Advice for prospective nurse...

1- There's a lot of threads about this question. I like being a nurse, but the job I'm at has such poor working conditions that I can't be the type of nurse I need to be and it is having real detrimental effects on my health. My coworkers have echoed the same frustrations and negative health effects. A lot of people say they don't like nursing for the same reason - poor working conditions.
2- If someone is really into nursing then why not go into it? There are more places than hospitals to work at. I would not recommend hospital work for longer than is needed. It seems poor working conditions are mainly in hospitals and nursing homes. There are some lucky folks who happen to find great units in hospitals too, so never say never I guess.
3- There's a male nursing forum here, I'd recommend you peruse it for first hand experiences from the guys. We definitely need more men in nursing.

Hello,

To answer your questions, most days I've loved being a nurse and some I wished I was doing anything else...doesn't that sound like every other career you could pick from? As for whether or not I recommend it, that depends entirely on you.

I speak to a lot of prospective nurses. I've written books for them, I counsel them...some I know would make fantastic nurses, and will love their nursing careers. Others I know would likely end up joining the ranks of those who say, "I hate nursing" and walk away from their careers frustrated and hurt.

To get you started, I would tell you that the best thing you can do is not necessarily to ask nurses if they like being nurses...but start asking yourself, why are you thinking about becoming a nurse? What is it that draws you to this profession? What is it about yourself that has lead you to think nursing would be a good "fit" for you? Are your expectations about the profession realistic? (Note: if you're looking at a weekly TV show and getting ideas, dump them.) What do you know about being a nurse?

Nursing isn't easy...academically, emotionally, work-environment...yet it is rewarding for those who have the "why" of their being a nurse figured out in order to give them the "how" of getting through the parts of the job/profession that can be gut-wrenchingly difficult.

If I've given you more questions than answers here, that's good...for it is where you need to begin! I wish you all the best as you consider our profession for your future!

Ms.Lori, RN BSN