Should I stick with nursing

[nurseontraining875]

Hi guys, I've got a bit of decision to make and I am torn from what way to go. I have just finished my first year of nursing school and also my first clinical and I am undecided on whether to stick with nursing or change to environmental science(very different but has always been a huge passion of mine and in the back of my head this year).

So as for nursing-I enjoyed this year and really enjoyed learning. I especially enjoyed learning about the human body and the pathophysiology behind diseases, my favourite part was the human bioscience subject and doing case studies on people and figuring out what is wrong with them etc.

Now for my thoughts on my placement-I was on a med/surg cardiology unit. First week I was excited as it was all so new and getting to put things into practice I had learnt about was great. However I feel ward nursing was quite boring and monotonous and didn't really seem too intellectually challenging and that it just kind of involved meds/obs and charting unless there was a rapid response or something(which strangely I enjoyed) Now I know this was my first year and my scope is limited so I started reading threads on this board and the more i read it seemed like everyone hates their jobs as nurses and there is so much unhappiness and negativity in this job. Is this true? I have read so many posts of people regretting becoming a nurse and getting to their new grad and already wanting to quit. I don't want to waste time if this is going to happen to me.

Whilst I enjoyed the patient care I thought that it also just seemed more like customer service and cleaning up after people. I'm not grossed out by poo but I don't want a job where all I do is toilet people and clean up poo. I know this sounds very naive and that there are so any avenues in nursing and so many different kind of jobs which is why I am still wondering whether I should pursue it. If I stuck with nursing I'd like to eventually do my NP or become a specialist in a field or go into research and education or work in ED, Rural/remote nursing or work with an NGO overseas. I love the skills that nursing can and has been teaching me and how far I can go with it and being able to help people and make them feel better but reading these boards and stuff has already kind of disillusioned me. Like I said I also enjoyed my first placement but nothing more or nothing less. It was just ok. I wonder whether I would feel content being a nurse when it seems maybe I am more interested in the medical side and would want to be the one trying to fix people and providing treatment etc not just following orders and passing meds.

For environmental science-I have always had a huge passion for the environment and nature and think it would be awesome to work in conservation or research but am not really sure of a direct path that I could go down with it. Dream job would be for the national geographic(can dream right) All I know is that when I speak about it or read the course outline I feel excited. The fact that there is no direct career path after it concerns me a little though.

This post is kind of disjointed as it's hard to get how I'm feeling out on paper but I'd love any advice on what people think. Stick with nursing or get out now.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Have this conversation with your academic advisor. There are NP's who specialize in forensics. Which sounds like something that may interest you.

You also need to look at the jobs you can find. Environmental stuff (and excuse my use of the word stuff) but environmental groups/concerns/jobs--most are not for profit entities that rely heavily on volunteer hours. So this is something you could passionately participate in on your off time and still make a difference and be interested and engaged.

Get a good nursing foundation and do as much as you can as far as learning. Can you do some clinical hours for instance at the medical examiner's office? Can you take a tutoring/informational meeting with a crime scene investigator?

You may find that the ED would be more to your liking--but get that foundation under you first.

Once you would become an RN, you could get certified as a SANE nurse. There may even be a forensics type certification. Then a you decide to get your Master's, THEN you can decide which way to go for that.

Best wishes to you in your endevours!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am undecided on whether to stick with nursing or change to environmental science(very different but has always been a huge passion of mine and in the back of my head this year).

Obviously, we cannot make an important career decision for you. Also, be mindful that people who post on online forums are more likely to complain than to discuss their fondness of their work.

However, what exactly are you going to do with a degree in environmental science? Have you seen the job openings (or lack thereof) for someone with that degree?

[direw0lf, BSN]

ŪI can talk about environmental science because I had a serious struggle deciding between that field and nursing also. I spoke to several chemists who have been in the profession long. You need to put in volunteer hours, almost similar as pa and md schools require. You also may start out low but work your way up. National geographic? Likely not. As an environmental scientist you would be sent to different areas and testing water and soil quality and such. You'll be writing research papers and maybe nat geo would like to publish you if you collaborate with a bunch of "in" scientists.

I chose nursing for my love for it and also that I can go into public health nursing, epidemiology, and research. It doesn't generate the same level of "prestige" the public might view a chemist with but you get to study the environment and how it effects community health, like environmental scientists.

There exist direct career paths in terms of degrees. A university a couple hours from me offers a master's for environmental scientist.

As far as jobs go, chemical engineering is the golden ticket. But environmental scientists are in demand too almost anywhere and the field isn't as competitive as nursing. It isn't as glamorous as someone might think either though and you should expect to travel often sometimes to places you may not want to.

[nurseontraining875]

Thanks I think I have this idea of getting into conservation and things like that with environmental science but at the same time don't really know what it entails and how to get a job in it. All I know is I like nature and love the environment/being outside-which really is quite vague and naive as to what environmental scientists actually do. Being a chemist doesn't interest me at all-not a fan of chemistry, love biology though. I guess I thought with enviro science I could work in 'pretty places' and be with animals and nature/save the planet haha.

