I'm only a newbie in nursing and, already, the thought of leaving this field gives me a strange sense of overwhelming peace. I almost feel odd for admitting it. I feel like I shouldn't even admit that. I'm actually a little nervous to see what kind of replies I receive based off my honesty. I hope that people aren't too harsh. It's a feeling I have been struggling with, yet pushing down deep inside of me.
Don't get me wrong, I am passionate about it, but I just have those days where I daydream of doing pretty much any job, but nursing. The thought of getting out of nursing and accepting a mundane, office desk job actually gives me this overwhelming sense of peace & relief. This means something, because I actually got out of the office environment to go to nursing school. I originally planned on going for my NP..but things don’t look so bright for that field either. I’m wondering if I finish my BSN if it’s even plausible for me to think that I would be able to transition to PharmD, MD, PA, or DDS (programs). I won’t lie, I have my eye on PharmD due to time. I also have a general interest in almost every specialty & health related career, so I wouldn’t be doing something I don’t like. I love science and really love math. I’m ok with fulfilling pre-reqs. I just don’t want to have to start all over again..and at the same time..I’m weighing everything out.
I thoroughly enjoyed (besides the corruption/disorganization) learning the human sciences, nursing process, etc. Dirty work, grumpy patients, and the chaos of it all never bothered me much. It's the fact that I go home feeling "less than". I don't feel like I was able to really reach out to my patients. The conditions that nurses work in..just seem to be going down the drain. Forget the fact that one can move around floors, specialties, states, etc. I have seen this pretty much everywhere. Some are just worse than others, but overall, this field is extraordinarily stressful for the ratio of pay. I'm sorry to say that I am not one of those nurses that thinks "But it makes me heart feel warm to know that maybe I just helped ONE patient". Don't get me wrong, I feel awesome helping others, but I don't think it's enough to keep me in the field. There just seems to be a lot of abuse, harassment, cattiness, bullying, work overload, burnout, and an overall ungrateful attitude towards nurses. I will always be a nurse at heart, but I am also a human being and my happiness is essential. If I had to take a pay cut of $15,000 less (for example) per year, I would..if it meant I would be happier.
I am not sure if this is normal. A few of my nurse friends have expressed the same thoughts. Some are new grads (BSN) and haven't found employment in the last year, so they don't have as strong of opinions. For some strange reason, I feel extremely pressured to stay in this field. Pressured by family, friends, and everyone. You're always hearing that this field is in high demand, has great pay..etc. I feel like everyone else cannot see what I see. So here is my Q...I haven't even finished my BSN yet...and I am hesitating doing so. I don't want to spend another 4 years in school, if I pick a different major..but I don't know of any different majors that I could apply most of my classes to, right now, and finish up a Bachelors in 2 years..so my BSN seems like the most logical choice. If it's not, please speak now! I was looking into a Bachelors in Health Care Administration, but I am unsure if it's even more difficult to find work in that field. I know some of this has to do with the economy.
My question is...if I finish my BSN (as that seems to be my only choice..unless I want to start all over again for a new major) would the transition to PharmD, D.D.S, or M.D. programs be possible? What about P.A.? If I had it my way and could start all over again, I would have gone for Biology, straight out of highschool, and applied to one of the above at the age of 22. Sigh, I just want to live life. I would like to settle down, have a family, buy a home..but at the same time I am trying to be realistic and further my career/education.
Any feedback? Again, I'll be honest with you. I have these moments where I envy people who majored in a different field, and while they aren't making tons of money, they have stability and they are happy. It strikes me as unhealthy for me to already be growing anxious about a field in which I just entered. I'm just trying to find out if there are other options out there. I don't want to be "stuck" in nursing forever. If nursing was different, or improving, then yes...but I feel like I'm ignoring my basic instinct by staying in this field...regardless of the fact that I know I would do the best for my patients and perform well.I really feel sad that I entered a field where I felt I could make a difference in patient's lives and help them..only to find out that nurses are just seen as a way of affordable/cheap health care and many are practically slaved. It is a little upsetting to think of such bright individuals being subject to that. Nurses are intelligent beings, but not always treated as such.
Ultimately, you know deep down what is right for you. I think dialoguing it as you are doing now is helpful because it either re-confirms what you already felt or gives you ideas to consider that you hadn't thought of. I have spent my entire adult career taking the easy path instead of pursuing what I really wanted. I am finally making the change that I want to make, and although I have fears I am not going to let them deter me from my course. As Erik Erikson would say, I have reached the psychosocial crisis of middle adulthood and am no longer content to stagnate LOL. In any case, what I'm trying to say to you is do what you are doing in searching your heart for answers, and if input from others helps you in that process, then seek that input along the way. At some point you will just KNOW what direction is right for you. When you know, you know. Good luck to you, and happy Thanksgiving to all!
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I think you should follow your heart. If an accountant came on this forum and said, "I really don't like crunching numbers anymore. I think my heart is leading me to a career in nursing," do you think the people here would tell him to "stick it out"? Hardly.
