2 answers
Margaret
Student
Louisville, Kentucky
1
Question
Updated
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I'm a senior in High School committed to Miami University as a nursing major; what is the best way to prepare for a future in the healthcare field and keep my passion for it when it gets difficult or overwhelming?
I am incredibly excited to be a nursing student, but my biggest fear is getting burnt out easily. I am used to difficult high school courses, but how will that translate over to college? I also plan on double majoring or minoring in family/child studies, female studies, or neuroscience in order to get a wide range of education. Would that be beneficial or more hurtful to my college experience? Thank you!
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2 answers
Susana Abena Appiah
MIDWIFE
90
Answers
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Updated
Susana Abena’s Answer
hello Margaret,
Well done Margaret! Committing to Miami University and choosing nursing is an amazing thing. You're clearly passionate and thoughtful about your future, and that’s a huge strength already. With your question;
1. Starting with a Strong “Why”
Your why—your reason for choosing nursing—will be your anchor. Write it down. Revisit it when you're exhausted or discouraged. Whether it’s to care for others, advocate for vulnerable populations, or work in a specific specialty like pediatrics, your why will remind you why it’s worth it.
2. Strengthen Your Study Habits Now
You're already used to difficult high school courses, which is great. In college, content moves faster and deeper. Start practicing:
Active recall & spaced repetition (tools like Anki or Quizlet)
Group study and tutoring
Office hours (professors and TAs are resources—use them!)
Time-blocking to manage work, classes, and rest
3. Build Healthy Habits Early
College can throw your routine off. Try to:
Get enough sleep
Stay hydrated and active
Build a support system (friends, mentors, faith, family)
Learn how to say no when you're overwhelmed
Burnout often comes from doing too much without recharging.
4. Be Strategic with Minors and Double Majors
Your interests in family/child studies, female studies, or neuroscience are super relevant to nursing. That said:
A minor is more flexible and less demanding than a double major.
Think about how each path aligns with your career goals.
Want to work in pediatrics or women’s health? Family/female studies are great.
Interested in brain function, mental health, or research? Neuroscience adds depth.
Start with a minor and explore electives—then decide if it’s worth expanding. Don’t overload yourself in the first year. You can always add later.
5. Seek Exposure and Experience
Volunteer, shadow, or intern at healthcare facilities if you can. This keeps your passion alive and gives you a glimpse into real-world nursing. It also builds your resume!
6. Talk to Other Nursing Students
Join student nursing associations, online communities, or local meetups. Hearing from upperclassmen or practicing nurses about their journey is both encouraging and grounding.
Finally, you're already doing everything right by thinking ahead, being honest with your fears, and keeping your options open. Yes, there will be hard days—but you’ve got the mindset to push through and thrive. Nursing is a calling, and it sounds like you’ve been called.
Well done Margaret! Committing to Miami University and choosing nursing is an amazing thing. You're clearly passionate and thoughtful about your future, and that’s a huge strength already. With your question;
1. Starting with a Strong “Why”
Your why—your reason for choosing nursing—will be your anchor. Write it down. Revisit it when you're exhausted or discouraged. Whether it’s to care for others, advocate for vulnerable populations, or work in a specific specialty like pediatrics, your why will remind you why it’s worth it.
2. Strengthen Your Study Habits Now
You're already used to difficult high school courses, which is great. In college, content moves faster and deeper. Start practicing:
Active recall & spaced repetition (tools like Anki or Quizlet)
Group study and tutoring
Office hours (professors and TAs are resources—use them!)
Time-blocking to manage work, classes, and rest
3. Build Healthy Habits Early
College can throw your routine off. Try to:
Get enough sleep
Stay hydrated and active
Build a support system (friends, mentors, faith, family)
Learn how to say no when you're overwhelmed
Burnout often comes from doing too much without recharging.
4. Be Strategic with Minors and Double Majors
Your interests in family/child studies, female studies, or neuroscience are super relevant to nursing. That said:
A minor is more flexible and less demanding than a double major.
Think about how each path aligns with your career goals.
Want to work in pediatrics or women’s health? Family/female studies are great.
Interested in brain function, mental health, or research? Neuroscience adds depth.
Start with a minor and explore electives—then decide if it’s worth expanding. Don’t overload yourself in the first year. You can always add later.
5. Seek Exposure and Experience
Volunteer, shadow, or intern at healthcare facilities if you can. This keeps your passion alive and gives you a glimpse into real-world nursing. It also builds your resume!
6. Talk to Other Nursing Students
Join student nursing associations, online communities, or local meetups. Hearing from upperclassmen or practicing nurses about their journey is both encouraging and grounding.
Finally, you're already doing everything right by thinking ahead, being honest with your fears, and keeping your options open. Yes, there will be hard days—but you’ve got the mindset to push through and thrive. Nursing is a calling, and it sounds like you’ve been called.
Natasha Rieder
Occupational Health Nurse
48
Answers
Wentzville, Missouri
Updated
Natasha’s Answer
Congratulations on choosing your major! Nursing is a very versatile field, that's part of why I love it so much! I would say to keep that in mind if you ever feel like you're wanting to leave the field and utilize it. If you decide you no longer like med surg you could go into a specialty like dialysis, ER or ICU. If you decide you want to work with kids instead of adults there's labor and delivery, pediatrics, or neonatal ICU. If you're sick of being at the bedside altogether you can always teach, go back to school and get an advanced degree, do flight nursing; there's lots of options!
Just keep in mind that if you do start to feel burnt out and you can't reignite your flame where you currently are, that doesn't mean you should leave the field! You can choose a different path within nursing and start a whole new career.
Good luck!
Just keep in mind that if you do start to feel burnt out and you can't reignite your flame where you currently are, that doesn't mean you should leave the field! You can choose a different path within nursing and start a whole new career.
Good luck!