new guy, nursing as a career, input plz

mattsmom81 · Mar 9, 2002

For sure there are good things in nursing, Jaylee, or I wouldn't still be one after 25 years! As with any career, you take the good with the bad. I feel a sense of satisfaction as I help a family through a loved one's death. I feel purpose as I navigate a fresh CABG patient through his first 24 hours postop and do what needs to be done to stabilize him. It's a rush to know you've made a difference by saving a life or 'catching' and heading off a complication or even just holding a hand. I smile as I see a new nurse's "lightbulb" come on when he/she asks for my input and 'gets' what I'm saying. This is the stuff that nurses live for!

I also feel strongly that nursing schools today do little to prepare new grads for the stark realities of nursing today. Read Amy's story on the unsafe staffing thread and you'll see what she is going through. My heart goes out to her.

And gettin' hitched doesn't make ya old, Mario, it keeps you young, as does having kiddos! LOL! I've got boys Mario's and Gigolo's age and more power to 'em! May you both make GREAT nurses.... cuz there ain't no limit if your heart is in it.

Kellie girl, I feel an honest asessment isn't grouching, but do you feel better now that I've expounded on some of the positives? Hope so! :) Luv ya'll!!

Mary Dover · Mar 9, 2002

Originally posted by Jaylee
I'm new to this board also, and like Gigolo I'm looking to go into the nursing field too, but after reading ya'lls comments I'm re-thinking. Is it all bad? Surely there has to be some kind of gratification, or you wouldn't have been doing it as long as you have. I know everyone's nursing life is different, so someone please respond with some good news about this career, it all can't be gloom and doom. (jaylee)

No Jaylee, it certainly is NOT all bad, but the majority of us "old" nurses certainly have to be realistic. There are MANY rewards in the profession. Personally - my advice would be to ask yourself what kind of things are going to be important to YOU as an individual, what kinds of things will it take for you to feel satisfied in your career.

What are YOU looking for?

If you are looking for something that will make you use your brain, will make you challenge yourself - GO FOR IT !

If you are looking for something that will help you learn about yourself (and what you are or are not made of) as well as other human beings - something that will enhance your insight into life in general - GO FOR IT ! (but never stop learning)

If you are looking for tangible rewards - forget it. I won't complain about the money though, because for the rural area I live in, I consider myself pretty fortunate compared to some other (non nurse) women I know.

If you are looking to get ONLY positive response from people whose lives you have entered into on a professional basis - again I say forget it. There is a lot of positive, but a lot of negative. If you are the kind of person who can deal with the negative without taking it personally then it may be for you. But if you're someone who NEEDS only positive feedback all the time just to feel "needed"- then it may not be for you.

The establisments we work for are usually and sadly more concerned about other things, than to spend time worrying about our well-being or concerns.

The patients we work with are too sick/ill/debilitated (or whatever) to care (and rightfully so) about how satisfied the nurse is with work. So in that regard - you have to find your own 'rewards'. When that patient you didn't think heard any of what you said to them, or didn't acknowledge any of what you did for them, comes back later and does or says some little something that makes you feel you DID make a difference (even if in a small way) - well if you can accept that as reward enough - then GO FOR IT !

Jaylee · Mar 10, 2002

Thank you for your input. This helps me to analyze my motives for wanting this career and an objective view is what I really needed. Thanks.

Originally posted by Renee Williams
Hi Jaylee! :)

As an "oldster" to the field of nursing, nursing has been very kind to me for the most part of my career...until I injured my right shoulder on the job, but couldn't claim any financial assist from workman's comp because I "wouldn't name a specific patient that was the cause of my injury"....

Moving on.... Nursing is what you make it just like any other career choice of a person's choosing. Every career has an "upside" as well as a "downside". Questions to ask yourself are: (1) Why do I want to be a nurse? (2) What do I hope to "give" to the profession of nursing? (3) What do I hope to "gain" from the profession once I become a nurse? (4) Am I choosing nursing for anything other than the true satisfaction of helping the sick and dying? (5) Am I choosing to become a nurse because of the money I stand to make?

Nursing, like motherhood, can often be a very nonappreciative course of life, but the rewards are so overwhelming at times in the outcome of seeing those you help along in their life become someone special to society. Nursing the sick and dying is often times very stressful. Nursing drains one emotionally, physically, and spiritually -- more times than not. Nursing is a very challenging career filled with many possiblities, but there is nothing "glamorous" about nursing. You'll get dirty, bloody, germier than germy, bruised, abused, disrespected, and all the things no human being should ever have to endure. But, that's the brunt of nursing "human beings" back to wellness, and dealing with management, and administrative politics to boot!

