Should I continue on?

Published

Hello everyone. I have just successful completed my first semester of nursing school and even though I should be happy, I am not. Nursing has been something I've always wanted to do or at least thought I wanted to do but after this semester I'm starting to second guess going into this field. This semester was really tough, which I expected and also kind of discouraging. I only had one good instructor this semester, the rest were either to busy to care about the students or just didn't know how to teach altogether, clinicals were rushed through, and I don't feel like I learned what I should have. I did enjoy some of my time at the hospital during clinicals but not as much as I thought I would. My heart doesn't seem to be into nursing anymore. I hate the fact that I've worked so hard to get to this point just to quit but I also don't want to put in a lot of time and effort only to be unhappy. I DO want to have a career in healthcare, but I'm just not sure if nursing is it anymore. Should I stay in nursing school for another semester or should I just leave now?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I DO want to have a career in healthcare, but I'm just not sure if nursing is it anymore. Should I stay in nursing school for another semester or should I just leave now?

Sometimes the first semester can be rough. For me, it was moving from the huband/father/fulltime provder role to that of student.

I got through it, through getting the emotional support I needed...and that was >30 years ago.

Can you meet with the one good instructor and discuss your concerns with him/her?

Student Health Services is also another option.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Since you're still not sure one way or another, maybe continue on for now. To continue doesn't mean that you've decided to make it work no matter what. Give yourself, say, a month. Milk the experience. Ask questions, observe, reflect. At the end of that month, take some time to review your experience and see if you feel more confident one way or another. If you still feel undecided, give yourself another month. Look for ways to learn more - volunteering, interviewing nurses, shadowing, part-time job, etc. Spending that time then isn't a waste even if you decide to not continue in nursing because you can feel confident about your choice. It's a tough place you're in, not feeling sure what to do and not wanting to 'waste more time' - try to take the attitude that learning is never a waste!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with jjjoy....don't stop after just one semester. The next one could be just the opposite and if you quit you will never know. If it still isn't your cup of tea, then on to something else! Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Give it a little more time. I just finished 2nd semester and at the end of 1st semester I felt like I was unsure also. But you have to realize that this is normal. Nursing is a tough field. It's not meant to be a walk in the park. I'm sure almost every nursing student has thought about giving up at one time or another. Just keep going, next semester you may feel completely different. I did! Second semester was tougher as far as the material that we learned was concerned, but I just started to feel somewhat confident in clinicals (didn't last semester at all!) and felt like I actually had an idea of what I was doing. There were times I actually almost felt like a nurse and that's a good feeling. It made me realize this is what I really want to do. Yes, it's stressful, but also very rewarding. Anyway, the best of luck to you and I hope you will give some more time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hang in there a little bit longer you may find an area that you like better. Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Keep trying. You've made it this far. If you decide it isn't your cup of tea, then there are other options. I would like to say that nursing school isn't nursing--I wouldn't judge one by the other. And first semester is rough, it doesn't necessarily get easier, but you learn to cope better.

Something else--sometimes when you've worked so hard for something (such as getting in and starting nursing school) the reality doesn't meet your expectation. That's a pretty normal reaction. Once you settle in and accept the "new reality", things will probably start looking up. Kind of like getting married, maybe? A person can be so focused on the wedding the actual marriage is can be a real adjustment. Not saying that's you, LOL, just that it CAN happen that way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Evaluate exactly what it is that you don't like. From your original post, I can't tell if you are just unhappy with your instructors or unhappy with nursing itself. If you are just unhappy with your school and/or with a couple of individual instructors, it would be a shame to walk away from your first choice career just for that. 2 or 3 individuals should not make that much difference in your life. However, if you really think that taking care of patients is something that will not satisfy you, then nursing is not for you and it would be a shame to continue.

So ... which is it? ... Is it really the work of nursing that is disappointing you? ... or ... Are you just disappointed in a few individuals you have met along your career path?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.

My recommendation if you asked me....

Don't stop right now...

A lot of people don't even have a chance to be accepted into the nursing program, so I guess it is not a wise choice to quit now.

Have you ever seen a patient who is appreciated about what you did for her/him...that kind of experience made me feel so good, and I won't even sell it for any sum of $$$$. And I hope you will experience that too in the future.

Good luck and you are the one who can make the final decision.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion