What do you do when you realize nursing is not for you?

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I'm graduating with my BSN in December. I went into nursing with the hope of working in nicu or as a cnm. Ive realized I don't like nursing. I love learning the material and I get good grades but I really hate clinicals. I do well in them and I haven't really had any bad experiences, I just don't like it. I don't really care about the patients and I feel like a nurse should care about the patients. I loved the nicu and I would probably work 24/7 on that unit and I would've done anything for those babies. I don't have that compassion for the adults though. I don't want to go into nursing if I can only tolerate one unit. But at this point, it makes no sense not to finish my BSN so I plan to finish it but I don't know what to do after.

I was hoping some people on here had some ideas for what other fields I could get into that a bsn might be helpful. I've been considering epidemiolgy but it doesn't seem like theres a lot of good paying jobs. Does anyone have any experience changing career goals after nursing school?

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Specializes in ICU.

There are lots of jobs in nursing still. Maybe look at doing research. You would most likely need your masters but it's an option. I think you could even work at an insurance company. Or what about being a nurse at an elementary school? The best thing you could do is research.

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Specializes in Pedi.

A BSN doesn't qualify you to do anything that isn't nursing. You would need to continue on for another degree, likely in Public Health.

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I can relate to you….I felt similarly but I knew I could not give up. That is a decision you may regret…it is a very noble profession..one that is VERY flexible…sO MANY JOBS…there are nurses that don't do any hands on patient care at all!!!! That is not a "rare" position and it actually pays more because nurses in hospitals there are so many of them…so obviously they get paid less…but once you hit speciality areas…pay goes up (lots of people don't realize that) I think they get brainwashed into thinking you have to do bed side nursing..but you don't. It is a choice. If you like it or need the experience you go for it. I would definitely advise you not to quit...

and what is so bad about only like nICU? that is a great place to work and maybe you can pursue nurse practitioner route in the future?

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Go to the Specialties link at the top of the page and tool around in there for a few days. It'll take you that long at least. See if something else doesn't appeal to you. You probably have no idea how many options you have.

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I'm graduating with my BSN in December. I went into nursing with the hope of working in nicu or as a cnm. Ive realized I don't like nursing. I love learning the material and I get good grades but I really hate clinicals. I do well in them and I haven't really had any bad experiences, I just don't like it. I don't really care about the patients and I feel like a nurse should care about the patients. I loved the nicu and I would probably work 24/7 on that unit and I would've done anything for those babies. I don't have that compassion for the adults though. I don't want to go into nursing if I can only tolerate one unit. But at this point, it makes no sense not to finish my BSN so I plan to finish it but I don't know what to do after.

I was hoping some people on here had some ideas for what other fields I could get into that a bsn might be helpful. I've been considering epidemiolgy but it doesn't seem like theres a lot of good paying jobs. Does anyone have any experience changing career goals after nursing school?

Honestly if you've invested all this time and money why not try it. Doesn't mean you have to stop your search for other jobs. From my experience reading these forums for the past 2 years and clinicals is completely different from real world nursing. Only you can determine how much you can care for your patients. Additionally, it really seems like the place in which you get employed can make a HUGE difference.

I get that nursing school has jaded you about what it is to be a nurse, but like PP have said there are SO MARY different careers and types of nursing one can do. I am starting nursing school with the end goal if becoming a CNM, but knowing that there are so many options for me if I change my mind is a very comforting thought.

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I wonder if maybe you want to explore why you feel this way about other patients (the dislike and no compassion)?

Because if you find out why you might find out maybe it's not really not the fact that you dislike them but maybe something else? Such as...IDK .....maybe a fear of yourself being in their place, or a fear of making a mistake or something. Just an idea..since you are this far and going to get your BSN.

But you say "I would do anything for those babies" then call it "tolerating" that one unit... I would call that love you had more than tolerating. I'd just explore how you feel deeper.

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I dont really feel that I dislike the patients. I'm just not a very compassionate person and I have a hard time empathizing and providing therapeutic communication. It's like I just don't pick up on the cues about how people are feeling and if I do, I don't know how to respond. I am also very fearful of making a mistake. Missing something during an assessment is probably my greatest fear.

I just don't want to be one of those nurses that are there for the wrong reason.

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Specializes in MH, ED, ICU.

You're worried about the care you provide and about messing up. That sounds like a caring nurse to me. I would try it out after graduation, and if you still hate it then look into one of the gazillion other jobs you can do that don't deal with patient care. For example: my friend makes six figures doing medical record stuff from home. She never sees patients.

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