Any Regrets on becoming a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have really been wanting to become a nurse I have alot of questions though=]

How long from start to finish did your schooling take before you actually became an RN?

Do you have any regrets about your career choice?

How difficult was the schooling?

Also if i can get a little advice in another area.. I love a challenge and I love helping people, thats why I decided this is what i wanted to do. My fiance and I just recently bought a house, and I was also just recently laid off my bank job (which was horrible anyway) So I decided this would be a great time to jump into school. But my fiance has been less then supportive about him being the only one working and be being a full time student, he says me going to scool for this is a gamble.. which i totally dont see:confused:.. Its honestly right about to end our relationship. Any suggestions on how I can explain to him that nursing is a great career to get into??

Thanks in advance for any feed back

My only regret is that I didn't go straight for my BSN. I am an ADN nurse. I love what I do even on my worst nights (I love it in hindsight). I just have no desire to go back to the hell that was nursing school. I will though, I know I will. I worked full time and did an accelerated nursing program. You could compromise to work a part time maybe?

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I started in 1989 as a CNA by accident because as a foreigner I could only work if "I did not displace and American worker". I continued to attend school and I am now the nurse manager of a step down ICU unit. I have never, ever regretted this new career. I love nursing, there are so many directions you can go. The shortage might not be so severe at the moment but in a couple of years (when you are done) it will be. Many baby boomers will retire. If you are hesitating ask to shadow a nurse in different areas. It is a hard, stressful job but with many rewards.

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I agree with what many of the others have said. The job market is horrible right now, just look into in thoroughly, and make sure it is something you want to do. It took me about 5.5 years, but mostly went part time. Schooling was fairly difficult, you do have to put in the time. I remember when I thought some of my pre-reqs were demanding, but by the time I was in nursing school, I just remember thinking that those were so easy compared to the demands of nursing school! Nursing school sucks, but I recently started on a med surg floor (first job!) and I LOVE it. The people where I work at are great, and I'm just really happy I stuck with it. Nursing has allowed us to live more comfortably than we were, and I can work part time, but make a good living. Because I don't want to work 40 hours a week, and still barely scrape by, and want to be able to spend time with my family, so it's the best of both worlds for me. There will be times where you will think what am I getting myself into, but if that is your passion, keep pushing. I would recommend shadowing a nurse, because many people are surprised when they get into clinicals in school.

Secondly, I hate to say it, but my husband wasn't always very supportive while I was going to school. At times, he really resented it because it is so time consuming. And resentful of the fact that I would be making considerably more than him (which is not even important in my eyes, we got through this together! Would've never made it through without him, despite all the BS at times) Of course, now that I am working, he is happy ;) Just remember, if he is not supporting you when you are just thinking about going to school, how will he be when you are in it? Just a thought... you only have one life, and if he was supportive of you, you guys will figure out a way to make it work :) Good luck!

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Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.

Regrets? oh yes indeed. I haven't soothed enough fevered brows, plumped enough pillows. drifted through the wards like an Angel of Mercy or married a doctor....

;) ;)

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Specializes in medical surgical.

The money is not there anymore. We have not had raises for a very long time. People say they go into nursing NOT for the money but that is bull. Everyone has student loans (probably), food, shelter, insurance.....you get the picture. However, right now I do not make enough to afford the basic necessities of life. I make 18.00 per hour. I get called off at least 8 hours per week. I made 33,000 last year. My rent is 700.00 and this is a so called low cost of living area. The waitress I met at Denny's made more than I did last year. She told me she made 38,0000. That is why I am getting a MSN. I might also add that I have a bachelors degree in business as well. This is a second degree for me. I am not saying it is not worth it, but right now is very difficult.

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Specializes in medical.

I have been a nurse for 5 years now. If I knew then what I know now I would never go into nursing. The money is not there, benefits are terrible,no pension, stress horrible, the job is emotionally and physically draining. So why am I still in nursing? There are a lot of different nursing jobs you can do, but the better jobs ( no weekends, no nights,etc.) usually require further education or years of experience or a certain certifications. I'm training in outpatient and I like the job, it is not physically demanding, and no weekends or nigths involved. Think about it and definitely try to shadow a nurse in the hospital or volunteer before you jump into nursing. Nursing is a blue collar job, have you ever seen rich parents telling kids to go into nursing? I don't think so.

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Nursing is a noble job. every jobs requires you to be working hard, no job is easy. I have no regrets on becoming a nurse, this is my bread and butter, it helps my family for a living

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

i have no regrets at all. school was not easy for me, but not impossible. i went to a traditional bsn program and worked the weekends to support myself through college. now that i have a family, i can't think of anything else that would allow me as much flexibilty as nursing and pay well at the same time. like any profession, its not for everyone but i think there is enough information out there to help any one considering nursing make a sound decision.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
The money is not there anymore. We have not had raises for a very long time. People say they go into nursing NOT for the money but that is bull. Everyone has student loans (probably), food, shelter, insurance.....you get the picture. However, right now I do not make enough to afford the basic necessities of life. I make 18.00 per hour. I get called off at least 8 hours per week. I made 33,000 last year. My rent is 700.00 and this is a so called low cost of living area. The waitress I met at Denny's made more than I did last year. She told me she made 38,0000. That is why I am getting a MSN. I might also add that I have a bachelors degree in business as well. This is a second degree for me. I am not saying it is not worth it, but right now is very difficult.

and this is what potential nursing students need to understand. depending on where you live and work, nurisng may not be the best option. base pay for new nurses in chicago is 28-31/hr. some southern states pay alot less. i'm sorry that its not working for you.

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Specializes in FNP.

Yeah, new grad base pay here in the SE US is $17-18/hour.

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Been doing this a long time, went into it because it was teaching or nursing, and at the time, nursing was more lucrative and stable. My wages have not really kept up with inflation, I have a badly aching body, get verbally abused at least once a shift, expose myself daily to virulent bacteria; and STILL work at least 2 major holidays a year. And right now I'm too burnt out to feel that the occasional times I can make a difference really make up for it.

Those are the bad things. Ask me tomorrow about the good things. I will probably rave about the stimulating environment, the incredible public trust I enjoy and the constant challenges to my intellect and creativity..

The truth is, it depends on the day, the hour and my most recent shift.

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What does have promise of work these days?

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