does anyone regret becoming a nurse?

NurseCherlove · Mar 1, 2008

If I had known that I was going to be worked like a dog pretty much every time I worked, I would not have chosen this profession. That is my biggest complaint.

If the workloads were lighter and we could actually provide the patient care we wanted to, I would have no regrets. Sorry, but there is just something wrong with a profession when missing meals, staying late, and having chest tightness for hours at a time (because of the stress) is the norm.

You are young so please think hard about this decision. There are many options out there.

If I were you, I would try to volunteer at a local hospital and request to be located specifically on one floor or floors (just not at the main reception desk or somewhere far from the patient care areas) so you can get the real inside scoop.

Unfortunately because of HIPPA (the patient privacy act), I don't think you would actually be able to shadow a nurse at work. But you never know, look into it. With the nursing shortage as it is, depending on the area, there may be some kind of initiative like this for those like yourself interested in nursing. Good luck.

allnurses Guide · Mar 1, 2008

Most of the time no... but mostly because of all the options that nurses have, especially as they gain experience. The longer that I work as a nurse, the more specialties that I will be able to explore.

Sometimes though, I definately do.

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Mar 1, 2008

I regretted it until I got away from bedside nursing. It got to the point where I hated every minute of it-not the patients, but the "stuff"-management, short staffing, no meals, breaks, etc.

shmoofins · Mar 1, 2008

Yes, I regret it. I didn't like it when I was in school and I still don't like it. Not that I hate every aspect of it, and I hate it less now than when I was doing floor nursing but I still wish I'd changed my major when I was in school. I want to go back to school for something different. I'd even be okay with a non-clinical position, but those are very hard to find, especially without much experience.

TelephoneTriage · Mar 1, 2008

After more than 20 years as a nurse (I went back to school in my early 30's when I had 2 toddlers), I am happy I am a nurse. That said, I would NEVER go back to hospital nursing. I am perfectly content in my home-based job as a telephone triage nurse for an HMO for Medicaid based in Dayton, OH. I work 7am-5:30pm four days a week and work every other weekend. :up:

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

i have regretted some jobs but have never regretting being a nurse.

i been a nurse for 32 years and have never not been able to find a job within a day or two. i've worked in the same hospital for 25 years, in 4 different areas, when i got too tired i changed to private duty. while doing private duty i did the excelsior program and got my rn. i've done home health. i still work there prn and now i'm back at the hospital in imaging.

nursing is so versatile, you can work days, nights, weekends only.

you can work in any field ob, med-surg, emergency, medical imaging, psych, pediatrics, cardiology, pacu and the list goes on.

you can work in a hospital, private homes, long-term care, clinics, doctor's office, outpatient imaging center, public health building and more.

aye caramba · Mar 1, 2008

I've only been a nurse for three years but the things I've seen has got me thinking maybe i should never have become a nurse. It hurts me to said it out loud but I really did think it was about the good of the patients but it's not. It's all about how to make the facility look good. Lost a patient last night because of this craziness. I'l:crying2:l miss her.

4theBetterGetter, RN · Mar 1, 2008

i don't regret being a nurse......i am getting tired tho! :bugeyes: :zzzzz

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 2, 2008

I do not regret being a nurse. I hated school, though, and will never return, but I am making the best with what I have accomplished. I have a practical approach to nursing and it seems to attract patients and co-workers alike. I hate the politics and backstabbing, but try to get around it without getting too bruised by it personally. But, when I do tell people "I am a nurse"...I am proud. I just avoid telling TOO many people because they have a tendency to impose themselves on my private time.

jjjoy, LPN · Mar 2, 2008

To the OP, I'd suggest asking what people like and dislike about their work. Personally, I've found that trying to base a decision on potential for regret led me nowhere fast. Regret is a very personal and subjective thing. It's also often based upon unsubstantiated imaginings of some alternate reality where we made other choices. Some people regret becoming nurses. Some regret NOT becoming nurses. The question is how do YOU feel about it NOW. Any choice you make might not turn out as you hope. The best you can do is get a good amount of information from a variety of sources and decide if nursing sounds like something you might like.

I second the suggestion of doing some volunteer work in a health care setting. Or see if there are any certified nurse assistant classes you could take. There's nothing like actually BEING in the environment, working WITH patients, etc to see how you feel about it, as opposed to just imagining what you think it might be like. Every place is a little different, though, so try to get exposure to more than just one setting.

Ask your friends, family, teachers, etc if they know any nurses who you could talk to about nursing. Ask if you could follow them at work one day (or for an hour or so). Oftentimes, it's not possible, but it's worth asking.

Ask around to see if there for any "future health care provider" clubs in your community (eg local community college or Explorers Clubs). Check with your schools career counselor for other resources, ideas and suggestions as well.

Good luck with your future!

Otessa, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2010

I have only regretted it a couple times. Nights, holidays and weekends got old but having a job and working in healthcare did not.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2010

Nope, not for one second. I used to be a graphic artist for Kodak, and I had all the perks, honey...the big office, a secretary, top of the line equipment, state of the art technology, not to mention the giant paycheck. And a big hole in my heart. What exactly was I doing with my life to make someone else's life better? What was my purpose? To make ads nice and pretty? Pffftt!

Nursing is not a bed of roses-far from it. We take on the most miserable tasks known to man. We deal with lateral violence, back stabbing, difficult families, impossible time constraints, incredible stress, condescending MDs, chaotic administrations, no breaks, healthcare politics and everything in between. However, there is a golden nugget; a diamond in the rough so to speak. We get to impact someone's life on a daily basis FOR THE BETTER. I ask myself, "How can I serve my fellow man, my community, the people I love?" The answer is so clear to me that to look beyond it would be simply ignorant: do my job as a nurse to the best of my abilities and to uphold the nursing profession in the way it should be; with honor, with integrity and with compassion for those in need.

So it sounds Polly Anna...so what? It is truly how I feel. I love being a nurse. I love what it stands for, I love the learning, the staff, the very essence of taking care of another human being. I know it is not all rainbows and unicorns. I have been doing this for some time now, and I get frustrated by the things we must deal with. But I never EVER lose sight of the fact that I can make someone's life easier, less painful and less scary, if only for a moment. That keeps me going and fuels my emotional tank when it is running low.

I don't regret it. I can't imagine myself anywhere else. It just FITS.