I'm afraid of committing to nursing.

Libby1987 · Feb 21, 2015

I think realistically you will need to devote 110% to your first year or two on the floor following graduation. Especially if you won't be able to be flexible in relocating for the ideal first job.

Those first couple of years are not remotely ideal for someone looking for balance.

As far as bedpans, you might wish you were paid $60/hr to toilet patients all day, but you may have more high level responsibilty than you bargained for.

Kaitybar7 · Feb 21, 2015

No that so undo good because I don't want it to just be bed pans lol! Thanks for your response. I live in an area that the cities mesh pretty well so everything is a reasonable drive as far as finding a job goes. Thank you.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Feb 21, 2015

Nursing is far more than cleaning bedpans and wiping butts. There is politics in every hospital, but it depends on the hospital and it's administration. I have not witnessed any issues with administration and I am treated (as well as my experienced co-workers) with respect by the doctors, NPs, fellow RNs, and RTs even though I am a new grad. There are probably other nurses that have issues with administrations at their hospitals and treated badly by the doctors. It all depends on the hospital, doctors, and the climate between nurses.

Kaitybar7 · Feb 22, 2015

Thank you. That was comforting I really appreciate it

MallysMama · Feb 22, 2015

I went to nursing school after having two kids. It's definitely possible to go to school and still be a great wife and mother! It's not easy, though, by any means. It requires a lot of good time management to fit it all in. I am now going through an NP program as a wife and a mother to three kiddos! If you feel like it's something you want to do - then go for it! Don't let some others' negative opinions hold you back. Nursing is far from an easy profession- but it can be so rewarding! And there are so many different areas of nursing; if you find you don't like one area, try another! I love what I do and have never regretted the decision to become a nurse!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2015

I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've put a patient on a bedpan as a nurse. Kids won't generally use them.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Feb 22, 2015

If someone automatically equates changing bedpans with being demeaned, that makes me question if they understand the fundamentals of nursing at all.

Yes, many nurses work is specialities where wiping butts and changing bedpans isn't a part of their routine. And, yes, it's fine to not want to work in a position where direct, hands-on care is part of the job description. But I am sick to death of "butt wiping" being used as a catch phrase for aspects of nursing some think we should apparently be ashamed of.

It is in no way shameful or embarrassing that our job duties include cleaning patients unable to do so themselves. That you do so on a regular basis does not make you any less of a professional or mean that you don't make educated decisions.

When our patients' butts are soiled we wipe them because our education makes us aware of the potential for skin breakdown and our professionalism refuses to let us rob them of their dignity.

(I do realize the OP wasn't trying to imply any of the above. I am just tired of the general perception and implication that "butt wiping" is disgusting grunt work fit only for CNAs and troglodytes.)

Kaitybar7 · Feb 23, 2015

You're answer is awesome. Thank you lol!

Kaitybar7 · Feb 23, 2015

Thank you for taking the time to answer â™¡

BreBeeNeuroNurse · Feb 23, 2015

If you are thinking of going into nursing you should know what you are getting into, nursing school is hard and tiring and will take up all your time, you could work nights evenings days and any sporadic schedule you could be given won't be stable for a few years. If you aren't sure then you shouldn't be a nurse, just because you have been in a hospital with nurses that made you feel good doesn't mean you should be one especially if you were even considering that all nurses do is wipe butts, do your research. you have a lot to learn. Job shadow and don't waste your time in nursing school taking up other people's opportunities just to drop out because you didn't know what nurses actually did, you will be expected to yes, wipe butts, give bed baths, see other people naked and wash their privates, clean up pus and blood and any body secretion you can think of and if you don't think that's what you want to do, then pick another profession.

Kaitybar7 · Feb 24, 2015

I know it's easy to skim a question and just assume what I was asking, but I was asking for reassurance from bitter nurses I have spoken to about nursing. I was told and criticized these things. Not what I personally felt. Like I said I don't mind dirty work at all, but I felt discouraged when it was made out to be only a glamorized ass wiper. Thank you for your response. And I am starting school soon, because I feel I am chosen to be a nurse.