ultrasound vs nursing?

RhodyGirl, RN · Oct 14, 2008

I would first like to find out why you want to quit the nursing program? What is happening at school that is driving you away?

pinkiepie_RN · Oct 14, 2008

If I remember correctly, you were posting here a few months ago saying that you were considering radiology vs. nursing. IMHO, they're two completely different fields, although both health related. Definitely think about why you ended up choosing nursing and if you think you'd feel the same way about ultrasound. Nursing school is hard and I wanted to quit a few times during my first semester, but I'm a senior now and I know I've made the right decision. I have a feeling I'd get bored pretty easily doing ultrasound/radiology, but to each their own. I'm not sure many people here can help you out on the pros/cons of radiology because I think most of the people on this board are in nursing. Good luck!

2bnursesim22 · Oct 15, 2008

well..I never hear any horror stories about ultrasound tech and people on here are SO negative about their jobs. My moms friend went back to school as a nurse and graduated worked at a good hospital quit than went to another and quit now shes going back for school nurse. I believe she didn't like the paper work she would have to stay HOURS after normal time in order to finish. ive never really met a happy nurse. Ultrasound seems so much more relaxing and less stressful. For me, it would be less school because I am in the BSN nursing program. Im petrified to start clinicals because most classmates are lpns or in health fields and know things. I know nothing, Im 20 years old and I work as a waitress. Im barely passing patho with 70's and I need atleast a 73 to pass. Im sooo scared to waste my parents money on something Im almost positive I cant pass. I mean Im NOT a smart person, not saying Im dumb but most people who are into the programs are like sooo smart or have to be to even get in. I couldnt get in directly after hs bc I didnt have great grades, I went to pre-reqs in college and have a 3.8 and got in. Now that 3.8 might be a 2.8 after patho this semester and anything below a 3.0 I'll then lose my scholarship. Nursing is stressful. Im also scared about losing my life. Idk is ultrasound better? The pay is the same or possibly more I hear to start. According to salary.com in my area its 66k. Nurses are the same but with so much more work and less stress...how come? Any advice..

pinkiepie_RN · Oct 17, 2008

well..I never hear any horror stories about ultrasound tech and people on here are SO negative about their jobs. My moms friend went back to school as a nurse and graduated worked at a good hospital quit than went to another and quit now shes going back for school nurse. I believe she didn't like the paper work she would have to stay HOURS after normal time in order to finish. ive never really met a happy nurse. Ultrasound seems so much more relaxing and less stressful. For me, it would be less school because I am in the BSN nursing program. Im petrified to start clinicals because most classmates are lpns or in health fields and know things. I know nothing, Im 20 years old and I work as a waitress. Im barely passing patho with 70's and I need atleast a 73 to pass. Im sooo scared to waste my parents money on something Im almost positive I cant pass. I mean Im NOT a smart person, not saying Im dumb but most people who are into the programs are like sooo smart or have to be to even get in. I couldnt get in directly after hs bc I didnt have great grades, I went to pre-reqs in college and have a 3.8 and got in. Now that 3.8 might be a 2.8 after patho this semester and anything below a 3.0 I'll then lose my scholarship. Nursing is stressful. Im also scared about losing my life. Idk is ultrasound better? The pay is the same or possibly more I hear to start. According to salary.com in my area its 66k. Nurses are the same but with so much more work and less stress...how come? Any advice..

Make a pros and cons list if you have to for yourself. But think about it before quitting. Shadow a nurse. Do you like nursing, at least the idea of it? Do you find your classes stimulating and exciting? Every job out there is stressful in some aspect. Work hard in Patho and you'll get through. I know Patho was hard for me (I think I got a B-) but I never gave up. Now I'm a semester and a half away from graduation!

2bnursesim22 · Oct 17, 2008

idk im just so confused. I feel like Im just getting by now with 70's I'll flunk out as it gets harder because gosh I know it will and then Ill waste money and time. I dont want to regret anything. My boyfriends moms a nurse she likes it and says us techs make no money. From what I hear they make just as much as nurses. no its not all aboiut money for me but I would like to make decent money when I graduate so it is a factor. All my classes are boring. I havent learned really anything..its kind of theory things..no hands on.

pinkiepie_RN · Oct 17, 2008

idk im just so confused. I feel like Im just getting by now with 70's I'll flunk out as it gets harder because gosh I know it will and then Ill waste money and time. I dont want to regret anything. My boyfriends moms a nurse she likes it and says us techs make no money. From what I hear they make just as much as nurses. no its not all aboiut money for me but I would like to make decent money when I graduate so it is a factor. All my classes are boring. I havent learned really anything..its kind of theory things..no hands on.

