Can you give me the darkside of working as a RN

[hathead91]

I am going to nursing school in Jan 2011 (BSN degree). As of now, I am completing my pre-reqs, and am taking some studies that might interest me in other careers besides nursing. But I am certain that nursing is for me and it seems like a very rewarding career.

BUT... I want you guys to tell me some bad experiences you have had working as a nurse, or even studying to be a nurse. Just lay it all out for me before I embark on this 4 year adventure.

[GratefulHeart]

Take a read at the First-Year After Licensure board here & also the Student boards. Plenty of real-life stuff there to get your feet wet.

[Charlie24]

Ayvah has summed it up beautifully.

In nursing, you have to be selfless, always putting others needs ahead of your own. It is a physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, ethically and spiritually demanding (and rewarding) career.On any given day,if you are not comitted 100% your patients will suffer.I think this is where nursing differs from other careers-you cant turn up with a hang-over and plan to take it easy for the day, you cant take a long lunch and yes, it will be noticed if you try to take off early.

[OC_An Khe]

Every profession has its dark side. But my dark side maybe different from others in the profession. And different certainly in degree of "darkness". Most of which have been posted previously and I agree with most of them.

I do think it is appropriate to be asking ahead of time what the potential down side (dark side) to any endeavor you are about to embark on. In fact when you don't explore this is when you can get in trouble and/or endanger others. As an RN would you take an assignment without getting report on the patient?

[oldiebutgoodie, RN]

If you haven't started down the road yet, consider Occupational Therapy. LOTS of jobs (also physical therapy), better hours, better pay.

I might have done this instead if I had known. You are still helping people, without some of the stresses of nursing.

Oldiebutgoodie

[Chewie_123]

Hearing about how the new CEO has turned the hospital's financial status around - from red to totally in the black - and knowing it is because units are taking more and more higher acuity patients with fewer and fewer staff.