You do what you feel is right for you. If you feel you are being pulled in another career path, then by all means, research it, give it careful consideration, and if you truly believe it is what you want, then go after it. There is no useful purpose in staying in a job that makes you unhappy and one where you see no future for yourself. A lot of people will try to talk you into staying or try to make you feel guilty for leaving. They don't have to live your life; you do.
How many years, of those 20 years, were you actually a nurse? I noticed that you have 1 year of LPN experience, and it looks like you went back to school and have another 1 year of RN experience...so 2 years combined right?
I'm not sure why you're questioning how many years I've been a 'nurse' since it's pretty clearly stated and I didn't misrepresent myself by saying I was a nurse for 20 years in my post. Being in any type of healthcare setting can be just as stressful as being a 'nurse'. But that's just my opinion, do with it what you wish. And FWIW I've been an RN for 2 years.
Good gravy, I've never witnessed so much cattiness until I found AN.
You sound exactly like me. Nursing is sooooo much not for me that I've been applying to every job that isn't health care related. I don't care to take a pay cut. I plan on doing PRN in psych nursing (I've only done med surg and ER) and doing a 9-5 job elsewhere. My happiness and sanity is on the line. I've been so down in the dumps about my job/nursing lately that I'm not eating, having terrible crying spells, and wish for me to be sick so I'll actually have an excuse not to go into work. I've only been doing nursing for about 10 months, but I already know it's not for me! If I do this for much longer, I may just go over the deep end and do something crazy to myself.
You sound exactly like me. Nursing is sooooo much not for me that I've been applying to every job that isn't health care related. I don't care to take a pay cut. I plan on doing PRN in psych nursing (I've only done med surg and ER) and doing a 9-5 job elsewhere. My happiness and sanity is on the line. I've been so down in the dumps about my job/nursing lately that I'm not eating, having terrible crying spells, and wish for me to be sick so I'll actually have an excuse not to go into work. I've only been doing nursing for about 10 months, but I already know it's not for me! If I do this for much longer, I may just go over the deep end and do something crazy to myself.
I just wanted to tell you that everybody in nursing field say that the first year of nursing after school is very stressful, challenging time and of course, you learn a lot. You said you've been doing nursing for only 10 months. So, may be you are experiencing the rough first year post nursing school, and after a year or so you'll become more confident and feel better about your job. You may wanna consider to give yourself a little more time in nursing, but if you are absolutely sure that nursing is not for you, I think it's best to get out of this field sooner than later. Life is short, why waste your time and energy doing something that you don't enjoy?
So does everyone think that nursing gets better after the 1st year? Does the cattiness and all of that nonsense die down? For those who are fairly quiet/shy/keep to themselves (at all costs), were you able to avoid the ugliness this field has to offer at times? Obviously not completely..but most of it?
I was trying to edit my post, but I can't seem to find "edit" button. Anyway, I shouldn't have said "everybody in nursing field", because obviously I don't know everybody, lol. I just want to clarify that I meant to say "I heard from quite many people, including nursing instructors"...
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
so does everyone think that nursing gets better after the 1st year? does the cattiness and all of that nonsense die down? for those who are fairly quiet/shy/keep to themselves (at all costs), were you able to avoid the ugliness this field has to offer at times? obviously not completely..but most of it?
definitely gets better after the first year. as far as "cattiness" goes, i have to say that i haven't experienced it in over thirty years of nursing. maybe i'm just oblivious, or maybe i've done a stellar job of choosing my workplaces, or maybe it's just not that big of a deal.
So does everyone think that nursing gets better after the 1st year? Does the cattiness and all of that nonsense die down? For those who are fairly quiet/shy/keep to themselves (at all costs), were you able to avoid the ugliness this field has to offer at times? Obviously not completely..but most of it?
My answer is no - it didn't get better for me. But it is very dependent on your personality and how much you let things bother you. Hospital nursing was overwhelming for me - I have finally figured out that I do better in structured situations. (Definitely not nursing).
Specializes in Med/Surge, Geriatrics(LTC), Pediatricts,.
If you have doubts about being in Nursing, then you should leave, but I'd suggest finishing your studies and get your degree/license/registry so you have it in case after exploring other options you find that the time just wasn't right at this time.
RevolutioN2013
185 Posts
Ultimately, you know deep down what is right for you. I think dialoguing it as you are doing now is helpful because it either re-confirms what you already felt or gives you ideas to consider that you hadn't thought of. I have spent my entire adult career taking the easy path instead of pursuing what I really wanted. I am finally making the change that I want to make, and although I have fears I am not going to let them deter me from my course. As Erik Erikson would say, I have reached the psychosocial crisis of middle adulthood and am no longer content to stagnate LOL. In any case, what I'm trying to say to you is do what you are doing in searching your heart for answers, and if input from others helps you in that process, then seek that input along the way. At some point you will just KNOW what direction is right for you. When you know, you know. Good luck to you, and happy Thanksgiving to all!