Becoming discouraged about becoming a nurse?

RobtheORNurse · Mar 7, 2014

Every field of work has pros and cons. From my 30 years of experience, what I am seeing is the newer/younger nurses that want to get a job that pays fairly well, only work days and spend more time socializing than taking care of patients. Nursing is a profession of GIVING. Giving to those who are quite possibly having the worst time of their lives. Nurses complain about having to work nights, weekends, holidays etc. Patients do not leave the hospital at 3:30 pm and go home for the weekend or holidays. If you are not dedicated to helping others in need and that are dependent on you, sometimes for their very survival, then do not even think about nursing. Go work in the mall and have fun with your friends. Next time you go to a hospital, look at the patients lying there, worried and scared, not knowing what the lab tests will show, and you will understand. A nurse has to be willing to sacrifice some of their time for their profession. And you don't necessarily start on day shift with no weekends, holidays or nights.

lovin · Mar 7, 2014

Nursing is 3rd career for me and I love it. Yes, the hours are long and a lot of the work is tough. But, there are days/ or nights when you have the opportunity to be there for someone when they are scared, alone and vulnerable.

Also, look carefully at different hospitals and units. I was was an aide in a unit where the manager was such a $&@@$)!!!! that we were all miserable. Now, I am a nurse in a hospital that values nurses and I have amazing and supportive coworkers. I agree with other posters. Shadow a few nurses and you will have the opportunity to see the good and bad aspects of nursing for yourself.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2014

You are exactly right, you will see negativity in every job you encounter in life. If you have a good work ethic and a need to give, you may make a good nurse. I like hard and challenging work. I have been a SAHM for the last 8 years and while I loved being home with my son, now that he is in second grade I want to return to work. Being around the house all day is not my cup of tea. I felt like I was everyone's maid. I am very excited to become a nurse and am ready for the challenge.

RunBabyRN · Mar 7, 2014

I think it's a matter of perspective, work environment, and personality. I've spent a long time in health care, and will *finally* be a nurse this summer (if the BRN EVER gets their you-know-what together), and I've seen really good nursing environments, and really poor nursing environments. Many nurses here use this site to vent, but that allows them to put their best foot forward with their patients, instead of taking that negativity with them to work (though I'm sure plenty do that as well!). Most of the nurses I know love what they do, regardless of whether or not it was a "calling." I also know nurses that would rather be dog walkers, but have bills to pay. I know nurses who have been doing this for 40+ years and are as fresh as I imagine they were 40+ years ago, and others who are incredibly burnt out. Like any field, nursing takes all kinds. You'll see a variety of experiences from different people. I find that my days in clinical are what I make them. I've encountered some major negativity, and taken a big step back to collect myself, and decided I would put on the blinders and not get sucked in, which has always resulted in a good shift. I've actually heard really good feedback from my preceptor on my ability to do this, and it helps keep ME from taking that energy in with me when I care for patients, when I interact with other staff, or when I go home. The hospital where I'm currently precepting has a very positive environment (certainly room for improvement, but that can be said about any place), and the nurses, overall, are very happy and work together cooperatively. Meanwhile, across town, there's a hospital where the nurses all work against each other, and everyone I know that's worked there (and I spent time there as well years ago in another position) says they hate it. It pays more than where I am now. Still not worth it to me to be in that environment all the time.

Again, I think this, like many things in life, is what you make it. I am really excited about becoming a nurse, and I will do my best to ward off the burn out as best I can with my own coping mechanisms (running, travel, surfing, staying out of the negativity, etc.).

It would be good to get into the environment and shadow a few nurses in different sites if at all possible. You can even offer to buy them lunch or coffee and sit down and ask them questions. You'll hear different things from different people, but they will each offer different wisdom, and you can take a piece from each and make it your own.

tkg123 · Mar 8, 2014

Definitely a matter of attitude and finding your niche. I know from experience that I don't want to work at a hospital as a nurse. I love working in a clinic setting and love all the time I get to spend with my patients teaching them how best to care for themselves. Being a CNA and a Nurse isn't all as glamorous as it's made to be on television but it can be really great. Research areas you are most interested in and start talking to people who work as nurses. Ask about what they like and don't like. Ask about what they love. Ask specifically about working conditions and then make a decision about what kind of nursing you want to do. Then do what you need to do to get the job and life you want!! Good luck. If you want to be a nurse, don't let the attitudes of others change your mind. :nurse:

loriangel14, RN · Mar 8, 2014

I think that lot of it is attitude. If you are by nature a negative and discontented person then you won't be happy in nursing. I love my job. I love my coworkers.I love doing hands on sonal care.I went to school with a person that was never happy with any nursing job she ever had. She is still a chronic job hopper. I am by nature a happy person and yes, there are bad days but mostly I love what I do.

jewel53 · Mar 8, 2014

Were some of the issues listed here created as a result of the wider range of responsibility desired by the nursing profession as a whole? RNs have yelled loud and long for respect from physicians, permission to perform medical treatments independently etc. Have we created somewhat of our own 'monster' in that qualified RNs become overwhelmed, leave the profession and discourage others from entering the field? I remember speaking with an elderly RN who was a patient at the long term care facility where I was the Director of Nursing. During the time this patient worked as an RN, only physicians were permitted to take blood pressures, not RNs. An RN could place a thermometer under the patient's tongue, but only the physician was allowed to read the result.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 8, 2014

In my case it is a matter of attitude and personality. I have a malcontent personality, so I will never have the heart for any job or career pathway in existence... I will never have the 'heart' for any job....so I work to stay above water while posing as if I have my 'heart' in it.[/quote']
I commuter! This is sooooooo me! And I needed to hear that I am not alone!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2014

Once you've worked as a CNA and see what nurses do up front, you'll want to become one. More job opportunity and if you don't want to change diapers any longer then you can work in a setting where you aren't responsible for that.

ROFL.....how is it that you know the OP will want to become a nurse, once she sees what nurses do "up front"? How do you know her so well? Beyond that.....well, your insight is....not there.

I, too, have read your posts, and wonder if you're someone who baits message boards for their own amusement? Because you certainly aren't bringing any amount of actual nursing knowledge to the table. Are you a waitress....or mechanic....or cashier?

lilredrunner · Mar 8, 2014

You're going to have conditions and workplaces that suck. You'll have coworkers and bosses that just take the life out of you, and you'll even have patients you loathe to the bottom of your soul.

But you'll also have some really awesome patients, and awesome experiences. You'll figure out pretty quickly if you are willing to stick it out for the patient experiences, or whether it's just not for you, which is just fine too.

Try to go into it with an open mind, though. Nurses, CNAs, and doctors alike get jaded and insensitive towards their work because they internalize and get angry at so much. Their experiences are not yours, and nursing is an area that you can, and SHOULD, make your own.

Good luck! :)