Thinking about leaving nursing school

Grumble88 · Mar 14, 2016

Have you looked at psychiatric nursing?

Student1713 · Mar 14, 2016

I have not had my psych rotation yet. I thought about that because I hate to quite anything.

WanderingWilder, ASN · Mar 14, 2016

Have you thought about what you are going to do with a psychology degree? Without a masters I believe jobs will be limited.

Eru IlÃºvatar · Mar 14, 2016

First, I hope I do not offend anyone. I am here to get some insight. I am almost done with my first year in nursing school. Being an RN is a wonderful profession, if you enjoy what you do. I do not want to be a nurse, if I am going to hate my job. I am thinking about changing my major to psychology or sociology. I do not think it is right for me. I left high school unsure, and in college I switched back and forth between pre-nursing and psychology. This happened like 5 or 6 times. I am wondering why I went to nursing school in the first place. I had doubts at the beginning of the semester, but they went away. I appreciate everything I have learned because nursing school taught me to think differently. Now my doubts are back. I have been doing research, and I am still unsure. I know I want to understand people and the motives behind their behavior. I have a 3 month old and a newly wed. My husband supports whatever I decide to do. I would like advice from you all, please. Thank you.
P.s. I have more classes in psychology and sociology than my nursing school requires. I have a 3.3 in my nursing classes, and a 3.5 in my pre-requisites. I am doing good in my clinical. I am mud not interested in nursing school. I feel happy when I leave school and the hospital (like extremely excited)!!!!!!

You have better chances of actually practicing in the field of psychology with a nursing degree than with a psych degree. Psych degrees at the bachelor level are dime a dozen ( without offending anyone who choose to do so), and the way to practice is linked to a Master and mainly a Phd in Psych. While as a nurse you can specialize in psych care as soon as an ASN. So weight your options and dont give up. And dont worry most people dont like what they do, if they did it wouldnt be called work, do something that is tolerable and pays well and use that money to do stuff you actually like.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 14, 2016

Oh for goodness sake. Why continue to invest time, energy & $ into something that you really don't want to do? That's a definition of self-destructive behavior. There are so many other directions in which you can go, including a plethora of other types of health care professions that offer equivalent starting salaries and much better career progression than nursing.

Good luck & best wishes ... whatever you choose to do.

Student1713 · Mar 14, 2016

I have a few jobs in mind, but I don't mind getting a doctorate in water field I go into.

Student1713 · Mar 14, 2016

Thank you that made me feel better. If I do become a psych nurse, then I need more info on how the job is. None of my teachers have psych experience.

Eru IlÃºvatar · Mar 14, 2016

Thank you that made me feel better. If I do become a psych nurse, then I need more info on how the job is. None of my teachers have psych experience.

There is a whole section in the forum dedicated to the specialty of Psych Nursing, I would start by going there and reading. Since you are willing to further your education beyond the undergraduate level then also look into the PMHNP, that is the Nurse Practitioner that specializes in Psych Care, this specialty is well paid and very rewarding; and its entirely focused on psych care.

Tumbler · Mar 14, 2016

I believe if you are not happy with what you are studying you are right to change majors. If psychology or sociology is your passion, pursue it. I finished a psychology minor and believe me, what my profs were doing as psychologists was nothing like psych nursing, and for some reason, my school had us do a full year of psych nursing (acute one semester and then chronic the next). Don't stay in the nursing field because there's a possibility that you "might" like some aspect of it further down the program when you know you like what you are doing in your other classes.

People here love being nurses or really, really think they will love being nurses. Our first response to everybody is "don't quit!" when maybe she should. You should not be talked into nursing. My parents are educators and taught me that changing directions can be a great thing, and that most students will change directions.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

I also agree that you are eating your time and money. You would still be a nurse as a psych nurse. If you hate the foundation of nursing, becoming a psych nurse is probably not the way to go. Psych nursing would be appropriate for someone who wants to combine their love of nursing with their love of psychology. Does that make sense?

I think social work is incredible if that would be something you are interested in. It does not have that great of pay, but they are definitely needed. Since you are married and have another contributing income, would it be possible for your husband to be the breadwinner, and you to pursue social work? It is a noble profession as well.

I will say a dated a guy who was a social worker. He made enough in order to purchase a house and support his family. He was in a supervisory position, something you could aim for someday.

maxov · Mar 14, 2016

Run away from it as from fire.