Switching majors after first semester BSN

Nurses General Nursing

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I am currently a first semester student in one of the top 3 BSN programs in the nation. I'm passing all my classes with A's and have perfect attendance. I was confronted a couple weeks ago by my clinical/skills lab instructors that they want to force me to withdraw (or get flunked) based on safety concerns. I also work full-time and frequently show up somewhat sleep deprived. They want me to repeat the class/clinicals and go down to a part-time schedule which would extend the program an extra year. I decided to not accept that offer and pursue a BS in Nutrition. I will receive a W for that clinical class and continue to finish the other three with A's to earn 10 credit hours. Hopefully I can use the nursing credit hours as electives. Am I making a bad move here? It seems that the commiment with nursing is not worth the financial rewards. I also noticed that the nurses in the hospital seem to be overworked for the amount of money they get paid. I'm an technician for a federal agency and sit around most of the day for 70K stress free. I got that job with little education. Where are the incentives for nurses, considering the amount of education and responsibility demanded from them?

Specializes in icu/er.

screw nursing, take the $70k and run...

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Specializes in acute care.
.I'm an technician for a federal agency and sit around most of the day for 70K stress free. I got that job with little education. Where are the incentives for nurses, considering the amount of education and responsibility demanded from them?

Wow, I envy you. If I could make that much without all my responsibilites I would not have gone into nursing. My friend makes a little more than that working for an insurance company. I am hoping she can help me get a job there so I can leave this job.

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Specializes in medical.

Having a government job with all good benefits and pension at the end, and making 70K I would never even look at nursing. As a nurse the stress and responsibility is not even closely aligned with the salary, the risk of lawsuits etc. If I only could turn back time, I would never choose nursing. It is typical to be used and abused in nursing, and clinical instructors are the meaniest of all ( most of them at least).

Why would anyone want to put up with such conditions? I am a nurse for a few years now and finally got the chance to work in a clinical ambulatory setting which means no physical work involved.

Nursing is very hyped and most of the people have no idea why there is a shortage... But those who have worked as a nurse know...

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I used to make 70K for sitting around at a government job as well but I chose nursing because I can't stand sitting around for 8 hours with nothing to do. Nursing may not pay as much but the rewards are way worth it to me! I love my job, my coworkers, and my patients and that's something money can't buy.

Nursing is NOT for someone who is doing it for the money or would rather sit around all day doing nothing. And if you find it boring, why on earth would you want to pursue it anyway?! Good luck finding what makes you happy!! If you like your job then it's not work! :nurse:

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I think your problem is that you're in the purported top three program in the country. The little, old, liberal arts state U. down the road is adquate and probably doesn't cost a quarter of what you're paying. Regardless, if I got kicked out of the program I wouldn't re-enter anywhere. I'd keep on doing what I've been doing as well.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

1) Keep your $70k job (unless you absolutely can't stand it)

2) Get the Nutrition degree

3) Enjoy having your cake and eating it too

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What she said.

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Just curious, how does one work full time(I'm assuming this a 8-5 job) and go to nursing school. At most nursing schools the schedule is so varied and strange it is hard to work part time let alone full time.

I second what a lot of previous posters said. Getting A's in all classroom course does not mean it translates to an A in hands on work. I've seen nurses fail miserably that can quote the names and uses of all meds and know all the ins/outs of various diagnosis but can't prioritize or handle the patient at the bedside.

Maybe for your own information you can ask your clinical instructor exactly why you were failing clinicals, it might be good information to know.

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Just curious, how does one work full time(I'm assuming this a 8-5 job) and go to nursing school. At most nursing schools the schedule is so varied and strange it is hard to work part time let alone full time.

I worked 3pm-11-pm with Wed-Thu off every week. On certain days I would use vacation time in hourly increments at work. It was still pretty tough, even though my schedule was flexible.

I don't hate my current job at all. Just wanted to pickup a different skill, and maybe do it as a second job. Nursing seemed flexible, so I chose that.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Nursing is flexible, but if that was the only reason you were doing it, you would hate it. It's a demanding job mentally and physically. You have to like it to do it. I was actually trained by a nurse who said she viewed it as "just a job" Went in and put in her time and that was it. She was actually a really good nurse, but I couldn't imagine cleaning up poop at a job I just "tolerated." She was talking of making other plans. I would save yourself the tuition and miserableness and find something else.

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