u/Impressive_Tea8797

Advice needed: unsure about completing BSN

hi! for context im enrolled in a 4-yr direct admit BSN program. I currently have 2 years left, but am really considering switching my major. I didn't love my clinical experience, and felt like the work I was doing wasn't what I expected when deciding to become a nurse. It could be because this was my first clinical so a lot if it was acclimation to that environment. It's a lot more maintenance(?) almost and requests like ordering food or turning off the IV alarm than I expected, or ambulating and turning (very important yes but not of interest to me). It could be because we have limited autonomy as student nurses.

I think what I want to do is use the symptoms and clinical findings from the patient to figure out what's wrong with them and how to best help them, and make sure they have a thorough understanding of what's going on with them. I do enjoy caring for patients as well, but the most hands-on I've been able to get is giving injections and a little bit of wound care. I feel like the only way I could see myself still being a nurse would be ER or peds, but even then I'm not sure.

Another reason I am considering switching is because our program is so strict in terms of the classes we have to take, I can't really take classes in other things I'd like. I took a chemistry class this summer and loved it, and have also been thinking about poli sci or public policy courses, maybe even calc. When I think about the classes in nursing I like, I enjoyed biochem, a&p, pharm, psych, micro, and patho. I wouldn't be able to study abroad, except for a few nursing-oriented programs which don't really interest me. I wouldn't have time to take labs or develop lab skills, such as inoculation or PCR. It feels like the things I learn are very limited /specialized to the profession, which isn't a bad thing but part of me feels very burnt out from the program.

I think what I'm craving is more hard science and social science courses, and understanding the WHY rather than helping people after they have a diagnosis or wait for one. I love reading the pt history and looking at what labs have been ordered, what's been done, what else could be done, possible complications, etc.

I can't tell if nursing just isn't the right path for me, if I need to stick it out longer, or if I'm constantly comparing my college experience to others and having fomo. thank you for reading all of this and for advice!

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u/Impressive_Tea8797 — 1 day ago
▲ 1 r/uofm

Thinking of switching from nursing to pre-med

Hi! For context I'm a rising junior in the nursing program here. I've been thinking quite a lot about switching my major to something on the pre-med track, but have honestly been trying to ignore the feeling because I know it would be super complicated and is kinda daunting. I just didn't love my clinical experience and feel like the parts of medicine I am passionate about align more with the role of a physician.

I'd appreciate tips on navigating being pre-med at umich, thoughts about if I should just finish the degree for financial stability and then pursue med/pa school, or any other input.

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u/Impressive_Tea8797 — 1 month ago