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Did I make a bad decision about Nursing?

A few years ago I left my Pharmacy course for Nursing and recently I've felt like I have been regretting this decision. I took this decision as at the time I wanted to be more clinical, to be more involved with patient care, have more patient interaction and look at the medical side of things, with the possibility of it leading to a nurse practitioner (and prescribing).
My main interest lies within anatomy and physiology as well as looking at drugs, I am so interested in medicines and the pharmacology linked to them, I love learning about pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. It's safe to say since starting nursing I have done none of that and I am majorly unhappy with the lack of academic work, (although I would like to do a MSc in something more clinical or even attempt to transfer to medicine) so I have been thinking have I made a big mistake?
I am very indecisive HELPPPP:redface: (all advice appreciated)
I have often thought maybe swapping courses to paramedic but I am in second year of nursing and I think that a reason I have been more confused lately is because I didn't enjoy my main placement. I think nursing has a lot of great options and a varieties of specialities, however, I HATED working on the wards, other places i've been seem to interest me, district nursing, A&E, doctors surgeries, walk in centres and other urgent care departments. I have even been out with paramedics and loved it, just the thought of having to work on a ward makes me want to quit and leave and never look back. I also hear lots of other student nurses saying how much they love it but I just don't feel this way, not when I'm doing ward work anyway.
SORRY FOR THIS ESSAY i just require a lot of advice as my brain is scrambled.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 1
Lack of academic work? Really?? I want to go to your uni haha. All I can say is I completely understand why you wouldn't like the wards....it's just pure donkey work. But some like that (me being one!). It's all about knowing what you love and hate and that's another reason why varied placements are a necessity. At the minute I'm with district nurses and LOVE it. Compared to wards it's just so much more relaxed and you get more time with patients and more choice in the delivery of your care. If you are into your drugs etc look them up yourself. I'm the same....it fascinates me to learn what drug does what and what can be prescribed for what.....the university's will only set the foundation work for you....it's up to you to go away and learn 90% of it. Medicines management is only the intro. But yourself a good meds book and learn them and see how they can be used in practice. Good luck with whatever you choose x


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Reply 2
Original post by wbnurse
Lack of academic work? Really?? I want to go to your uni haha. All I can say is I completely understand why you wouldn't like the wards....it's just pure donkey work. But some like that (me being one!). It's all about knowing what you love and hate and that's another reason why varied placements are a necessity. At the minute I'm with district nurses and LOVE it. Compared to wards it's just so much more relaxed and you get more time with patients and more choice in the delivery of your care. If you are into your drugs etc look them up yourself. I'm the same....it fascinates me to learn what drug does what and what can be prescribed for what.....the university's will only set the foundation work for you....it's up to you to go away and learn 90% of it. Medicines management is only the intro. But yourself a good meds book and learn them and see how they can be used in practice. Good luck with whatever you choose x


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Hi, thank you for your reply :smile: yeah, I get assignments and stuff, but a lot of the work isn't very science based, it seems like quite philosophical, which I don't really care for, I enjoy learning facts, which is why I enjoy anatomy and physiology. Unfortunately, I haven't learned much of this and I'm quite an academic person, I enjoy chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology and will put up with some maths if I have to haha. A lot of people on my course were gutted to be back at uni and really enjoyed their placements on the ward, but I was the complete opposite, I love learning the theory. I find I like placements such as A&E and district nursing as well as doctors surgeries etc, but the wards I hate and the idea of having to work on one really puts me off. Yeah I think I will buy myself more books to learn things myself, are you planning on doing a masters since you also like learning about drugs etc? :smile:
Thanks for your help x
Just wanted to say,

Remember that nursing is a varied career.
Yes as a student you will spend a lot of time in the wards.
However, once you qualify you're able to go wherever interests you. My interests have changed since I began the course and I love pathology and the care of the deceased. It is an area I would love to work in too. The beauty of nursing means that if I don't like where I work, I have the option of moving to somewhere that may be completely different.

It's all about what fits you as a person and where you can see yourself working.
As my interests aren't fully discussed on the course or taught, I volunteer in my spare time.
I write to areas to see where I can go and observe and work for a day etc.

Many places are very helpful towards nursing students. Just use your initative and go and discover new things. Learn as much as you can when you're a student.
Then learn some more when you're qualified. You will always be learning once you're qualified and you can combine your interest of pharmacology and nursing. It's about finding where.

Best of luck with your course!

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Reply 4
Original post by deviant182
Just wanted to say,

Remember that nursing is a varied career.
Yes as a student you will spend a lot of time in the wards.
However, once you qualify you're able to go wherever interests you. My interests have changed since I began the course and I love pathology and the care of the deceased. It is an area I would love to work in too. The beauty of nursing means that if I don't like where I work, I have the option of moving to somewhere that may be completely different.

It's all about what fits you as a person and where you can see yourself working.
As my interests aren't fully discussed on the course or taught, I volunteer in my spare time.
I write to areas to see where I can go and observe and work for a day etc.

Many places are very helpful towards nursing students. Just use your initative and go and discover new things. Learn as much as you can when you're a student.
Then learn some more when you're qualified. You will always be learning once you're qualified and you can combine your interest of pharmacology and nursing. It's about finding where.

Best of luck with your course!

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Hi :smile: Thanks for you reply, I appreciate this advice :smile: that's cool, pathology seems like an interesting area too. Yeah, I often go out with the paramedics in my spare time but I'll see where I can get more pharmacology experience. Can you work as a nurse in pathology? Because this is something that confuses me, for example, say you were really interested in cardiac care would you then still have to work on a ward as a cardiac nurse or can you specialise further and still be a cardiac nurse but not have to work on a ward? If you get what I mean haha. A lot of things interest me but I don't know how to avoid ward work full time. Thanks for your advice, I feel a bit better now knowing theres a range of options as my ward placements have really put me off and most nurses on the ward said I would have to work on one so I was feeling totally stuck.
Thank you :biggrin:
Just replying as I am very nearly in the same boat! I'm currently studying pharmacy but I've found that I just love the clinical aspect of it so much and am considering changing to nursing. Currently interested in being a nurse practitioner in A&E so it's a bit creepy how similar we are!

I just wanted to ask from a practical view, how did you go about making that transition between courses? Did you have to go through UCAS? Also, could I ask what work experience you had prior to joining the course?
Sorry to hijack your thread a little, I can only repeat what has been said that it's such a varied career where they actually need more staff everywhere that you will be able to go pretty much into the specialism you like afterwards.
Reply 6
Original post by ThePhoenixLament
Just replying as I am very nearly in the same boat! I'm currently studying pharmacy but I've found that I just love the clinical aspect of it so much and am considering changing to nursing. Currently interested in being a nurse practitioner in A&E so it's a bit creepy how similar we are!

I just wanted to ask from a practical view, how did you go about making that transition between courses? Did you have to go through UCAS? Also, could I ask what work experience you had prior to joining the course?
Sorry to hijack your thread a little, I can only repeat what has been said that it's such a varied career where they actually need more staff everywhere that you will be able to go pretty much into the specialism you like afterwards.


Hi :smile: thanks for your reply, ah we are really similar that's quite cool :tongue: I would say to really consider your choice before you do, as if you are like me, you'll be quite academic and so far nursing has not been, but I guess it can lead to more places :smile:. I had to apply through UCAS again, I decided to leave Pharmacy half way through my first year and then funnily enough got a job in a pharmacy so that I was earning money while applying for nursing through UCAS. It's a good idea to email the uni to see if you meet their requirements etc, which I'm sure you will if you're already on pharmacy, but it will also show your interest :smile:.

