doubts about nursing

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2002

I wanted to be an RN so bad. I worked like everyone does, work your heiny off. LOL.

renerian

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2002

Nursing is a tough demanding field that requires not only a lot of physical stamina, great coping skills, intelligence, and a good work ethic.

Think hard before you go into nursing. But also realize that because it is so demanding doubts are going to creep up from time to time. I started doubted myself from Day #1 in school, and especially after my first clinical. My first job daily for about a year I doubted myself.

I wouldn't change a thing.

The person who made the statement about not being so smart, obviously hasn't seen the Med-Surg textbooks, and was being an insenstive ass.

Follow your heart. You can't go wrong.

RRMLPN · Dec 23, 2002

nursing school itself can be a scary thing, much less reading or listening to seasoned nurses and the venting that goes on. True, nurse to pt ratios are sometimes demanding. This comes along with the territory. I guess what i am so not eloquently trying to say is get both sides of nursing, realize it is a very rewarding profession and at times it is a very stressful one, talk to people that you really trust about it and realize your going to doubt yourself at first until you gain more confidence, always be true to you.

mario_ragucci · Dec 23, 2002

Sounds like you are having a "gut feeling." This can happen sometimes when all parts of your memories and future plans seem not to come together in your brain. I say a gut feeling is a 75:25 sureshot (in favor of your gut being a feeling to "trust." If you can't trust your own feelings, whose can you trust? I'm sorry :-(

MICU RN · Dec 23, 2002

You did say 5 academic scholarships? Just make sure you really want to become a RN; because if you also want to get into a good college educated profession, I would not choose nursing. That is not to say that you don't have to smart to be a nurse; actually to be a good nurse you do need to be bright especially in the critical care areas. However, there is plenty of baggage in being a RN. Quite honestly, the profession still has away to go; for example you will be required to do plenty of dirty work and I mean plenty. You may find yourself cleaning crap all day at times, not to mention having to do all the other stuff that requires a college education to do such as assessing, documenting, and performing medically prescribed treatments. The problem with nursing is that on one hand you giving plenty of responsibility and need alot of knowledge to perform your job, however on the hand you are expected to do jobs that most college educated people wont even consider doing ( hence the big shortage). The hospitals and schools will tell you that is part of being a nurse and that you have a unique opportunity to care for your patients in a special way that no other healthcare worker can do. That is the biggist bunch of bull!! The fact is as you alluded to in your post was that many times you don't have time to go to the bathroom much less spend quality time with the patient. If you are are going into nursing just for the caring aspect, I recommend becoming a social worker. You will have plenty of more time for the patients and wont be half as stressed. Another caveat, in the medical profession the really good jobs ( autonomy, money and respect, no dirty work) require plenty of education, at least a masters degree in the clinical setting. They wont tell you this either, especially the non BSN programs. Look at the other healthcare professions, pharmacy, PT, NP , CRNA, MD, all require at least a masters. Those are the more typical white collar professional jobs that are like other college professional jobs where you use your intellect and not your back and get paid well. If you really want to become a bedside nurse go for it, just realize what you are getting yourself into, most people don't and then regret it because of the bad work conditions , pay and lack of respect. This is just my veiw on it from a person who came from a blue collar back ground and thought he was getting into a true profession and thus far been dissappointed.

flowerchild · Dec 23, 2002

Never doubted it for a moment in school, but things were different then. Still don't doubt it.

I see someone like you, who has dreamed and thought all of life to be a nurse one day, changing to something else, then posting on this BB 10 years from now stating, I always wanted to be a nurse, almost did it, changed my mind b/c things were not good in nursing, and now I'm back in school to be a nurse. I'm so excited that I'm finally going to get to do what I always wanted to do. Good luck in what ever you decide and follow your heart, not your head on this one.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Dec 23, 2002

No I didn't doubt it when in school. If I had it wouldn't have taken me 3 different schools and 11 years to get that RN.

bravegirlamy · Dec 23, 2002

Nursing school is very tough, not just in academics, but in EVERY way. I almost quit several times, but i am So very grateful that I followed through with my dream of becoming an RN. Please don't let anyone change your mind for you. Nursing has many different fields, not just the hospital setting. I worked 2 yrs on a med-surg floor then headed straight for home health. I've never looked back. No bedpans, no beeping Iv machines, no call lights going off. Home health isn't perfect by any means, but i just wanted you to see that nursing isn't just about stress. Think long & hard, but in the end....follow your heart. Good Luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 23, 2002

A lot of the negative things that people say and write about nursing are true. So, if you decide to stay in nursing, do so with your eyes open and be prepared to deal with those negatives.

However, a lot of the positive things that people say and write about nursing are also true. If those positive things are important to you, then nursing may be right for you.

Finally, always remember that nursing gives you choices. To be happy in nursing, you have to make the most of those choices and find the "best fit" for you. There are many different types of nursing work and nurses work in many different settings and roles. Don't let the fact that some roles are NOT right for you turn you off to the whole profession. Yes, a lot of more attractive choices open up for you with a Master's Degree -- so, be prepared to face that choice someday.

llg

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2002

Yes I think higher education is so important. I know my goal in getting my masters is to teach............health and wellness or nutrition.......

renerian

BBnurse34 · Dec 23, 2002

hmmm.. I hated nursing school, but I love nursing. Don't listen to what nurses say. After 12 hours on our feet and with a full bladder and an empty stomach we get b*itchie. Once we pee, eat, and rest our feet, most of us love it.