Thinking about quitting nursing school

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey everyone ! So I need a little help here. I'm a 17 years old student nurse.

I never knew what to do with my life in high school. Then, nursing started interesting me. I know I had to do something in the medical field. I applied and got it. I'm at the second semester and it is hell. No social life and hours of studying : when you think you're finished, there's always more. But I deal with it. I got my first clinicals before Christmas and it went well, I was a little scared. Then after Christmas, I really started wondering if that's really what I want to do for the rest of my life. But I didn't quit.

I got other clinicals this week. It all went well until my instructor told me I should quit because she thinks I'm not where I belong, that I'm really immature (because I forgot my watch once and I chewed gum) and she went on and on, I didn't really listen because I was focusing on not crying. Couldn't keep it in , went to the bathroom and let it all out then went back and carried on with my day. It made me really insecure and I didn't really care about my patient after that (i'm a horrible person I know) and saw all the negatives points in nursing instead of the great ones.

Since then, I've been questioning myself hardcore. I went and see what other job I could be interested in but there wasn't. There was tec vet but the money isn't great. I only did clinicals with elder people which I do find cute but I'm afraid if i'm dropping out, I'll miss great opportunities like ped and L&D. I'm afraid to regret. I'm afraid of not finding anything else that I'll like. I'm wondering if I should stick with it and decide afterwards. I'm afraid of being and nurse and not liking it and burn out. I think I'm just afraid of doing what I'll do for my entire life.

What should I do?

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Do not quit because you got chewed out one time. Almost everybody gets a good chewing out at least once. Some several times. It is supposed to be a wake-up call. You are meant to think about what you were told, develop the desire to overcome your shortcomings, and persevere. Go back with the firm resolve to show this instructor, and yourself, that you have what it takes. When you finish nursing school, get your license, and then your first job, you will have something to be proud of. If you decide to change careers, at the proper time, you will always have your nursing education and license to fall back on.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm just curious - at age 17, what type of nursing school are you attending? Specifically, how are you already in clinicals at the age of 17? This sounds like an awful lot of pressure for your age.

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When I was 17, I didn't know my you-know-what from a hole in the ground. I never could have handled nursing school.

You're young, there's still plenty of time to figure out what you want.

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Specializes in ER.

How can you be 17 and be in a nursing school?

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How can you be 17 and be in a nursing school?

We had a 16 y/o in ours. She couldnt take the NCLEX until she turned 18. She graduated high school at 15.

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I'm just curious - at age 17, what type of nursing school are you attending? Specifically, how are you already in clinicals at the age of 17? This sounds like an awful lot of pressure for your age.

It could be a high school LPN program.

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In my area sixteen year olds can attend an LVN program in adult school. And many decades ago, I started a BSN program at 16.

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Specializes in Oncology.
How can you be 17 and be in a nursing school?

I was 18 when I started nursing school and wasn't the youngest one in my high school's graduating class.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.
How can you be 17 and be in a nursing school?

I graduated high school a year early & started nursing school (ADN program) at 17.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
How can you be 17 and be in a nursing school?
One of our moderators (Esme12) graduated from an associate degree nursing program at age 18 and has been an RN ever since.

Also, when I attended an LVN program 10 years ago, one of my classmates was 17.

Some people know what they want at a young age and, therefore, take the steps to pursue it while in high school.

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dont quit! there are soooo many branches in nursing that can interest you. You dont have to like your nursing school rotations and just base it on that. Having your nursing degree can open a lot more doors for you in your career. For example, being an ICU nurse. I have been a nurse for about 6 years now and an ICU nurse for 3 and let me tell you, it is exciting everyday I work. The adrenaline rush from a patient coding (Code blue) and having to rush in there with the crash cart, start compressions, start infusing different medications into his IV line to try and save his/her life. Because thats what we do, we save lives. Believe me, you will never regret finishing nursing school, but you will regret quiting. What your instructor did to you was out of line and should not have spoken to you that way, especially infront of your classmates. But use that as your fuel. Prove your instructor wrong!! Be strong.... its a quality nurses learn to aquire ;)

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