What are the reasons?

Stephalump · May 25, 2012

You know, I have zero evidence to back this up, but I really think the amount of "negativity" on this thread is the same amount you'd find on any forum full of people in the same profession. The big teacher's forum is full of complaints about budget cuts, unemployment, administration, and difficult people, I'm sure. Every career path has major disadvantages that are going to be common seemingly across the board, and as someone else pointed out, people need n empathetic ear when their stressed or feeling down. If you have a great day, even your non-nursing friends can comprehend that.

I guess the question that matters is...can you deal with the particular negatives of the career you choose?

I'm not an RN yet, so I can't rave about all the things I love about it from a realistic perspective. But I know many, many nurses (my mother included) who really enjoy the work. They may not like the job market, they may not like the politics, they may not like the annoying people, they may not like any number of things you can see on this board, but every single one of them loves the essence of being a nurse. Doing what really matters...helping people.

IndyElmer · May 25, 2012

The drive to become a nurse is all inspired and roses and pink hued. Then the honeymoon ends and you get what nursing is really like.

It sounds like the OP is well aware that it's not all roses and is wondering if (s)he has the coping skills or types of inner motivation that others have used successfully to deal with the "un-rosie" part of nursing. As I said in an earlier response to this post, I don't think most bitter or burnt-out nurses planned on becoming bitter & burnt-out, so it only makes sense to wonder if you have the personality/skills/motivation to avoid becoming one of those people. One way to figure out what types of personality/skills/motivation help nurses to remain positive about their job is to ask those who feel good about their jobs is to ASK them.

So often, I hear people asking why those bitter/burnt-out nurses became nurses in the first place if that is how they are going to be. Maybe if they had looked more deeply at the realities of nursing (and coping strategies/personality qualities that make for successful nurses) as the OP is trying to do, they wouldn't have become nurses.

Therefore contented nurses generally aren't on bulletin boards posting about how contented they are.

So true! That's why the OP is trying to start a conversation/discussion with those who are content.

allnurses Guide · May 25, 2012

And that is why I participated in it. I highlighted a lot of the things I love about nursing. You didn't choose to highlight those.

Stephalump · May 25, 2012

It might be more conducive to the flow of conversation if we can talk freely without obsessing over what the "OP is trying to do.". No one is veering wildly off topic.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

It sounds like the OP is well aware that it's not all roses and is wondering if (s)he has the coping skills or types of inner motivation that others have used successfully to deal with the "un-rosie" part of nursing. As I said in an earlier response to this post, I don't think most bitter or burnt-out nurses planned on becoming bitter & burnt-out, so it only makes sense to wonder if you have the personality/skills/motivation to avoid becoming one of those people. One way to figure out what types of personality/skills/motivation help nurses to remain positive about their job is to ask those who feel good about their jobs is to ASK them.
So often, I hear people asking why those bitter/burnt-out nurses became nurses in the first place if that is how they are going to be. Maybe if they had looked more deeply at the realities of nursing (and coping strategies/personality qualities that make for successful nurses) as the OP is trying to do, they wouldn't have become nurses.

I am not sure if you can start a positivity thread by stating you are disappointed in the attitude of nurses and how you are going to address this when you START nursing school. With increasing frustrations in nursing and pressures on the bedside nurse.The pent up frustrations are bubbling to the surface.

With changes in the economy comes changes in the nursing field. The demands that administrations are placing on nurses are outrageous. As the belts tighten and there are several nurses applying for every position......the hospital treats their employee poorer and poorer. I think many enter the profession with idealistic perception of what the profession really is....they hear recession proof and see annual salaries and think, That's a job for me. Schools are counseling people to enter this "wide open field" with promises of making your own schedule, work where you want, the halls are lined with gold....that does not exist.

Schools are not preparing new graduates for the reality of work force. Nursing is a harsh, taxing, and draining profession. Emotionally and physically, The harsh realities/brutality of humanity can be over whelming especially when you have an unsupportive administration breathing down your neck berating you at every turn. Then it has become a satisfaction rated reimbursed system when the goal is to treat patient and make them better and when we can't......people aren't happy. You can't rate a hospital like restaurant. We do things to people that don't make them happy!

