Are we trapped by our nursing degrees? Is nursing worth it?

pale_pilsen · Sep 7, 2011

Is nursing degree worth it for me? I would say yes because I worked so hard for this degree. But u know what, I dont want to do this forever. Im tired of being so stress so much. I want to be my old self again like happy, energetic, and not depress at work. So when the economy gets better, im out of nursing. Someone has to do it, but thats not me. More power to them.

cinderblockdee · Sep 7, 2011

I graduated in 1987, and have worked in all areas within the hospital. Overwhelmingly, yes, I feel trapped by my degree. The only time I LOVED my job was when I was single, child free/stress free, and the shifts were only 8 hours. As life got in the way of my career, nursing was not compatible with children and family life. Twelve hour shifts are 14 hour shifts with no pay for those 2 hours. I worked nights for 2 years thinking that would help, and now I know if I kept working nights, I would suffer health wise.

I have fruitlessly tried to work in health care outside the hospital, but it is next to impossible to find a rewarding career that pays decently and one which I can still have a life.

I am debating returning to school to do something else. I can't do this anymore.

HannahLeah · Sep 7, 2011

Trapped? Yep. My nursing degree is an old fashioned 3-yr Diploma and therefore disqualifies me from any work that requires a bachelors degree. Nevermind I had 1-1/2 years at a university before that and have worked 30 years since.............

I believe anyone looking at my qualifications on paper will only see what I appear to be- an old burned out nurse- and who would want to hire that? Sounds bitter and hateful. I have tried highlighting my other talents but I always end up coming back to the fact that nursing is my most valuable skill. When I went into it I did so because it was so portable and I believed I would always be able to find work, anywhere, anytime- not true anymore! Not here and not now anyway.

Piscean, LPN, LVN · Sep 7, 2011

I cannot say that I love my job. Actually some nights I wonder what did I get my self into. But I have to remember the grass is not always greener on the other side. A lot of people I know are on unemployed, due to the economy. The pay is excellent for a 2 year degree. 12 hour shifts works for me. Im only required to work 10 days out the month with full benefits. I can work all the overtime my heart desires. Im helping people in a time of need. I worked very hard to get to were I am today. And as much as I hate my job some nights I can't imagine doing anything else.

labordude, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2011

Looking back, I probably would not have gone into nursing. At this point I'm working on an MBA and then moving toward an Ed.D. I initially thought that my nursing experience would be hugely beneficial. Come on, how many roles are more organized, analytical, critical thinkers, client relationship managers, and more. These are transferable skills...in any other economy than this. With more and more applicants for jobs away from the bedside, it has become exceedingly difficult to "prove your worth" without specific experience. Only in that sense are you trapped. If you want certain experience to translate, go get it. If you want to do project management...manage projects within a hospital. If you want to do finance or management... there's nursing management. If you want to teach...there is education. It is likely there is some way to gain extra experience that can help you get out from being trapped. You just have to find it.

Just a Dose · Sep 7, 2011

Hmmm, nursing actually affords you a lot of opportunities. You may have to go back for your bachelors, or do extra work like managing projects, or going into management ect like nicuguy said. But anyone who wants to advance or change must seek these opportunities and put in MORE work to get there.

Like, computers for example, if you become a super user, then you meet the people that are involved in IT, run the committee, become the liaison for functional requirements. Then get a job that will certify you in that software - and now your getting closer to where you want to be.

But then you mentioned pay. It is true that nursing pays close or a smidgen better than many jobs out there... but the stress, back breaking labor that leads to chronic pain, the schedule and liability are also what you get for being a nurse. Of course there are good things too, but this does not justify the pay of nurses. So, if you want to be paid more, than an additional - higher level skill is needed. (nursing is a high level set of knowledge)

Music in My Heart · Sep 7, 2011

Lucky724 said:

Many times nurses will try to work outside the healthcare sector only to find they are over qualified and underpaid

One problem with nursing education is that it ill prepares one for much of anything outside of the nursing field.

