Switching to health science

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 16, 2015

What is it you don't like about your school/program & why do you think an accelerated bsn would be easier/better?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 16, 2015

I have to agree with PP. ABSN is even more intense and stressful than a generic nursing program. Chances are, you will be dealing with exactly the same issues - and the added stress of even more tuition payments/loans.

Also - just an FYI, the degrees you mentioned are pretty much worthless in terms of actual job potential. Over the years, I have had to deal with many "health education" majors from a well-known, highly rated university in my area. They are shocked to discover that employers do not employ non-clinicians in educator roles. Health administration grads are relegated to entry level positions - not exactly what these grad have in mind either.

I would urge you to explore your own issues that may be contributing to your current situation. Trust me, they are portable & you will be taking with them wherever you go in the future.

sabrina17 · Feb 16, 2015

I'm really not a fan of the faculty or how any of the classes are taught. Also, I'm interested in ER nursing and I would hardly get a chance to work there during clinicals. I talked with a nursing professor I'm close with about transferring last semester, and he said that this school just didn't seem like the right fit for me, but I decided to just stick it out the rest of the year. I'm absolutely in love with the idea of being a nurse and will do whatever it takes to get there, but I'm not going to compromise my mental health for it. I know nursing school is hard, but all of my friends in other nursing programs ultimately enjoy their school whereas I'm honestly crying every day because I hate all my classes and how there is no support from professors or tutoring for almost all of them.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 16, 2015

I'm really not a fan of the faculty or how any of the classes are taught. Also, I'm interested in ER nursing and I would hardly get a chance to work there during clinicals. I talked with a nursing professor I'm close with about transferring last semester, and he said that this school just didn't seem like the right fit for me, but I decided to just stick it out the rest of the year. I'm absolutely in love with the idea of being a nurse and will do whatever it takes to get there, but I'm not going to compromise my mental health for it. I know nursing school is hard, but all of my friends in other nursing programs ultimately enjoy their school whereas I'm honestly crying every day because I hate all my classes and how there is no support from professors or tutoring for almost all of them.

Then I stars to switching out the degree; switch nursing schools.

That will care much better than going for a degree and be indebted for a degree with no teeth.

Also, why a are you having trouble with? Do you have review books? Agree you going to instructions and are simply not grasping the material? If you are going to instructors and at least picking their brains and are they suggesting material that may help?

"How it's being taught" may be the actually way you need to learn the material and that may not change when you get into another program; let alone an ABSN; just so you know...

caliotter3 · Feb 16, 2015

There is no guarantee that you would be accepted at an ABSN program, that you would be successful at such a program, or that you would find the program to be any more pleasant than your present program. The safest course of action is to remain where you are if you are certain you want to be a nurse. A degree in health science is basically not worth much (as advised by my health science instructors) unless you go on to get advanced degrees. So you are in effect, most likely, wasting time and money with that path, if you want to be a nurse.

SML456 · Feb 16, 2015

Well... Just some input.

I have a Bachelors in Health Science- Allied Health.

I can't say it's worthless because most of my classes will transfer- however, I am currently searching for another degree because there are no job opportunities with my degree alone. I am actually working on getting into a nursing program in my area. Which stinks to have to go through another degree but I have no choice if I want an actual career. :/ I learned many people in my classes were just waiting on the nursing program to take them, or they were going on to Physical Therapy programs and such after graduation.

Best of luck!!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2015

I'm really not a fan of the faculty or how any of the classes are taught. Also, I'm interested in ER nursing and I would hardly get a chance to work there during clinicals. I talked with a nursing professor I'm close with about transferring last semester, and he said that this school just didn't seem like the right fit for me, but I decided to just stick it out the rest of the year. I'm absolutely in love with the idea of being a nurse and will do whatever it takes to get there, but I'm not going to compromise my mental health for it. I know nursing school is hard, but all of my friends in other nursing programs ultimately enjoy their school whereas I'm honestly crying every day because I hate all my classes and how there is no support from professors or tutoring for almost all of them.

But see, the thing is, that you are taking two pieces of data and making more out of it that they warrant. Your syllogism, as you present it, goes something like this:

You aren't happy in your present program.

You have friends who are happier in another program.

Therefore, you would be happier in their program.

This is clearly not a valid conclusion. I'll bet there are plenty of people in your present program who are happy and people in the other program who are miserable.