I didn't have any work experience before doing nursing, a lot of students work as Healthcare Assistants before hand or during, but I think if I had done that it would only of put me off due to not enjoying ward work. However, first year is very similar to the role of a HCA, so it may help you for when you're on placement and you can also join the hospital bank, so in free time you can pick up HCA shifts whenever you like.
Hope this helps and thanks for your advice too :smile: its nice to know someone else is in a similar position.
I want to become a nurse and am applying this year, my mum is a nurse and has not worked on a ward since qualifying. She has worked in a&e for most of her career but also theatres and even being a research nurse. Maybe research nursing could be for you as it is more data and science based than ward nursing? Also, this degree is just the basics which is why it is slightly less academic, but you have to start somewhere. Once you go onto to a masters, nurse prescribing or even a PhD I think you will find the academia in nursing that you are looking for. Another thing I found useful is to go onto the NHS jobs website and looks at all of the jobs that are available and descriptions of them, I found reading these really made it easy to see where I would 'fit' into the Nursing profession. Hope this helps!
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Mango65
A few years ago I left my Pharmacy course for Nursing and recently I've felt like I have been regretting this decision. I took this decision as at the time I wanted to be more clinical, to be more involved with patient care, have more patient interaction and look at the medical side of things, with the possibility of it leading to a nurse practitioner (and prescribing).
My main interest lies within anatomy and physiology as well as looking at drugs, I am so interested in medicines and the pharmacology linked to them, I love learning about pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. It's safe to say since starting nursing I have done none of that and I am majorly unhappy with the lack of academic work, (although I would like to do a MSc in something more clinical or even attempt to transfer to medicine) so I have been thinking have I made a big mistake?
I am very indecisive HELPPPP:redface: (all advice appreciated)
I have often thought maybe swapping courses to paramedic but I am in second year of nursing and I think that a reason I have been more confused lately is because I didn't enjoy my main placement. I think nursing has a lot of great options and a varieties of specialities, however, I HATED working on the wards, other places i've been seem to interest me, district nursing, A&E, doctors surgeries, walk in centres and other urgent care departments. I have even been out with paramedics and loved it, just the thought of having to work on a ward makes me want to quit and leave and never look back. I also hear lots of other student nurses saying how much they love it but I just don't feel this way, not when I'm doing ward work anyway.
SORRY FOR THIS ESSAY i just require a lot of advice as my brain is scrambled.


Nursing, like every degree, has aspects that you just have to get through. You're never going to like every placement, no one does. The great thing about nursing is that it can lead to a huge variety of different jobs. You've already identified areas that interest you, and thats great. I know nurses that have gone straight in to jobs in those areas, without ever working on a ward as a qualified nurse.
Be wary of looking at other careers and thinking the grass is greener. Every healthcare degree has its fair share of hoops to jump through and aspects that will annoy or bore you.