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People tell me ALLLL the time how fortunate I am to have a degree in nursing with the way the economy is

I don't know about lucky to have your degree but if you're gainfully employed, esp. full time, you are fortunate

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I look at others I know with non-nursing degrees...for the most part they seem happier with their jobs, have longevity, etc.

Have you noticed the huge influx of 2nd-career, 2nd-degree folks into nursing? I, for one, am quite well educated in two fields outside of nursing and yet here I've chosen to be. Optimal field? Nope. Pretty good for the moment, all things considered.

Biffbradford · Sep 7, 2011

Interesting discussion. I think that people get into nursing because they find it initially fascinating, but over time that wears off. So, my advice is that even if you love your position now, start working on a backup plan. A plan B that you can switch to should you need it.

In my case, I went to plan B, it failed, and now I'm unable to get back to plan A!

Life can be cruel. :rolleyes:

sweetnurse63, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2011

As a single parent who struggled raising twins by myself financially, i can truly say that I am blessed to have my nursing degree. Also, not to mention struggling through nursing school, failing by a small margin and having to retake courses which made the program exta long and intense for me, Yesssss!!!! I can say that it was truly worth it. I saw other nursing students fail out of the program after building up student loans and sacrificing time from their families to only become depressed, crying profusely and still broke. I have seen a major difference in my financial situation since my nursing degree and I don't regret it. Now don't get me wrong, there were days that i cried and wondered if i could do nursing especially as a new grad RN first time in a hospital setting, I was overwhelmed and miserable. I hated going to work but did not hate being a nurse, So, i removed myself from that particular hospital and went back to long term care which i really like, getting paid a good salary and I don't feel sick when i put my key in my car on my way to work. I am not overwhelmed and I can comfortaby do my job. In every cloud there is a silver lining. In todays economy, I thank my God that I have a decent paying job.

Epona · Sep 7, 2011

I have two degrees. Once I get a few more years of real RN experience, I plan on doing something using BOTH degrees. I really need more hands on though as I am a fairly new RN. Having two areas of study will be really helpful I think.. so no, I do not feel 'locked' into nursing. Good luck!! :)

laski · Sep 7, 2011

I have a quite a few friends who went the nursing route and now as they are entering nearly 20 years in the profession they are feeling trapped and burned out--many are seeking other opportunities outside of nursing, a few are continuing their education. I think with nursing the burn-out rate is much higher and quicker than for many other careers--the amount of time you have to be "on" is tremendous. I have been in an office setting in the technology field, and I had time to go to the bathroom, chat with co-workers, check my e-mail, and actually get work done before heading home. As a teacher, my life was dictated by a bell. I was not the sit-behind-the-desk-and-hand-out-worksheets teacher. I was constantly moving around the room, rarely lecturing, more facilitating activities, working on projects, working one-on-one with students and then I would head home hours after the students had left with at least a couple hours of planning and grading to do. I rarely had time to rush to the bathroom and my planning period was just long enough for me to scarf a snack, run to the copier, prep the room and maybe, just maybe take a 5 minute breather.

The office job never really WORE on me. Teaching nearly killed me after a few years. Yet, I absolutely LOVED teaching. Not sure how long I would have lasted and we definitely had issues with educational policies, unions, administrators, the pay. BUT, I knew what I was getting into and did it anyway.

That all said, the "ON" factor is HUGE. I don't know how one could last in nursing without changing it up here and there. Second-career folk have a different perspective and have the advantage of not being burned out YET.

As for other opportunities, one friend went into nursing not too long ago. She now works in consulting at a law office. Another nurse I know is a nurse educator and lactation consultant (absolutely LOVE her--she got to know me and my "girls" rather well while teaching me to nurse). I have a nursing friend who went into pharmaceutical sales. As an outsider, I am just naive enough to think there are lots of ways you can use your nursing education. It may be hard to see that when you are absolutely fried, but then again, maybe I have no clue and will be thrust into reality once I am on the floor myself.