Negativity toward nursing as a career choice

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I wanted to start this thread for awhile, and since today I am in a particularly bad mood, I decided it was definitely time to do so.

So many times I've seen pre-nursing students starting topics here asking for advice regarding applying to nursing schools, competition, learning process, denials, challenges, difficulties finding a job, etc. And as a trend, I see lots of replies saying that all pre-nursing and nursing students should take their rose-colored glasses off and look reality in the face.

They say that nursing is a bad career choice since the field is over-saturated, we will not find a job, everybody will treat us like crap and the pay is much lower than what we expect it to be. Now, I do understand that everybody have different experience and are probably trying to help, but some advises these people give leave me super puzzled. So many times they encourage us to choose another specialty like PT, OT, Pharmacist, PA, etc. Let me tell you something, ALL of these specialties require higher education = more years in school + more debt as a result. If you choose to go for PA, PT or OT you will have to have a Bachelor's degree before applying and schools usually require additional medical experience as well. These schools are extremely competitive, even more competitive than nursing. So, for many people, to get a Bachelor's in Science (aka in Microbiology, Biochemistry, etc.) and NOT to get into program will lead to limited career choices. What are you going to do with this degree if you don't get in? Work in a lab for 9$/hour? Well, at least no one will treat you like crap, right?

In addition, many of these "better" jobs have lower demand than nursing (pharmacy, for example, is super competitive, the debt after school is astronomical and jobs are extremely hard to find).

About other negative sides of the profession. Some say that doctors, PA's, patients and their families will treat you like crap and you will overwork yourself for the money you get. Give me an example of a profession in the medical field that will pay you the same as nursing with only Bachelor's degree, where everybody will treat you the way you deserve, the jobs will lay down in front of you and, in addition to that, you will not have to work hard for your money? Anyone?

Every job will have its pros and cons, including nursing. I think it is a good career choice with great opportunities. To all of you who want to do it - go ahead! There is no "perfect job" nor "easy money". We all have to work for it and try to make the best out of the experience we get, unless you win a lottery and can afford helping people for free...

I haven't seen super negative posts. I do see a lot of realistic posts, and ones that offer insight to other possible careers. Before school and school is the time to make sure this is right for you, not after! So I definitely understand the warnings.

In my area, new grads get hired but only make $30-40k. Honestly I've been living on about $17k for a long time, and somehow I manage to have a nicer apartment, a decent car, and even a really nice horse. So I know I won't be put out over not making 6 figures. As long as it's somewhat steady, even $30k with potential to eventually make more sounds like plenty to me!

I am a member of a horse forum and having done the training thing, I often discourage people that are thinking about choosing horse training as a career, especially if they're considering going to college for it. I'm a big meanie for pooping on people's dreams, but I've done it and I can promise people they will want a steadier and safer job that pays better sooner than later.

NEVER [/i]clean up poop vomit, change diapers or bathe patients.. "that's the CNA's job" is what I hear come out of their mouth's on a regular basis. There's a girl I my AP class who has a A.S in Paralegal Studies and she believes after getting her ADN she will be a charge nurse or case manager nurse and never do any beside nursing because "that's beneath her at this point in time in her life/career",......[/quote']

And these are the exact reason for the posts that some might perceive as "negative": we know full well that your classmates are about to be getting the shock of their lives if/when they enter the real world of nursing. I can't think of a single clinical instructor that would stand for a student saying "I'm going to find a CNA to get that patient clean...it's not my job". The student's job--and nurse's--is to take care of that patient, and I happen to remember a certain clinical instructor that would make DARNED sure that if there was a student she knew about who had the attitude you described, she'd make that student clean every incontinent patient on the floor, give baths, change linens, ANYTHING she could do to make her point. Which was that there was no work "beneath" that student, and when she graduated, beneath her as a nurse.

I do have to laugh at the classmate who believes that she is destined for case management or charge immediately upon graduation....who wants a charge nurse who doesn't know what she's doing (and she won't, she'll be new)? And nurses hired into case management have spent their time in the trenches, LEARNING what they need to. Your friend is either in for a shocker, or she just simply won't make it anyway.

I'm a pre-nursing student (well, for three more months, anyway!), and I really appreciate the thoughts shared in this thread and elsewhere on this topic on AN. I've watched those with delusional ideas about becoming nurses drop out of my pre-reqs like flies; it's amazing how different the "class attitude" is now that I'm finishing my final pre-req class. Of course I'm nervous about the terrible economy and the ever-expanding culture of understaffing and reliance on unlicensed personnel in healthcare, and wonder what I'll be getting myself into when I graduate my ABSN program next year, but these threads have reminded me that I do have my head screwed on and that there's so much listening and learning to be done!

Ah, yes....and when I was taking pre-requs with an acquaintance, she asked to study together since she was really struggling. After a session or two I gently inquired as to whether she might consider the LPN program, since they did not require the courses she was having such a very hard time with. She told me that she couldn't be an LPN, since "they have to do all the heavy lifting, and as an RN I just get to supervise". Oh.My. Having nurses in the family I tried to set her straight, but I failed at that.

SHE failed the pre-requs in the end....and I have no idea where she went from there.

And these are the exact reason for the posts that some might perceive as "negative": we know full well that your classmates are about to be getting the shock of their lives if/when they enter the real world of nursing. I can't think of a single clinical instructor that would stand for a student saying "I'm going to find a CNA to get that patient clean...it's not my job". The student's job--and nurse's--is to take care of that patient, and I happen to remember a certain clinical instructor that would make DARNED sure that if there was a student she knew about who had the attitude you described, she'd make that student clean every incontinent patient on the floor, give baths, change linens, ANYTHING she could do to make her point. Which was that there was no work "beneath" that student, and when she graduated, beneath her as a nurse.

I do have to laugh at the classmate who believes that she is destined for case management or charge immediately upon graduation....who wants a charge nurse who doesn't know what she's doing (and she won't, she'll be new)? And nurses hired into case management have spent their time in the trenches, LEARNING what they need to. Your friend is either in for a shocker, or she just simply won't make it anyway.

Honestly I don't even think she will make it to our core classes because one of our prerequisites we have to take a CNA course with clinical and she is very upset about. But again as you've stated that's the exact reason the negative comments surface. And it's not just her, out of a class of 26 in AP, 23 are nursing students, of those 23 only about 6 myself included seem to have a strong understanding of nursing and what's expected.

Most seem to think their job as a nurse will be to simply pass meds and order the CNA'S and LPN'S around. I think my clinical and core classes are going to be interesting next spring if majority of the students have these types of attitudes

Specializes in Varied.

Most seem to think their job as a nurse will be to simply pass meds and order the CNA'S and LPN'S around. I think my clinical and core classes are going to be interesting next spring if majority of the students have these types of attitudes

Reading this made me so infuriated (not at you, but those who truly believe that.) The guy I'm seeing has been an LPN for 3-4 years, and by the time I finish my degree as an RN he'll have a total of 5-6 years of experience. He has been the biggest help to me since I began my journey into nursing, and he's one of the greatest assets I have. I see him as a mentor and couldn't imagine "bossing" him around ever in my career no matter what my title is.

Additionally, most of my friends (and myself included) are CNA's. RN's have never bossed me or my friends around. While the skill sets are different for each title, we are all a TEAM that has to work together. Is there going to be someone to supervise? Absolutely. Is there someone who ultimately delegates tasks and ensures the safety of the entire staff? Yes! But, that person is right there next to you the moment someone needs them.

You have to get your hands dirty as a supervisor, how else do you think you're going to manage being a great supervisor? You won't.

I understand where the OP is coming from but I think it's all of what you make of the "negative comments". I'm a pre-nursing student and this is my 2nd semester, I already hear the unrealistic expectations of nursing from my fellow pre-nursing students, let alone what it will be like as a graduate nurse. Some of my classmates seem to think as a RN you will NEVER clean up poop, vomit, change diapers or bathe patients.. "that's the CNA's job" is what I hear come out of their mouth's on a regular basis. There's a girl I my AP class who has a A.S in Paralegal Studies and she believes after getting her ADN she will be a charge nurse or case manager nurse and never do any beside nursing because "that's beneath her at this point in time in her life/career", but she laughs at me because I'm ok with working at a LTC or Rehab center after graduating. She also thinks she is going to lease a 2017 Mercedes or Audi A8 when she graduates too :sneaky:.. but that's another topic LOL

I don't knock anybody's dreams or goals but nursing is something you do have to have some sort reality or you will be shell shocked and just burn out. Students like that need their eyes opened to know what they are getting into. Why waste time and debt going into something thinking you're going to get this dream job at a hospital, make $120,000 at entry level and this stress free job with little patient contact? That's the dose of reality most of the seasoned nurses on AN are trying to give.

I hear negative comments all the time about nursing, is that stopping me? No. Discouraging? Just a bit. But I know what I want. Yeah after graduating I might not get in my dream unit or job or may 6 months or more, but I sure will pray about and certainly not give up. I'm ok with LTC job, working part-time or even volunteering if that's what it will take to make myself more marketable. Will I make 70k (average in my area) my 1st year? It would be nice, but $18- 22 would be a major upgrade considering I work part-time at Sears and I have a 4 year old daughter.

