Second year nursing student and i don't know if i want to be anymore...

I am just about to begin my second year of a nursing degree and now I am really doubting whether I want to be a nurse anymore... I loved the majority of the time I spent on placement but I just feel like I know nothing on the academic side (I barely passed the first year) and just can't ever imagine myself as a qualified nurse. I found it really difficult to chose the degree I wanted to do but ended up choosing nursing by default as I couldn't do medicine.. I know that sounds really bad. Don't get me wrong I have really enjoyed bits and pieces of it but I am just doubting that I will ever be a good nurse as I have made so many silly mistakes and can't ever remember anything, but don't have the motivation to do even more work on top of the 40 hours a week. I am just really stressing about it as I don't know whether i am doing the right thing, but don't want to drop out as i don't have a job and definitely don't want to move back home... any suggestions?? Sorry about the long rant i am trying to understand my own head...

Hi, I am in a similar boat to you, only I HATE ward work but have enjoyed other placements. I would've loved to have done medicine (apparently some nurses have gone on to medicine later in their career so might be worth bearing in mind) I often wonder if I should've a paramedic degree because I love emergency care and first contact. I would say that if you don't like the academic side, medicine would be harder to grasp, but I can relate as I find the writing difficult with nursing, I got all As in English GCSE and at A level but haven't done very well on my assignments. think if you have enjoyed your placements, it sounds more like a confidence issue-- don't doubt yourself, you've just finished first year so aren't expected to know everything, it is so tiring so don't worry about the doing extra work, leave that to uni or half term time. Don't doubt yourself though, just think by third year you will have gained a lot more experience and knowledge as well as confidence so less to no mistakes will be made, they will teach you how to be a good nurse within the next two years and you could even do a masters to gain more knowledge.
hope this helps!! But yeah just be confident, I often think staff think first years are stupid or judge you immediately and expect you to pick things up very quickly, but if you're like me you won't have done anything like this before, so i find it a bit harsh, but honestly just be positive that you're doing the right thing. is there any other reasons you feel its not for you?

Do it only if you genuinely have a sincerity towards the nursing profession.

But here is the thing, everyone at one point will feel useless or incapable. It's just a matter of perseverance. Just keep going and put more effort. Of course, your skills will increase in the coming years and also when you get your first job. Your skills will increase throughout the years to become a competent nurse.

But, if you still hate it, you always have the option to drop out. It's never too late.

Good luck !

To be honest I hadn't expected anybody to reply to this post but I am really grateful you have, as it has made me realise that it is not just me! It is a difficult course, but I knew that when I signed up for it and can't think what I would do otherwise. I love being away from home and an independent adult but after the summer I have had too much time to think today and am just finding it really daunting to go back. I think you are right, it is definitely a confidence issue and while some of the nurses that have mentored me have been brilliant, it has been such a mixed bag as some of them absolutely hate it as I'm sure you have found. it just made me wonder whether I will be stuck in a job I hate for the next 50- 60 years... Whenever anybody asks me how it's going i put on a front with a huge smile and tell them it's going really well and i love it, to the point that i was convincing myself, but i have had too much time to think thins summer and now i am just doubting everything! I don't want to drop out though as I hate the idea, my family would be disappointed and I would feel like a failure, so I know I will stick at it because it will be a rewarding career in the end. My main struggle at the moment is dealing with my own mental health issues as how could I be a good nurse if I can't look after myself, and uni have not been very helpful when I tried to get help about it! I also really struggle being away from my best friends at home. i always thought about being a midwife but got ABC at A level when i need 3 A's... Maybe i could do that after...Sorry for rambling and thank you for caring!

I am just about to begin my second year of a nursing degree and now I am really doubting whether I want to be a nurse anymore... I loved the majority of the time I spent on placement but I just feel like I know nothing on the academic side (I barely passed the first year) and just can't ever imagine myself as a qualified nurse. I found it really difficult to chose the degree I wanted to do but ended up choosing nursing by default as I couldn't do medicine.. I know that sounds really bad. Don't get me wrong I have really enjoyed bits and pieces of it but I am just doubting that I will ever be a good nurse as I have made so many silly mistakes and can't ever remember anything, but don't have the motivation to do even more work on top of the 40 hours a week. I am just really stressing about it as I don't know whether i am doing the right thing, but don't want to drop out as i don't have a job and definitely don't want to move back home... any suggestions?? Sorry about the long rant i am trying to understand my own head...