Anything but a Nurse!

missjennmb · Mar 16, 2009

You have to make your own way in the world. Even if you DID end up hating it, the alternative, to never go after something you dream to be just because others told you not to, would eat you alive. People see the world through lenses colored by their own likes/dislikes/experiences. There's just no way to say if a career that one person hates, another will hate as well. Your mom may have worked for some bad places, and you may find the best place in the universe that accepts and respects and appreciates you for what you do. That alone, career field aside, would change everything. I've done both, and what I have learned more than anything is that no matter what field you go into, the environment is what makes or breaks your day. On top of all of that, there are so many fields that your degree can open for you. You don't have to be a bedside nurse for the rest of your life, if it ends up not being your cup of tea. Not saying it wont, but just saying that nursing school does not lock you into a bedside hospital nursing job for the next 40 years. There are other nursing positions, non-nursing positions that want a nurse to fill them, educational opportunities to diversify, ect.

I guess that long story short I'm just saying follow your heart, because if you follow someone else's heart, you'll end up with what they want, and not the life you want for yourself.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

I would tell you to follow your heart...your mom is not you...and just b/c it was not her cup of tea does not mean the same for you. This is my philosopy....if you find you do not like it after you have started on the path...you can always change your mind. I personally have no regrets...it has offered me a good life. There is nothing quite like it...yes some days it is difficult but for me all it takes is one little thing during the day for me to know I am right where God wanted me. The other day I went to the ER to start an IV on a patient that had been in pain for hours and had no lab work done b/c no one could access a vein. After looking for awhile and a few hot packs I got the blood and the IV....and then I told her nurse to bring the IV pain med in......her 2 sisters burst into tears and started hugging me.......it was worth coming to work just for that!!!!! :yeah: .

chevyv, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

At least you'd have a job and in today's economy, that would be a good thing. I see every field cutting back and people getting laid off everywhere. I don't think it's going to pick up anytime soon.

At least when I graduate, I can get a job. Granted, it might take a little while and may not be on the floor I choose, but I'll have a job. My brother works in a factory and he's laid off for at least 6 months. That's what they told him, but he has serious reserves that they will get called back. My hubby has his own electrical business. We're hanging on by the thinnest thread. I keep telling him "just a few more months 'till I graduate". Nobody is building or remodeling because they don't know if they'll have a job tomorrow. Most people seem to be pulling in the purse strings tight (including me!).

MP5PDW · Mar 16, 2009

I never ever complain about my job as a nurse. As far as I am concerned I have the best job in the hospital.

I work a three day work week and make enough money.

sh1901 · Mar 16, 2009

I would follow what YOU want to do. If you feel drawn to nursing, you should follow your dreams. :)

AOx1 · Mar 17, 2009

I would follow your heart. Try a "job shadowing" position where you follow a nurse around in various units. Many hospitals offer this.

Some floors will try to work you "like a dog"- it takes time to find the right area and floor for you. And you're certainly not limited to hospital nursing, you could also be in research, insurance, schools, home health, LTC, etc, etc. There are so many areas you could pursue.

RockinLadySN · Mar 17, 2009

And you're certainly not limited to hospital nursing, you could also be in research, insurance, schools, home health, LTC, etc, etc. There are so many areas you could pursue.

Ditto. There are many nurses who don't work in the hospital setting. Most Drs offices and med clinics employ MAs, but I know one nurse who works in a clinic and she loves it. 9-5, no weekends, pretty good pay (not as good as a hospital though), and low-stress. The stress factor is the biggest reason she got away from the hospital. One of many different things nurses can do nowadays.. not limited to one thing! :nurse:

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2009

I never ever complain about my job as a nurse. As far as I am concerned I have the best job in the hospital.
I work a three day work week and make enough money.

I get eight straight days off every month and a three day work week. I love it. I never, ever want another nine to five slot. I have scads of paid time off on the books because I don't need it.

I could take three days off at the start of a stretch, then three days off at the end - and have nearly three weeks off if I did it right.

I have coworkers who will switch days with me (and I them) if I need a certain day off, most of the time. How awesome is that?

And I'm recession proof - at least in this part of the country.

Twenty years ago, the opportunities for nurses were very limited. Now, the only limit is almost your own imagination.

You must live your own life, not that of your parents.

L&DWannabe · Mar 17, 2009

Thank you all so much. I've told my mom that I know for a fact that there are nurses that love their jobs (my mom insists this couldn't be true)...Today my SIL gave birth... since labor and delivery is my forte it just strengthened my desire...I know there is nowhere else I'd rather be than in that delivery room. Thanks again!

jschut, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2009

[quote=L&DWannabe;3502454}...I'm not going to give up something I want to do just because some people don't like it.

What to do?

You've just answered your own question. :)

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2009

Thank you all so much. I've told my mom that I know for a fact that there are nurses that love their jobs (my mom insists this couldn't be true)...Today my SIL gave birth... since labor and delivery is my forte it just strengthened my desire...I know there is nowhere else I'd rather be than in that delivery room. Thanks again!

Tell her to PM me.