Thinking about leaving nursing school....what should I do?

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Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to the board and I'm in need of some serious advice. I'm a 21 year old nursing student. I'm currently in the second semester of the BSN program and I'm seriously considering changing my major to something else.

These past two semesters have been pure hell for me and it's starting to affect my health. I have never felt so physically ill in my life. I have terrible headaches, severe back spasms, and anxiety attacks constantly now. I've been to the doctor for it and the only thing they can find wrong with me is stress. To add to that, I've already been told by one of my instructors that I probably won't pass one of my classes even though I'm doing well in clinical and my other classes which will put me behind another semester :o. I am so stressed out right now. Nursing just doesn't seem to make me happy anymore. It took everything in me just to go back after the first semester. To be honest, I had my doubts before I even went to nursing school but I just blew that off as nerves and decided to give it a try. In the beginning I was excited about starting something new, but as time went on it seemed like I was just going with the flow and now I can't seem to get away from there fast enough. I hate feeling this way because I know how hard people work to get into nursing school and I've never been the type to just quit when the going gets rough.

I love working in the medical field (I have some previous experience) and working with patients but I don't thinking nursing is right for me. I researched other medical careers to go into and I've found a few that really appeal to me. They offer a program at a local college that I'm interested in but the only down fall is that I'll be pushing my graduation back another 2 years. I hate the thought of quiting because I feel like I'll be such a failure and let everyone down. I'm so confused on what I should do. :oShould I continue to stick this out or should I just leave and go on to something else? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in acute care.

Well, first of all, do you want to quit because school is stressful or because you are sure nursing isn't for you. If it is stress, I stay stick it out and talk to someone. Get some help with whatever it is you are having trouble with. I am doing pre reqs that are mentally draining right now. I want to quit everyday, but I don't because I know I want to be a nurse and feel that in the end it will be worth the hard work.

If you want to quit because you are CERTAIN that nursing is not for you, then I don't see anything thing wrong with that. When I was working on my first degree, Engineering, I knew within the first year that I had no interest, but I kept going because I thought people would think that I was a quitter. Now, 4 years later I still have school loans from that degree that I need to pay off.

You have to do what makes YOU happy and if you have found a field that you find appealing, go for it! Either way, take some time and think about it. Good luck on your decision.

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to the board and I'm in need of some serious advice. I'm a 21 year old nursing student. I'm currently in the second semester of the BSN program and I'm seriously considering changing my major to something else.

These past two semesters have been pure hell for me and it's starting to affect my health. I have never felt so physically ill in my life. I have terrible headaches, severe back spasms, and anxiety attacks constantly now. I've been to the doctor for it and the only thing they can find wrong with me is stress. To add to that, I've already been told by one of my instructors that I probably won't pass one of my classes even though I'm doing well in clinical and my other classes which will put me behind another semester :o. I am so stressed out right now. Nursing just doesn't seem to make me happy anymore. It took everything in me just to go back after the first semester. To be honest, I had my doubts before I even went to nursing school but I just blew that off as nerves and decided to give it a try. In the beginning I was excited about starting something new, but as time went on it seemed like I was just going with the flow and now I can't seem to get away from there fast enough. I hate feeling this way because I know how hard people work to get into nursing school and I've never been the type to just quit when the going gets rough.

I love working in the medical field (I have some previous experience) and working with patients but I don't thinking nursing is right for me. I researched other medical careers to go into and I've found a few that really appeal to me. They offer a program at a local college that I'm interested in but the only down fall is that I'll be pushing my graduation back another 2 years. I hate the thought of quiting because I feel like I'll be such a failure and let everyone down. I'm so confused on what I should do. :oShould I continue to stick this out or should I just leave and go on to something else? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

:yeahthat: Though to me, it sounds like you really don't like nursing...unless this is a familiar pattern for you (get excited, then get bored). It also sounds like you've been giving the alternatives some thought.

For what it's worth:

I started as a Mechanical Engineering major back in 1990

By 1992 I changed and became a Biology major (Hated calc.)

By 1994 I decided to get an MS in molecular biology.

By 2000, after working a few years, I decided to become a high school science teacher.

By the end of 2001 I knew I'd hate teaching and probably couldn't handle the kids, so I dropped out and looked for a job.

By the end of 2006 I was tired of science again and decided to go into nursing.

And I don't feel like a quitter; in fact, I'd wished I'd quit the science field or the education program sooner, as I'd wasted both time and money.

However, both of those experiences helped me: My interests in nursing focus heavily on teaching and research, and I've already got experience in those fields...

So, if you're quite sure that it's not just nerves, use your nursing experiences to help you out in your new line of studies. Don't worry about what people think or about wasting time.

A real waste of time would be to work as a nurse for a decade and realize you hate it...