If you can handle all of the above, then nursing may be for you!

I loved helping patients feel better! I loved doing dressing changes, wound care, giving injections, starting IVs, teaching patients and their family members pre and post-op instructions; I loved knowing that during the course of my day, I was able to reach out and touch someone other than those within my own world of relatives, and make a difference in a stranger's life. I loved knowing that my patients appreciated me, even if nursing management didn't. It's a wonderful lift to be able to "lift" another human being above one's own self, and see them on the road to living as healthy a life as they possibly can "for them".

_____________________________________________

"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- W. A. Nance :kiss

:)

;)

micro, RN · Mar 10, 2002

Originally posted by mario_ragucci
Kellie - you know as well as I do - that you don't get old until you get married. People are like flowers. They're beautiful. But once the pollen hits them, now they go to seed. Or a river, your young when you are free flowing. But once you get married, you slow down, stagnate, and stink (yuck!)

Zap! Pow! Bing! Boom! Crash! Roar!
Mario dies laughing, and ascends to the great soap box in the sky :-)

chklin all the way...............mario!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

40 goin on 12 most days, but then some days feel 90.............

picture this scene.......do you take this man to be your............

"poof".............do you take this woman to be your............."poof"

micro crackin, but micro cracks easily, laughing to micro soap boxes in the clouds...........................

Oh, yeah, what was the original ?????this thread........nursing for nursing sake........it is tough, but you can do it.............it is still a predominately female profession(and here I am goin to female bash---------don't lynch me women lib's).........but why are us women so catty and so b.........??????? towards ourselves, new nurses, men, women, its!!!!!!!!!

get a clue.......you gotta know micro.....ck out posts.........tongue mnly in chk.........no not all women are like that.......but be careful men comin' in.......WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!!! but we are a wierd bunch...............

enough for this post,

:roll :roll :stone micro:p :p

wrightgd · Mar 11, 2002

Originally posted by mattsmom81
My two cents: Our profession is a lot of hard work and dedication for few rewards, which is why most men do not gravitate there.

I guess men only want high profile and high reward positions with a minimal work load. How many women do you see hanging off the back of a trash truck? Is that an easy job with glamorous rewards?

Not trying to be picky, but I don't think it's appropriate to stereotype genders. The reason you give for men not entering the nursing profession, could easily apply to many females who have left nursing for other professions. That is, that they feel the rewards are minimal compared to the work load... It's all over this board in many different threads... Constant complaints about work conditions and pay scale...

Intended or not, your comment appears to promote the concept that men only want easy jobs that make them look and feel important.

George

micro, RN · Mar 11, 2002

good point not to stereotype genders..........

oops if I did that by callin' us women catty, b.....and ..........

and not all men aspire to trash trucks.....give me a break........

not that there is anything with trash workers............

grew up with dad who was a janitor, besides......much more.....

so don't stereotype one for all.........

we are all created equal but different.....it is in the genes

mustangsheba · Mar 11, 2002

What is old? I am 62 and I'm still working the floor. I just don't do it 5 or 6 days a week. I know we don't all have that choice, but it's one of the reasons I go without bennies and work for an agency. I do see a lot of new grads in tears because they're exhausted and made a mistake. Ever notice how long it takes to fill out an incident report? My point being, I'm not the fastest kid in the hall, but remember the tortoise and the hare. I can move fast, but I prefer methodical. I get my meds done on time (usually). I stole a technique from one of the docs I met years ago: when I go into a patient's room, I take a deep breath and for that moment, no matter how hectic it is outside, I pretend that he/she is the only patient I have. It centers me and allows me to concentrate in the moment. It's very good for my blood pressure as well. Of all the little ways I trick myself, I have found over the years that this is the most important one. I would never consider (for very long) doing anything else, although I drift in and out of different specialties. To me, nursing is not a job, it's what I am. I do wish the pay were better, but I wouldn't be happy doing some of the jobs that are more lucrative. Nursing can be demoralizing and depressing, but it's also challenging and fulfilling. My biggest problem is with insurance companies and administration. I can handle grumpy families and patients. Also, Gigolo, it doesn't hurt to have a good sense of humor. In fact, it may be the most healing thing we have going. I think you'll do fine. Good luck!

mattsmom81 · Mar 12, 2002

Point well taken, George and Micro and I apologize if my comment sounded sexist. I guess I didn't explain myself well, but I intended to convey that he might be disappointed to find that nursing isn't going to be all 'flirt and fun'. None of the guys I work with would call it easy work. Perhaps I did misunderstand Gigolo's remarks as well, which I did state in my post...

