does nursing seem boring?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I know I'm asking for it, but does it ever seem like from clinicals that nursing can be really boring?

I just finished my LPN program and start RN next week, but in all my different rotations it seemed like there were a lot of things that would bore me to tears (like rehab nursing, and so on) Do you think maybe it's just because as a student we can't do much, so I'm not really getting a feel for it? I will say when I got to OB/peds and got to do a day in ICU with my preceptor for leadership, it seemed way more interesting.... but a lot of jobs seem like you just pass meds and chart all day. Maybe I just made it more glamorous in my mind, but I'm starting to worry that I won't like nursing (and I've dreamed of being one since I was 7yrs old). Do you think maybe I just haven't found an area that interests me? I'm scared I may hate working as a nurse after all this hard work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Clnicals were very boring to me, on the general floor. Couldn't do much beside care with my 1-3 patients, meds, and assessments. I stayed busy by helping classmates, asking the instructor if there was anything I needed to see, asking the CNAs if they needed help, etc.

YOu just have to find a way to stay busy, it'll make the day go by faster.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's not that I don't have things to do, just that it seems like it might get old quick...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I think things do differ from student to qualified nurse. Plus we all have different areas that interest us. So some are rough and not a lot to do and others are busy with plenty to do. If it is within your scope you could always offer to do things (if they will allow you to)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

some areas are soooooo boring. find what interests you because you'll need it to last!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

LOL... I remember during my first semester of my ABSN program, I was only caring for 1 patient. I commented about how slow and boring it could be in the middle of our night shift. My preceptor giggled and said wait until third semester, when you are charting and taking care of four patients. I'm going to remind you of what you said. On my next to last night of clinicals third semester, I was SWAMPED. She said, "So, are you feeling bored right now???" I was forced to reply, "No, I'm working my butt off. NOW, help me!" :) :p

We only worked rehab once and I was bored out of my brains, but as someone else mentioned to each their own! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a full time LVN working SNF/LTC and part time working on BSN. I have 24 beds and I find it boring now days. Even when I am swamped, I find myself thinking "here I go again". I think it has lost its challenge for me. Yes, I also used to find clinicals boring. After a few months they were not particularly challenging. We used to rotate through all floors and departments of three hospitals and I frequently found myself just trying to act like a good student.(even in ths ER) The strange thing is that I find studying about nursing alot more interesting that actually being a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case management, occupational health.

First semester it was boring, now in third semester I am on a step down heart unit for clinicals and have 6-8 patients and I run my butt off, and with heart patients there is never a dull moment, you have to be watching everything all the time because they can code at any moment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.

I only care for 2-3 patients but we are responsible for all cares. Bed baths, vitals, assessments, education, and all procedures. I don't really find it boring. Yesterday I had two patients receiving blood, one discharge and one admit throughout the day. It was a tough day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, L&D.

I have to agree with you that a lot of nursing specialties bore the crap out of me. I also work on a Med/Surg and Tele floor as a Nurse Intern. I follow nurses and help out with what I can, and I can tell you it is damn monotonous. Assessment, med pass, chart, repeat. Even on the nights when it is busy it is still pretty intellectually boring. I have the same issues with clinicals. I am interested in learning new things, but once I have done it a million times I get a little bored with it. The only clinical I wasn't bored in was OB. I think that is how you can figure out what specialty to go into. If you want to be challenged and a setting doesn't challenge you, it is probably not for you. I think it is great to be introspective about what you enjoy and where you excel. It will make you a better nurse. Don't let on that you are bored, though. I try to act like every wet to dry dressing change or heparin shot are the most interesting things that I have ever done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I just got out of an 11 hour clinical where my pt was discharged 5 hours in. Talk about boring with nothing to do. I hate clinicals. Literally hate them now. I think its because we are doing OB/peds rotation right now

Up Vote Up Vote ×

" pretty intellectually boring. " Thanks Work in Progress; That is the phrase that really describes it for me. Not always but quite often.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment