Discouraged by Nurses who hate their job

guiltysins · Jun 2, 2010

From what I am seeing, I also think that maybe age has something to do with it as well? I don't know if nursing school was as competitive 20+ years ago as it is now. Not to say that there is anything wrong with the older nurses, but people who have been doing this for a while and don't like the changes (and possibly for good reason) may be unhappy with their profession. Do you know any young nurses that might be just out of school? Also it has a lot to do with the specialty as well. From what I've seen the most crabby nurses seem to be on med-surg floors. Are these only nurses that work in hospitals?

There are people who I go to school with who have no idea what nursing school or real nursing is. They still have this fantasy of what they believe a nurse is and I think that also plays a role in it. If you're not clear of what nursing truly is, then you're going to be in for a disappointment. But I wouldn't not do somthing just because someone else doesn't like it. It's like saying that you wouldn't eat pizza because a bunch of people who have tried it don't like it. I know lame comparison but you get the idea.

I think the nurses who act like crabs are what drives me to want to do it more, because I am determined to not be like them.

Shanlee79 · Jun 2, 2010

I will admit the money does attract me to it, but that isn't the only reason I want to go into nursing. I get bored easily, I like a fast paced job with a changing environment. I hear everyday is different being a nurse and that sounds great to me! lol I have a big heart and enjoy taking care of others who need it. The only thing I am worried about is I can be a little squeamish when it comes to blood but I feel that is something I can overcome once I am exposed to it on a regular basis. For some reason when people try to discourage me, it only makes me want to go after my goal that much more! .

Wow, I thought I was reading a post from myself. I am a 4th yr nursing student and I to was discouraged from the start about going into this profession. Mostly from my mother who thought it was 'so depressing'. Everyone could not understand why I would leave my job in the airline industry.."but your job is so cool and the benefits..c'mon!" Well, I got tired of trying to explain it over and over and truthfully my reason sounded alot like what you posted. I never dreamed about being a nurse as a kid, never been in a hospital before..I just knew that I too like change and variety and constant learning. Sure, the bodily fluids part was an unknown but I have learned what bothers me and what doesn't and it's not really that bad.

Anyways...just wanted you to know you're not alone. I realized in the beginning I was always trying to justify my decision of nursing to everyone, including myself. But once I had opportunities through-out each clinical rotation to meet those nurses who still love their job after many years I no longer felt that need to justify to anyone. Just wait, you'll see...

awp3309 · Jun 2, 2010

Well for me I have not heard negative talk regarding becoming a nurse. If anything I have been encouraged to enroll in nursing school because of the stability, the ability to provide care to those who need it and because they thought I would be good at it. I have contemplated this for years but thought I would never be good enough so I went and got a Bachelors and Masters degree in Business Management. When I got laid off because of a business folding, I decided it was time for me to face up to the fact that I am supposed to be nurse. I want to be that person who makes a patient feel good no matter if its helping to bring a baby in the world, to help that mother who has lost their baby, to a help a patient die with dignity, to helping the patient who is going to be in the hospital for a short while. Coming from case management of welfare to work recipients, I can take the abuse. I just can not wait until I enter nursing school. I am ready for a challenge.

Tooimpatient · Jun 2, 2010

Wow, I thought I was reading a post from myself. I am a 4th yr nursing student and I to was discouraged from the start about going into this profession. Mostly from my mother who thought it was 'so depressing'. Everyone could not understand why I would leave my job in the airline industry.."but your job is so cool and the benefits..c'mon!" Well, I got tired of trying to explain it over and over and truthfully my reason sounded alot like what you posted. I never dreamed about being a nurse as a kid, never been in a hospital before..I just knew that I too like change and variety and constant learning. Sure, the bodily fluids part was an unknown but I have learned what bothers me and what doesn't and it's not really that bad.
Anyways...just wanted you to know you're not alone. I realized in the beginning I was always trying to justify my decision of nursing to everyone, including myself. But once I had opportunities through-out each clinical rotation to meet those nurses who still love their job after many years I no longer felt that need to justify to anyone. Just wait, you'll see...

Exactly! When I bring up nursing and how I really hope I get into the program my grandmother for example, is always like, "Well if you're sure that's what you want to do..." lol I have always been a bit of a rebel and when I don't get encouragement or when somebody thinks I won't like something or will fail at something, I always want to prove them wrong! I took the hardest anatomy teacher around just to prove that I could make it! My friend who likes to pick at me and call me the airhead of our group of friends failed the class, usually 1/2 the people drop the class and the other half are lucky to get a C....I made a B and I loved to rub it in her face and show her what an "airhead" I am! lol So that, along with all the crabby nurses just makes me want to go for it even more and it makes me hope I really LOVE nursing lol. Which I think I will, honestly.

sunray12 · Jun 2, 2010

So I am VERY excited about nursing, I will find out in two weeks if I am accepted into the RN Program. It really interests me and seems like something I will enjoy. The only thing that bothers me is EVERY nurse I have spoken to tells me they hate their job and if they could take it back they would have went into a different profession. They tell me not to do it. Has anyone else come across this also? It really does bother me, it's discouraging to hear people who have the job I am so anxious to have speak so negatively about it. I want to become and RN and eventually go back to school for my Bachelors or Masters, possibly become a Nurse Practitioner. Do any RN's here have any input on why you like or dislike your job? Thanks for any info!