I've always wanted to be a nurse, and it's been my dream since the 5th grade and I love to help/care people. I'm ok with bedside care for awhile or most of career. But it's the students who feel bedside care is beneath them who get overly offensive when a seasoned nurse just tries to point out a few things they should be aware of. They tend to think they are better than students who have more reality of the situation. Every career has it's pros and cons it's just all of what you make of it.

That's just my 2 cents though!

Im haven't even started school yet. And I know for a fact its going to be hard. Your classmate needs to get her head out the clouds! Wow!

Specializes in home health.

Im not sure if this is a bit off topic or not. I was discouraged in the beginning of my school with pre reqs for my nursing program and was told flat out to choose something else based on my transcripts 6 years ago. I have been a cna for 5 years and part of me who love to thank that woman of a counselor who shot me down. I have worked my tail off just to get accepted. I start in june!!!! I think the "negativity" is purposeful for some reasons. Some probably are just trying to be mean. But someone truly knowing where they belong will go forward regardless :)

When we think of nursing we conjure images of people like Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale,Georgina Pope,Ana Ne'ri, Maria Valtorta,and Mary Seacole, but truth is, nursing is as old as the sea. Nursing became popular as a career during the World Wars I,and II; now it has emerged as a high tech,and scientific career.

As a child I can remember vividly the times when my siblings,and I were nursed by our mother,or female relatives after an encounter with the flu,measles,mumps,chicken pox,whooping cough,minor accidents such as cuts,bruises,first degree burns, a broken limb,after a surgical operation etc. Parents,and family members rendered care not for the reward,but because of concern for the well being of their loved ones.

And even though they were not formally trained,they had the knowledge of how to render care,as they learned on the job,most likely from their mothers,and grandmothers,as well as other female relatives.They delivered babies,took care of senile, psychotic,and paralyzed relatives too. They knew about some of the signs,and symptoms of diseases,as well as how to manage the patients with the help of a doctor.

Well,why am I saying this? With so much negativity,and competition in nursing,as well as the shortage of nursing jobs,we seem to forget that nursing was not always high tech. Let us call to mind that, Mary Seacole a Jamaican Nurse,operated a boarding house for the sick during the Crimean War. She nursed those who were injured back to near normal,without the use modern technology.

For those of us with the capital,plan,partners and knowledge....we should be able to work as independent contractors, offer our services for a fee, establish small care homes that cater to the needs of people who are too well to stay in the hospital,but also too ill to go home,or manage ADL's,and medication supervision,change dressings,catheters etc ;and for those who need help keeping up with appointments,as well as making arrangements for transportation .

There is a need for this kind of service ....especially for older seniors who rely solely on the sandwich generation...providing a respite,or a place where mother,father etc. can be safely accommodated while they are at work, on vacation,or while they are convalescing is a good idea.These are some of the ways that we can create jobs,as well as utilize our nursing skills.Nursing students,as well as experienced nurses should think about creating ,and offering skilled care through such venues,if they are able to provide the capital etc.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I think the "negativity" is purposeful for some reasons. Some probably are just trying to be mean. But someone truly knowing where they belong will go forward regardless :)

I really would hate to believe that there are so many mean people out there that they would be negative about your career choice just for meanness sake. Rather it's probably either that people don't really understand what nurses do, or what a career in nursing is all about. Or they do understand and believe that you do not.

For those of us with the capital,plan,partners and knowledge....we should be able to work as independent contractors, offer our services for a fee, establish small care homes that cater to the needs of people who are too well to stay in the hospital,but also too ill to go home,or manage ADL's,and medication supervision,change dressings,catheters etc ;and for those who need help keeping up with appointments,as well as making arrangements for transportation .

There is a need for this kind of service .....

....and we already have it: home healthcare agencies for those who need aid in their homes, and nursing homes /LTCF for those who can't stay at home.

Specializes in home health.
I really would hate to believe that there are so many mean people out there that they would be negative about your career choice just for meanness sake. Rather it's probably either that people don't really understand what nurses do, or what a career in nursing is all about. Or they do understand and believe that you do not.

Perhaps, i wouldnt like to think there are mean people out there, ive only come across a couple who were "friends". Whichever it is, i personally ignore it, that one counselor i did not, it hurt my feelings she didnt think i would fit to be prospective nurse to be based on my grades when i was younger. Good grades dont make a nurse. However did have to pull my grades way up.

I hope anyone who comes across a person who seems to be "negative" doesnt take it personally. Thats all i meant.

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