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I graduated from nursing school in April. Landed my first job in Oct. On a med surg unit. I quit after 3 weeks for good reason (my preceptor sucked and I was left on my own a lot. I didn't want to lose my license). I then started a new job this week in a mental health hospital. It is much different. Just pills and paperwork for the most part but I'm on my own Sunday with no idea how to do the paperwork and such. I still feel overwhelmed. I feel like nursing maybe just is not for me. And now I'm screwed because I have student loans, a wedding, and a fiance who doesn't make much. I feel like I've failed and messed up my life. Anyone else feel like they made the wrong career choice?

Sigh.....yes. I went to school for medical coding and I failed the first certification test. It is common to fail it the first time, but I feel overwhelmed! WHat if I dont pass the second test? Years of my life, money for school down the drain. Its still up in the air about what Im going to do. But I hope you figure yours out.

ANy way for you to ask as many questions about the paper work when your not alone??Hope it all works out.

First your life isn't over and second you didn't fail. However you need to give it another chance. I've been in nursing for over 5 years now and see alot of people come and go without giving it a chance. No one said it was going to be easy but there are alot of areas to find something you enjoy. Don't quit because your preceptor was bad. Stand up for yourself and talk to HR and they can find someone else. Not being harsh but how you learn in this field is by going out there and doing it, not someone holding your hand. Paperwork is nothing and you will pick up on it. There are many places out there that will just throw you out there to sink or swim and it's unfortunate but you also learn this way. If it's still too much for you, try a doctors office where you can build your confidence then try again later. You will succeed! Honestly I just think you are scaring yourself too much because it's your first job, that's normal. However you came too far to just give up. Good luck!

I agree with PPs, it sounds like you have landed two stressful jobs right away, but if you went through nursing school feeling that you enjoyed it, I think you should give it a little more time. I always feel overwhelmed when I start a new job- so much to learn, and often I don't feel ready to be placed on my own (I've had bad luck finding jobs that actually train employees rather than just making do the job without learning it). But once you learn a few things, meet a few nice coworkers, things start getting easier, and I can't imagine it would be any different with nursing. And there are so many areas to go into- maybe mental health just isn't the area for you. Good luck!

@mwitter80:

I agree! I remember my family being so pissed at me because my first 2 years in college I went from a Marine Science major to Biology to Pharmacy to Special Ed. I had no clue what I wanted to do! I then took a year off then put myself through nursing school. I wish I didn't waste those 2 years but I may have ended up in a field I hated. I encourage all kids now to either do what you suggested or take the core classes at a community college till they figure it out.

@MeganTacky2247: I TOTALLY AGREE!!! I was telling my coworkers how I think its crazy you're expected to decide what you want to do when you're eighteen and go to college for it for the next four years. I'm a totally different person now than I was six  years ago at eighteen. I didn't end up going to college, but it's probably a good thing because I didnt rack up a ton of loans while figuring it out. My husband on the other hand pays 500 a month in student loans on an accounting degree even though he is working a trade job he LOVES and wouldnt have needed school for.

OP, don't feel like that! It's never too late to follow your dream!  Life is too short to do something you hate.

Honee, your life is not over.  Its just beginning.  As OP have indicated, it can take some time for you to feel confident in your field.  Please take the advice given specific to your field.  You loved Nursing in school so you will find the right job for you but it's just not going to be the straight line you assumed.  I had a professor in college who said that it can take you multiply jobs before you can find the right one.  I can definitely attest.  I've been out of college close to 20yrs and here's was my path:

Graduated from college w/ Soc degree.  I went for my Biology degree and was burnt out by Junior yr.  Decided I would go into teaching.  Well, that plan went out the door because the profession didn't move me so I went into Retail Mgmt.  I discovered I had the corp entrepreneurial spirit but didn't want to move to HQ. Wasn't pleased w/ my path so I decided to look into other industries and  eventually ended up in Accounting.  Since I'm a #s person, I knew it was a natural fit but I'm also not the silent type.  I had a wonderful boss who agreed w/ the obvious and let me apply for employment outside of the company.  That's how I ended up in the Computer industry as a buyer.

It was a wacky fun frustrating ride but it was worth it. So, don't give up and keep searching w/in your industry. 

Yes, I did enjoy nursing school but I enjoy school anyways. The other thing is that nursing school is nothing like real life. They don't really show you the crazy side of everything. You really have no idea what you are getting into. I am not going to quit. I am going to try my best to stick it out and not flip out. I think when I go in today I might say something to my supervisor about my concerns.  Hopefully she doesn't tell me there isn't anything she can do. I am at a small facility that just got bought out by a huge corporation. I think their new budget has them hiring less people so that means less people to be able to come help me!

@Mrs.KMM: We did a lot of clinicals in pretty  much every area but it was a lot of standing around.... waiting for nurses to ask us to do something. Our last clinical rotation we were supposed to be paired up with a nurse each day and pretty much do everything. Well, the floor I was on didn't do sh*t so I sat around all day. As far as interniships go, they don't do that here. You used to have to do 120 hours to finish up your licensing process but the State Board saw that it was taking months and months for new grads to find a place to let them do their 120 hours and they did away with it in June. Jobs are very hard to come by in Louisville. We have a ton of hospitals and medical facilities but we also have a ton of nursing programs churning out students. And one of the major hospitals laying people off.

@MissPumpkinPie: Smart girl. 

@Annabelle86: I'm starting to think I want to work in a bridal shop. I know. I sound crazy.

@ella86:

You are exactly right; nursing school, internships, clinicals etc are nothing like the real world and it doesn't care if you are a BSN or LPN or how much experience you think you have in school. That's the thing we tell all new grads. Reality is too, what you are taught in school is not how you will actually do it. I tell all my nursing students to give it time and patience. You will get it and you will get confidence! That's what I was told coming up. I understand you on budget cuts and staffing too but you will not be alone and you will find someone who will remember what it's like to be in your shoes and will help you.

@MissGreen: I hope so! I have to go to work soon. I feel like I just might vomit. I think if I can get acclimated, and feel comfortable I will be able to handle the stress better.

@ella86:

Little history on me: I started in a pediatrics office doing check ups and vaccines. Decided to go to a rehab LTC center bc the pay was better as well as the schedule. Well my second night there, I was thrown out of orientation and onto the floor bc of 3 call offs. I had 30 residents that were a higher acuity than LTC and experienced my first code as soon as report was over. I was scared, in tears and didn't think I could handle it and almost quit. 4 years later I'm still there, love it and they asked me at one time to be a unit manager. I never thought I would get to where I am at today off that second night. Good luck!!!

@Mrs.KMM:

No it's not! But it's also one thing to assist and have someone guiding you then to have to make critical decisions yourself as well. She also doesn't have a license yet so there are things she can't/shouldn't be doing I would hope.

@MissGreen: I agree. Maybe it is different state to state. But I do know you have to at least have your provisional license here in KY to do any type of internship/externship.