New Nursing Student

PetiteOpRN · Sep 28, 2011

Most people who seem miserable here are venting; they work stressful but rewarding jobs, and venting helps them to give better care to their patients day after day.

Every job has ups and downs. Nursing is no different.

If someone is intent on being miserable, they will manage to be miserable in absolutely any job or profession.

LMT2BSN · Sep 28, 2011

Hello Everyone! I just started Nursing School last week at CSULA. I'm both excited and nervous. I'm working full-time plus going to school full-time. I know, I know...I've already been advised that I either need a PT job, or should quit working altogether! Unfortunately, I can't afford not to work.
After reading several posts here, I get the sense that there are a lot of people that are miserable in the Nursing field. And, that makes me very, very nervous. Am I choosing the right field, or should I just quit before I get too far into it?
I'm a really compassioniate, kind and hard-working individual that wants to become a Pediatric Nurse. I'm up for the challege, but it seems I see more complaints on this site than networking and collaboration in this field.
Any advice or comments would be helpful! Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and respond!

I'm no nurse, but I come on here to gain realistic info. I've felt the same way as you! However, I bet if every profession had a forum related to it, there would be an overload of miserable moments turned into a venting post...unless a nightlife journalist had a forum, that would probably be minimal venting. Point is, if there is a place to vent than there will be venting.

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

There ARE a lot of people that are miserable in the nursing field and I think it's because a lot of people don't understand fully what nursing is before they actually get into it.

But I don't think that's a problem that's restricted to nursing, as evidenced by statistics that suggest that people are changing career fields at a much more rapid and dynamic rate than in decades past.

jennyb76 · Sep 28, 2011

I feel the same way. I just started nursing school in Texas. I had to quit coming on to the website bc the negative posts I would read just made me feel bad.

want2banurse35 · Sep 28, 2011

I feel the same way. I just started nursing school in Texas. I had to quit coming on to the website bc the negative posts I would read just made me feel bad.

I used to obsessed with allnurses but since starting nursing school in August, I have not been on here in awhile. I don't want to frighten myself:eek:

A Blooming Rose · Sep 28, 2011

I feel the same way...thinking of not coming to the site anymore because it scares me a little!!!! I totally understand people are sometimes shocked by the realities and I also get the 'when theres somewhere to vent people will vent' thing... but i WANT to be excited right now :)

There is so much interesting/useful stuff on the site though... I think im going to just try to avoid some of the negative stuff for now.

Im sure years down the road I will be relieved to come here and vent and have other nurses relate to me, but right now...im ok with having my 'head in the clouds'. Im going through with this regardless so why stress myself out more.

Ker-Bear · Sep 28, 2011

I've been feeling nervous for the same reason. It's good to see that others feel the same way.

I'm considering a career change to nursing, starting my prerequ's in the spring. I am excited about the challenge, but start to doubt my choice when I read posts from some seasoned nurses who are not happy in the field.

But, then I read wonderful articles & posts from other seasoned nurses that help me feel like it's worth the risk to change my career.

Best of luck to all of you!

lisaLank · Sep 28, 2011

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm glad I'm not alone! I think I'll do what a couple of you have done...either stop coming on to this site, or just avoid the venting. Like A Blooming Rose said, I want to be excited as well!

I know that once we become full-fledged nurses, it won't be a field of roses...but at least I want to be encouraged and do as well as I can in Nursing School.

I understand that every job has it's pitfalls..so I understand the need to vent. I feel the same about my current job...oh the office politics that go on around here!

Thanks again!

**LaurelRN, MSN · Sep 28, 2011

understand that an is a site for nurses to talk to other nurses who can understand what the situation/problem/anger/joy/fear is...no one can understand the responsibility and high stress that comes with the nursing profession...except nurses. so though what you read may scare you...it is in fact the daily life of nurses. i have posted multiple times- and in those times- there were some really angry/scary situations- but all of those times helped me to accept the situation and move on with the help of my colleagues on an- maybe reading some of these posts could help you avoid the problems/situations.

as for not coming back- an has alot of info that can help students- don't ask us to do your homework for you- but if there's something you just can't understand, or you saw something that you don't get...by all means; come ask us! but quite honestly... nursing school takes up virtually all your time..i don't know that you'll have a whole lot of free time to be on an. good luck!

Armygirl7 · Sep 28, 2011

I am a new grad, new RN, working in a very very busy ED. I have to admit I was shocked at how much negativity exists on my unit.

But now that I am in week 11 of orientation I just see it as the same as any other place I've worked except with more intensity, more at stake. There are turds and trolls everywhere in this world. But there are also amazing positive smart and kind people and so I just keep my armor at the ready when I have to deal with the miserable RNs, MDs, PAs, CNAs, Techs, etc and I kill them with kindness and competence (really, I feel sorry for them - life is toooooooooo long to feel miserable day after day YUK!!!).

I seek out and strengthen my ties with the positive RNs, MDs, PCAs etc. And if someone is really trying to rattle me I take a deep breath, focus on the Pt and what to do next, and it all becomes very clear.

I am learning every day - I have chosen a few RNs as my secret role models and I try to be like them! They really don't let anyone steal their peace of mind, they just float above the rif raf, and they give excellent Pt care.

I have found reading Buddhist philosophy helps me understand this negativity and accept it (I certainly cannot change anyone but myself!). The Dalai Lama says negative hostile people are there to get us to practice our patience and build our strength of conviction and character. So now I see Nursing as a really good way to develop my higher self because I am encountering endless situations and people who try my patience and try to be obstacles to my success in caring for Pts. They are teaching me much......

Applying the Nursing Process to the problem is an amazing interpersonal resource too. Nursing school can really give you a lot of tools to become not just a great nurse but a strong person! Good luck! Not easy but worth it.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

another thing to remember is that research tells us people will tell a bad/scary/complaining story story on average 25 times, and a happy/uplifting/complimentary one only 5 times. moral of the story: you are far more likely to hear complaints than praise, b****ing than cheer.

don't let it worry you about the profession as a whole -- there are soooo many choices in nursing that you can always find one that you'll hate and one you'll adore, and a whole bunch in between.