No I wouldn't recommend nursing

RNMania-

Listen to your own heart and thoughts despite what others may say. The more you hear what others say and try to align yourself with them, you will undoubtly lose who you are and who you were meant to be. You get lost in the midst of someone else's opinion. Your opinion of what you are doing is more important than what anyone else could tell you about nursing.

The people who thrive in nursing are those who are supposed to be there. Yes there are some that are disenchanted with their own ideals of nursing and perhaps they haven't gone deep enough within themselves to see that nursing is a professional vocation not just a "yeh that looks like something that might be good and it pays ok" Those that take the time to determine their own motives, desires, capabilities and knowledge about themselves undoubtly are the ones who make a difference to many around them.

I say if you are cannot stand nursing there are so many fields available that use other talents that you may see that you have. One thing about this world is that there is room for everyone to discover what they are good at.
Please don't come on this thread and give a negative view of nursing without giving a diplomatic view of both the negatives and positives. Not everything is negative about nursing or you would not have entered it in the first place. Every vocation has its drawbacks - it's how you deal with those and anything else that is difficult in your life that shows who you are.
If you don't like it - Get Out - but don't take any other innocent lives with you. Anything that is worthwhile is difficult. If difficult overwhelms you like caring for those who cannot care for themselves, then perhaps choosing a less taxing career is more up your alley. Nursing is not for the faint of heart, it is for those who consider meeting challenges as a way to improve themselves and those around them and ultimately change the world they live in. Facing illness and death repeatedly has a direct impact on how you might view yourself in the same situation. If you cannot place yourself in your patient's shoes, then you have no business being among the nurses who can. Not everyone can do that or really wants to. Nurses are a special breed of their own not to be confused with the ones who just couldn't hack it for whatever reason like cleaning up poop. I would certainly want a nurse like myself taking care of me who overlooks the not so pleasant situations that we all find ourselves in at one point or another and treats me like a dignified upright human being. Bless those Nurses who can see beyond themselves and make a good name for the profession they love.
HB

Okay, here goes nothing. I know a bunch of you long term RN's are going to kill me for this but from where I come from (high tech industry/electronics) constructive confrontation is not only welcome but expected.

I hear lots of people saying they hate what they are doing but what are you doing to change it??? I am not a nurse or even a nursing student yet but that is my goal and it is really depressing reading all of these posts about how awful nursing is, the abuse, etc, so I feel like I have to say something!From an outsiders perspective, one of the things I LIKE about a nursing opportunity is the variety of opportunities to pursue. What do you like??? Children - then go for pediatrics! Teaching people - then be a clinical instructor at a community college or, if you have the degree, at a university. Tired of the hospital setting but still want patient contact - how about a doctor's office, clinic or school nurse. Want to use your experience but are sick of the sick???? How about the ole insurance route??? Not something I would want but hey, there is something for everyone. Most employers have some type of education reimbursement, so go for more training, so that you have even more opportunities! There is hospice, home health care and long term care facilities. It seems to me (again from an outsiders perspective) there are tons of things an RN can do, depending on their interests, needs, financial requirements and geography.
Hope I haven't offended too many folks - just a contrarian opinion! Let me have it!

DC

Okay, here goes nothing. I know a bunch of you long term RN's are going to kill me for this but from where I come from (high tech industry/electronics) constructive confrontation is not only welcome but expected.

I hear lots of people saying they hate what they are doing but what are you doing to change it??? I am not a nurse or even a nursing student yet but that is my goal and it is really depressing reading all of these posts about how awful nursing is, the abuse, etc, so I feel like I have to say something!From an outsiders perspective, one of the things I LIKE about a nursing opportunity is the variety of opportunities to pursue. What do you like??? Children - then go for pediatrics! Teaching people - then be a clinical instructor at a community college or, if you have the degree, at a university. Tired of the hospital setting but still want patient contact - how about a doctor's office, clinic or school nurse. Want to use your experience but are sick of the sick???? How about the ole insurance route??? Not something I would want but hey, there is something for everyone. Most employers have some type of education reimbursement, so go for more training, so that you have even more opportunities! There is hospice, home health care and long term care facilities. It seems to me (again from an outsiders perspective) there are tons of things an RN can do, depending on their interests, needs, financial requirements and geography.
Hope I haven't offended too many folks - just a contrarian opinion! Let me have it!

DC

the more you discourage hopeful nursing students from becoming nurses, the more you're contributing to crappy work conditions, understaffing where there's no law against it, and patients not getting the care and attention they need.