Everyone says "don't do it"

Nurses General Nursing

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I am looking to start and accelerated BSN program this May. I have been announcing to everyone how excited I am etc about the program. Every single response I get back is are you sure you want to do that? Can you handle all the stress of being a nurse? Goodluck with that field? I am just feeling depressed about my decision because I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time. I love helping people plus the face paced and challenging atmosphere. My bachelors is in Exercise Science and worked in Cardiac Rehab before. Is it really that horrible being a nurse? Even on some blogs here I read are depressing. Just looking for some uplifting news that I'm making the right choice.

My advice is to think twice before entering an accelerated BSN program. A traditional BSN program is more practical if you want to have a better chance at success. We read too often from people who are unable to handle the fast pace of the ABSN program.

I mean I've handled high amounts of stress before. I fell behind my freshman year so my completed my junior and senior year with no summer break. My last two semesters I took 21 credit hours while doing another internship and working third shift. I'm not worried about the program being difficult but more so everyone makes it seem like being a nurse is horrible.

Handling stress independently is half the battle, working with others in a stress environment is another thing. Not saying it is impossible, it is possible with the right tools. :)

Specializes in NICU.

I graduated from an ABSN program. While it is intense and stressful, it is doable. We started with 29 in our cohort and lost 2 (they failed a class) halfway through the program. They were allowed to repeat the class through the traditional BSN program and graduate a year after us. You need a strong support group at home and in your classmates. We described our cohort as a family, a dysfunctional family, but still a family. We pulled each other through the program. Our goal was to make sure everyone made it through from start to finish (unfortunately we finished 2 short). It requires you to be good at time management, multi-tasking, and learning to work as a team with your classmates. All of which prepares you to be a nurse. Nursing is a team sport. If you don't have coworkers that pitch in when you're swamped and you don't reciprocate, then you will get burned out quickly. As for being a nurse, it depends on your hospital, unit, and specialty. Fortunately, if you are unhappy with your current unit or hospital, you can always transfer to a different unit or hospital. I liked my ABSN program, my hospital, unit, and my co-workers, so in my case I am happy with the outcome to become a nurse.

A previous boss made a statement that has stuck with me. Someone has a good experience, they tell a friend. Someone has a bad experience, they tell 10 friends. The same is true with this website. The members that have had a bad experience or hate their job are the ones that vent. The members that like their job usually remain silent. Does it mean that since there is a lot of posts of people venting about their job that a majority of us hate our job? No, they are just more vocal.

Agree with Proverbs16:24 and Guy in Babyland. I did a 12-month ABSN program; there were definitely days that I didn't think I could manage it, but now looking back, I'm so glad I went through with it. As long as you have a good support system, some money saved up, and are extremely motivated, it is possible to do. And yes, there's always going to be nursing horror stories, but this career is very rewarding and a lot of the times fun. Best of luck to you, do the best that you can do and don't let others discourage you :)

Specializes in Oncology.

I didn't do an accelerated program, just a regular BSN program. I remember loads of people telling me how hard nursing school would be. I had a few challenging moments, but I kept holding my breath wondering when it was really going to get hard. Then suddenly, I graduated.

Thank you all! Yes I have great support system and do not need to worry about money etc for the program. I am excited to be challenged again as I am very bored at my call center job now. I was just scared nursing is as horrible as people say. I love long hours and night shift, helping people and critical thinking so I know I would have to at least like the job a little bit. I think I will love it though!

Nursing is very dynamic. It is rewarding, stressful, and you will have good days as well as bad days. You will lose a patient unexpectedly, or hold hands with an actively dying hospice patient because a family member is traveling from several states away. I held a patients hand and spoke with her as she transitioned and passed, it happened just 10 minutes prior to her daughter's arrival. Her daughter found comfort in the fact that she did not pass alone.

I have often felt like a terrible Nurse because I forgot a cookie for someone I promised, he is my special man because he thinks I am his granddaughter. I do not correct him because it is HIS reality, and he takes comfort in that reality. I have red hair, which I think plays a role.

I have felt like an awesome Nurse at times too. Sometimes there are not enough hours in a shift to get everything finished, and sometimes I have plenty of time.

The director of the program I attended at community college, she also instructed, always stated "Nurse, know thyself" Know what you can and cannot handle, and always be honest with yourself regarding these situations.

Be prepared for a wild ride.

Be prepared to see anything and everything, including situations which may violate your own personal moral values. You cannot treat these patients with anything but love and respect. YOUR opinions do not matter, your patient matters.

Specializes in Stepdown . Telemetry.

Are the people that have been worried or discouraged the field for you nurses? Their comments seem like these people must know something about our profession to be able to tell you what its like...

If they are nurses and they know and care about you then they may have good advice, but if a non-nurse says to you "good luck with THAT field" then the warnings are more about the person who said them.

Don't let haphazard and uninformed negativity steer your career path.

Just take outsiders' advice with a grain of salt. It can only be harmful down the road if people continue to be unsupportive.

Good luck! Above all your will to do something is the biggest indicator that you CAN do it!

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