want to drop out of nursing degree

I am massively considering dropping out of my adult nursing degree, in fact I'm almost certain. I haven't enjoyed any of the placements I have been on due to no staff, rude nurses and I know I don't want to work on a ward so the idea of 3 years of mostly ward placements just isn't what I want. It's just a case of what next?

And before the comments of " just stick it out" or " just get the degree " whilst I appreciate it, I'm just not the type of person to stick something out if I don't enjoy it. This is now my second go at a nursing degree and it's just not for me. I absolutely love learning about the science behind procedures and going into uni but the placements I hate. If I don't quit now and try and give placements another go, I just know ill end up dropping out further down the line so I can't see the point of getting even deeper into my degree.

I am 21, whilst I'm still young I'm not exactly 18, I have things to pay for and I'm planning on moving out with my partner in the next year, so I'm just thinking about what do I do next? I have always wanted to go into something medical or science related.

I gave mental health nursing a go that wasn't for me and I have tried adult nursing and just hate the placements, do I go back to uni and try something else? or just get a job. I don't want to be in a dead end unfulfilling job. everything just seems to be getting on top of me.

I would appreciate some advice on what I could do next and if anyone has also dropped out of nursing and gone on to do something similar or something else I would welcome your input.

Have you considered any of the other Allied Health Professions such as occupational therapy, radiography etc.? Don't worry about your age, lots of mature students do these courses.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/role/

I am massively considering dropping out of my adult nursing degree, in fact I'm almost certain. I haven't enjoyed any of the placements I have been on due to no staff, rude nurses and I know I don't want to work on a ward so the idea of 3 years of mostly ward placements just isn't what I want. It's just a case of what next?

And before the comments of " just stick it out" or " just get the degree " whilst I appreciate it, I'm just not the type of person to stick something out if I don't enjoy it. This is now my second go at a nursing degree and it's just not for me. I absolutely love learning about the science behind procedures and going into uni but the placements I hate. If I don't quit now and try and give placements another go, I just know ill end up dropping out further down the line so I can't see the point of getting even deeper into my degree.

I am 21, whilst I'm still young I'm not exactly 18, I have things to pay for and I'm planning on moving out with my partner in the next year, so I'm just thinking about what do I do next? I have always wanted to go into something medical or science related.

I gave mental health nursing a go that wasn't for me and I have tried adult nursing and just hate the placements, do I go back to uni and try something else? or just get a job. I don't want to be in a dead end unfulfilling job. everything just seems to be getting on top of me.

I would appreciate some advice on what I could do next and if anyone has also dropped out of nursing and gone on to do something similar or something else I would welcome your input.

HI, thanks for your reply, I have considered other routes but they all mostly need a degree, I don't want really want to go back to university as it will be another 3 years, hence this is why im struggling to figure out what to do next.

I am massively considering dropping out of my adult nursing degree, in fact I'm almost certain. I haven't enjoyed any of the placements I have been on due to no staff, rude nurses and I know I don't want to work on a ward so the idea of 3 years of mostly ward placements just isn't what I want. It's just a case of what next?

And before the comments of " just stick it out" or " just get the degree " whilst I appreciate it, I'm just not the type of person to stick something out if I don't enjoy it. This is now my second go at a nursing degree and it's just not for me. I absolutely love learning about the science behind procedures and going into uni but the placements I hate. If I don't quit now and try and give placements another go, I just know ill end up dropping out further down the line so I can't see the point of getting even deeper into my degree.

I am 21, whilst I'm still young I'm not exactly 18, I have things to pay for and I'm planning on moving out with my partner in the next year, so I'm just thinking about what do I do next? I have always wanted to go into something medical or science related.

I gave mental health nursing a go that wasn't for me and I have tried adult nursing and just hate the placements, do I go back to uni and try something else? or just get a job. I don't want to be in a dead end unfulfilling job. everything just seems to be getting on top of me.

I would appreciate some advice on what I could do next and if anyone has also dropped out of nursing and gone on to do something similar or something else I would welcome your input.

I am massively considering dropping out of my adult nursing degree, in fact I'm almost certain. I haven't enjoyed any of the placements I have been on due to no staff, rude nurses and I know I don't want to work on a ward so the idea of 3 years of mostly ward placements just isn't what I want. It's just a case of what next?

And before the comments of " just stick it out" or " just get the degree " whilst I appreciate it, I'm just not the type of person to stick something out if I don't enjoy it. This is now my second go at a nursing degree and it's just not for me. I absolutely love learning about the science behind procedures and going into uni but the placements I hate. If I don't quit now and try and give placements another go, I just know ill end up dropping out further down the line so I can't see the point of getting even deeper into my degree.

