I am a prenursing student looking to finish up and start applying to schools this January. I already have a degree. I've been doing sales support for about 8 years - so it's a pretty stressful position in itself. However, I think I was searching in to PICU nursing and came across this website, and well, I know that people are more likely to write about the bad then the good, but wow. Is it really like this in your opinions? I've posted the original post, but the comments just go on and on.
I graduated from nursing school in 1979 and easily got my first job in a teaching hospital in acute care pediatrics. I was young and stupid and didn't put 2 and 2 together that while I hated nursing school and all the "BS" I would also hate nursing. I have not worked since 1990 because I was literally killed emotionally, spiritually and physically by this career.
If anyone wants to know why there is a nursing shortage it's really pretty easy, NO ONE WANTS TO DO IT!!! The real clincher is you work with other miserable people and wonder all along if others are hating it as much as you. (A good indication is when you start a new job and your preceptor keeps saying things like, "I hate this job.")
I worked in the PICU and also did transport and trauma. Have you ever asked someone in another profession if they ever feel guilty that someone is going to die because they dared to stuff a half a sandwich down after not eating or drinking until they felt like they were going to pass out, or do they have to ask someone to watch "their work" so they can go to the bathroom, or are they so tired after staying up for days that they are hallucinating, and this while lives are at stake.
Another thing that destroyed me was when my patients died and instead of getting a break or even a pat on the back I just got another patient. This is outside the range of being normal. I think nurses suffer terribly and from things like PTSD. We work in carnage!!! This is not normal. Things are not going to change and we are all looking at being "cared for" in some scummy hole by jaded caretakers.
Yes we are jaded for the reasons I just wrote. Think of how a "normal" person reacts to just going to a funeral, try doing it on a daily basis and having to act like it's the most normal thing in the world. Death and dying are a part of life but so is the sympathy and understanding that usually goes along with it. It's not normal to live your life in the greiving process and try to act like this is life.
Anyone who is in nursing school right now and/or mired in debt and doesn't think there is anyway out think again. There is always another path. Don't throw your life away like I did. I ended up getting a large settlement from a medical malpractice suit after becoming suicidal and being abused by a doctor. Now I am facing having to work again and the prospect of anything that has to do with nursing is nightmarish.
I am in a legal nurse consulting program and just reading the message board with all the pukey nursing enthusiasm (yes we that hate nursing know what I am referring to) I thought, "I have to have some commissuration", so I typed "nurses hating nursing" into my search engine and came onto this site. I hate to discourage people into nursing but I will give my honest opinion when asked and finally I have found some validation for my own feelings after so many years of total anguish. Maybe some of you can relate to this, it is almost a sin in some circles to say you hate something as sacred as nursing. You may think hate is a strong word but I wish I could think of something stronger, like HATE TO THE MILLIONTH POWER!!!
Don't get me wrong I was a superb nurse, but I absolutley despised every second working as a nurse. Now I live a life being so damaged by this profession. If you hate nursing like this do not feel like you are alone, there is at least myself and I am not a crummy person. In fact I am a Christian and very loving and smart (Summa Cum Laude graduate) sensitive and talented (and like I've read no I am not obese, unattractive, nor do I live on coffee and junk food). Please do not wait until you are 53 years old like I am to decide on a career move. Love yourself as much as we have loved our patients and get out while you can. Take it from me it is NEVER too late.
And if you get tired of being a nurse, UPS is hiring drivers that make an average of $74k a year. You have to pass the training, though. I only got what I read on Yahoo. You may want to do some more research. No patients and pissy co-workers. Just yourself in shorts, a big brown truck, and alotta boxes. Woo!!! Boxes!!!!
Make sure those shorts are pressed though because from what the article says, the uniform should be crinkle-free.
And if you get tired of being a nurse, UPS is hiring drivers that make an average of $74k a year. You have to pass the training, though. I only got what I read on Yahoo. You may want to do some more research. No patients and pissy co-workers. Just yourself in shorts, a big brown truck, and alotta boxes. Woo!!! Boxes!!!!
Make sure those shorts are pressed though because from what the article says, the uniform should be crinkle-free.
