I am a first-year adult nursing student. I did Access course last year and I enjoyed it a lot.
I was very happy at the beginning of my university. I enjoyed the lectures, e-learning, anatomy, skill sessions etc. I got a very good grade for my first assignment. I like academic side of nursing studies.
However, my first placement hit me very hard. The reality is totally different. Ward placements are not childcare friendly at all. There is no flexibility for childcare. I barely managed 6 weeks with lots of help from my husband. He is flexible right now but he is looking for another job. I don't think we can carry on for the next 2.5 years like this.
Also, my placement experience was not very positive. The staff was not friendly. They, all looked very unhappy, exhausted and burned out. Doctors, nurses, physios... I wouldn't want to work in that kind of work environment. I feel very disappointed right now. I don't have any motivation to carry on. I had stomach pain weekly which i didn't have for quite a long time. It means i am really but really under stress. also, my migraine is coming and going on a regular basis. When i think about my next placement, I feel the anxiety and panic. Last year, I studied in the college for 3 days, worked for 2 days, looked after my children and did housework but I never felt like that! On the contrary, I really enjoyed my studies and wanted to carry on.
I seriously started to think about switching the course or dropping out. I know, my friends are telling me I had a bad experience and maybe my next placement will be better and I will love it.. But I think that's not the case. I have seen doctors and nurses in the wards.. I definitely wouldn't work in that kind of environment. I was planning to do some master and phd but now i see it's not possible before working couple of good years in wards. So i feel very disappointed.
I am looking for another course to switch. I enjoy anatomy and physiology but couldn't find a suitable course. I did Access to Health Studies but biology&neurology related courses looking for science subjects. I don't know maybe I need to go back to college and do Access to Science course. I am sure I will enjoy it better than this year but I am gonna lose 2 years. Next year Access again and uni application etc. It's too much i think.
Another option, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine degree which I find interesting and health-related again. Also, we have common modules so if i can finish this year and start next year again, i wouldn't need to repeat these 2 modules. My first year can be stress-free. There is no placement and lectures are mostly on weekends or week nights. More suitable for a mother. Probably there is a proper summer holiday as well, unlike nursing course :/
But i am not sure if i should switch to acupuncture or just leave everything and drop out. If i finish my first year, am i gonna get any certificate from my uni? what about student finance? I think 1 extra year is gift year and I will be eligible for 3 more years but does it worth to go under that much depth? I didn't apply for maintenance loan, it's just tuition fee so it's less burden.
If i go back to college, what can i do? What can I study that could be useful later?
Please feel free to give your opinions and advises.
Thank you.