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.
Just an update-have done two more lots of placements and have gained insight into a few things. Firstly I 100% know bedside ward nursing is not for me I want more I want a bigger challenge so am already thinking I may pursue a masters or even try my luck at getting into medicine, but one great thing I realised is that I love healthcare. After being in this field I now can't imagine doing anything else. I am so passionate about the science and actively being able to help people. I don't know what exact route I will go down when I finish my Bachelor of nursing but I know it will definitely involve further study. As some of you have suggested above I have looked into epidemiology and also forensic nursing etc and it seems right up my alley so now I need to finish the degree and figure out my exact niche in the amazing world of healthcare.
nurseontraining875
5 Posts
Just an update-have done two more lots of placements and have gained insight into a few things. Firstly I 100% know bedside ward nursing is not for me I want more I want a bigger challenge so am already thinking I may pursue a masters or even try my luck at getting into medicine, but one great thing I realised is that I love healthcare. After being in this field I now can't imagine doing anything else. I am so passionate about the science and actively being able to help people. I don't know what exact route I will go down when I finish my Bachelor of nursing but I know it will definitely involve further study. As some of you have suggested above I have looked into epidemiology and also forensic nursing etc and it seems right up my alley so now I need to finish the degree and figure out my exact niche in the amazing world of healthcare.