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Discussion

Unsure about career!

Hi all,

I'm just about to finish my college course (in the UK) in health and social care, which I can use to get onto a nursing course. Nursing is something I've wanted to do for a while, but now it's come down to it I worry that I won't make it through the course due to how demanding I've heard it is, so I'm reluctant to go. But at the same time, I feel so lost because of the amount of time I've put into it.

For an idea into my background: I'm achieving D*D*D* in my course, however for a while it's felt like my heart isn't in it. I have a car and am within 30 minutes of many unis, and live with my parents who support me financially. Really, I have no reason not to go apart from the worry that it will be too much.

In addition to this, I suffer with anxiety so I worry a lot, about things like whether I will get bullied by upper management and doctors, whether patients will be abusive (I know it's a given) but I wonder if you have to be strong emotionally to go into something like this or whether it's something you can develop.

Really, I'm just looking for advice. Should I go for it and force myself to do the work, wait a year, become a HCA? Do you find the course is unbearably hard? What would you guys do in my position?

Emily

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    I would quote " where there is a will there is a way" .When you start to worry take some deep breathes,do some yoga/exercise.Organize your time and take one day at a time,just do as you can.Give it a try.With perseverance and commitment,you can do it! or else there are lot of other avenues like to be a physiotherapist/occupational therapist/ultrasound technician etc.,If I was in your position I would explore and find out where I belong or what I would like to do!

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    I would do the same and explore. I've been qualified for almost 20 years as a general nurse and realise I should have chosen mental health x

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    • Expert

    In addition to this, I suffer with anxiety so I worry a lot, about things like whether I will get bullied by upper management and doctors, whether patients will be abusive (I know it's a given) but I wonder if you have to be strong emotionally to go into something like this or whether it's something you can develop.

    There are policies and unions in place to protect you from management - not usually needed as management are not usually that bad.

    Doctors are doctors and part of the job is dealing with them - they also are not allowed to bully but you are allowed to give as good as you get. Vast majority of doctors are reasonable, polite, sensible human beings.

    Patients are a different matter - they have expectations - sometimes from American medical shows but most of the problems from patients are when they are stressed and upset. Again vast majority are pleasant and nice. Working in ED is different because you have alcohol/drugs in the mix but you don't have to work there.

    This is why you get training.

    Really, I'm just looking for advice. Should I go for it and force myself to do the work, wait a year, become a HCA? Do you find the course is unbearably hard? What would you guys do in my position?

    Becoming an HCA would certainly let you see if nursing is for you with nothing lost. You would get an idea of exactly what nursing is about before you decide to do 3 - 4 years work.

    I went into nursing with the idea that I would leave if I found a better job. 35 years later I am still looking for a job that's better.

    Good luck.

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    I'm currently in my last year of my nursing degree in NZ. Up until now I've found it easy enough and really enjoyable. But this year is the hardest thing I've ever done. It is a lot of pressure and I am terrified of failing when I'm so close. But if you never challenge yourself, you will never get anywhere. Give it your best go, face the fear and make sure you have people around you to support you. And if you fail, it's not the end of the world, just keep trying and giving it your best. Don't let your fears stop you. These last couple of papers I've had to bribe myself with things I've been wanting to get through. But that feeling when you accomplish something you thought you couldn't do is unbelievable, there's nothing like it!

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