What to do with my life...why do I feel so lost? Nursing students and anyone else, please help?

Question

I'm going back to school after taking a year off. I was in a nursing program and wasn't really sure if it was what I was meant to do, I struggled a lot (not with the nursing courses itself) but just with finding myself and trying to figure out what I was meant to do with my life. I felt lost throughout that year (2006-2007); it was awful. So I decided to take a year off to rethink things, worked, and now I've decided to go back to the program. In a perfect world, I wouldn't be going back to it, but my family needs money and so do I, and I know first hand it's hard to find a job today. I know some people who went to post-secondary schools and couldn't find jobs for many months after graduating and had to work in factories for a while (one of them is still looking for a job right now...has applied to tons of places, did interviews and all...but still working in a factory because she hasn't found a job in her field yet). Some did find jobs, but they didn't relate to what they studied and the money wasn't that great. Not that I'm trying to compare myself to others but just trying to be realistic, I don't want to have problems finding a job lateron with another degree or working in a factory or some restaurant. I am thinking of a french degree with now. I love french and always do well in it, but I'm worried of the job opportunities out there for that major. I'm also worried about my parents. I think they'll pretty much disown me if I change majors again. They were not happy with me not going to school for a year, but they were supportive as time went by and told me I could go into another program of choice, something I would enjoy, I've told them I'll go back into nursing lateron and they asked me a couple of times if I was sure and I said 'yea,' although at the back of my head I had doubts, but I just told myself I would stick it out with the program. I've 3 yrs left with it. If I do change programs, I won't tell them because they'll write me off as their kid then. I know they'll find out eventually and they'll do so then as well. I don't know why I'm so scared. Nursing is hard in general, but I didn't have trouble with the courses (except for some of the hands-on clinical skills), tho I hated studying to them. It was the clinicals that I dreaded. There were some skills I didn't understand and I felt stupid. It seemed the other students knew what they were doing except me. I also felt like I didn't belong at the clinical setting, the clock seemed to stay still and I just couldn't wait to leave. I'm also naturally a shy person and ahd a hard time going up to the patients and expression myself, especially when their family members were around. We have two days of clinicals this year (eight hrs each day) for the whole year, I don't know how I am going to survive. I don't know, if anyone can give me some advice, I would appreciate it. By the way, I was in an arts course before in my first year (Psychology), I loved it, but changed into nursing because I felt it would open up more doors. Now I'm in a nursing program and I feel lost. If I could change into any other program, it would be Psychology or French. I really don't want to change programs again, but I don't know what to do. I've already chosen my nursing courses and all. Maybe I'll find an area of nursing I'll fit in with when I'm through, I dunno, but how I will make it through first. I'm 21 yrs old. Has anyone else felt this way, or is this just me?

Answer 1

Hello --- it is always confusing to attempt to satisfy others expectations. Let us start by saying we are interested in our own expectations first and a track to be on to produce good results for --SELF--.

The nursing track may be difficult but will pay well.

Consider this---work at the job you can make the most money to give you sufficient security to enjoy life when you are not at work. If you have the $$$ you can go and enjoy your time away from work. An undergrad degree in psychology or French is the easier track to finish school on----but not the track that will bring the money to enjoy yourself. Either of those majors would require Masters or Doctorates to make the $$$ you may want.

Nursing does not require an aggressive individual to do well. There are many sub fields in nursing for you to earn your way. Thus, shyness is not a detriment, you can do well there anyway. Nuclear medicine will be ever so popular for many years---so it appears....

Good luck

  

Answer 2

loose your religion if you have any, explore life sensibly and find your true self.

Answer 3

Hello you are thinking to fair ahead try and slow down.things will work out. make your choce and tick with it and don,t let anything change it

Answer 4

Believe me, you are not alone. I went to nursing school and loved it. I went to UTHSC in San Antonio where the instructors are horrible plus I was pregnant. I got to the point I didn't want to do that so I just finished anyway since I started. Just to let you know I'm not working as a nurse.

Then, since I had so many psychology course already, I decided to go back and get a bachelor in psychology and sociology. I also had a lot science course so I also got a bachelor in science.

Wayland baptist also recognized course we took in the military and I ended up with a  bachelor in mgmt. I also holds a license in Cosmetology and real estate, with me saying all that am going to say this.

Look at your transcript and find out all the other degrees you can get with all the course you have already taken. I don't know what you think about the military but they need nurses really bad and you can go in with your commission (as an officer) making good money. Of course you can be a nurse anywhere and make good money but you needs to look at all options and opportunities you set forth for yourself and be happy in whatever you do. Also on many military insulations, they have social workers with nursing degrees who are making 6 figures in base hospitals. Don't give up on psychology, in your nursing degree plan it is most likely (I don't know what school you go to) you had to take many psychology classes when you took your prerequisites. Plus you have to take mental health in nursing school. So with all of this said, get all you can with all the course you have already taken especially since you love psychology and run away with a job you can be satisfy with. With these degrees you can do almost anything you want including teach if you one day choose to at lease your ability won't be limited. By the way, I"m now a license general contractor (build and reconstructs houses) and really love it. So let the sky be your limit! This way you will be happy and well rounded in your endeavors and you will also have extremely proud parents. Remember to learn to put yourself first and everything will fall in place for you and everyone else around you. Lots of blessing in your endeavors,.  

Answer 5

A major in French will take you into new opportunities that maybe you haven't thought of before.  Just do a google on  jobs and see for  yourself.  You can always teach as there is always going to be a demand for that. Teach in a state that pays more than the others.

Make a list of what you want to do.  See if there is a pattern?  Are you drawn into the helping profession? Hospitality? Avion? Find your passion and all the answers will be forthcoming.