Should I quit nursing school?

[mara.bug]

This is a long story, but I'll try to condense it as much as possible.

I'm a nineteen year old female, currently in my third semester of a four semester program. I'm supposed to graduate in December.

Psychology has always been my passion, but I was discouraged from pursuing it by those saying it's hard to get a job in and you have to have so much education for it and yadda yadda, so I strayed away.

Now, I can't really tell you what brought me to my decision to start nursing school to begin with. I'd had a slight interest in the medical field for most of my life, but nursing didn't come to mind until about a year before I started the program. My cousin was doing it and I knew it only took two years and I'd be making good money, plus I liked helping people. So I started busting my behind to get the grades, got my prerequisites out of the way and came out with 92 admission points. The semester I was accepted into let everyone with 76+ in.

When I got my acceptance letter, I found I wasn't as excited as I felt like I should've been. It was just kind of like "awesome, I got accepted", but whatever. I went to the orientation, got everything set up and was ready.

The semester before the program, I was sitting in my nurse assistant class, texting my cousin "I don't think this is what I want." She said I could still drop out of the program, but I was like "I've worked so hard to get in and maybe it won't be as bad once I start".

First semester: wasn't too bad. I failed two of five tests, stressed myself out hardcore, had a mental breakdown doing paperwork the night before my first clinical, but I pushed on.

Second semester: even better, failed nothing, did good in clinical, but began really feeling miserable. I was always finding myself feeling really regretful that I didn't pursue my passion for psychology, but continued to convince myself it wouldn't be worth it. So again I kept pushing on.

Two weeks before third semester starts, I see a girl posting on Facebook about how happy she is to be working towards a career in something she really wanted and I just lost it. I had a full on mental breakdown because I truly realized that this is not what I want to do with the rest of my life. It's not that I'm grossed out by it: I can do aide work and clean up feces, urine, vomit no problem. I'm just truly not interested anymore. My heart is not in this.

There are tons of reasons I can tell you why I don't want to do this, but I won't bore you. But I've become increasingly anxious and depressed over the past year in this program and finally had to start on Zoloft because I feel like I can't function anymore. The only real reason I don't want to drop is because I am so far and it'll give me something to fall back on if I do get the degree.

But right now, I'm failing both nursing classes with a 64 and a 76 where a 77 is a passing grade. I don't want to stick it out, fail, and have it affect my GPA but I don't want to feel like a failure or disappointment to my family.

And as I typed this out, I realize my mind is already made up. I want to withdraw with a W grade, transfer and begin on my psychology degree. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice for me? Sorry for the incredibly long post, I'm just at my wits end and I'm miserable. We've been out for the past week due to snow and I'm DREADING going back and having to go to clinical. Thinking about it just makes me depressed...

I've set up an appointment with my advisor, the dean of the program. I guess we'll see how it goes. Thanks everyone.

[Raviepoo]

I think, though, that a legit nursing degree will open more doors than you know exist right now and could be worth the aggravation in the long run.

That about sums it up.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Like others have said nurses work in psychiatric hospitals and other type settings, which may interest you! I would stick with it for now since you will have to pay the loans back if you took any, instead stay in school since you are almost done, and try and get a job as a new grad in a psychiatric area, then go back to school for psychology!

Annie

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I can usually figure the real meaning behind auto correct errors, but I admit this one is beyond me. Please respond poster and tell us what you really mean!

"I'm guessing she meant NRO... " That was my voice dictation.

What I actually said was, "I'm guessing she meant she wanted to be an RN"

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

"I'm guessing she meant NRO... " That was my voice dictation.

What I actually said was, "I'm guessing she meant she wanted to be an RN"

Thanks, and that clears up one confusing one. Good heavens, you mean I not only have to figure out computer keyboard auto corrects, but voice too? The quote I was actually referring to was this:

I was I a similar situation. I had always thought I wanted to be an English teacher but in the back of my mind I had wanted to become an Arab. But I listened to everyone around me saying that getting my RN wasn't smart and to get into education. So I got my BA and started teaching. I quit 5 years later and I just got accepted into nursing school :) I HATED every single day of teaching. Dreaded it.

....

there were a couple of us trying to figure out why the poster wanted to be an Arab. I guess if this was also a voice dictation correction an RN could sound like an Arab to the program. Sort of makes sense, so thanks!

[KNicolle67]

OMG! You took the words right out of my mouth. I have a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts major/minor ; Psych & ALL social sciences. I have many years experience in child welfare/child protective services, and a menagerie of community and / or not for profit organizations. I followed my passion in my education and employment. I have completed 3 semesters of Mental Health Counseling, and stopped at that point. Reason: BURNOUT no appreciation, salary uh, definitely could be better. I did not initially get into the field for money purposes. I have always from a little child wanted to help, I knew at an early age humanity was me and I would be successful. Unfortunately, with social programs diminishing, the lack of federal and local gov't spending on domestic programs, resources it declines the demand for professionals in the field. Salary aren't increasing and the cost of living has gone up dramatically.

I figure I can still display my affection for man/woman/child/and cats...lol, within a BSN program and hopefully make a difference in lives that I serve. I have met many wonderful nurses, as a matter of fact I worked as an orderly in a Hospital during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. And saw with my own eyes the fear of AIDS. There were many nurses who walked off the job, and there were nurses who stayed and cared for those people as if they were their own kin. That was a horrible time period in the 80's reflecting back gives me shivers as I typed this. Remembering the people/faces of those who suffered tremendously.

What I am trying to say is that we all have to be happy and content with our choices in our lives. Being a nurse in my opinion is one of the top honors of modern day society-nurses endure a lot emotionally and are on the forefront of care psychological or personal. Social workers, case managers coordinators in Human Services deserve badge of honors in similar fashion they are saving or attempting to save lives verbally (psychologically). These skills do not descend from a book, one has to have the heart and compassion to excel in these fields. On the other hand, social workers/case managers that have 120 people on a caseload and a world of issues are not compensated as they should be similar to Nurses. And I am tired of it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love to help people as I said previously but we are not in the age where bread was 2 cents per loaf-the cost of living is profoundly rising. My work entails a lot , can I at least be compensated for it. My parents were MSW's and loved their career choice their salaries were in the 60's. That was fine in the 70' & 80's today it doesn't cut it. Salaries now for Human Service professional is decreasing not increasing.

So with all of this said, I theorize that anyone can embark on a career promoting change, enhancing lives via medicine or counsel. And NO the almighty dollar will not equate satisfaction--but there is a way to integrate your passion to counsel and the nursing field combined. I work with MSW's presently that actually regret their career choice, they watch 25 year old young adults enter jobs with BSN'S making 60,000 - 72,000 thousand a year doing Nurse Case Mgmt w/Bachelors Degree. They have Masters and cant believe it. Their college loans are eating up their paychecks struggling from paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. Quite a few of them have returned to school to obtain a BSN.

*These are just my thoughts, not pushing my outlook on anyone. Just an opinion based on my experience.

[ajmclean]

KNicolle67, Good words! My phone won't let me reply with a quote of your message. I have never understood why someone with a Master's Degree gets paid so little. A friend is in the field and keeps trying to find a better paying job.

[ajpcay]

I recently started Grad school for my MSN/FNP and for some reason, at this time, I feel as though I am ready to drop. Take time to think about what it is you want out of life and that can help you decide in what area you actually want to help people.

[memarc]

I know it's difficult but if I was you I would finish and maybe get into psych. Nursing.... Then continue on and go for you nurse practitioner degree in psych.. Believe it or not it is huge huge huge to get into that area for NP's.

[estheryuki]

You sound really similar to me and in my situation. Can I ask what you chose to do since this post is from a while back? I hope all is well.

[Elizabeth7]

Wow i feel exactly the same as you. I just finished my first year in nursing and a have decided to quit. It is just not for me. I love the mental/nursing part but i hate the clinical part. I thought that nursing was for me and i was really happy when i got my acceptence letter. But, it's not worth it if you are unhappy. I have never been as unhappy, anxious and stressed like when i was studying nursing..

[ajmclean]

So why did you become a nurse?

[volitionx]

First of all, DO note that psychology degrees are so freaking common, especially B.A.'s, that they're essentially worthless other than just being a degree. They have virtually no skills attached and no specialization (especially at a B.A. level). Those of us who have graduated from college (some of us with more than one degree) can tell you that a psych degree is a running joke among graduates. Psych is the default major for people who don't know what they want to do with their lives and want an easy and FUN degree. The courses are fascinating and easy A's, the tests are easy, the papers are interesting, but you WILL NOT get a job in psychology with a B.A. in it, and probably not even with an M.A. Why not? Because supply and demand are NOT in your favor. If you get a B.A. or even an M.A., think of the MILLIONS of people out there who currently work in the field who WILL NOT give up their job for you. Think of the tens of thousands of psych graduates that are being pumped out every Spring in graduation ceremonies across the country. You will be competing against people with MORE education, MORE experience, and MORE networking and contacts. You WILL NOT get a job in psych with a B.A.! Starbucks, sure. And you'd make more at Starbucks, BTW.

Stop deluding yourself. You said you'd like to get a Ph.D in psych. Ok. Fine. But you will still be competing against TONS of people out there in a limited field, looking for jobs. You'll probably end up working in a jail with drug addicts, after you get an additional CAC certification (Certified Addiction Counselor). I work in the education field and CONSTANTLY see a stream of clueless people saying they want to be "profilers" or "therapists" or whatever because of what they saw on a TV drama. YES, some can do it and make a living, but it's RARE. Are YOU one of those rare people who will somehow break through in the field when so many others are baristas? Just because you (think) you can get a Ph.D. (maybe so, maybe not!) does NOT mean that the money will follow. There are MILLIONS of people with Ph.D's in all sorts of fields who DO NOT work in those fields. And do you have the focus and skill to write a successful Ph.D thesis of 100-300 pages and then orally defend it?

I'm not saying you should stay in nursing. Not at all. That's totally up to you. But seriously, be skeptical of the old "I want to be a psychologist" trap. It's WAY more common and cliche than you think. There's a reason nearly every Miss America is "majoring is psychology" because they "want to help people and see what makes them tick," etc. Psych is largely a joke. If you want a job in a field aligned with that--that people don't mock--try psychobiology or physiology or biology.