We are blamed for everything and given credit for nothing. I think the lack of clinical time leaves the new graduates unprepared for the brutalities and rigors of the profession. It is over whelming to deal with humanity in all its ugliness only to be berated and brow beat by your boss. I know that not all facilities are not like this and there are those that are wonderful to work for but they are no longer in large number that were present in the past. There has been study after study that good staffing and happy nurses make happy patients with good outcomes. Staffing models were made out with this theory in mind. A theory that never came to fruition. No one listens to those studies anymore and the staff they said they needed no longer exists.

The poor job market is very real. There are multiple applications for every position. Nurses are being treated very badly at the bedside because she is easily replaced. Staffing is poor....not for a lack of positions but for a lack of hiring due to hiring freezes. When hospitals profit margins are cut into they place they cut is where they spend the most cash out......they cut nurses, they cut staffing.

Nurses need a place to vent. Voice their displeasure at what is happening to nursing. a place to go and hear they are not alone in their frustration and exhaustion. This has been talked about in many threads. As I have stated in another thread.......

"I don't think nursing has hardened me. Am I the same 18 year old I was when I entered this profession as an ASN? No. The grind of dealing with humanity in all it's ugliness and glory has made me less naive but hardened me? NO. Do I think 1 out of seven nurses have a drug or alcohol problem the answer is NO.

Nurses will not molly coddle you. They are not warm and fuzzy all of the time. It's a serious job with human life in the palm of your hand, someones child, mother, father, brother Aunt or Uncle, that you need to perform perfectly so you don't kill anyone.

They are only trying to prepare you for the harsh reality of our profession that will greet you. Nursing is not rainbows and leprechauns, puppy dog tails and kittens with whiskers. It a dirty, ugly, gut wrenching, emotionally draining, physically challenging, frustrating, disappointing and at times depressive job. But it is equally rewarding, beautiful, fulfilling profession that I have had the honor of participating in for 33 years so far.

There is a huge difference in cleaning someones teeth and someones bottom covered in feces while they fling obscenities (or feces) at your head. See how dealing in dealing with abuse, neglect, tragedy and sorrow is not the dentists office cleaning teeth or someone with bad breath. People die. Good people die, young people die, children die, infants die and get cancer. People leave to go to the store to get milk and never go home.

Nursing has taught me to appreciate every day. To be thankful for my life and my families life. It has taught me that there really is a GOD. It has taught me to be spiritual. It has taught me to never go to bed angry and to never say anything you don't mean or that you will regret. It has taught me to be sure I tell my family, husband and children that I love them at every chance I can because you don't know if there will be another.

As a 51 year old (gasp) I am sometimes frustrated by the attitude, and lack of commitment/responsibility/ownership of the younger (and some of the older) nurses. But the younger/newer nurses........They don't want the reality of nursing and want everything sugar coated that everything is rainbows and lollipops and are shocked and insulted when they are faced with the reality that life is messy and so is nursing. I think you need to reserve judgement of us "old bats" and our "presumed" tough exteriors for we are only trying to teach you how to survive and be the best nurse you can be. By the way....Put those PHONES DOWN!

I wish you luck and I would like to revisit this subject about 14 months after you graduate and are working full time. I'd like to know how you are perceived by the new students when you are stretched beyond your means and have the responsibility to teach someone that you aren't being paid to teach. To take the time from your day and gently mentor a gum snapping, eye rolling, texting student with patience and grace when you have the responsibility of all your usual patients and have the added responsibility of the student on your license....and see if you always respond with poise and grace.

