Rethinking my choice

Students Pre-Nursing

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HeatherMax

347 Posts

I had the best day shadowing in the emergency department, happy nurses, super busy nurses, but happy. I was saddened and surprised to have come into contact with so many unhappy NICU nurses when I shadowed there. But everyone I talked to today said they love being a nurse and wouldn't change anything. I can't wait to shadow there again. I have 20 hours left to shadow, so I am going to try some other units, and end my time back in the ED. Awesome day!!!

I think it ultimately comes down to the individual nurse and the environment he/she is working in.

I've had your same concerns. I wondered why so many nurses on here expressed burn out at such fast rates. I've shadowed nurses who have said the opposite and are perfectly content with their jobs. Sure, on the negative side they expressed that how some families can be a hinderance, how some patients treat hospitals like a hotel and such. They talk amongst each other, have a break room (with a tv on!), talk to the patients...nothing like some of the ugly pictures painted here.

I think it partially has to do with the US job market and economy going to **** as well, here in Canada the jobs are abundant and Ontario has new grad programs for nurses to secure jobs. I feel in the US nurses are spread thin with the high flow of patients and ratios. Also, here in Canada at the nursing units most paper work is done by the unit nurse. So we're not piled up with a paper load and patient load.

I think the key to being happy with your career is CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORKPLACE. Do you get along with your coworkers? It takes one rotten apple to chance your perspective on yourself and nursing as a career. Don't let it. How is the workload? Be aware and responsible for where you're working and don't feel stuck with a team who slows you down or makes you feel less-than. Goood luck!

SummerWertz

60 Posts

So, what do you want us to say? You're not really asking a question. I'll assume that you want some advice. Perhaps you want us to tell you what you should do one way or the other. We can't do that. It's great to ask people their opinions on things, but at the end of the day opinions are just that: opinions. And everyone is going to have a different one because there are way too many factors that go into experiences. It's completely subjective. I agree completely with what everyone else has said about nurses complaining on this website about their jobs. As humans, we like to focus on the negative. It's basic psychology. Am I going to focus on all the As and Bs I've made on my tests this semester or the one C that I just made on a test? You're going to focus on the C and you're going to beat yourself up about it. If something good happens on my job am I going to come on here and go on and on about it? Probably not. I'll talk to my close friends and move on. But sometimes when something bad happens, you need to vent and blow off steam, and we don't always want to put that kind of display on other people in our lives. So, we come to a forum and we let loose. Now, at the end of the day, you have to decide what is best for you and what will make you happy. So what if Sally Sue is a nurse and she absolutely hates her job. Does that mean that you are going to hate being a nurse if you become one? You said that after reading this site and talking to other nurses that you're rethinking being a nurse. Well, that's all fine and good, but what have *you* actually *felt* and *gained* from *your* shadowing experience? Did it fulfill you? Did you enjoy it? You should go from there. Nursing isn't for everyone, and just like with a lot of jobs, it helps if it's something you're passionate about and looking forward to. If you can only put half your heart into it, don't bother. Because you'll wake up in 5-10 years hating your job.

l33tnewb11

70 Posts

It really depends on what you are looking for in life. What do you fantasize about doing for a career? Do you want to make a lot of money? Does money matter at all? Do you want to do something vocational, intellectual, do you enjoy science or humanities? These are important to consider because you will spend much of your time at your job (most of us do at least). Work doesn't feel like work if you truly enjoy what you do. But you know all of this already.

Mr.FutureDNP23

65 Posts

Specializes in Anesthesia.

What made you wanna be a nurse in the first place? If you truly love helping people then don't worry about what others say.

RN.Dreams

4 Posts

Some nurses are very negative about there jobs. Just like many other people in other fields. I feel the satisfaction is based on the person that the profession in general. If you truly feel what this is what you were meant to do and what will make you happy then pursue it. Dont let other peoples opinions sway you from what you want to do. I worked in a nursing home when I started nursing school with a lot of nurses who complained about there jobs but I knew patient care was where I wanted to be.

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