Considering Nursing as a career

ann945n, RN · Jul 27, 2008

I have met every personality type in nurses. I actually work with a bubbly cheerful nurse while Im more serious and sarcastic type. I think all personalities are needed because pts are just so diverse nurses need to be too. I wouldnt let your personality hold you back. What I like most about my job is helping people make good health choices and guiding them through the health care system. What I like least about my job varies from day to day. What is getting to me this past few weeks is what I call "annoying pts" when you give them your advice on care and then they yell at you and get mad because thats not what they wanted to hear. Sometimes I feel like I need a magic wand to make these people happy....

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2008

hello everyone,
I am writing to get professional opinions about nursing and what everyone enjoys about it. I graduated college a year ago with a Merchandising degree and realized how totally unfulfilled I would be if I could not directly help people. I am sort of at a crossroads, not knowing which career direction to go into.
I thought I wanted to help by being a Speech Pathologist-- but whooo no thanks to ANOTHER 5 years of school! What I do know is that I want to help people for the rest of my life, in a very meaningful way. I am a compassionate and cheerful individual who just longs to help others! I have a mother who is a breast cancer survivor and a father who died from stomach cancer... so i have a passion for health and for seeking justice and healing! I have been a preschool teacher for about a year, and though i love the children and love to help, it is just not the great impact I want to make. I can get bored easy, so I also love how challenging Nursing seems to be.
When i told a friend i was thinking about Nursing, she said, "I don't think it's a fit for you. Have you met any nurses? They are mean and grumpy. You are bubbly so maybe you would be a better dental hygeinist!" But, that seems boring to me...plus, don't sick patients need kind and bubbly people?
It would be fantastic if people could reply and give advice. What do you love about nursing and what type of personality do you think it takes? What do you like least about the field? Comments, tips, opinions greatly welcomed and appreciated!!

First, let me say that I believe MOST of the great nurses I have met had some family medical reason for becoming one. You sound like you have that angle wrapped up. Nursing is challenging, but besides that sometimes it can be frustrating....patients who don't believe what you tell em, docs who don't want to hear WHY something wasn't caught or why a med shouldn't be ordered for someone, etc.

Kudos to you for seeking out more information. Not all nurses are grumpy...and the serious ones usually have some reason for being serious. Me? I'm a firm believer in the attitude you give is the one you get. So, I try to be serious as possible, but be chipper and friendly to patients. I believe patients enjoy the bubbly nurses, but you have to temper it with the situation. someone dying? The bubbly part has to be turned down slightly, but you show that you care while you're doing it.

the thing I love MOST about nursing is that no two days are ever the same...you could have all stable patients, OR you could have the day from heck! But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. The thing I like least is demanding family members....who don't understand that you don't do things to be mean, but because it helps the care. Not everyone understands that if you force the post-op patient to breathe in it expands their lungs...the family thinks you're just keeping them awake....

So, what kind of degree do you have? Have you looked into area options? CCs or universities? What area do you live in? anything else you want to know?

Use us, that's what we're here for!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2008

Frankly, I would do what you want to do. You are really young (yes, I know you think you're old - coming up on a quarter of a century! But you're not. ) Those five years will go by either way and you might as well do what you want to do. Nursing school could take another three, depending on whether you get into a program right away, yada yada yada.

You will be doing it for another 40 years.

PAKrisRN · Jul 27, 2008

In my opinion (and maybe b/c Im a nurse) out of all the specialties (nursing, PT/OT, speech pathologist, respiratory therapists) the nurses are the front runners. We do it all-and were the ones calling the different specialties when our patients need it. It's a very rewarding profession-and yes you will get "annoying" patients and it can be busy and frustrating, but you'll also get a lot more kind, touching patients who truly appreciate what you do. It takes a special person to be a nurse and if you think you can be that kind of person, go for it, dont let others tell you your not cut out for it. Good luck and I hope you choose nursing. Its worth it : )

beachbum3 · Jul 27, 2008

I think all kinds of personalities are a good fit for nursing, and if its what you want then go for it!

I am not one who has had a family medical experience that made me want to be a nurse. I couldn't tell you what exactly it was but one day it just hit me... I want to be a nurse. I'm meant to be a nurse (as cliche as that sounds) That was about 10 years ago, and I just graduated from Nursing School this year. I love that in nursing there are so many directions one can go-literally tons of opportunities. There is plenty of flexibility and you can work full time, make a decent salary and still have time for yourself (working 3 days a week).

The real reason I became a nurse:

I wanted to have an impact on people. My whole life I've been a "fixer". I want to solve everyone's problems, make everything better for anyone who is having a hard time. I'm a "fixer" and I'm a "protector". Thats who I am, so being a nurse puts that to good use.

I start my first job tomorrow, so I can't tell you yet what I don't like. I think it would be nice to get paid a bit more, but don't we all. Honestly, after learning what it is to be a nurse and what it takes- we nurses are all sorely underpaid, IMHO. Yes the salary is good, but in relation to the job we do, it should be more.

time2change · Jul 28, 2008

Take it from me....just do it!!!! I am 42 years old and have been in the business world since I was in my twenties. I am currently going through CNA training and will start nursing school in October. Don't wait!!!! If you feel it calling you then by all means do it. Life is too short. If you wait you will be always asking yourself, "What if?" Try starting out with volunteer work if you are unsure. You are young so have time. Just trust your heart.