC · Feb 8, 2001

Hi again,

Sorry I replied your reply! :0 It is late and am up working on a paper for school. :0 So how was your first yr. of Nursing? How hard was it really? (as far as Math and science go..etc.). Tell me more about what kinds of things you did and do in school. Interested to know more! I know if I take Nursing up it will be less than 4 yrs cause I have my basic classes done for sure! Also, what field of Nursing are you going into (L&D, etc.), and how did you choose it? Talk later!

HC

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HeatherC

tattoogirl · Feb 8, 2001

Originally posted by HeatherC:
Hi again,
Sorry I replied your reply! :0 It is late and am up working on a paper for school. :0 So how was your first yr. of Nursing? How hard was it really? (as far as Math and science go..etc.). Tell me more about what kinds of things you did and do in school. Interested to know more! I know if I take Nursing up it will be less than 4 yrs cause I have my basic classes done for sure! Also, what field of Nursing are you going into (L&D, etc.), and how did you choose it? Talk later!
HC

I've only been in nursing about 8 months, so I haven't had quite a lot of experience yet. I will by the end of this semester and definately by the end of the third semester. I was told that 1st semester would be the hardest, but I'm struggling more now than I ever was last semester. The math isn't too bad...they drill it in you during school. Some teachers expect you to calculate IV rates in your head, and I'm like...don't think so! My grades are great, it's just that it is a ton of work, and then we have to do even more work to prepare for our hospital days. Right now I rotate every 2 weeks between L&D and a cancer (med-surg) floor. I hate the cancer floor, love L&D. I love the babies!So far I haven't done too much yet, just change wound dressings, take out IV's, read fetal monitors, examine patients, give meds. I just loved the nursery setting and the things that the L&D nurses did, so that's what I like so far.Next semester we do pediatrics and psych..that should be interesting! Talk later!

Stacie

babs_rn · Feb 10, 2001

Hi there...

Sure, if you want to forfeit having a normal life and schedule, put your health and life at risk (not to mention your license), work like a dog and get little respect for it, go into nursing. Check out the "nurses in transition" postings - PLEASE - before you make any decisions.

best of luck

babs

Sas Dadd · Feb 10, 2001

Originally posted by tattoogirl:
I know how you feel...I used to want to do elem. ed and recently changed to nursing about 2 yrs. ago. I changed my degree plan so many times, that I'm paying for it now with actually being a senior (suppost to grad. in May) but I'm a junior nursing student graduating may 2002. I'm going crazy sitting in class. I would recommend sticking with your plan to teach now since u r so close. Try it, and if it's not you, go for nursing. I'll say this...nursing should be considered seriously. I didn't realize that it would be as difficult as it is (I think it also depends on the school you go to). But the good thing is that nurses are teachers also. You could get the best of both worlds!
Good luck
Stacie

Hi, I am a newly qualified nurse (1Year), and a long long way away from you (UK), but I would say to you that nursing should be in your heart, if it is go for it. It is hard work, stressful, poor pay, BUT, when you love the job it is very rewarding. I care for people with Learning Disabilities and associated medical/health problems and disabilities, and love the work that I do, it sounds corny but knowing that you've helped someone no matter how small to you, makes you feel really good. A smile means so much from someone who relies on you to undertake everything for them that we take for granted.

My qualification is not recognised out of the Uk, and I expect that you'll want to stay near your home. Whatever you decide to do good luck and keep smiling.