Should I quit nursing school?

[In-the-sky]

I wanted to be a nurse for several reasons. I love learning pathophysiology. I looked forward to having a career I trained for with stability and good income. I looked forward to being a hero and making a difference. Whether I make it or not, I admire nurses greatly and wish I have what it takes to join their ranks. At the same time I'm not certain I want to join their ranks.

Almost every day I think about quitting. I'm pretty good at book learning and tests. I flounder at clinicals and skills. I can be shy, nervous, and unsure of my skills. I have compassion and a desire to help people, but I don't think having compassion is enough. I notice that I am getting better at clinicals and a little more confident, but I'm so tired of feeling scared of screwing up at clinicals, worried my patients don't like me, and tired from lack of sleep. Is it normal to think about quitting so often while in nursing school? I also see how much abuse nurses get from all sides, from other nurses, from doctors, and patients and their families. I understand it's all about the patient, but to have to put up with abuse day after day sounds like the sad life of a martyr. What do you all think? Should I quit or not?

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

No, I don't think you should quit. At least, not for the reasons you've expressed here. All nursing students go through some level of what you're feeling. It's perfectly normal.

[caliotter3]

Confidence in clinical will come with experience. Many students get their CNA certificate and work as CNAs to get used to working with patients. You will find yourself feeling better about approaching patients and being able to provide basic care if you were to do this. Otherwise, don't quit just because you are having misgivings. You can't really tell how nursing will be for you until you have been on the job for at least a year. Then you can make a better judgment about quitting.

[rn2bn07, BSN, RN]

I admire your honesty and I understands your frustration in nursing school. I too felt the way you in school. I dealt with a lot of many other factors at home that made my stress worst than others but, I was determined and made it through. Believe me, it can be overwhelming to have someone looking at your every move and waiting for you to make a mistake. But it will all pay off in the long run. Don't quit, your in it for the right reasons and sound determined. Its because of how you feel, I know you re a good student. Meaning, if you wasn't nervous during clinicals and overly confident and not afraid of putting someone else's life in your hands then you should get out of nursing right away. Be strong and stay with it.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

You will get more confident as time goes on. I also felt the same way as you when I first went to clinical--I dreaded them. But when I started my second year that there was big change. Things started clicking between what I learned in class and what I practiced in clinical, and I started feeling more like a nurse because I started understanding the diseases and the why and the how behind what I did...that, and our instuctor finally started letting us do more :)

So hang in there, at least for a while longer, and see what happens. If after a couple more classes you're not comfortable, then reassess yourself (even then, I'd still suggest you don't quit but at least give yourself more of a chance before you do).

[NursingRocks1998]

I''ve had those same feelings- I'm really good at the book work and I love learning- I have compassion and can't wait to work with people but clinicals scared me a lot- I felt so awkward with patients and lacked a lot of confidence. If it wasn't for my clinical instructor and a couple of other supportive staff members I would have quit. I'm now in my second semester and I thank God for that instructor daily- she was very no-nonsense- she said she started out lacking a lot of confidence and told me to pull myself up by my bootstraps and not to quit without another plan in mind. She told me I would be a great nurse- now I just have to believe it. You are not alone- don't give up- experience will help us get there. Good luck to you :)

[Mommyto2and2]

Anyone who worries this much over messing up and people not liking them should be a nurse! You are not only focused on the clinical aspect, but the personal aspect. How well rounded. You will get confidence the more you do a skill. You will improve your people skills the longer you are around people in a patient setting. Good luck to you and I think you will do great with a little time under your belt

[starz_girl_1]

I can't tell you how many times I have thought of quitting, how many classmates have thought about quitting: nerves, anxiety, uncertantity, fatigue, homework, care plans, clinicals, less time for family/friends/events/missed sleep/tons of time on the computer/last minute things..... You are NOT alone!!!! Hang in there, it will get better. Schooling won't take forever, it really just a short time in our lives!!! Best of luck to you.

[Nurse Allison]

Your post caught my eye. I've talked to three classmates this week who asked the very same thing. Hang in there. Nothing worth while in life is easy. When your feeling down on yourself, take a breather, step back, a say to yourself, "I can do this." I feel the same way some days, usually after test days. I like the clinical apect of NS, working with people comes easy to me. The tests however are a killer and I choke up. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I have no doubt you were chosen to be in this program for a reason. Things will get easier as we gain more skills and become more comfortable in our white shoes. I can relate seeing nurses getting it from all sides. I got out of the corporate world in hopes to avoid all the political bs. Guess what, unfortunately it's everywhere. I love it when nurses come back at the doctors with their opinions without hesitation.

So admirable. :bowingpur

DONT QUIT!!! You've worked to hard to get where your at.

[TinkerNurse]

Oh god I can sympathize! I am the same way. When it comes to the more academic side of school I usually do really well. Got A's in all my first nursing classes, got a score of 1107 on the first HESI, even tutored, however when it comes to the more hands on clinical kinda education side of it I am terribly slow at learning. I mean honestly I feel STUPID. Unsure of myself in almost every single thing I do and I can just feel the clinical instructors eyes boring holes into the back of my head. To be honest I've come close to quitting about twice, I mean I honestly was a monkeys hairs width away from withdrawing from the school....it scares me sometimes. I wish the best for you...and myself ha. :heartbeat

[Jailhouse nurse]

hang in there.

could've filled a swimming pool with the tears i cried during school.

i only have a license because i just kept dragging my sorry a** in day after day, and for some reason, they didn't throw me out of school.

looking forward to welcoming you to the ranks!

[jeninthedesert, BSN, RN]

I think every nursing student goes through this at least once during school. Don't quit yet. The hardest part is getting through school. I get nervous about clinical skills as well, yet somehow I'm finding my way around. Does your school offering counseling for student nurses? If so, I recommend meeting with one before you make any final decisions.