And if you get tired of being a nurse, UPS is hiring drivers that make an average of $74k a year. You have to pass the training, though. I only got what I read on Yahoo. You may want to do some more research. No patients and pissy co-workers. Just yourself in shorts, a big brown truck, and alotta boxes. Woo!!! Boxes!!!!
Make sure those shorts are pressed though because from what the article says, the uniform should be crinkle-free.
I like being off topic.
I read that on Yahoo today. I thought that article was interesting. 74,000???? That's freaking awesome!!
Actually I don't think they do make quite as much as $74,000. One of my coworkers was a UPS driver before becoming a nurse and she makes more money now.
Yeah, this is a very hard job. I told my daughter that is she wanted to major in Nursing I wouldn't pay for her college. My cousin slash housemate reminds me "but you are well paid." Huh. I started out at 12 bucks an hour and had to work nights for years because I desperately needed that 15% diff. Now I'm near the top of the pay scale but I can't hardly stand it anymore. Strippers are well paid too, and I'm sure in some ways it's less demeaining.
You know, it's not the crazy hours, all the weekends, all the holidays, the backbreaking work, the stress, and everthing else. That's part of the job, and I can handle that. You know what it is? It's the contempt I feel from managment. Being told I'm lucky to have a job, being told my experience and perspective doesn't matter, being told I"m not working hard by people who don't have a flippin' clue what I do. They need to remember that HOSPITALS EXIST FOR NURSING CARE. We should be the best supported members in the place; instead we're the least. And THAT'S why a lot of nurses hate it.
Nobody is putting a gun to your head If some people despise it so much, why be miserable and continue to be a nurse. Perhaps working a "full time" is the problem. I can't see myself doing anything else at this moment.
Yeah, this is a very hard job. I told my daughter that is she wanted to major in Nursing I wouldn't pay for her college. My cousin slash housemate reminds me "but you are well paid." Huh. I started out at 12 bucks an hour and had to work nights for years because I desperately needed that 15% diff. Now I'm near the top of the pay scale but I can't hardly stand it anymore. Strippers are well paid too, and I'm sure in some ways it's less demeaining.
You know, it's not the crazy hours, all the weekends, all the holidays, the backbreaking work, the stress, and everthing else. That's part of the job, and I can handle that. You know what it is? It's the contempt I feel from managment. Being told I'm lucky to have a job, being told my experience and perspective doesn't matter, being told I"m not working hard by people who don't have a flippin' clue what I do. They need to remember that HOSPITALS EXIST FOR NURSING CARE. We should be the best supported members in the place; instead we're the least. And THAT'S why a lot of nurses hate it.
I think its a psychological tactic. If you make someone believe they are "lucky" and they are the "chosen one" to work under poor conditions they will continue to do so. Simultaneously, you also have to break them down and lower their self esteem so they will start to believe they can't do anything else or even fight for anything else.
I also think hospitals know its about nursing care, I just don't think they care. I think they go by the motto "If you don't do it, someone else will". I can see why you didn't want your daughter in this.
Specializes in Quality Nurse Specialist, Health Coach.
I love nursing and I'm proud to be in this profession. There are days that I just can't wait to get away from the chaos, but most of the time I really enjoy what I'm doing. Nursing is such a rewarding career, we make a difference! Good luck in school!:)
I have not started working as a nurse yet, but I have been in the medical field for 10 years and I understand exactly how the writer feels!!! After taking the time to analyze this profession, in my opinion the only way to be happy is to work with patients who appreciate you and the service you provide and the only place to find that is working with our Veterans, babies n children!!! And still u will still be working with tose miserable nurses!!!! Also I cant forget our trauma patients, all they want is for you to save them from dying!!!!!
You have to pass the training, though. I only got what I read on Yahoo. You may want to do some more research. No patients and pissy co-workers. Just yourself in shorts, a big brown truck, and alotta boxes. Woo!!! Boxes!!!! 
If some people despise it so much, why be miserable and continue to be a nurse. Perhaps working a "full time" is the problem. I can't see myself doing anything else at this moment.
leslie :-D
11,191 Posts
i love nursing.
can't say i've always loved what nursing has done to me, though.
professionally, i've had horrible days...even weeks.
but personally, i have never done anything more rewarding.
leslie