Thinking of changing majors, need advice from nurses

[FutureNurseWard]

Hi! I need an outlet to be very honest about my thoughts and hoping for feedback. I am taking Anatomy101, the first pre-req. I've taken all general education already for the BSN. I'm having doubts of about my ability to be a nurse and am thinking of backing out and switching to another major that will pay well with a similar time frame or less for education.

When I volunteer in Telemetry, the nurses are always complaining. I'm definitely listening. I fear I'm also not smart enough to have this responsibility although I may be over thinking it. I want to work in L&D, Postpartum, lactation or something related to that. I don't think I like the idea of working with old people. I have epilepsy, and though it's controlled and my seizures if they do happen are very predictable (upon waking up). But even just having epilepsy i fear that i won't even be allowed around babies. Does anyone know if they allow this?

Also,I am 30, I just found out i am pregnant with my third child (5 if you count my step kids), so honestly 3 years of nursing school after pre-reqs feels like a long ways away.

I've been thinking about other options.... Ultrasound, OB tech, or some kind of tech, maybe where I don't have as much responsibility and less schooling. I'm just doubting my abilities and want to know what the best back up plan is. Any thoughts? What is the best back up plan for those who think they aren't cut out for nursing?

[Puella]

I'm not a nurse yet, but hopefully that will change in less than a year. ? Im 42 with a previous BS degree. I had little respect for nurses until nursing school. But Holy Crap!!! Nursing school is the biggest challenge I've ever faced! I couldnt even imagine tackling it if my kids were small. Many of my friends with little ones have failed out. I know people do manage, but the toll for failing is a heavy one. I think you're probably smarter than you give yourself credit for. You're obviously wise for considering all your options before making a decision. Best of luck!

[Sour Lemon]

The best back up plan is going to vary greatly from person to person. A post on a message board really doesn't give enough information for other people to make your major life decisions. ?

Try chatting up people in other roles while you're volunteering in telemetry. Since this is a nursing web site, most of the people here have decided on nursing and might not know the fine details of other roles.

[KrysyRN, BSN]

Have you thought about shadowing an OB nurse or lactation educator? Or techs? Hospitals in your area may offer opportunities to shadow, and it may help you to narrow down the areas that you feel are best suited for you.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

L&D is a very specific niche. Plenty of people get to do it but there are just as many that wanted to and don't ever land a job in that specialty. If you go forward with nursing, you need to be open to the idea that you may not wind up in women's health in any capacity. It is worth noting, however, that a good percentage of people enter nursing school sure of the specialty they want and then discover when they actually get into it that something else floats their boat that they had not considered. I was positive I wanted to be an oncology nurse. I was wrong. I'm still a nurse and I am super happy.

Nursing isn't as flexible as it used to be and most people do not wind up in their specialty of choice. If the idea of working with "old people" is abhorrent to you, this isn't a good career for you. Nurses are mostly needed for sick people. A large proportion of sick people are our elderly.