We see a lot of folks who transfer to another school who are just as miserable there because (as someone says above) they carry their baggage with them when they go.

You will also discover that unlike a math or English major, you can't easily transfer from one program to another without taking extra time. This is because the different programs are all set up differently-- some require you to have taken all your prereqs before you start the last 2 years for your nursing major; others have you start nursing classes right away and require you to take the science and other distribution requirements concurrently. Others have different requirements, like a semester of organic chemistry, statistics, or economics. See, you can't just pack up and go and get what you want like that. You will probably have to do at least one and maybe two extra semesters, and that's IF you'll get accepted. The math or English department can always shoehorn in another transfer. Nursing, with all its labs and clinical placements, often cannot.

So, you say there's no tutoring and the professor don't give you "support." What are we talking about here?

You've tried to make a weekly appt with your professor or clinical lead and been refused? The dean won't talk to you?

You want to spend more time in the ER as a student and didn't realize that students won't spend a lot of time in specialty areas because they have to learn basic nursing first? You think peds or LTC rotations are a waste of your valuable time because you won't do that anyway, and the faculty demur?

You wanted to get questions removed from an exam and they wouldn't do it? You can't get days off for (whatever)? The student learning center doesn't have any vacancies for tutoring appointments? The questions they ask in nursing exams are confusing or have more than one answer (in your opinion)?

Your plans of care are being marked up with too much red pencil?

Specifics, please, and we can be more helpful with ideas.

thenightnurse456 · Feb 16, 2015

If you want to be a nurse, just push through and finish the program your in. Are you willing to risk doing a health science degree (no jobs) then go for your BSN and hate it too?

Nursing school isn't easy, a lot of people don't like it for many reasons. But they realise they are lucky to be accepted into a program when wait lists are so long and they make the most of the opportunity.

It's a challenge, but one I'm sure you can overcome!

All the best with your decision.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Feb 16, 2015

I'm a sophomore and I'm just not happy with my nursing school. I'm so excited to be a nurse, but I feel like the program I'm in is killing that. After having a major breakdown last night (which wasn't the first of the semester..), I realized it would be best to switch majors and then do an ABSN program after I graduate. Right now I'm looking into health science with either a focus in either health education or health administration. Which one should I do? Or should I consider a different major? I would really like to stay at my current college, but am willing to transfer if needed. I'm talking to my advisor today, but thought I'd turn here first to get some of your opinions. It finally hit me that I'm just incredibly unhappy with how this program is run and because I've worked very hard to get into college, I deserve to enjoy the rest of my time here :)

May a Crusty Old Bat ask the question that begs to be asked: What, exactly, have you done to "deserve" this?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2015

I'm a sophomore and I'm just not happy with my nursing school. I'm so excited to be a nurse, but I feel like the program I'm in is killing that. After having a major breakdown last night (which wasn't the first of the semester..), I realized it would be best to switch majors and then do an ABSN program after I graduate. Right now I'm looking into health science with either a focus in either health education or health administration. Which one should I do? Or should I consider a different major? I would really like to stay at my current college, but am willing to transfer if needed. I'm talking to my advisor today, but thought I'd turn here first to get some of your opinions. It finally hit me that I'm just incredibly unhappy with how this program is run and because I've worked very hard to get into college, I deserve to enjoy the rest of my time here :)

If you worked very hard to get into college....it would seem you would want to work hard to stay there. I am not sure I understand that you "deserve to enjoy the rest of my time here" What exactly do you mean by that?

Life is hard. College is hard. Nursing school is even harder. You do realize that even after you graduate that the odds of you getting hired as a new grad into an emergency department will be very challenging. Very few ED's hire new grads and if they do it is only one or two new grads at time.

I know nursing school is hard, but all of my friends in other nursing programs ultimately enjoy their school whereas I'm honestly crying every day because I hate all my classes

How can you give it all up on the slight chance that you might get into another program? What makes your friends "like" their school and that they are having this amazing experience.

Here is the thing I have told my daughter about amazing experiences as told by friends. They are seldom as amazing as they say they are......and the reality is somwhere in between. Do you know what the best program is the one you are already accepted to....think carefully.

cnacram · Feb 17, 2015

Best of luck to you. I would rather listen to my own instinct.