What do you tell people who want to be nurses?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm certain that this has been done before, and gets done quite a bit on this forum itself, but what do ya'all tell people who ask you about becoming a RN?

Firstly -- do you get asked this? (I do, both IRL and on different internet forums.)

I do get asked this occasionally. My family and friends were also really shocked when I told them I was going to nursing school in my mid-30s.

Do you feel that your employment status or lack thereof has any relationship to the advice that you give?

I have been continuously employed as a nurse since receiving my license several years ago. I would say that I could only speak to my own experiences and what I've observed.

Would you give different advice to, say, a highschool student who wanted to become a RN vs. an established second-career type?

I don't think so, although to a younger person I would stress the importance of maturity and responsibility, as well as developing communication and organizational skills. I usually say to everyone that asks that I HATED nursing school, but generally quite like being a nurse. I tell them that I make twice as much money as I did after being a legal secretary for 16+ years. I also tell them that the work can be very physically and emotionally demanding and that I completely underestimated the amount of poop involved!

Does the economy play any part in the advice that you give?

If I had experienced layoffs, reduced hours, etc., it would influence my perception of financial security in nursing. I think I was lucky to have started out when I did, before it became so difficult to get a new grad job. I also am generally satisfied with what I am paid. I think when nurses are in the news going on strike, etc. as occurred recently in my area, it may cause some to conclude nursing is not a secure field to go into. (Ironically, during the strike the hospital ran radio commercials saying how the average RN in our area earns over $50k -- basically to pit struggling working class people against each other, and implying RNs should shut up and be grateful for such a fabulous salary. No mention of what doctors or hospital managers earn, of course!)

Would you give different advice to someone who approached you in real life versus someone who posted something on AN?

Probably not.

greytRNtobe

74 Posts

I'm certain that this has been done before, and gets done quite a bit on this forum itself, but what do ya'all tell people who ask you about becoming a RN?

Firstly -- do you get asked this? (I do, both IRL and on different internet forums.)

Do you feel that your employment status or lack thereof has any relationship to the advice that you give?

Would you give different advice to, say, a highschool student who wanted to become a RN vs. an established second-career type?

Does the economy play any part in the advice that you give?

Would you give different advice to someone who approached you in real life versus someone who posted something on AN?

I tell everyone thinking about going into nursing to become a medical assistant if they don't want to go to college or go to Physician Assistant School if they have graduated from college. There are no jobs and nurses get no respect from other nurses and other medical staff members.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I also recommend becoming a PA, PT, Pharmacist, Doctor, or basically anything other than a nurse. I am fed up with bedside nursing myself and am about to begin a program to become a NP. I have already told all of my kids not to become nurses.

anniebee62

3 Posts

I am wondering why most of these responses are negative. I am currently in nursing school and I love it! I love taking care of the patients and learning the new skills. This is my second career, as I was laid off from the first one and decided to do what I feel in my heart is my calling. I come to this site and most of the responses to this question are negative. Am I making a mistake? Why do so many nurses dislike their profession?

RN In FL

215 Posts

Specializes in Managed Care, Onc/Neph, Home Health.
I am wondering why most of these responses are negative. I am currently in nursing school and I love it! I love taking care of the patients and learning the new skills. This is my second career, as I was laid off from the first one and decided to do what I feel in my heart is my calling. I come to this site and most of the responses to this question are negative. Am I making a mistake? Why do so many nurses dislike their profession?

Nursing school in no way shape or form, is a true reflection of "nursing". !-2 patients on a 4-5 hr clinical rotation 2-3 days/a week? Maybe passing 8 am meds....doing a bed bath, AM care ....maybe a procedure if you get lucky.....then post clinical by what 2pm.....??

The theory part...yes can be "enjoyable", because you have your study groups....sessions....with your buddies. Striving to make that "A". Giving each other "support and that shoulder to cry on...." You develop these friendships. Also these new "mock hospitals" in the nursing lab...which give "senario's", do not reflect a clinical setting.

I enjoyed nursing school too. its the reality that people dont truly understand, is my feeling, when I am approached. For me, I love my job, but its my frustration that come off when people ask me about "becoming a nurse". Especially career change people. Like it is something so easy, like you can just give reasons to "become a nurse". So I don't think we dislike our jobs. For me, I love my profession, and I hate to see people that want in for the money, or want in to get to advanced practicioner school, to get away from floor nursing, who have no true desire to be a "nurse". Get with the down and dirty LOL

I agree with many of the posters here, anybody that want to enter the field should be required to comlete CNA training and work 6 months, before making applicaton to any nursing program. Work your way up. Especially the Bankers, Accountants, School Teachers....etc. Anybody can make all A's on pre-req's and study to make a 100 on the TEAS.

I don't mean to sound harsh...but this is my reality about my profession I love.

Let's help out

24 Posts

When I find out someone is interested in nsg, I'm very happy for them. I do anything I can to help and encourage them, because I love being a nurse myself. But lately, I'm starting to agree with a dear nurse friend, (who has several sons and daughters) who says, she would encourage her sons, but discourage her daughters, from becoming nurses. She feels female nurses are so hard and etc. (and most of the adjectives we unfortunately hear) on each other, but males nurses are usually given a pass. PS to respond to "That Guy" who said "smells like homework" so......and your point is? There's nothing wrong with throwing a question out to other nurses to get assorted views.

Let's help out

24 Posts

Hey, did you guys read "simonemyheart?" How sad. I feel so bad for her. When I read her feelings about bec. a nurse, it pulled at my heart. I hope and pray, she can feel better about her profession, especially since she and her husb have worked so hard and have sacrificed so much, in order for her to bec a nurse. Hopefully things will get better. Let's try to support and encourage her. Thank you.

Shadow a nurse for more than one shift. At least 2. The ENTIRE shift if possible.

gcupid

512 Posts

Do not pass Go... Do not collect $200 Go directly to something else unless you feel like it is your calling...

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