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

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On another post someone wrote that many times they would like to leave nursing but don't know where else to go..I completely identify with that statement and wondered...are we, as nurses, pigeonholed by our degree? Many times nurses will try to work outside the healthcare sector only to find they are over qualified and underpaid..so many times nurse jobs hop in order to try to find something that they don't feel burned out, drowned in charting etc. The job hopping looks bad to a lot of employers I know but when we are caregivers at work, care givers at home, moms, sisters, brothers, daughters/sons...somewhere we lose us and our enthusiasm for nursing.

People tell me ALLLL the time how fortunate I am to have a degree in nursing with the way the economy is (really? well I read posts after posts of new and old nurses struggling to find any type of nursing job and waiting months on end) and that we can go anywhere to work (um...not everyone can just pack up and move..not so easy to sell a house, buy another one, rent, etc). I look at others I know with non-nursing degrees...for the most part they seem happier with their jobs, have longevity, etc. So I wonder, is the price of nursing, long term, worth what we end up - or many of us seem to end up as? Unhappy, complaining etc.

As proud as I was when I graduated years ago and as grateful as I am that I have a new job, knowing what I do now, I would not have gone into nursing, or if I did, I would have specialized or branched into education somehow.

or maybe it's just me and the the burnout personally and professional is limited to my own view.

Any of you out there that are still greatly enthused by nursing and your jobs, I ENVY YOU.

Staff Note:

Check out Nursing Is No Longer Worth It

Specializes in NICU.

Trapped? Trapped in a job that I love and enjoy going to every day plus getting paid unbelievably well? Nope. Never. Not even a consideration that I would be trapped.

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Specializes in ICU.

I can't think of many jobs were the employee loves everything about it from start until retirement. Most everybody gets burned out in their job at some point. The main thing to remember is you have a job when so many don't and would gladly change places with you. Ask yourself why you started nursing school in the first place. Was it to help others? To earn a livable wage? Have you been able to do these things?

If a person thinks they are going to have a job they love so much they can't sleep at night because they are soooo excited to go to work the next day is unrealistic. I would suggest a requirement to start nursing school is to hold a job at McDonalds, in a manufacturing plant, or a job that requires you to work outside in all weather conditions first. Most of the nurses I hear complain about their job have never actually had another truely crappy full time job as an adult.

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I am a new nursing grad who comes to the profession with a business degree and 20 yrs at a Fortune 500 company. In my previous career, I was a salaried manager who worked an avg of 70-80hrs per week and was paid for 40hrs. I got to spend NYE with my teenage son for the first time when he was 13. In addition, I worked every major holiday and took 4 vacations in 15 years, one of which I was called back from due to "business need." Stress and burnout happen in every line of work and in my opinion, unless you are independently wealthy you will always start to feel trapped at some point.

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Never trapped. I think it's one mindset about the matter. You are what you believe. Having a thankful and grateful mindset towards all things will always change emotions. Nursing is a caring and loving feild, but like everything else it has its faults. Think on those things that bring you joy, wheather it be your health, your ability to provide, your degree, etc. It's so much we can do with our education. Never compare yourself to others, remain positive, think on those things that are pure and ture, never react out of feelings but make wise choices. Complaining and fretting only causes harm.We are all uniquly made with different emotional make ups so only you can determine your destiny! Be Thankful!!!!:nurse: Nursing is a blessing!!!!!!!:nurse:

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Yes and no.......:D

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surge, Ortho.
Never trapped. I think it's one mindset about the matter. You are what you believe. Having a thankful and grateful mindset towards all things will always change emotions. Nursing is a caring and loving feild, but like everything else it has its faults. Think on those things that bring you joy, wheather it be your health, your ability to provide, your degree, etc. It's so much we can do with our education. Never compare yourself to others, remain positive, think on those things that are pure and ture, never react out of feelings but make wise choices. Complaining and fretting only causes harm.We are all uniquly made with different emotional make ups so only you can determine your destiny! Be Thankful!!!!:nurse: Nursing is a blessing!!!!!!!:nurse:

Very well stated, could not agree with you more!!!!!!! I am sooooooo greatful !!!!!:yeah:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Nsg QA.

It's all in how you look at it. If all you can see is X, then that is all you will do. I've worked critical, QA, and Risk Management. I've gone back to school for a masters (got it!) and now I am teaching.

I've known other nurses that have started as an LPN, got the RN and done rounding with doctors and then worked with lawyers. Nurses have specialized training, but we are NOT locked into a strict definition of "nursing." There are so many different things you can do with the degree (well, better if you have at least a BSN). The difficult part may be finding where your unique qualities can be used. That is the limiting factor!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I don't feel trapped. I know sometimes I let myself get down about being overstressed or dealing with violent, psychotic patients.

