Do you love nursing or hate it???

deftonez188 · Jun 11, 2009

I think that people are colored by societies everlasting view of nursing of sitting by the bed, holding the patients hand, checking their temperature once in awhile and helping 'fight that flu!' when in reality you don't have time to breathe and your responsibility is sky high.

People tend to think that when others say something is hard that they endow a resolve that places them superior to those previously mentioned, that they have seen alot of things and would be prepared. I can tell you that this mentality won't survive, much like you if you don't move move move.

Like zen, it is something you can't explain enough, they have to experience it for themselves to understand :)

GL - if it were me, i'd pick something else but if you choose to go with it, more power to you

Vtachy1 · Jun 11, 2009

I would never choose this profession if I had it to do over again. At age 38, I would almost do anything. The long hours and insomnia from all the different shifts, the stress, getting yelled at for doing my job the way I'm supposed to, --all this has caused my health to decline and anxiety/depression, it has changed me.

When I first started out as a nurse, the first 6 years, everyone called me "Pollyanna". I was so cheerful, optomistic, energetic. Being a nurse has killed my spirit.

After 20 years, I'm ready to flip burgers, anything, just not nursing.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2009

I have a love hate relationship some days I have that moment like oh yeah this is what I was meant to do and then I have days were its like I gave up my life for this. =o

ysin · Jun 11, 2009

I was fashion designer before I decided to go into nursing - I made a totally different career change. I too became disillusioned with the fashion industry, and I longed to do something with more "substance." I never wanted to go into nursing when I was younger because my mother is a nurse, and she warned me against it - she didn't want me to go through some of the crap she's endured. As a nurse you are trying to make a difference, but it is a highly stressful, physically, and emotionally draining job- you have A LOT more responsibility riding on your shoulders than a designer. I worked as an intern when I was in nursing school where I was much like a CNA. After my last clinical rotation, I felt the ICU was the right fit for me. There are so many areas of nursing you can get into. Just be prepared before you make a commitment to become a nurse - you need to know what your getting into.

Hello Malaski -

Thanks for your comments. I agree with the "I longed to do something with more "substance". How long were you a fashion designer? Do you miss it? My biggest worry is that I am going to miss being creative - but then I think about it and only 10% of my job is being creative and the other 90% of my job is sitting in a cubicle and drawing construction documents, meeting clients, project management, working with bosses who are similar to Meryl Streep In DEVIL WEARS PRADA & deadlines deadlines deadlines. But as you stated - I need more substance.

I don't want to give the Architecture & Design Industry a bad name. Architecture & Design is a field where we are to sculpt spaces with the health, safety & well-being of individuals in mind. I loved the idea that I was going to sculpt spaces(corporate offices, hotels, law firms, healthcare) and make an impact in people's lives, but at the end of the day, I do not feel as though I am making a difference. And its probably bc its not for me. When I look at my colleagues and they love it - I have to step back and wonder why I can't do it anymore.

I don't know if nursing is the solution and love that I get to read everyone's response and really appreciate the honest answers.

Cherybaby · Jun 11, 2009

I started my post college career in law...working as a paralegal while getting set to go to law school. Well, law school never panned out due to finances so I stayed a paralegal. Have to say that after 12 years of working with lawyers, give me a doctor ANYDAY!

I fell into nursing when my baby was in the hospital having open heart surgery. I prayed so hard for him to be well and promised God (yes, i know that sounds silly to some) that if he let my son live, I will devote my life to do something to help others.

Son lived...and I went to nursing school. I love it still 10 years later. I can't see doing anything else.

ysin · Jun 11, 2009

I am so happy your son is healthy : ) And I love that you still love nursing. What do you love about it?

And as a side note about lawyers - just with the experience I have had with working with them - I have designed a few lawfirms in my career and can say that they are the worst clients ever!!

SoundofMusic · Jun 11, 2009

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with it. I left a former creative career in marketing and PR to do this. I DO miss the creativity part, but like you said, as time goes in, whatever field you're in, you deal with less creative issues and problems and people as time goes on. Pretty soon you see, you don't make that much difference in the world in some of these careers -- and so that was a very basic reason I decided to go into nursing. I wanted to do something ....real.

Now I battle awful family members, awful patients, am sometimes knee deep in poop and other awful smelling substances. I battle smug co-workers, nasty doctors, managers that just seem to dog me day in and day out ... coding patients, illegible orders, pharmacy, other nurses on transfers, you name it.

