Do You Regret Becoming A Nurse?

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

I love my career, no regrets here. It's all about finding the specialty you like.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

yes and no. Bedside nursing is horrible and getting worse all the time. Once you get some experience you can move into some more rewarding and SANER type of nursing. But it is literally a crying shame that so very many of us want to get out of bedside nursing because the powers that be have made it so unworkable. And even worse that we ourselves could be the powers that be, but we are too busy backbiting and blaming each other to work together for our profession and our patients to create an environment that truly promotes health and would let the bedside nurse do nurisng.

Excellent post.

Scrubby · Mar 16, 2009

There are some days where I do feel that I regret becoming a nurse. I've had some shocking experiences recently where I really did feel like just getting out.

But I honestly love my job when it doesn't involve politics, conflict, me feeling inadequate. I cherish days when I can go home feeling that I did a great job and look forward to the next day.

It's getting better at the moment, I'm learning so much more and I'm gaining a little more seniority in my area. I feel a lot more confident than I did at this point last year. But I still have a long way to go.

At the moment I'm going for my graduate diploma in perioperative nursing, my goal is to stay in this clinical area and eventually become an educator.

ToxicShock · Mar 16, 2009

If anyone wants to give up their nursing license, I will gladly take it

On a more serious note, I feel so sorry for the nurses who are burned out and regretful of their career choice. I don't, however, feel sorry for those who became nurses thinking it was gonna be a walk in the park, and now regret it.

UniqueUser · Mar 16, 2009

I've been a nurse for 9 years, 4 of which were active duty military. There were years I HATED my job. You need to find your niche. Once I found ER I knew it was for me. I interviewed for a PICU position last year and choose not to return for a 2nd interview...even with my experience I knew I would be overwhelmed and not LOVE it. My husband (also a nurse)had 1 year exp. and put his resume on Monster....landed a job working for a pharmacy no less. NO WEEKENDS or HOLIDAYS. Just need to get out of what you are doing and find the area of nursing you like (remember pay isn't everything)

jjensen · Mar 16, 2009

I have never regretted becoming a RN... In fact, I beleive it was my calling. I am a RN all the time; not just at work... Love being a RN... Where else can you work 3 days a week and have tons of responsibility and make a huge difference in someone's life? I love nursing...

nurseforlife · Mar 16, 2009

I Personally wish that I never stepped foot into this profession. Not to say it wouldn't be right for you. I just feel like there are other careers I would have rather persued now that I have been doing nursing for 13 yrs. I plan to go back to school and learn a new career one day. Right now I can't afford to, and my children are young.

Nursing has aged me!!!!!!Given me Bunions!!!!!!! Working nights has made me gain weight!!!!!! I am tired all the time!!!!!!!!!Getting up at 5:30 sucks!!!!!!!!Going to work at 1100pm suck!!!!!!!!The stress of the job sucks!!!!!!and I refuse to be away from my family in the evenings.

The positive is, I like the money, I like my coworkers, I love seeing people feel better, and that also gives me satisfaction. And, It is pretty recession proof, and I know that it's helping to support my family. This puts a smile on my face, and I thank God everyday.

Chewie_123 · Mar 16, 2009

Lately, I've found myself missing my old retail jobs. Sure I had to bend over backwards to make customers happy, but at least I didn't have to worry about killing them at the same time...

That being said, I've only been in the job seven months (exactly today) and know that the real opportunities don't really open up until you have at least a year's experience. So I'm getting there.

The thing is, as much as I loath my med/surg job, looking back, I can't think of any other career I would have wanted to pursue. There are so many good things about the job, when I sit down and really think about it. I can't wait until I have the experience and skills to find my niche in nursing!

caffeineRx · Mar 1, 2010

For those who regretted becoming a nurse, can I ask what careers you went on to? I noticed that a few mentioned changing your field. I know this is an old thread, but just wanted to see if I could get any updates :).

annaRNC · Mar 1, 2010

I have never regretted becoming a nurse. There are days when I'm frustrated or angry at things like poor staffing, difficult patients, and the fact that the darn pharmacy never seems to have the patient's drugs (no I will not rescan the order for the 50th time!) but I get to do what I love on a daily basis. I'm lucky that I'm in an environment where the nurses are respected by the doctors and if you want to learn there are plenty of opportunities to do it. If you have a rationale for why you want to try something and evidence to support it most doctors will listen. I feel good when a patient or family member says thank you, draws me a picture, tries to plaster my arm with stickers, or gives me a hug. Yes, I often have 7 or 8 patients and I run my much bigger than when I first started butt off. Yes, I come home tired and discouraged at times but I would not change anything. I left a much higher paying field to do this and have never looked back. I've been a nurse for a while and have a great support system with an awesome husband that may not quite get what I do but always supports me. Anna

RunnerNurse09, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2010

Lately, I've found myself missing my old retail jobs. Sure I had to bend over backwards to make customers happy, but at least I didn't have to worry about killing them at the same time...
That being said, I've only been in the job seven months (exactly today) and know that the real opportunities don't really open up until you have at least a year's experience. So I'm getting there.
The thing is, as much as I loath my med/surg job, looking back, I can't think of any other career I would have wanted to pursue. There are so many good things about the job, when I sit down and really think about it. I can't wait until I have the experience and skills to find my niche in nursing!

UGH! I was in retail when I was younger, and I HATED it! I guess what I hated was the fact that for a material object, you were treated badly by customers, and sometimes bosses.

Anyway, I LOVE nursing and being a nurse. I was an LPN for 6 years and just recently got my RN, and I am going on for my BSN and perhaps MSN. Is nursing great everyday? No, but neither is ANY job. EVERY job has its bad days. Certain areas of nursing are for some and not for others. I hate LTC, but love hospital nursing.

My dad had a saying :"Nurses are born, not made" I feel that to be a good nurse and be happy in your profession, it really comes from within. Nursing is not for everyone, but so what. It doesnt make you a bad person if you dont like nursing. I would just really try and make sure its what you want before spending the money to go back. I know that's easier said than done. Good luck to you.

Holy Guiacamole, BSN · Mar 1, 2010

It's all about expectations and how realistic you keep them. Knowing there are problems and stress in nursing, alot of people get into the profession thinking they are going to make a difference. By that I mean "clean things up", only to experience burnout and frustration. You have to love this profession more than you love yourself or you WILL develop resentments that will destroy both you and your career eventually. Develop a clear cut career path and try to stay on it. Associate with the positive people and try to avoid the negative ones like the plague and you should be fine. hope this helps