Are you taking clinicals yet? I know nursing school is hard and sometimes it's not fun, but do you want to be a nurse. I'd still like to hear why you want to be a nurse. Every time I fell down and wanted to quit my pre-reqs or even nursing classes, I thought about what got me this far.

That being said, if you don't like nursing school, don't stay in it because you feel like you have to stay. *shrugs*

*LadyJane* · Oct 17, 2008

Ya think ultrasound might be easy? Check out the list of classes required to apply/graduate. Feel like taking several quarters of upper level math, calculus, lots of physics and then lots and lots and lots of anatomy?

Ultrasound isn't an easy way out. Nursing isn't easy either, but its full of "brain food" and I like intellectual challenge and work on my job, plus I love people.

If you have the desire and the drive to be a nurse and are willing to work hard to achieve this desire, then you can do it. It's primarily about having a "burning desire".

Best of luck to you, and you migh get a NCLEX prep book and study the first couple of chapters that cover test taking and test question analysis. That, and adequate study so that you read and see all your required readings and study materials, and you should be greatly improved.

Best of luck to you, too!

Jane:nurse:

DoeRN · Oct 17, 2008

Everyone has a different experience with nursing. So you can't base your decision on what someone else is going through. Some people are in nursing for the money, some for the glory, and some to help people. There are other reasons too. You have to have your own experience and like someone else said you picked nursing school so why give you now? Heck I have failed a couple of test and almost flunked my last two med surg classes. I needed an A on my last test and final in one class and I did it. I passed both classes. And at that time I only had one class to go before I graduated. I did not want to give up that fast. No one thought I could do it (classmates, friends, family) except my professor, myself and God. Stop all of the negative talk and get in there and do it.

You may have to learn another way of studying for your tests. I have a bachelors in another field and it was a cake walk compared to nursing school. Before I could study the night before and Ace the test. Not so with nursing school. Get a Saunders NCLEX book and use that to supplement. Plus it has a great chapter on test taking skills.

Ultrasound is good too but it is so limited on what you can do. I think they make more than nurses but you have to stay in that area and can't do anything else.

beth66335, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2008

You posted in July you got accepted into 4 nursing schools! How many people can say that? Not me that's for sure...I think you need to sit tight, work on Patho more and finish the semester before you jump ship to something else. We have all been discouraged with grades and other things in our programs but jumping to something else when it gets hard is probably more impulse at this point than anything. It is scary to think of failing after all the work it takes to get in, but you need to try not to focus on that. Get help from some successful students if you can and like others have said get an NCLEX book or 2 and read the front part about test taking strategies. Nursing school tests are some of the most intellectually challenging tests out there and tips to breaking them down can make all the difference to some folks. If you are not in clinicals yet you will find school more interesting when you are...I found school much more fun once I could put knowledge to use with my hands. As for the others in your school who had better grades and got in with them...you got in too, don't be so hard on yourself!~ Good Luck!:redbeathe

2bnursesim22 · Oct 17, 2008

thanks everyone for the advice! I appreciate it. I have more stress and anxiety than most students, well let me rephrase that, I get more stressed and get anxiety attacks sometimes because of it. I've been given medication to help me relax if I really need it and sometimes I get really bad. I'm really afraid of just not having a life like everyone states. Maybe thats selfish on my part but i dont know. I mean, Im putting education first, I'm studying alot. But, I haven't given up like..on Friday nights I go out with my boyfriend and Saturday night I sleep by his apartment and come home in the early am. I also sleep by him Wed because I have off of school Thursdays and we sleep in till like 11. Sometimes I feel like how everyone says they don't have a life am I like..not taking nursing seriously? I don't think I or anyone else should have to give everything up for a major..i dont know. I want to be a nurse because I love people and helping people. Although, SOOO MANY PEOPLE complain they absolutely hate nursing. Im scared Ill give the wrong dose of something..One error could kill someone...you cant say that about every career.