I am 21, whilst I'm still young I'm not exactly 18, I have things to pay for and I'm planning on moving out with my partner in the next year, so I'm just thinking about what do I do next? I have always wanted to go into something medical or science related.

I gave mental health nursing a go that wasn't for me and I have tried adult nursing and just hate the placements, do I go back to uni and try something else? or just get a job. I don't want to be in a dead end unfulfilling job. everything just seems to be getting on top of me.

I would appreciate some advice on what I could do next and if anyone has also dropped out of nursing and gone on to do something similar or something else I would welcome your input.

I am massively considering dropping out of my adult nursing degree, in fact I'm almost certain. I haven't enjoyed any of the placements I have been on due to no staff, rude nurses and I know I don't want to work on a ward so the idea of 3 years of mostly ward placements just isn't what I want. It's just a case of what next?

And before the comments of " just stick it out" or " just get the degree " whilst I appreciate it, I'm just not the type of person to stick something out if I don't enjoy it. This is now my second go at a nursing degree and it's just not for me. I absolutely love learning about the science behind procedures and going into uni but the placements I hate. If I don't quit now and try and give placements another go, I just know ill end up dropping out further down the line so I can't see the point of getting even deeper into my degree.

I am 21, whilst I'm still young I'm not exactly 18, I have things to pay for and I'm planning on moving out with my partner in the next year, so I'm just thinking about what do I do next? I have always wanted to go into something medical or science related.

I gave mental health nursing a go that wasn't for me and I have tried adult nursing and just hate the placements, do I go back to uni and try something else? or just get a job. I don't want to be in a dead end unfulfilling job. everything just seems to be getting on top of me.

I would appreciate some advice on what I could do next and if anyone has also dropped out of nursing and gone on to do something similar or something else I would welcome your input.

I am in my first year and regretting it I actually am considering leaving it the nurses are bully's in my final interview the nurse failed me and made up lies now I have gone back for a 4 week retrieval with the same practice assessor and I am picked on by every one being left in tag bays and being made to do work with the hcas when this is not the proffencies I have been failed on I do not know what to do and who to turn to

Girl, stick with it. You have started the degree and especially as you have not long left. I know its tough and may seem like forever but you will look back and count it as one of your achievements and that you have the degree. It doesn't matter if you don't want to go into it but in the future you will look back and be so proud of yourself that you didn't leave at your toughest. i believe in you

I am massively considering dropping out of my adult nursing degree, in fact I'm almost certain. I haven't enjoyed any of the placements I have been on due to no staff, rude nurses and I know I don't want to work on a ward so the idea of 3 years of mostly ward placements just isn't what I want. It's just a case of what next?

And before the comments of " just stick it out" or " just get the degree " whilst I appreciate it, I'm just not the type of person to stick something out if I don't enjoy it. This is now my second go at a nursing degree and it's just not for me. I absolutely love learning about the science behind procedures and going into uni but the placements I hate. If I don't quit now and try and give placements another go, I just know ill end up dropping out further down the line so I can't see the point of getting even deeper into my degree.

I am 21, whilst I'm still young I'm not exactly 18, I have things to pay for and I'm planning on moving out with my partner in the next year, so I'm just thinking about what do I do next? I have always wanted to go into something medical or science related.

I gave mental health nursing a go that wasn't for me and I have tried adult nursing and just hate the placements, do I go back to uni and try something else? or just get a job. I don't want to be in a dead end unfulfilling job. everything just seems to be getting on top of me.

I would appreciate some advice on what I could do next and if anyone has also dropped out of nursing and gone on to do something similar or something else I would welcome your input.

If you don’t mind me asking, what was mental health nursing like?

Hey I'm also a mental health nursing student, im literally on placement whilst im typing this haha.

I personally found that, at my university, we haven't looked into any mental health conditions or done any specific medication training as part of the course yet, and I am in my second year. We've done anatomy, holistic care, person centred care, working with other practitioners, a basic mandatory maths test, and some essays (off the top of my head).

If you don't want an office job or you don't like spending your entire day at a desk doing paper work all day, do not do nursing. From my personal experience from doing my 4 placements, I have basically been sat down in an office all day typing notes, filling out risk assessments and typing out referrals. The only placement I did not do that on was my mental health acute ward placement, but that was because it was my first placement so i was shadowing HCA'S instead of registered nurses.

In my opinion, if you really want to spend time with patients and get to know them, nursing is not that. Nurses are important and useful, really an integral part of healthcare, but the amount of paper work you have to do is ridiculous.
2 minute phone call= paper work, missed phone calls= paper work. Every single thing that you do, no matter how miniscule you may think it is, must be documented.

