Do you think it is a mistake going into nursing for me?

Be careful - there's such a thing as OVER-RESEARCHING a topic. Over-researching until your eyeballs pop out! And OVER-THINKING things! All you can do is work to do well on your studies while keeping an eye on your FUTURE plans. Focus on the present.

It's impossible to forecast so far into the future what the state of the industry will be. Take these times NOW as an example of how things have changed and are STILL changing! Who'd da thunk it!

And while there is a a lot of negativity in nsg, the positivity doesn't seem to make as much loud noise. We all don't require popmp & circumstances accolades for what we do, just a little recognition WOULD really be nice. But that's another story! When you've done a good job and you go home knowing it, THAT does feel good.

Go for it. If you don't you'll always wonder what if ....

amoLucia, thank you for your encouragement and kind words.

maybe I will share with you in the future what I have become ? 

Oh, you forgot, 'undervalued, underpaid', and OVERWORKED. LOL

Seriously, I retired after 36 years - it was my time. NO real regrets for those years, except to say that I would have liked to have been off on my birthday more often (some places grant birthdays as a paid holiday!).

Again, you'll never know unless you try. Good luck to you.

On 9/2/2020 at 3:25 PM, amoLucia said:

And while there is a a lot of negativity in nsg, the positivity doesn't seem to make as much loud noise. We all don't require popmp & circumstances accolades for what we do, just a little recognition WOULD really be nice. But that's another story! When you've done a good job and you go home knowing it, THAT does feel good.

Go for it. If you don't you'll always wonder what if ....

Thank you for this! I've been lurking around this forum in order to ease some of the nervousness while I wait to find out if I have been accepted to the ABSN program I applied to. After reading some of the threads, I've started wondering the same thing as the OP. What you write resonates with me - I am definitely someone who takes pride in feeling like I've done a good days work. :)

Although, I still wonder about how new nurses get treated by existing nurses and this idea of "nursing eating their own". I'd like to think that this is not as widespread as it is made out to be.

4 hours ago, FindingNovember said:

......  Although, I still wonder about how new nurses get treated by existing nurses and this idea of "nursing eating their own". I'd like to think that this is not as widespread as it is made out to be.

I most whole-heartedly agree with you. I truly believe that's it's a newer generation of nurses who freq feel 'bullied' or subject to other 'mean nurses don't like me' sentiments. They're the ones who're always moaning & groaning here. I would venture that they were cushioned in life experiences prior to & incl nsg school. And now, a REAL job in a REAL life or death environment with NO coddling or cushioning is occurring. No rosy, unicorn-sparkled, 'poor thing' support is forthcoming, and they are loathe to 'put on their big girl panties'.

I was actually called a 'KAREN' here in a post (2 other experienced nurses & myself) because we weren't nicey & sweety with the answers a nurse was wanting in her post. (I'm serious!!)

Nursing is a serious profession, nothing like TV! It can be downright dirty & nasty, soul-sucking at times. Others & I don't have the luxury to make things easy for ourselves, much less others who are SUPER surprised, dismayed, disappointed, angry about the true demands of nsg. I'm guessing that they just didn't know what they were getting into. AND REALITY SUCKS!

There's good & bad with every job. Just as long as one has reasonable expectations, they should make out OK.

Caring for patients is the most rewarding work I’ve done.  It doesn’t even feel like work because I love it.  It can be hard and challenging, but so far the benefit of being happy and good at what I do outweighs the challenges.

If I read a lot of parenting Instagram accounts and Reddit forums about parenting and Fb pages about parenting, I’d never have decided to have my son. I’m just saying... People online like to be negative. I think you should seek out some nurses in real-life, take them out for coffee, and see what they say about their careers. 

Nursing has its challenges, as do every other job in the world.  You have to love what you do enough to overcome the drawbacks.  I remember telling someone who was interested in nursing because we "make good money" that if you go into it just for the money, you are going to be sorry.  And probably a sub-par nurse

On 9/2/2020 at 10:18 AM, nursetobeat33 said:

Hi, I am a 30 years old trying to get into nursing school. I am currently taking prereqs at local community college. 

The more and more I research about nursing there is so much negativity forums and articles about nursing.

- patients treat you crap

- management is terrible

- undervalued, underpaid, etc..

I am currently in a totally different field, but I hate my job..and I don't see any future career in this field..

I was always interested in medical field and specifically primary care or anesthesiology and at 30 years old decided to change my field to nursing. my goal was to work as a nurse and purse my career further as NP, PA or CRNA.

I've done some research and found out that NP, PA or CRNA will not be in demand in around 10 years and that is taking away my hope as well...

I feel so devastated whenever I read about these negativity side of nursing.

I have so much fear of maybe not getting accepted to nursing school, failing my NCLEX-RN, not being able to get a job as a nurse.

am I overthinking myself? Do you think it is a mistake for me to purse a nursing career? ? please share your thoughts

Where is this research? If anything it's going to get better for all APRNs. I would post research articles from the past year that helps support that but I doubt you'd want to read it.

If you want to get into anesthesia, but don't feel like nursing is a good fit for you, then look into Anesthesia Assistant programs. You would need to take some prerequisites such as: biochem, organic, anatomy & physiology, physics, etc. You also need a bachelors degree in some field. good luck in whatever you decide. 

 

 

Well, I’m a 36 year nurse and I would almost never recommend someone go into nursing. It will hurt you physically, spiritually and emotionally. It has changed so much  and that has much to do with our for profit system. There are other areas in healthcare that pay just as well or better and without the headaches of nursing. Examples would be radiology, OT, PT or even a PA. Although of course we need nurses,  I think it’s really important to evaluate what it is exactly that you are expecting nursing to be for you. I was able to escape the corporate nonsense by living on the Navajo reservation for many years. Grateful patients and about 30,000 a year more than my friends in the “non profit” big hospital systems and a pension with healthcare for life. Good luck to you in whatever you decide. ❤️

Nursing, as cliche as it sounds...it's a calling. 

Before you decide to move forward past this semester ask yourself:

1) Why am I REALLY doing this? 

Just like how amoLucia said, you really can over research something. It's true there are a handful of nurses that will talk about the underpayment, management, patient's etc. It's true, nursing is a STRESSFUL job, you'll have days when you cry, days when you don't get to pee, won't get to eat, or stay extra late to finish up charts. But that's what makes this career a calling for people and only the strong ones make it through working in these conditions. 

BUT....

There are days and facilities that will treat you amazing, patients that will make you so happy that you went forward with this career change, managers that care, and some will pay AMAZING. 

As you take prerequisites I HIGHLY encourage you to take a CNA class and work as one at a facility/unit you take interest in, some hospitals call them NCTs,PCTs, Unit Techs, Unit Aides.

Its not a must to be a CNA before nursing school (even though I know some programs require it), but I always recommend it to anyone thinking about going to nursing school. It will teach you a lot of the basics in healthcare and you can always see and ask how the nurses within the facility work and like their area of work too. You'll see PAs and NPs as well! I know my unit has PAs and NPs covering the weekends and nights. 

Before you make the step to go into nursing school and spend tens of thousands of dollars, take a CNA class that usually is between $900-$2000 (sometimes cheaper!) for a couple weeks/months and see if the healthcare field is even within your interests! 

Take one step at a time! Worry about getting into nursing school when it's time to apply, worry about the NCLEX when the time comes, worry about getting a job AFTER you pass your NCLEX. You'll get there! 

First find out if the medical field is for you! 

Good luck!