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A real waste of time would be to work as a nurse for a decade and realize you hate it...You beat me to it. This is soooooo true. My aunt did it and she beats herself up daily for doing that. She has tried to talk me out of it and I have to remind her that even though things did not work out for her, dosen't mean that I will regret my decision. She was in it for the money. Nursing has a special spot in my heart and I won't let that go.;)

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If you have already found something else that appeals to you, great! I know you hate to feel like a quiter, but your not! If you still want to continue nursing than fine. But since you siad that you would have to retake one class already, than that puts you behind one semester from the start.

Before you get to far ahead change! Unless your married with kids and everything you guys have is going to survial right now, then you better suck it up and finish fast, change latter.

If you could help me it would be great, check out my thread "Dr who?", by wooden nickel (me- I'm not worth much, neither is my advice)

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These past two semesters have been pure hell for me and it's starting to affect my health. I have never felt so physically ill in my life. I have terrible headaches, severe back spasms, and anxiety attacks constantly now.

Nursing just doesn't seem to make me happy anymore. It took everything in me just to go back after the first semester. To be honest, I had my doubts before I even went to nursing school but I just blew that off as nerves and decided to give it a try. In the beginning I was excited about starting something new, but as time went on it seemed like I was just going with the flow and now I can't seem to get away from there fast enough. I hate feeling this way because I know how hard people work to get into nursing school and I've never been the type to just quit when the going gets rough.

I hate the thought of quiting because I feel like I'll be such a failure and let everyone down. I'm so confused on what I should do. :oShould I continue to stick this out or should I just leave and go on to something else? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

Honey, nothing is worth ruining your physical and mental health like this.

Don't worry about what 'other people' think. They are not living your life. And being honest with yourself is not being a failure. Stop beating yourself up over this decision.

I pray you find what makes you happy and complete.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am like everyone else...live for yourself. As much as I like being a nurse, there are many things about it that have affected me physically, mentally and emotionally, after being in the nursing field for 20 years, and finally becoming a nurse since last year. However, nursing itself, is a calling for me. I am spending time trying to find my place in nursing. That is different from seeing that I don't need to be one.

If you are able, take a semester off after this to see if you just need a break (because even for the best of us, nursing school was a nightmare for most of us), or that you need to change career directions. There is no failure in admitting that this is not for you. You would be doing yourself and the patients a favor. It doesn't mean that you are not a good person, this just means that you know that you can contribute to life in a more productive way for YOURSELF. If you can do that, then, you are helping others, because you will have a PASSION for what you are doing and it will show to those you serve.

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Specializes in aged -adolescent.

Don't just don't. I had a hell of a time in nursing.I went to Arts. Couldn't get anywhere there after finished degree so went back to Nursing. Every time the facilitators and lecturers thought I might pass, they slapped a fail on me. What would you think, if you'd just done a med prac, passed with flying colours and you got a fail for assignment. the result, another six months prac in another ward and a go at the assignment again and a credit for the same question that you failed in last assignment. Fail on something else and a pass on same subject next semester. I kid you not. I was beginning to smell a rat. I stayed, despite the HECS, because I wanted it. I could taste that degree. I stayed also to piss some of them off and to let some of the better ones know that they made it worth continuing. I was meant to nurse and I wasn't taking for an answer and I hope when they have someone who's faltering but determined that they damn well tell them about me. For the last subjert I ended up with two distinctions and a very good prac pass and they had to let me through. Some were excellent lecturers and role models. Others were not. Funnily enough there was one lecturer, a tough marker, a straight talker, who was remembered and loved by most of us, a no-nonsense type who really made an effort to get to know us and our capabilities. She was one of the reasons I was determined to finish. Keep going. You will get there if you want it badly enough.

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I'd rather sacrifice 2 more years and be happy with whatever I'm doing, but that's just me.

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Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to the board and I'm in need of some serious advice. I'm a 21 year old nursing student. I'm currently in the second semester of the BSN program and I'm seriously considering changing my major to something else.

These past two semesters have been pure hell for me and it's starting to affect my health. I have never felt so physically ill in my life. I have terrible headaches, severe back spasms, and anxiety attacks constantly now. I've been to the doctor for it and the only thing they can find wrong with me is stress. To add to that, I've already been told by one of my instructors that I probably won't pass one of my classes even though I'm doing well in clinical and my other classes which will put me behind another semester :o. I am so stressed out right now. Nursing just doesn't seem to make me happy anymore. It took everything in me just to go back after the first semester. To be honest, I had my doubts before I even went to nursing school but I just blew that off as nerves and decided to give it a try. In the beginning I was excited about starting something new, but as time went on it seemed like I was just going with the flow and now I can't seem to get away from there fast enough. I hate feeling this way because I know how hard people work to get into nursing school and I've never been the type to just quit when the going gets rough.