You're half way through, just see if you can stick it out until you qualify and then you can control exactly where you want to work. As other users have pointed out, if you're more interested in the science side there are plenty of postgraduate options. But for now, try and make the most of being a student and try and get a wide variety of experience to narrow down what you enjoy.
Reply 9
Hi, I'm looking for some advice.I am currently a second year student nurse (nearly third year). So far I have HATED working on the wards, but other places I've been seem to interest me such as district nursing, A&E, doctors surgeries, walk in centres and other urgent care departments. I have even been out with paramedics and loved it. SO my question is should I of been doing paramedic science?!?!The thought of having to work on a surgical or medical ward, even for a little bit makes me want to quit and leave and never look back. I also hear lots of other student nurses saying how much they love it but I just don't feel this way, not when I'm doing ward work anyway.When I decided to do nursing my aim was for it to lead to nurse practitioner or ECP (and being able to prescribe (fully)) as well as doing a MSc (I still want a masters). My main interest lies within anatomy and physiology as well as looking at drugs, I am so interested in medicines and the pharmacology linked to them. I feel like paramedics do a lot more anatomy and physiology and I like the idea of being a first point of call and working in a non stop environment with emergency care situations as I feel that although ward work is busy and non stop, it's really not my thing and I don't find it very stimulating, I like the idea of having to think in certain situations of what is needed etc, not doing the same thing day in and day out. No offence to ward workers as I know the shifts are long, the work is hard and people who work there do such amazing jobs but I feel like I wouldn't because its obvious I don't enjoy it. Help, please, much appreciated and none of this is meant to seem obnoxious or mean, I just find it difficult to express what I mean when it comes to nursing.
Original post by Mango65
Hi, I'm looking for some advice.I am currently a second year student nurse (nearly third year). So far I have HATED working on the wards, but other places I've been seem to interest me such as district nursing, A&E, doctors surgeries, walk in centres and other urgent care departments. I have even been out with paramedics and loved it. SO my question is should I of been doing paramedic science?!?!The thought of having to work on a surgical or medical ward, even for a little bit makes me want to quit and leave and never look back. I also hear lots of other student nurses saying how much they love it but I just don't feel this way, not when I'm doing ward work anyway.When I decided to do nursing my aim was for it to lead to nurse practitioner or ECP (and being able to prescribe (fully)) as well as doing a MSc (I still want a masters). My main interest lies within anatomy and physiology as well as looking at drugs, I am so interested in medicines and the pharmacology linked to them. I feel like paramedics do a lot more anatomy and physiology and I like the idea of being a first point of call and working in a non stop environment with emergency care situations as I feel that although ward work is busy and non stop, it's really not my thing and I don't find it very stimulating, I like the idea of having to think in certain situations of what is needed etc, not doing the same thing day in and day out. No offence to ward workers as I know the shifts are long, the work is hard and people who work there do such amazing jobs but I feel like I wouldn't because its obvious I don't enjoy it. Help, please, much appreciated and none of this is meant to seem obnoxious or mean, I just find it difficult to express what I mean when it comes to nursing.


Rome was not built in a day OP. Most of those nurse practitioners and ECP might have done ward nursing before being NPs and ECPs, as NPs and ECPs need to have had a certain number of years experience before applying.
You are already a second year STN, nearly about to finish, I would stick to getting my Bsc if I were you, because you have already come a long way, were lucky enough to get into Nursing when it is still NHS funded. People starting in 2017, won't have the opportunity you were given. Also, with Nursing you are guaranteed a job immediately after qualifying, cannot say the same with paramedics.
You do not have to be a ward nurse, you can be a community nurse immediately after qualifying, work for some few years and study for a Masters or NP degree afterwards. You can also work in GP practises, A and E etc after getting experience for 6 months in the ward or as a community staff nurse.
Search online there are other careers you could do as a nurse that isn't restricted to wards.

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Original post by Vanny17
Rome was not built in a day OP. Most of those nurse practitioners and ECP might have done ward nursing before being NPs and ECPs, as NPs and ECPs need to have had a certain number of years experience before applying.
You are already a second year STN, nearly about to finish, I would stick to getting my Bsc if I were you, because you have already come a long way, were lucky enough to get into Nursing when it is still NHS funded. People starting in 2017, won't have the opportunity you were given. Also, with Nursing you are guaranteed a job immediately after qualifying, cannot say the same with paramedics.
You do not have to be a ward nurse, you can be a community nurse immediately after qualifying, work for some few years and study for a Masters or NP degree afterwards. You can also work in GP practises, A and E etc after getting experience for 6 months in the ward or as a community staff nurse.
Search online there are other careers you could do as a nurse that isn't restricted to wards.

