Switching major to nursing???

Well, I am currently a freshman, in a few months I’ll be a sophomore. I came to my university (NAU) on a scholarship that pays for all of my tuition. First semester, I was a Biology major, but I realized I don’t necessarily want to major in Biology. So I switched my major to Photojournalism. I only did this because I thought it might be easier to keep up my scholarship and I really love photography and writing. I soon realized that I have absolutely no interest in becoming a journalist. My grades kinda suck right now too because I just absolutely hate all my classes and have no interest in them. So I changed my major again for the upcoming fall semester, so I am now officially a Psychology major. Psychology really interests me, but I just don’t want to be a psychologist or any sort of therapist. Its not the kind of help I want to give. I want to take care of people.

So now I am really thinking of switching to Nursing. It’s really hard to get into the program though. You have to have a GPA of 3.0, which isn’t a really a problem because that’s what I need to have to keep my scholarship. But everyone applying usually has GPAs at 3.8 and above, so it’s very competitive. I know for a fact I want to help and take care of others and I really think nursing would be a great fit. However, by the time I get done with all the prerequisites, I will be starting my junior year. So I’d have to apply for the spring program for that year. Is that too late? I’d be a year behind everyone, and it’s a five-semester program so I’d be in school for an extra year.

And then there’s the parents. My parents don’t really want me to switch to nursing. This shouldn’t be a problem except for the fact that they are helping my pay for my dorm, meal plan, etc. I feel bad knowing that they are paying for me and yet I’m doing something they don’t want me to do. I’ve thought about all my other options though and I just don’t know. I’ve considered all the challenges of a career in nursing, like the hours, the day-to-day tasks, not getting a super high salary, etc. And I still feel like it’s worth it. Ideally, I’d eventually like to work as a nurse in a children’s hospital. I’m just not sure what to do, because I could also be faced with not being accepted into the program and if that happens, then what do I do? I could apply again for another semester but if I still can’t make it in after that, what do I do?

For now, I’m just going to take the prerequisites required for nursing because they currently fit in with the classes I have to take for psychology, plus last semester I took a few prereq classes too because I was a Biology major.
This is such a tough decision and I just don’t know what to do and plus I’m just so worried I’m going to screw it all up and then I’d of wasted my college years. And then what if I disappoint my parents??? Man, I just don’t know what to do.

Have you ever done any volunteering ina hospital to see if you like the atmosphere?
Why do you think nursing is the way to go?

I would first volunteer in a hospital in order to determine whether nursing is for you. I would reach out to local hospitals and see if any can accommodate you this summer. That might not be possible because many volunteer applications are past the due date now … but it’s worth trying. If you can’t line anything up for the summer… try doing something in the fall near your school.

Why are your parents against nursing? Is it because you would be at school for an extra year and they do not want to pay for a 5th year ( very understandable)? Is it because they see you changing your major and are nervous that you are not really thinking through the process? Nursing is a great profession… but it’s not for everybody.

Another option is to graduate, work in health care for a year or two, and then apply to accelerated nursing programs that are typically 12-18 months long. You would graduate as a nurse and it would be on your dime.

Another option is community college, take the NCLEX and be an RN. In your case, it might save time and money.

I’m usually the one beating the drum that a BSN is the present/future of nursing (and it is) but perhaps you could investigate the CC route. Once you have a job, you can likely take classes on your employer’s dime towards your BSN.

Good point re: CC route, definitely worth considering.