No hard feeling, I hope.

micro, RN · Mar 12, 2002

hey, Mattsmom81,

don't worry about it.......

thk all of our opinions are a bit off and just our opinions.........

everybody here is pretty cool and good nurses.........(if you are a nursing student, you are still a nurse)

cool,

now that is a word I love to use,

micro

micro, RN · Mar 12, 2002

gee thought I posted, guess not......

if this was the religious thread would say it was that demon thing.....hehehehe

Matt's mom81, don't worry about it...........

none of us here are perfect......

and all of our opinions are just that our opinions.......off or not, agree or disagree we are all pretty cool and all human.......

micro can be sexist, or nonsexist.....

micro can be sexy or nonsexy......

micro can be professional or nonprofessional.......

micro can let her other side show or not...........

micro can try to be a martha stewart wanna-be but it doesn't work...........for micro

sorry all and mattsmom81.........micro digresses and still goin to send this post............

why you ask.........

cause I can and I wanna

and cause we need to always remember that life is too serious to take it too seriously.............

lol all

wrightgd · Mar 12, 2002

Mattsmom...

Absolutely no hard feelings... just making a point... You are right, in your description of the nursing profession... difficult work with few rewards, and may I add HUGE responsibilities and potential liabilities...

I think those factors keep men AND women from entering the field. When you really think about it, the only ones who last in this profession are the ones who really care. If you don't care, why would you put up with the unbalanced scale. It leans forcefully against us. That is, the level of responsibility and liability - vs.- the rewards, benefits, and recognition.

Your advice is valid, and equally applicable to anyone considering nursing as a professional career. Realize the conditions, and have a firm understanding of your true desires, before you make your decision to step onto a floor and take responsibility for patient's lives.

Best wishes to anyone brave enough to accept the challenge of Nursing in this day and time. The rewards are there.... You can't always spend them, you can't always touch them, but you can feel them in the deepest parts of your being in knowing that you can make a difference.

George

micro, RN · Mar 12, 2002

Originally posted by nurse_gigolo69
ok
Im sure its obvious im a total newbie here, but thats why im here. I need to soak up some info before i start in 7 months, maybe this site can help. On a serious note, i've had a neighbor ive known all my life, helped mow here lawn, groceries etc and in the hospitol visiting her i felt "a need to be needed" maybe its cause i know her or what not, but it seemed right. Im getting ALOT of slack from my friends for my career choice and i seem to be the attention of ridicule for not picking a "masculine" job title, but im still going for it. . Dont take my nickname personally, its simply a joke, im a youngblood and a bigkid with a big heart:rolleyes: .
Can anyone recommend any books, sites, magazines etc for me to read ahead? I dont wanna be to overwhelmed when i start.

gigolo69.........shamey, shamey, shamey.....having fun at the expense of ................

now here is my take on people givin' you c......... for your career choice.................

masculine job!!!!!!! what is that a world wrestler.......ug!ug!ug!

a feminine job!!!!!!!! gee.....welly, I don't know I am nothin but barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen.........

gee whiz.........when will time ever change.............

I don't know if it is in the genes(thk majority is), in the mind(limbic and otherwise),but I have always had a theory that we all have masculine and feminine side to our nature...........

oh yeah that is right.....hormones.........

tell your HE-man buddies that they also carry estrogen around in their bodies.....that will freak them out.............

course that means that us "girl" carry testosterone...........around to.........

need to be needed............need to help others.....to reach outside of yourself.............

Now advice......chill out.......knock out any prerequisites that you can before nursing classes.............

talk to nursing students now, talk to men who are nursing students now(as we do have some different issues), not tellin you not to talk to us ladies...........

but like Mario said, majority of ladies in nursing programs.....last thing on their minds is XXOOXX I remember hours of and hours of midnight electricity(oil)

actually I have been out of that initial nursing school, but still remember it well and reminded daily of by people close to me......

also in process of learning new unit, and contemplatin' pursuin' my bachelor's and certification, and ACls this fall

now micro has given advice.......and you don't have to listen to any of it.........

keep smilin and being who you are, change daily and you got the world in your hands..........

just another nurse in this nursing world and thread,

micro:p :p