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Hi! Sorry but what do you mean by people starting in 2017 won't have the opportunity? I'm thinking of applying to nursing in 2017. X
Reply 12
Original post by Vanny17
Rome was not built in a day OP. Most of those nurse practitioners and ECP might have done ward nursing before being NPs and ECPs, as NPs and ECPs need to have had a certain number of years experience before applying.
You are already a second year STN, nearly about to finish, I would stick to getting my Bsc if I were you, because you have already come a long way, were lucky enough to get into Nursing when it is still NHS funded. People starting in 2017, won't have the opportunity you were given. Also, with Nursing you are guaranteed a job immediately after qualifying, cannot say the same with paramedics.
You do not have to be a ward nurse, you can be a community nurse immediately after qualifying, work for some few years and study for a Masters or NP degree afterwards. You can also work in GP practises, A and E etc after getting experience for 6 months in the ward or as a community staff nurse.
Search online there are other careers you could do as a nurse that isn't restricted to wards.

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Thanks for your helpful reply :smile: yeah I would really love to do a MSc, I really want to do one straight after BSc if possible. But yeah, I just don't want to be like 40 before I can actually enjoy my job, but I guess if I can manage to avoid ward work I should enjoy it haha.
Original post by Sunshine2305
Hi! Sorry but what do you mean by people starting in 2017 won't have the opportunity? I'm thinking of applying to nursing in 2017. X


I mean that nursing won't be a NHS funded degree in 2017. The NHS used to pay nursing students fees and other allied health professionals e.g. Physios, Ocupational therapists etc, but from 2017, that won't be the case anymore, as nursing students and the above mentioned courses would have to pay their tuition fees by taking a loan and won't be entitled to bursaries anymore. Basically, no more free tuition fees and bursaries in 2017.
The government has done injustice to both junior doctors, student nurses and those in allied health professions as they forgot there is a placement component attached to it, unlike the other undergraduate degrees.

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Original post by Mango65
Thanks for your helpful reply :smile: yeah I would really love to do a MSc, I really want to do one straight after BSc if possible. But yeah, I just don't want to be like 40 before I can actually enjoy my job, but I guess if I can manage to avoid ward work I should enjoy it haha.


You're welcome. :smile:. Yes, you certainly can do it! Haha, of course!

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Reply 15
Original post by Vanny17
You're welcome. :smile:. Yes, you certainly can do it! Haha, of course!

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thanks :smile: ah cool, hopefully because a lot of staff nurses on the ward, who seem a little bitter are saying i'd have to work for ages before doing a MSc but I haven't heard anyone else say this so hopefully I can do one straight after BSc :smile:
Original post by Mango65
thanks :smile: ah cool, hopefully because a lot of staff nurses on the ward, who seem a little bitter are saying i'd have to work for ages before doing a MSc but I haven't heard anyone else say this so hopefully I can do one straight after BSc :smile:


No problem. :smile: Do check as regards to the MSc universities that interests you. Check the universities entry requirements.

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Original post by Vanny17
I mean that nursing won't be a NHS funded degree in 2017. The NHS used to pay nursing students fees and other allied health professionals e.g. Physios, Ocupational therapists etc, but from 2017, that won't be the case anymore, as nursing students and the above mentioned courses would have to pay their tuition fees by taking a loan and won't be entitled to bursaries anymore. Basically, no more free tuition fees and bursaries in 2017.
The government has done injustice to both junior doctors, student nurses and those in allied health professions as they forgot there is a placement component attached to it, unlike the other undergraduate degrees.

Posted from TSR Mobile


Ahh thank you! I live in Scotland and am going to apply for Scottish uni's so the Scottish government will fund my degree like it does for every other undergraduate degree so I assume that what you said above doesn't apply to me? (Well I hope so anyway because if not I'm in trouble!!)
Original post by Sunshine2305
Ahh thank you! I live in Scotland and am going to apply for Scottish uni's so the Scottish government will fund my degree like it does for every other undergraduate degree so I assume that what you said above doesn't apply to me? (Well I hope so anyway because if not I'm in trouble!!)


You're welcome. I would think that it won't apply to you, but you can check, just to make sure.
I believe they're planning on keeping the bursary for nursing education in Scotland.

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