What should I do...?

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 12, 2012

Honey, just do it. Choose a path and follow it. Fear is natural and normal but if it stops you realizing your dreams then it's getting in the way. What a shame if you prevented yourself from doing what you really want to do. No one is stopping you except yourself so be firm with yourself and keep on going. One thing at a time. We all have anxieties, believe it or not, but we have to push through them to get where we need to be. You should be the one person you can rely on. Look to nobody else. Praise yourself, be kind to yourself, and reward yourself when you achieve something. Good luck and make it happen.

Queen2u · Jan 12, 2012

I appreciate your honesty. I graduated in December2004, took the NCLEX in February 2005 and did not pass, and I was very depressed and discouraged. Being depressed and discouraged led to me being fearful....I was so afraid I could not take the NCLEX again for fear of failing. I took data entry jobs for 5 YEARS!!!! Finally I gathered up some courage to retake the NCLEX again in March 0f 2009 and I passed!! I was so afraid that no one would hire me because of the years i had wasted but fortunately a hospital opened their arms and took me right in. I would recommend getting a recruiter to assist in your job hunt. Just remember that everyone's lives take them on different paths, but as long as you continue to fight hard for what you want you will get there!

chashmonit · Jan 13, 2012

nobody can tell you what to do. you have to weigh the pros and cons. as a single mom whose kids are growing up way too fast, i can tell you, i wish i had been able to just stay home with my kids, take care of them, and watch them grow. but as a nurse, i love what i do, and my kids, teen, preteen, and elementary school, already have things that take their interest and they don't want to just hang with mommy, though we are very very close. nursing gives me great satisfaction, fulfillment, confidence, money -- ok, not great money, but good money-- a good career that will not go away--check into different fields of nursing, there is a lot out there. i started at a prison, and actually loved it while i was there, which was surprising because i was shy, easily intimidated, and not confident. now i work in an operating room and LOOOOOVE it (read that in a singsong voice) you are probably going to have some trouble getting back in somewhere because of being out since you graduated, but try a prison, or nursing home--you may have to take a crappy night shift to get your foot in the door. if you don't maintain your hours, you lose your license, so make a decision quick. it was hard to get into the hospital, and i think you kind of have to know someone or, like i said, take a crappy off shift. but after you have been there for a while you can ask to transfer. did i mention i love the operating room? you never have 15 patients (or 3 in icu) you have a whole team of people to take care of your just-one-patient-at-a-time, and you are NEVER trying to lift a 500lb patient with only 1 or 2 people like on the floors. and did i tell you i LOVE the operating room pray about it.

Nurzelady · Feb 20, 2012

nobody can tell you what to do. you have to weigh the pros and cons. as a single mom whose kids are growing up way too fast, i can tell you, i wish i had been able to just stay home with my kids, take care of them, and watch them grow. but as a nurse, i love what i do, and my kids, teen, preteen, and elementary school, already have things that take their interest and they don't want to just hang with mommy, though we are very very close. nursing gives me great satisfaction, fulfillment, confidence, money -- ok, not great money, but good money-- a good career that will not go away--check into different fields of nursing, there is a lot out there. i started at a prison, and actually loved it while i was there, which was surprising because i was shy, easily intimidated, and not confident. now i work in an operating room and LOOOOOVE it (read that in a singsong voice) you are probably going to have some trouble getting back in somewhere because of being out since you graduated, but try a prison, or nursing home--you may have to take a crappy night shift to get your foot in the door. if you don't maintain your hours, you lose your license, so make a decision quick. it was hard to get into the hospital, and i think you kind of have to know someone or, like i said, take a crappy off shift. but after you have been there for a while you can ask to transfer. did i mention i love the operating room? you never have 15 patients (or 3 in icu) you have a whole team of people to take care of your just-one-patient-at-a-time, and you are NEVER trying to lift a 500lb patient with only 1 or 2 people like on the floors. and did i tell you i LOVE the operating room pray about it.

What else do you love about your job? I've been thinking about that field