feeling unsure... need input

PennyLane, RN · Nov 20, 2002

Delirium,

I haven't even started nursing school yet--you're probably asking why I'm even responding--but I CAN say that the nurses that I volunteer for/with in a SICU are NOT like the ones you mention scuttling around following the dr's orders. AT ALL. In fact, the doctors aren't even around that much. Each nurse has 1-2 patients, and even though things get kind of hectic sometimes, basically they have a good amount of time to spend with their patients. Occasionally one nurse will be assigned 3 patients, but when that happens the other nurses help him/her out a ton. In fact, they all help each other out a lot! It really feels like a team there, and the nurses do seem to make decisions on their own, like when to give more meds, when they need to call respiratory, change in status of their patients, etc. I really look up to them and want to be like them in a few years! I have no desire to work med/surg even for a year right out of school. Nope, not gonna do it. From what I've read on this board, it's not worth it. At least not for me. I don't want to burn out of nursing--although it may happen anyway.

I hope you find the right decision. I would suggest finishing school. You could always go into another healthcare field, or another field altogether, but it certainly will look good on your resume to say you at least finished school. I know it's easy to say for me when I'm not in your shoes.

Good luck, and let us know your decision!

Mel

delirium · Nov 20, 2002

Maybe its just the unit I've been doing my clinicals on. You said you were in a SICU, and not on a med/surg unit.

I just don't want to spend my career being like the nurses there.

2banurse · Nov 20, 2002

Unfortunately during clinical training we don't have to much choice in where we are put or with whom. I liked what Mel D wrote about the teamwork of the nurses and wanted to know if there is a way to find out how an area works before accepting a position when the time calls for it.

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2002

Does it help to know that being a working nurse is nothing like being a nursing student doing clinicals?

As a student you are on the unit but not a part of the unit. Once you are working somewhere, if all goes well, you eventually build relationships and become part of the group. Not necessarily close friends but close co-workers. When you spend 8-12+ hrs with the same people, you come to share a lot and from that comes the fun. As a student you may not see this camraderie. But it is what keeps most of us working where we work.

Nursing isn't really fun, but it can be fulfilling. And at times filled with the most delightful of surprises and joys.

christianRN · Nov 20, 2002

I agree with those who have posted: it really depends on where you are. And yes, to me nursing is fun. I love being challenged daily, learning, and a sense of accomplishment when I think about the weight of my responsibility and the fact that I carried it out - well! I have fun with my coworkers, my patients, their families, and the docs. No, it isn't all fun, but you can choose to maximize your opportunities. And from what I've read in your previous posts, you sound like a fun person who would be fun to work with! :)

Mkue · Nov 20, 2002

delirium, you are not alone:eek:

NurseGirlKaren · Nov 20, 2002

Hang in there!! Trust me, those feelings are normal. Fortunately, I am not anybody's maid or servant. I get to do lots of critical thinking, problem solving, idea suggesting. You've worked to hard to get where you are. Don't give up!!

jschut, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2002

Hey Delirium~

I think we all go through that stage at one point or another. HAng in there, you'll be alright! I recently graduated and sometimes I think I don't wanna be a nurse anymore!!! But yea~ you'll do fine...

RNinRI · Nov 22, 2002

Hi Delirium,

I feel the same as you. I have one more semester to go and am having serious doubts as to whether I am doing the right thing. Fortunately, this semester my clinicals are on a unit where the nurses are very helpful and make us feel welcome. However, we still feel like outsiders. I agree with Dr. Kate, that once we are employed we will develop at-work relationships. My problem: I'm not going to be satisfied being a floor nurse, especially in med-surg. I'm trying to figure out which way I should go after graduation. I'm hanging in there which is easier now because the end is in sight. Don't give up now! We're almost there!

Laurie

OBNURSEHEATHER · Nov 22, 2002

Being a nurse is whatever you make of it.

I can tell you that I go to work everyday and enjoy what I do and HAVE FUN (yes, I do) more days than I do not. It depends where you are, who you are with, and what you make of it.

Good luck.

Heather

l.rae · Nov 22, 2002

Rebecca, it does depend on where you work. one of the hosipitals in my home town(closed now) the nurses there started the codes, icu nurses ran the codes..sometimes one of the elderly MD would be in the hosp when a code was called, and he would respond and sign off for all the meds the RN's pushed prior t o ED doc's arrival at code.....ER and ICU are good places to find autonomy and critical thinking.....some hospitals have rn residency programs for icu and er. it may take some looking around and initial job hopping, but nurses are required to be more and more autonomous, streached very thin....also, l have found evening shift and night shift to be more challanging cause your are working without management and a lot of ancillary services that are readily available to day shift...this can mean more work, and more hands on exp and decision making too....don't give up....yet...good luck..........LR