If you could redo it....would you choose nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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  1. If you redo your career choice...

177 members have participated

Would you redo choosing nursing or the medical profession?

Curious to the feelings of others

Specializes in PCCN.

absolutely not. worst mistake ever.

Specializes in ICU.

Currently in the process of applying to MD programs so I'm glad you put that there. xD

I don't regret being a nurse, though. It allowed me to get my foundation before going on to do other things. I think I am a more well-rounded person and have better life experiences and more of an idea of what I really want to do from having been a nurse first.

Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

No I don't regret it. I was a useless, homeless bum in my teens and had a rough start to life, so my wake up call was a serious motorcycle accident that left me in hospital for a while, where I realized that nursing and medicine really interested me so I applied for nursing school once I had recovered. It has afforded me direction, a feeling of self-worth and an ambition I didn't know I had. It's moved me across countries and continents and given me a lifestyle I never thought I'd have. 25 years later I'm in NP school and grateful for every chance I've been given. Nursing saved my life and is one of the best things that ever happened to me. In return I've given it half of my life. You get out what you put in.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I just regret not doing it sooner! Love what I do and where I am going. I wish everyone the same.

Libby1987

3,726 Posts

Healthcare is tough right now and I don't think I would choose nursing in this climate, but then if I were 22 again and didn't compare it to the healthcare of the 80's, maybe I could handle it just fine.

In my personal experience however, I've had a very satisfying career rich with memorable experiences and overall nursing has been very good to me.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

August 28 will mark 40 years since I graduated from my LPN program. My ONLY regret is the 30 year gap between finishing my AAS and getting my BSN. I had 38 years at the bedside and now 2 in academia.

Honestly, I don't know how to do anything else. Being a nurse is a HUGE part of who I am.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

I would not have complicated my entire adult life for such an elusive, disappointing goal. You can not move out of your car or pay for a visit to an ER with the "desirable" nonexistent job society says you 'ought' to have. The default life provided so much better.

allnurses Guide

Nurse SMS, MSN, RN

6,843 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Can't imagine doing anything else. I would have gotten school over with a lot sooner if I had it to do over again. This is what I was meant to do all along. So yes. I would happily choose it all over again.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN

1 Article; 2,675 Posts

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I would do it again, but I would be d***ed if there would be one single day of bedside. Would prefer $50000 in student debths and go directly to MSN.

Cvepo

127 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVICU.

Honestly, I didn't develop strong study habits until my second year of college, when I had changed my major to pre-nursing. Looking back, and knowing how successful I have been academically since then, I think I would have rather just gone Pre-Med. I love nursing, and I love the nursing bedside role, but sometimes I crave the autonomy and I wish I were able to make more independent decisions.

RNperdiem, RN

4,592 Posts

After seeing what my brother went through to become a doctor, I am glad that med school didn't work out for me. He pays $3000/month in student loans, did not match for residency right away, worked incredibly long hours in residency and is never really free from work. Honestly, I just don't to work that hard.

Nursing is not the easiest work sometimes, but I am very satisfied with what I do.

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