But are you happy?

[Ginger88]

I am currently working toward being a SLP. I am taking the required undergrad courses (I also have a bachelor of science in healthcare management) and will apply to grad school next year. I am having serious doubts that this is the right path for me. I have zero desire to work with children with speech/language disorders, which will majorly cut back on the job opportunities. Also I think that only treating 1 or 2 parts of the body could get old after a few years. There are other reasons I am doubting but I won't go into them. I am strongly considering applying to nursing school instead of continuing the SLP route. I worked as a CNA a while ago at a hospital and it was not a very good experience as far as interaction with the RNs there. Most of them were very mean to the CNAs and hated being at work. I'm sure some of it had to do with the particular hospital though. My question is, how happy are those of you working as nurses? I hear so many complaints from nurses about being overworked, conflict with rude/arrogant doctors, low pay etc. Are there some settings that are better or worse than others to work in? I think I would enjoy working in the ER but from what I have seen and heard it seems like hospitals are about the most stressful and least rewarding of any setting. I'm not looking for someone to tell me what to do, I just want a good idea from you all if the rewarding side of this profession is worth all the stress and headache. Thank you so much.

[JBudd, MSN]

Being happy does not depend on your job, it is your internal attitude toward life.

Yes, parts of my job can be stressful, and cause unhappiness, but I choose how to react to it. Sometimes my reaction is quick knee jerk, but when I back off and consider how I want to act, that is my choice, good/bad/angry/swearing/acceptance/determined to work for change.

I like nursing. I (mostly) like my job. I like my life. I get angry and frustrated and sometimes furious about things that go on in the workplace, but I choose to back off, settle down and try not to let any of that slop over into work habits, or how I treat pts and coworkers. Don't always succeed, but there you are, I am human. I have no problem with apologising when I should.

How you perceive your work is a major part of how you react to it. Some work situations are truly toxic, and you will find people on AN who encourage others to find a less toxic workplace, I'm not saying to look at everything with rose colored glasses. Judge the situation, stay or move on, make the choice how to react and what you will do about it.

So my words of encouragement, yes, I like nursing. I find it rewarding.

[Ginger88]

The happiness I am referring to is strictly on the job happiness, not overall life happiness. Generally I am a very optimistic person. I am non confrontational, but I do stand up for what I think is right. I tend to get along well with coworkers. I have seen firsthand how negative workplace attitudes can damage a business, environment, floor etc. it's good to hear that you believe it is worth the cons that come with. My aunt has been an ER nurse for 20+ years and she is always extremely exhausted and usually has nothing but complaints about her job. Seeing that plus my own experiences had me concerned the negativity could get in the way of an otherwise fulfilling career, even for a positive person.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Sheesh - if a person has hated her job for 20+ years, I think there is something really wrong with that person. Why in the world would you keep on doing something like that when there are so many alternatives?

PP is right - nothing in the world can "happy" you. There is a ton of evidence that people are most satisfied in jobs that they find very meaningful and personally fulfilling... the amount of physical labor is not a factor. So, it just depends upon your own personal value system and goals. If you think that nursing will fill that bill for you, it will be a good choice.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I find nursing fulfilling and rewarding and like what I do (usually). I'm currently leaving a job that I HATED however, that made me feel bitter and burnt out within weeks of starting work there. I complained a LOT to my husband about that job. So good job fit within the field is important to me.

The fact that some people will find nursing rewarding and fulfilling and worth it doesn't mean that you will also find it worthwhile and rewarding. You've had 1 direct experience in health care that wasn't a positive one. It might make sense to try out other hospitals and units and areas of nursing (either working as a CNA, or volunteering, or shadowing) so see if it was just that one place or more of a mismatch for you.