Your point of view may be different. Peace:paw: "

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/has-nursing-hardened-701690-page4.html

There have been many discussions with the "new/entering" to the profession especially since about 2008/09.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/why-such-high-685168-page2.html

https://allnurses.com/nursing-activism-healthcare/when-axe-falls-695050.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/so-what-deal-484217.html

https://allnurses.com/ob-gyn-nursing/nurse-i-hate-529316.html

https://allnurses.com/nursing-activism-healthcare/think-twice-before-686534.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/so-what-deal-484217.html

Have I loved being a nurse for 34 years next month? Most definitely. Don't depend on a website to give you your inspiration. Nurses have been inspired for years to become nurses without the assistance of electronic devices. When I graduated school we were barely over minimum wage. There were no promises of 6 figure incomes if you "advanced" your degree. We were simply nurses and we loved that we were.....jsut that nurses. Your desire to become a nurse lies within yourself.

A frequent contributor to AN Ruby Vee has said it well......

https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/those-considering-career-653061.html

Good Luck in school! I wish you they very best. Become a good nurse then try to change the world.:hug:

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

hey! i love my effing job! really, i do! take that to the bank!

of course, i have been a nurse since i graduated in nineteen smumblemumble, and it took me a while to get the knowledge and strength to get here, but i figured i was gonna get older anyway, so why not?

CinDRnyc · May 25, 2012

wow thank you all for the feedback, i really appreciate it. i just want to clarify that i am not saying that allnurses should not be a place to vent or get feedback on "daily grind" situations; i feel that there should be a place where nurses/nursing students can go to ask questions, answer, and discuss hard issues going on in the nursing world. my issue is mainly the fact that pretty much every time i sign on to allnurses most all of the threads i see are negative and like someone said, don't "paint a rosy picture" for a future nursing student like me.

i'm not looking for anyone to be fake or lie to me about the realities of nursing, i accept that nursing is a hard profession and takes a strong person to succeed. it is just hard when you are seeking positivity about nursing and all you see is negativity. i will continue to sign on occasionally but i have decided to step back from this site a bit and find my own "inspiration" for nursing. the truth is, there are "burnt out" workers in every field but when you are a potential student going into the field, it can be discouraging to constantly see this fact.

again, i appreciate everyone's honest responses because it has helped me figure out what i need to do to move forward in my feeling and actions towards nursing school. :nurse:

Stephalump · May 25, 2012

Best of luck to you on your journey!

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

I understand what you mean, my situation has been very similar. I personally just try to avoid certain posts or particular people that I know are notoriously negative. I still get frustrated because since I am so close to finally ahving my BSN, just 2 more semesters, I frequently peek on the general nursing section just for the info and I get frustrated sometimes with some of teh trheads poking fun, a lot of fun, at student posts. The reason I say this is then I come over here and see some of these threads and am thinking, oh geezzz please stop giving them ammunition, why ask that or say?!?! I don't by any means mean your thread but I guess what I am saying is even in the student section I also get frustrated.. Good Luck!!!!! I've met many happy nurses at school, instructors, and during clinicals so I think you have to take posts that they are usually vents but I also understand where you stand because everyone I feel deserves to go into a career with hopes and ideals and yeah as time comes some of that may go but thats not for a while, as a normal progression but I think its important to go into with those good hopesand ideals and I plan to hold onto that for as long as I can and if I start to lose it then I plan to change up what I'm doing :)

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

hey! i love my effing job! really, i do! take that to the bank!

of course, i have been a nurse since i graduated in nineteen smumblemumble, and it took me a while to get the knowledge and strength to get here, but i figured i was gonna get older anyway, so why not?

just wanted to say i always love your posts!!! you are always straight to the point but rarely condescending or negative as well as very helpful and informative :)

now i'm spreading some positiveness, also because i'm out of school for the summer hahaha and happpppppyyyyy and graduate next year!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

This is an amazing,honest, depiction of what being a nurse means.......it's real, It's beautiful.

What I've learned being a nurse

What I've LeaRNed as a nurse « My Strong Medicine

allnurses Guide · May 25, 2012

Ok, that made me bust out laughing in several places. SO TRUE that night shift will eat ANYTHING! Lol!