Second Thoughts???

Katnip, RN · May 7, 2004

Keep in mind that nursing IS a stressful job. It's also a rather unique one. Unless a family member or friend is in the same field, they really truly can't understand you worst days. So nurses do the natural thing and turn to other nurses, and where better than a forum filled with thousands of nurses who have all had bad days like yours?

As far as new grads, I only graduated last year and have only come across negativity from one CNA which was very short lived. Seems she has her own personal "test" for newbies. But everyone else has been nothing but encouraging, supportive and patient.

Just keep in mind, if the nurses here didn't down deep love nursing, there would be no nurses anywhere.

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 7, 2004

Take it with a grain of salt. This board is a way to vent our frustrations to people who understand. But bear in mind that, for all our gripping, we are STILL nurses. Maybe you can be a nurse who can help create a higher standard for nursing excellence. We need people who are not satisfied with status quo.

llg, PhD, RN · May 7, 2004

I agree with what cyberkat wrote. Also, keep in mind that most people have a tendency to gripe about their jobs when they get the chance.

Needing a place to "vent" is a basic human tendency and this bulletin provides nurses with a place to do that. You should not use this bulletin board as a fair, unbalanced representation of everything in nursing. It's a bunch of people sitting around talking about their jobs ... no more, no less. Few people in any career sit around the break room and discuss how lucky they are to be employed, how they love their jobs, etc. -- at least not on a daily basis.

Keep that in mind as you read the posts.

llg

GracefulRN · May 7, 2004

First,you have to understand that this is a forum where alot of nurses go to vent. Your posts shows that you have researched the nursing proffession so you know it can be very demanding (physically and emotionally) This forum is a place where nurses can talk to people ( who REALLY understand) so that they don't implode. Maybe you're anxiety about devoting yourself to nursing has transformed these rants into doomsday prophecies about YOUR future. Just a thought.

Second, in my experience there are malcontents in every profession and nursing is no different. There is a poll on this forum that asks what kind of experience you had as a new nurse and a majority of the respondants had either a positive or mixed (some supportive, some sabotage) experience. IMO nursing is what you make of it. Don't let a few rotten apples dissuade you from living your dream.

Finally I want to say that I think your feelings are 100% normal and healthy. This is a major life changing decision that you are making. You are choosing a profession that will be more than a job. Nursing will change you and it will make you grow in ways that you never even considered.

Alright stepping off of the soapbox now. :)

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · May 7, 2004

First off, staffing has nothing to do with any so-called nursing "shortage". Staffing levels are determined by administration.

Anyone wanting to become a nurse must view the state of the profession with their eyes wide open.There is both good and bad in nursing. Yes, many nurses are very disatified with many aspects of nursing. Nursing is generally in a state of turmoil right now.

The work load is often impossible. The demands, relentless. The job is physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting. The respect and appreciation are lacking.

However, you can make a good living as a nurse. I am an ADN RN. I feel my salary is more than fair, and I am happy with it. I know that I make more than professionals in other fields with bachelor's and even master's degrees.

Am I proud and happy to be an RN? Yes. Do I feel like I make a positive impact in the lives of my pts every day? Yes.

Do I have any regrets about being a nurse? Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Am I glad I chose nursing? Sometimes no, but most of the time, YES.

EMTtoRN · May 7, 2004

Honestly? It makes me want to be a nurse even more!!!!! I understand the stresses and trials I will have to go through but I am always a person who is not at all dterred by challenges. I have learned to deal with this ALOT in EMS!!! I read one of those negative posts one time and thought to myself "It dosent sound like they are doing much to solve theor problems!!"

wonderbee, BSN, RN · May 7, 2004

One morning I walked in to see my very alert and oriented cancer patient who was sitting in a dirty diaper, her dressing had soaked completely through to her soaking sheets. No one helped her order breakfast. She had clearly not been attended to for reasons only the night staff could say. She was so happy to see me and called me her "little ray of sunshine" and blessed me as I got her what she needed. What a rewarding feeling. That's the bottom line. Yes, I've been kicked and gouged with dirty fingernails and dealt with backbiting nurses and students but just to hear that even once in a while makes me know this is a good honorable profession and I'm proud to be a part of it.

llg, PhD, RN · May 7, 2004

This conversations reminds me of the oft-quoted customer satisfaction research that showed that if a person is happy with an experience, they will tell 5 people. If they are unhappy, they will tell 30 people. (or something like that.)

It's the same way with careers. When we discuss them, we tend to emphasize the negative -- but that doesn't mean our jobs are any worse than a lot of other people's jobs. Even I get tired and discouraged sometimes, and I have what many people would consider a dream job with wonderful hours (that I determine myself).

llg

Energizer Bunny · May 8, 2004

Mickie...I too have questioned my decision, but it has been in my heart so long to be a nurse that there is no way I am backing down now! Keep going girl!!! You've always got me!

ARmickie · May 8, 2004

Thanks Kim... and, right back at ya.. :)

Hopegirl · May 8, 2004

I have to sit down this week and write an essay about why I am choosing the nursing profession. It seems more and more that the posts in the General Discussion area are negative about the profession. I see post after post about how bad it is. The job is not easy, I'm aware of this, and I wouldn't want it if it was. I have to be challenged, everyday. I hate mindless work. People can be a pain in the butt.. trust me, I know. Try managing restaurants... you get more than your fair share of experience in drunks, beligerent people, threats, you name it. I'm not in it for the money, so that's not an expectation either.. believe me, I was making more money as a restaurant manager than a new nursing grad makes in my area. But, these people seem so generally aggrivated and disgusted.. it's really making me second guess myself on this career. I mean, if you are short handed, I would think they would be more than happy to have new grads come along, as it will be more help. Granted, just out of nursing school, you won't know each and every policy and procedure they are doing or be able to do it as fast and with as much grace as everyone else... but, we are all trying to help! That's why we're trying to get into the field, to help!! But, again, looking over the threads, it seems most "experienced" nurses don't want a new grads *help* as we're more in the way than anything...
Is it just me, or is anyone else getting a bit unnerved by all this negativity? Is anyone else having second thoughts??

As you may see from some of my other posts, I too share your concerns. I even posted a topic to hear the positive sides of nursing, but I received little feedback and despite even bumping the topic up, only a few people replied. Like an earlier post I just read though, people tend to discuss the negative side or nursing (or most things in life) louder and more frequently than the positives. So I do take that into consideration. But I am nervous, worried and looking at other options in the medical field, because quite frankly, I'm not one to put up with this kind of crap I hear about. I'm too valuable, too smart, and too driven. I want to help people, but not at the expense of my own sanity and self-esteem. I'm not giving up on the idea of nursing, just proceeding with caution. Good Luck to you! Sorry for not being more positive myself - just feel frustrated today.