But then you have those moments -- where a patient tells you that they will never forget you because you did such a great job as their nurse and they and the whole family is hugging you or looking at you as if you are a hero. People really, really appreciate what we do ....sometimes.

Or you figure out what to do in a crisis when it's nightshift and the MD won't answer, thereby saving a patient's hide. These experiences can create great satisfaction. And you really toughen up as a nurse and become a very capable, competent person. I'm glad what nursing has done for me -- and I've only been in it now for about 2 years.

I'd say, please, volunteer, shadow, work as a CNA so you really see what you're getting into. You are making a big change here, and you will likely be miserable the first year or so -- everyone is, until they get their nursing "sealegs."

I do miss my former career though. I'm hoping to combine the journalism degree with the BSN, in some way. But it's also cool that I can perhaps also go for the NP now that I've got a couple of years in. I do plan to do that -- and then weave in the writing part.

wickedfx · Jun 11, 2009

I was a medic in the military for 9 years, and I loved working as a medic, It was the best thing ever and so satisfying. Now I am out and I hate it. I have completely lost interest and the job is no longer fun and rewarding. Just drama. So I am taking up my hobby and starting school in the computer industry for Internet security.

Do what makes you happy and what you love. You will learn faster if you are interested in the subject.

kristikkc · Jun 11, 2009

I went from retail into nursing. 2 of my sisters are nurses so I guess it was natural that I be one. I'm really enjoying it, espicelly with the job I have now. But you can get burnt out on this job just like anything else. If it is affecting your health, choose something else. I understand

Ayvah, RN · Jun 12, 2009

This is the most love/hate job I've ever had, on both ends of the spectrum. I love feeling like I've made a difference in a patient's life, but I hate working so short staffed at times that I actually fear for the patients' safety. It is hard when staffing doesn't allow you to be the kind of nurse you want to be. Negative physical health effects for the nurse is a reality when you work a sometimes 16 hour shift with no lunch and barely time to pee. I have been surprised to personally hear the sheer number of nurses who have gone on antidepressants/antianxiety/have heart palpitations/chest pain/weight changes. There can be a great deal of stress in this occupation since you are dealing with life and death. This can also give a great deal of satisfaction when things work out. You see some pretty amazing things, and are able to be a part of life changing events for people. This is a field with a high burnout rate, but, one of the great things about nursing is that you can switch to a numerous amount of specialties during your nursing career.

I wish you the best on your path.

littleneoRN · Jun 12, 2009

It is sad for me to hear so many negative feelings because almost all of them are not fueled by the actual job of nursing but by toxic working environments, poor management, and just plain terrible employers. Unfortunately, this can be found anywhere, but when you work daily with life, death, and what lies in between, these shortcomings create a whole different type of stress. On the other hand, nursing does not have to be that way. I love my job. Am I stressed some days? Of course. But I feel respected and well-treated 98% of the time. Our management works hard and is generally supportive and helpful. I have never been yelled at by anyone in my 2.5 years as a nurse. I feel like I have significant creative outlet (although not in the concrete sense) because nursing is as much art as science. I get to think on my feet, using both the science and math side of my brain right along with the compassionate piece of my heart. It is unusual for us to not have adequate staffing to do all of what needs to be done and much/most of what we'd like to do. Charting stresses me out because I feel like I can never be ahead and it's time away from my patients. The nature of neonatal care is such that we often develop long-term relationships with families which is (usually) rewarding. Frustrations for me would probably mostly be rooted in lack of finances and resources for good equipment, amenities for families, and nicer physical environment. But the rewards are significant. Families here seem to recognize when you've given your 110%, and that extra mile significantly impacts their experience of their child's hospitalization. I come home from work feeling that I did make at least a small difference in someone's life. I'm not in it for the money or I'd be playing professional football, but I'm perfectly happy with my pay. (Pay varies GREATLY geographically!!) I know I have lots of years of experience to gain, but I feel like my rose colored glasses are long gone and I see my job for what it is. I'm not a morning person, so it would be a lie to say I'm excited about getting up in the morning to go to work. :) But I like being there once I'm properly caffeinated. Nursing is not the right fit for everyone, but given a good employer and the right fit, nursing is a wonderful profession.

ysin · Jun 12, 2009

wow, thanks for all the honest feedback! i am excited yet hesitant about pursuing yet another degree/career. but at the same time, it never hurts researching all my options.

and i appreciate the comment " i feel like i have significant creative outlet (although not in the concrete sense) because nursing is as much art as science"

how high is the turnover rate? burnout rate of nurses?