I remember for one of my placements I did not see daylight for 6 weeks, and i genuinely mean that i did not see the sun or daylight at all. . I never get sick, ever, but since doing this course there has not been a single month where i haven't needed tablets, antibiotics, or to be hospitalised for something.

My personal mental health has really suffered as well, but that's me not you. If you can't drive, this is going to be a challenging course for you. I have had to get accommodation for 50% of my placements. Yes you can get a reimbursement and a nursing training grant but that does not change the fact that it is expensive and that if you are awaiting both of these things, then you might be skint, which i was. Also, the placement that i have done that have required me to stay in accommodation, has been incredibly isolating. Staying in the middle of know here for months at a time can take an incredible mental toll on anybody. Every placement i have done has required me to go to student wellbeing and support services afterwards.

They do practical and simulated days to help you with achieving physical health skills on your placement, but from my experience at my university it all feels rushed and confusing. I remember having 20 minutes to learn how to do manual blood pressure before leaving for a placement the next week. None of us knew how to do it and ended up having to learn on the placement. I understand that this is what placements are for, however, a lot of us have expressed feeling under prepared for placements and possibly graduation.

I chose nursing because I love taking care of people, and although i know the paper work i do all day is a crucial part of achieving that, i do not feel like im looking after people. I feel like a paperwork and medication machine.

Additionally, don't expect pleases, thank yous or pleasantries, you might get them but do not expect them, because you will be very disappointed. But i suppose that's not really a big deal haha.

If you feel that mental health nursing or any health care role at all is something that you want to do, do it. If you aren't sure, do not do it. If you aren't 100% sure about whether or not you really want to do this course, do not do it, give it some time before you do it at least. Do some bank shifts or something to get a taste for the setting.

Positives: I've gotten to do things that I never thought id do such as injections, I got to move out of my home and to a wonderful city, I made new friends, I really grew and developed as a person (cheesy but true).

I went into this course blindly, that's my fault, and now i want to leave. It feels like a waste of money and time. Every single day of placement makes me feel so sh*t. I wish I personally asked some nurses what their days were like, or something along those lines. The only thing preventing me from dropping out at present, is the fact that I need my travel and accommodation reimbursement and i don't think i can get it back if i withdraw from my course.

With whatever you decide to do with your future, good luck, you're going to do great!

I am in my first year and regretting it I actually am considering leaving it the nurses are bully's in my final interview the nurse failed me and made up lies now I have gone back for a 4 week retrieval with the same practice assessor and I am picked on by every one being left in tag bays and being made to do work with the hcas when this is not the proffencies I have been failed on I do not know what to do and who to turn to

If you don’t mind me asking, what was mental health nursing like?

Whoa… it’s scary reading the reality for some. I am considering a big leap into mental health nursing, later in life, with young kids at home, and with limited childcare support, and needing to work alongside studies too. Reading all these posts scare me, I really can’t leap and make a mistake as I had already invested in my original career I am possibly stepping away from. Can I ask some question?

Is it nursing in general would you say? Or mental health specifically?

Why did you go into mental health specifically?

Do the majority of nurses on these placements seem to be inconvenienced by placement students? Or is more the case of a few?

Does the problem come from more senior nurses, less senior or those supervising your placement?

I am so curious as I have heard this story a lot and I know I don’t like that atmosphere in my own work place, so wonder if it is just the usual workplace hierarchy/bullying? Just combined with long shifts, stressful nature of work, or something else?

Thank you all for your time, and experiences. It’s always helpful and crucial to hear before making a decision.

Wait until your children are a bit older if you're on your own. As I said as a single parent if you have no free childcare to help your just going to run yourself into the ground. Nursing will still be there in a few years, take the time to enjoy your children.
And to answer your questions;

I believe its nursing as a whole rather than just MHN as you have to do the same amount of placements, essays etc
My mums a mental health nurse, and I've worked in mental health for years already so didnt want to just be a HCA
It just depends on your luck tbh. You could get 3 awful placements in a row then have 6 good ones. You could come to the ward and the first day be with nurses who barely say two words to you and the next be with a team who involve you in everything.
There's no one answer to that, I've worked with HCA who have been kn*bs when my presences as a student has zero effect on them, their just bitter and miserable. You'll even work with doctors on the ward who wont acknowledge student nurses.

Placements in nursing is honestly just a like a lucky dip tbh, it all just boils down to how willing you are to not only put up with it but also stand up for yourself but you have to be smart about it.