But I'm feeling very positive lately thinking about the many wonderful people I've taken care of and their family. Why let the few bad apples ruin my day, when the majority of my patients are good and decent and kind!

I know my working conditions are better than many other hospitals even though we have downsized somewhat. I've taken care of friends, coworkers, friends of family, neighbors, classmates. It's amazing how many people I've helped make a difference.

I think a lot of the frustration and negativity is because of too much stress and maybe a form of PTSD from the encounters with violent, psychotic patients. If you can find a way to cope via meds or therapy or hobbies and find a place with decent staffing. That is the key.

I know some nurses who work for insurance companies and are happy there, also some work in real estate, some work in pharmaceutical sales. There are other avenues if you keep your options open. Some teach on the side, even for CNA's for tech school.

I've had a few really good weeks and plus the weather has been beautiful, sunny, just right and I feel so uplifted! I want to feel this way every day and not let a few bad apples ruin my day!

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Specializes in Functional Medicine, Holistic Nutrition.

I don't feel trapped, at least not since advancing my education. There have been times in my nursing career in which I questioned my career choice. When I worked in acute care, I was very unhappy and downright miserable, to be honest. So, I decided to make some major changes. I got out of the hospital and went into home health nursing. And after some time in that field, I decided to go back to school and get a master's degree in health care administration. Since I earned that degree, there have been many times when I have felt blessed to have the nursing education and experience that I do. I have had so many opportunities open up for me. I've worked in management, quality improvement and patient safety, staff development/education, and now as a state surveyor. I get frequent unsolicitated job offers, but I'm pretty happy where I'm at right now. I always wonder why there are so many nurses that stay in jobs in which they are miserable when there are options out there. That's the wonderful thing about nursing...if you don't like what you are doing, try a different hospital, a different specialty, go outside of the hospital, try a related health care field, go back to school for a different degree. There are always options, it just depends on how hard you want to work for it. I put a lot of hard work, time, and money (in the form of student loans) into getting where I'm at today and I feel that the opportunities I have now are a direct result of that effort.

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I think I was that poster who wrote about being tapped with no where else to go ! I have a bsn and don't think it is valued much outside of nursing's ivory tower ( not valued much in most hospitals either).

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I think I was that poster who wrote about being tapped with no where else to go ! I have a bsn and don't think it is valued much outside of nursing's ivory tower ( not valued much in most hospitals either).

It all depends on how you look at it. If you think you are trapped, then you are. I have a bachelor's in a science and now going for my BSN, because of what I thought I wanted to do required it. Well I'm working as a nurse and am looking to leave the bedside nursing. At times I think what a waste of time and money, but then I dig deep and look to where I want to be. I know the path isn't easy breezy, but I view the education that i have obtained and will continue to obtain as steeping stones.

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Trapped? Trapped in a job that I love and enjoy going to every day plus getting paid unbelievably well? Nope. Never. Not even a consideration that I would be trapped.

I'm pursuing nursing as a second career...well third....so I really hope I don't feel trapped.

1st was teaching - made it partway through when hubby decided to join the Navy. Entered the business world while he was on deployment - it paid better. 12 years in the business world now and it just seems so selfish. Everyone out to make a buck. Yes, it pays the bills but I miss having a job that was self-rewarding (I taught preschool while pursuing a degree in teaching). I miss knowing my work has a direct, positive impact on a person's life.

I was pursuing a degree in business just because I wanted a piece of paper. I knew business isn't where I was meant to be and joked I would teach when I could afford to retire. Then one day, I thought no - there's gotta be a career out there that is self-rewarding but carries a decent salary as well. The thought of nursing just jumped up and slapped me in the face!! Why hadn't I thought of this before?!

I sought after allnurses to play devil's advocate ---- scare me off this path before I'm too far down it and regret it. But the more I read, the more I know I'm on the right path. I've read memoirs published by nurses and doctors. I've spoken with friends and family in nursing (some started right after highschool, others discovered it as a second career). I took the pre-reqs for the nursing program. Maybe I'm a sick minded individual but the cadavers in A&P fascinated me! I'm glued to the Discovery Health channel. Come on Dr. G, Monsters Inside Me and Trauma: Life in the ER. I'm thoroughly bored by the Baby Story tho. Had 3 of my own, I'm over the whole birthing experience. Does anyone else get disgusted when they blur out the "good stuff". I'm not referring to genetalia. I'm referring to intestines, organs, and such.

I do look forward to patient care --- I don't fancy med passes and paperwork all day long but I appreciate the neccesity of both. I think I'm going into this with my eyes wide open but part of me is scared as he**.

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