Please tell me it's not all bad!

wanna B an RN · Jun 19, 2001

No matter how great the pay, how flexible the hours, or how friendly the environment, there will always be a few who complain. I keep telling myself this, especially when it's nurses, because that's what I want to do.

essarge · Jun 19, 2001

TCW,

A very wise person (my father and probably someone you know too) once said "life is what you make it." I have found this to be very true no matter what type of job I have had.

You are right, the pay isn't great, the hours aren't much better, but the self gratification is wonderful. To know that you made even a slight difference in someone's life.

There are complainers no matter where you go, and allot of the time (if they are chronic complainers) you'll find that it's not just their job that they complain about...it's everything in their life. There is constructive criticism (complaining) and there is just complaining to make everyone else around you miserable. I don't mind constuctive criticism, but the chronic complainer tends to make things all around them negative.

I am 45 and have heard it all. When my kids start complaining (not critically), I listen and tell them "Well, you've got the problem, what's the solution?" And then they turn negativity in to something positive.

Today I heard a student (who by the way was on her 5th time in A&P I) start complaining about the class. After class I took her off to the side and asked her exactly what I tell my kids. She thought for a moment and then said "I guess that I need to start studying". I told her that the complaining she was doing was not helping her in any way, that she needed to figure it out, buckle down, and get busy.

I guess, now that I've rambled, what I am trying to say is, "Life is what you make of it". If you are forthrightly positive about everything (even a low grade) then your life will teach you the positive things that it was meant too.

Now with all of that said and done. Welcome to the crazy world of student nursing. Yes we do complain here on the student BB, but it is for feedback, ideas and help with classes. If you need us, we're here for you!!

Welcome!!!

TCW · Jun 20, 2001

I just completed my registration forms for my pre-requisites for nursing and I am really excited to be returning to college (I'm 29). However, after reading a lot of the posts in this forum about the measly pay, poor work environments, etc I am wondering if I made a mistake.

I feel I have a calling from God so I am being led to pursue my dream anyway, but it gets so discouraging at times.

mjost · Jun 24, 2001

hI TCW

I HEAR YOU ABOUT ALL THE WHINING AND ALL THE DICOURAGING THINGS THAT ARE WRITTEN ON THIS BOARD. I AM TOO GOING BACK TO SCHOOL (ALSO 29) AND FINISHED MY PREREQS LAST YEAR SO NEXT YEAR WILL BE FIRST YEAR OF NURSING. I AM SO PUMPED ABOUT SCHOOL I CAN HARDLY WAIT SO RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK ANY BAD COMMENTS WILL CHANGE MY MIND. I JUST SIFT THROUGH ALL THE BAD STUFF AND LOOK FOR THE POSITIVE COMMENTS. WHEN YOU GET A JOB THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THOSE WHO ARE NEGATIVE BUT YOU CAN CHOOSE TO JOIN THEM AND BE MISERABLE ALSO OR YOU CAN JUST SMILE AND GO ON TO BE THE BEST NURSE YOU CAN BE WITH A HEALTHY ATTITUDE.

GOOD LUCK IN SCHOOL!

thriftymom30 · Jun 24, 2001

:) I just wanted to reply to give words of encouragement. I do complain at times, but it is a stress reliever. I have never regretted becoming a LVN. With any profession you have pros and cons. My family has teachers, accountants, secretaries and a lawyer. All of them have legitimate complaints and whining, except for the lawyer (ha). I think this board is a great stress reliever and I love to hear about others with the same ideas and problems. It makes me feel better. Nursing is so diverse that you can eventually find an area you really like and stay there. I finally did, but I tried a lot of different things first. Enjoy nursing school because you will look back and laugh about it someday. Maybe students shouldn't read the postings, we'll scare them away, just joking...............