I did a bit of research last night and leaned more towards staying in nursing and going down the route of a masters in public health/NP path and those options got me excited and enthused-more so than floor nursing anyway. I thought at least qualifying as a RN it gives me so many options for the future and what I can do with it such as rural and remote nursing or travelling with nursing, being a cruise ship nurse etc. I've always wanted to educate and empower women in some way too so maybe I could use my degree to do that as well. Lots of avenues with an RN degree which in some ways in pushing me towards that.

I still can't get environmental science out of my head though. Big decisions to make this summer.

[nurseontraining875]

Thanks you have opened my eyes to the many opportunities and pathways :)

[direw0lf, BSN]

Thanks I think I have this idea of getting into conservation and things like that with environmental science but at the same time don't really know what it entails and how to get a job in it. All I know is I like nature and love the environment/being outside-which really is quite vague and naive as to what environmental scientists actually do. Being a chemist doesn't interest me at all-not a fan of chemistry, love biology though. I guess I thought with enviro science I could work in 'pretty places' and be with animals and nature/save the planet haha.

I did a bit of research last night and leaned more towards staying in nursing and going down the route of a masters in public health/NP path and those options got me excited and enthused-more so than floor nursing anyway. I thought at least qualifying as a RN it gives me so many options for the future and what I can do with it such as rural and remote nursing or travelling with nursing, being a cruise ship nurse etc. I've always wanted to educate and empower women in some way too so maybe I could use my degree to do that as well. Lots of avenues with an RN degree which in some ways in pushing me towards that.

I still can't get environmental science out of my head though. Big decisions to make this summer.

If you like travelling, being outside, biology, and conservation then epidemiology might be a great field choice for you.

But yes if you really dislike chemistry you wouldn't enjoy environmental scientist.The title is deceiving a little haha.

Maybe making a list of pros and cons of nursing vs whatever would help. I did that with enviro science vs nursing. When I read your post I felt sad a little. What made my decision for nursing though was I felt saddest to think of not doing that(nursing).

Good luck!

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

If you like travelling, being outside, biology, and conservation then epidemiology might be a great field choice for you.

But yes if you really dislike chemistry you wouldn't enjoy environmental scientist.The title is deceiving a little haha.

Maybe making a list of pros and cons of nursing vs whatever would help. I did that with enviro science vs nursing. When I read your post I felt sad a little. What made my decision for nursing though was I felt saddest to think of not doing that(nursing).

Good luck!

Solid advice here. I was thinking the same- a degree in Epi or Biostats if you like math. If you like rapid response, perhaps ED nursing or critical care as specialties. There is more autonomy with the NP route- you are doing mostly problem solving in this role (Figuring out whats wrong with the patient, ordering tests, prescribing, and educating). There are so many different avenues with a nursing degree. Perhaps after obtaining you nursing degree, you can apply to a graduate program in environmental science. You may have to take a couple of intro courses first, but generally speaking, one can get into a graduate program without having an undergraduate degree in the field. There are some exceptions though.

Good luck.

[dcwang]

Nursing will give you many options in the future... there are many specializations and job opportunities. I almost majored in biology, and in the end I chose something different and am now in an accelerated nursing program. Environmental science may be more difficult to find a job... Coming from experience, it's not just about following your dreams and passions but a balance of passion and future job stability/financial security.

[bjames09]

I'm pretty much the opposite of you! I have my bachelors in environmental biology, which you can't do much with, so I went to grad school and now have my MPH (masters of public health). Now I am thinking about doing an accelerated nursing program because I feel like I'm still missing something. Personally, I would finish nursing and if you still desire, get your masters in the field you want whether it be environmental science or public health. They're all degrees that go great together.

[purplescrubs15]

Have you considered going for paramedicine? I am doing pre-reqs for nursing, working in a hospital as a CNA (on med-surg) and am an EMT-B on the side doing volunteer EMS in my small town. Lately I've been considering switching to paramedic because I'm seeing the nurses at my hospital mostly just pass out meds and fix beeping IV pumps their whole shift, and I think I would go crazy with boredom if that was all I did at work (I hate doing the same thing over and over all the time). I really enjoy all the different things that I see in EMS and the fact that I can do a lot more of the "fixing people and providing treatment" than "following orders and passing meds". You sound like you enjoy critical thinking and fast-paced environments, which you would definitely have both of as a paramedic. Good luck on whatever you decide, medical field or environmental science.

[nurseontraining875]

Thank you for all the responses and comments guys they were really well thought out and very helpful. Gave me such a clearer idea of how to look at things and all the avenues that are open. As it stands I think I may continue with my nursing degree which I only have 2 more years of and as someone mentioned I can then go for a masters in the field I desire if I want to do that. It's good to know it's not so black and white and that there is options that until now I hadn't even considered. Thanks once again for the replies. I appreciate it :)