Not a RN but if you listen to that kind of talk you'd never get into any profession. You also might not ever get married or have kids if you listened to some people talk .... It's more important to make sure that you know exactly what nurses do. You should either volunteer or get your CNA license and then if you're still fired up then maybe it's for you. It sounds like you're on the cusp of getting into nursing school anyway so as you go through the first semester you'll know for yourself whether it's for you.

TRR8021 · Jun 2, 2010

I agree with FNPgrad. One of the things that attracted me to nursing was it's versatility and flexibility. If you become unhappy with floor nursing, you can always do something else like FNPgrad mentioned. I think the ones who dislike nursing don't take advantage of opportunities to find their niche within nursing. But, I can see how one could get stuck doing what they're used to and not wanting to change or feeling unable to change. I've only experienced one nurse say to me "don't go into nursing." All others have been encouraging.

As a side note, I have noticed that people who aren't nurses always say to me "you're going to make the big bucks as a nurse" but according to allnurses that's not always the case!! lol

daniRN65 · Jun 2, 2010

Dear Too Impatient,

Just wanted to say, that while there are many days I don't like some of the politics or even the grumpy patients/families I have to deal with. But overall, I love being a nurse. I have been a nurse for 16 years and wouldn't have picked any other job. It's my niche so to speak. If you have a passion for taking care of people & having the ability to make an impact on somebody's life than it is the right choice for you. The bad days, the grumpy people and the political red tape are small potatoes when that sweet little old lady looks at me and says, "Thank you". That's my reward, knowing that I touched that person's life in a meaningful way. Good luck!

daniRN65.

CBsMommy · Jun 2, 2010

tnrn4nnoc - what have you done to help the situation for yourself, patients and co-workers? have you tried talking to management? have you tried to go with the flow? have you given suggestions to management as to what would help you do your job better? and what's wrong with giving patients customer service? i have heard many people complain about this and i think it's just silly. if a patient needs something to make their life a little better, then it's our responsibility to get it for them, regardless of how small.

i do not think the majority of nurses don't like their jobs. i just think that the people who complain get heard more because people typically don't walk around saying, "i love my job!" to anyone who passes.

is there stuff in every job that someone dislikes? sure. is change hard to handle? sure. does everyone think their way is the best way? sure. but if you don't bend, you will break.

djmRN · Jun 2, 2010

hmmmm...if i had a quarter for every time over the past 30 years i said i would never encourage somebody to go into nursing, i'd be able to retire!! :lol2:

but...i have to admit that even when i hated my "job", i have always loved my profession. there's a big difference - most nurses who hate their job really just hate where they are working at that time for whatever reason. when i was working long hours in the icu or ed, there were plenty of times i hated it - i felt overworked, underpaid and very definitely not appreciated. nursing is not a glamorous job, and you will sometimes wonder what possessed you to choose this career path. however...the rewards far outweigh (and outnumber) the the not-so-pretty side of nursing.

i have been an rn for 27 years. i started my pre-reqs immediately after graduating from high school and obtained my bsn in 1983. if i told you i have enjoyed every second of my nursing life, i'd be lying. but i don't regret my decision to become a nurse. one thing with nursing: you will always be able to find a job. it may not be a job you like at the time, but you will always be able to work somewhere with a nursing degree.

it's your decision to pursue this career. hold your head high and be proud of your goal --- oh, and good luck! :nurse:

FNPGrad · Jun 2, 2010

My mother used to say, "It's work...that's why they call it "work"...if it was fun, they would call it something else" I did reply earlier but just to clarify that I am not some unrealistic-pollyanna. There have been countless days that I hated my job, many days of crying in the car after work, but like djmRN said, even when I hated my job, I have always loved my profession!

MaritesaRN · Jun 2, 2010

So I am VERY excited about nursing, I will find out in two weeks if I am accepted into the RN Program. It really interests me and seems like something I will enjoy. The only thing that bothers me is EVERY nurse I have spoken to tells me they hate their job and if they could take it back they would have went into a different profession. They tell me not to do it. Has anyone else come across this also? It really does bother me, it's discouraging to hear people who have the job I am so anxious to have speak so negatively about it. I want to become and RN and eventually go back to school for my Bachelors or Masters, possibly become a Nurse Practitioner. Do any RN's here have any input on why you like or dislike your job? Thanks for any info!

If being a nurse is your passion , then go for it....if it is not , then you will find it yourself as a first hand information , and not from others. I think being an NP eventually is a good plan ...better yet specialize on geriatrics ----very few specialist in this area, and the demand is only increasing.

Taking care of others is a genuine calling, but I think some of this nurses are working in a very bad environment and more overwhelmed, and overworked !!!! There are a lot of managers out who do not know how to retain and take care of their employees...and in other places , there are more patients than what nurses could handle ....too unsafe and crazy ! the right place to work is very important.

candiRN79 · Jun 2, 2010

I am a RN (BSN), and I graduated from nursing school in 2003. I had a similar experience during my nursing clinicals, and while working as a new grad. I would hear and observe nurses who weren't happy with their work. I personally feel that I chose the wrong profession. Let me clarify, the other nurses' attitudes did not influence me. I just found working on the floor to be fast paced for me. The floor did not allow me to use my strengths, which are my attention to detail, and overall being thorough. I tried school nursing, but that can be too slow at times. I would not discourage anyone from being a nurse, because there are so many specialities, and the pay is good. Perhaps, I can still work in nursing, once I find my niche.