Burnt out and not even there yet!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello, everyone and thank you for reading this post. I am having a dilemma.

I was accepted to a BSN nursing program beginning in Spring 2007. In the meantime, I am having second thoughts about pursuing it. Besides the frequent interactions I've had with nurses in the profession stressing their desires to get out, I also don't have a particular liking for conventional medicine, even though oddly, and paradoxically, I've been drawn to it since childhood like a lifelong calling. I have studied many subjects over the years to support a career in this field (ie, taking the science classes, etc) and between those classes and classes like med term and A&P, these subjects have come natural to me and I don't want to waste these abilities. I've also been accepted to nursing school several times over, but unable to attend at those times. However, my aversion for conventional medicine runs very deep and this comes from personal experience: not only as a worker in the medical field (in other capacities) but as a patient also--I am getting ready for my 22nd procedure. :o I have seen the mistakes, the red tape, the garbage and I am sick of it. I've had the physical discomforts, such as pain, and don't know if I can handle stabbing people. For the most part, I find the conventional medical paradigm very depressing; I see much hopelessness in it. Andrew Weil MD himself touched on this by coining the term "medical pessimism;" he was referring to statements like "there's nothing we can do for you" or "you have one week to live" etc. :bluecry1: I believe many patients suffer and die needlessly being told things like this. Yes, the likely outcome is a dose of reality, but placebo effects are real too.

On the flipside, I know that there can be hope in medicine and I would like to bring more of it into the profession. I have considered alternative medicine. I think regular medicine focuses too much on the drugs and surgery approach and not enough of the mental/emotional approach.

Has anyone here pursued alternative medicine? I don't see posts on this subject (could I be missing them?) :selfbonk: And to those of you who have been in the profession for a while, how do you hold yourselves together?

Your thoughts are appreciated...I am getting ready to withdraw my acceptance to the program.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Good luck.

You're right the medical paradigm is depressing. While I don't believe in falsely elevating someone's hopes by deliberately using the placebo effect, I definately feel there is a strong mind/body connection that modern medicine is missing.

We've been taught to wait until we are sick, go to the doctor and get a pill to make it better. I see inklings of hope that prevention is coming around, and alternatives are being considered, but changing that paradigm is very slow in coming.

Being a nurse, as you are well aware, you will be part of the current medical model. Alternative practioners in nursing are few and far between, but not unheard of.

I think also that you are looking at modern medicine from a terribly negative frame of reference. Those of us in the field see all of it's negatives and ugliness, and we come here to vent about it. But we all also see the positives of touching people's lives in a way no other field in medicine can. We make a difference and we save lives.

If you're going to make it in nursing, you're going to have to navigate your negative feelings about modern medicine. It wouldn't be a sin not to go into nursing.

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Hi, I just wanted to toss in my opinion for good measure :

I don't know much about alternative medicine. There is a lot yet to be proven of value in some of the treatments; some make people feel better with no established "proof" in medicine. Some have proven benefits, or at least shall I say they are not considered any more harmful than traditional medicine. If that is a path you may want to follow, I know there is an alternative medicine forum here where you may get some feedback, too.

On the other hand....The world NEEDS MORE NURSES who will be willing advocates for their patients. Who have been on the other side of the fence (as you have mentioned; going through several procedures). Who better to offer hope and comfort than someone like you?

I'm finishing my 3rd year and will be eligible to sit for the LPN board this summer before getting my RN next May. I can tell you that there have been MANY ups and downs. It is exciting, it brings me pride, it is emotional, it is stressful. It is so many things; some even all in the same day. I am myself working on trying to "accomodate" to the emotions. I'm starting to feel manic depressive with all the things that happen. (Ex: feeling on top of the world, acing a test. Then instructor calls you into her office and tries to crush your dream--I posted about it recently). So I go from happy to MISERABLE in ohhhh, about ten minutes. :uhoh21:

Stress is part of nursing, but....there are (so I'm told) other areas in nursing where the stresses are less. And defining "less" depends on the individual. For ME, Hospice care nursing would be my forte'. To support, comfort, and care for those in need and their families. For others, that would be a major turnoff (stress). So it depends on the individual....and THAT is what I love about nursing. There seems to be something for everyone.

So, give it some thought. You aren't committed yet, so explore your options. The world is at your fingertips now.....

Hugs

Emma

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Specializes in Case Management.

Based on your post, I don't think you should go into nursing at this time. You have too many negatives and not a lot of positives for going into nursing. You should withdrawl and go into something else. What about becoming a massage therapist? That is something that is up and coming and a good thing for medicine. There are some bills being passed in some states to allow insurance coverage of alternative medicines such as massage therapy, accupuncture, etc. Maybe that would be more suited to your goals.

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

I vaguely remember {when I was young} reading a book called Future Shock. It talked of exponential change and its impact on the human psyche. Medicine has changed so much, expectations have changed even more. The system is stretched to its limits.

But, I can not empathize enough the value of you, those of you that diligently continue to serve your patients as nurses. You make the difference. Nursing is the humanity of healthcare. I don’t know what keeps you all going, the money is not that good, and the stress can be horrendous.

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Specializes in Psych.

Enduringfaith,

There is an alternative therapies/ nursing forum...go to the Nursing Specialty Forum, and it is under the "Holistic Nursing" sub- forum.

As far as whether you should go into nursing or not, obviously you are the one who ultimately has to make that decision. I agree with you that "western" medicine too often stresses surgery and drugs over prevention, education, and less invasive treatments. I think most would agree our current healthcare system is a mess. But, I also think it is a very exciting time to be in the field.

Traditional medicine is starting to take alternative therapies seriously. Also, as Tweety posted...modern medicine is capable of some truly amazing things. I think the trend toward prevention and alternative therapies is slow moving, but it does exist. I also agree with Emma123 that the current system absolutely needs more nurses who are good patient advocates. It sounds like you would be excellent at that!

Tough decision. I have also thought of studying alternative medicine...I'm about to enter an accelerated BSN program in a few days...but just today I had an acupuncture treatment for back pain. So, there are others like you out there. What ever you choose will be the right decision for you. Good luck.

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