I love working in the medical field (I have some previous experience) and working with patients but I don't thinking nursing is right for me. I researched other medical careers to go into and I've found a few that really appeal to me. They offer a program at a local college that I'm interested in but the only down fall is that I'll be pushing my graduation back another 2 years. I hate the thought of quiting because I feel like I'll be such a failure and let everyone down. I'm so confused on what I should do. :oShould I continue to stick this out or should I just leave and go on to something else? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

Sweetie, I know exactly how you feel! I'm in the first semester of an ADN program and I'm not sure if I want to continue. It's the most stressful time that I've ever had in my life and I've cried more times than I care to divulge. While I'm doing well and will be starting clinicals in a couple of weeks, I just don't know if nursing is for me. I mean, I've always dreamed of being a nurse, but I just feel sick everytime I think of going to school. I'm also scared of being viewed as a failure if I do decide to drop out. Everyone is so proud of me, but I'm miserable. So, what do you do? Stick it out and hopefully it will get better or drop out and be looked at as weak or a quitter? I'm also afraid that I'll regret my decision. I've made up my mind that I'm going to give clinicals a shot to see how I like it. If my passion for helping others is still there, I'll stay. I guess time will tell. Whatever you decide, keep us posted because ultimately you are the one who has to make the final decision. Do what makes YOU happy! Good luck, girlie!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Case Manager.

I understand what you are going through. Last semester I was supposed to have graduated from my ADN program, but I sabotaged my chances of doing that because "I didn't feel ready" to go out into the real world. Many times I've thought about taking a break in my last semester, because my motivation level was down and I felt depressed because of all the suffering I witnessed in the ICU. I didn't pass my class by 1 point. Not only that, but every clinical morning I felt like puking because of my anxiety towards my clinical instructor and the attitude of the nurses at the hospital which hindered my interest in learning.

Now I'm back with better grades and I am more strong and confident. So far, I haven't had any anxiety problems. I don't know if it has to do with my clinical instructor being understanding and also the hospital environment is a little much better.

This is my 3rd chance at nursing. I have an AA degree in Behavioral Science, BA in Sociology and I am a Medical Assistant. The first time, I applied to 2 nursing programs; got accepted into the first one, but didn't get my name off the waiting list on the second one. I only went one semester (first choice) and decided to take a break because I hated the experience. On top of that, I was experiencing hearing loss and my instructor discouraged me by saying that if they knew I had a hearing problem, they wouldn't have accepted me into the program. I decided to take another chance at nursing when I got called from my 2nd choice. Just recently I started having physical problems such as headaches and vision problems. They think it might be migraines related to stress. I will be getting a brain MRI in 2 weeks. So we'll see what happens then.

Find out why you wanted to become a nurse in the first place. If you still want to become a nurse, my suggestion to you is to take a break and maybe transfer to an ADN program. That way you haven't really wasted a lot of time and money. Besides, you can always do a BSN as soon as you work in the hospital since there are hospitals that will pay towards your BSN. The good thing about being a nurse is that it is a versatile profession; you are not stuck in one area. Besides, you are still young and have a lot of time to explore other career options. Don't care about what others think, because the only person who will be happy in the end is YOU. I have to say that there were several times that I wanted to quit nursing because of crappy patients or nurses, but the fact that I was able to help patients or make them smile, made it worth it to stay. Good luck with whateter you decide.:innerconf

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Sweetie, I know exactly how you feel! I'm in the first semester of an ADN program and I'm not sure if I want to continue. It's the most stressful time that I've ever had in my life and I've cried more times than I care to divulge. While I'm doing well and will be starting clinicals in a couple of weeks, I just don't know if nursing is for me. I mean, I've always dreamed of being a nurse, but I just feel sick everytime I think of going to school. I'm also scared of being viewed as a failure if I do decide to drop out. Everyone is so proud of me, but I'm miserable. So, what do you do? Stick it out and hopefully it will get better or drop out and be looked at as weak or a quitter? I'm also afraid that I'll regret my decision. I've made up my mind that I'm going to give clinicals a shot to see how I like it. If my passion for helping others is still there, I'll stay. I guess time will tell. Whatever you decide, keep us posted because ultimately you are the one who has to make the final decision. Do what makes YOU happy! Good luck, girlie!

:monkeydance: Please don't feel like a quiter or failure... If nursing isn't for you then don't do it.. Don't worry about what others think of you... It doesn't matter what any one else thinks of you.. If you decided to quit nursing school you would be strong. You know what you want and don't want... Nursing is awesome, but not for everyone. In order to be happy and have a passion for what you do, you have to like what you are doing.. Give it a little more time. But please don't become a nurse to make someone else proud of you or happy... Good luck to you.. I hope that you love the clinicals and decide that this is what you want to do... But if not... it is okay.. Don't beat yourself up...

Take care and keep us posted.... :monkeydance:

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