Does nursing really suck that badly?

[Irish_Mist]

I know this discussion has likely been hashed and re-hashed several times. However, I wanted to discuss not only my concerns but my specific situation.

Here is some background information on me:

I recently graduated with a non-nursing bachelors degree. For the past two years, I have had my heart set on entering an ABSN program. But, I wanted to finish my bachelors first as I felt since I was almost done, I could apply for a one year accelerated program and essentially not "waste" my almost completed degree. I am taking A&P2 and Nutrition this semester and Chemistry and Microbiology in the fall with hopes of applying for two ABSN programs in my area.

Here are my concerns:

I read so many negative things on here about nursing. Whether it is someone complaining about their boss, a high patient to nurse ratio, backstabbing co-workers, patients who treat you like a slave, managment that doesn't get it, concerns about losing nursing license, etc etc. I understand that NO job will ever be perfect. I understand that people come here to vent. I am not judging the nurses who complain on here because everyone needs an outlet to release stress.

My fear is that I will get into a career that I hate. My fear is that I will be chewed up and spit out. I am already at a cynical point in life where I see employers in general as crapping all over good employees and rewarding the bad ones. I am at a point where I am so tired of my government internship that I will do ANYTHING to get away from it. I love the idea of helping people. I love science. I've thus far enjoyed the academic pursuit of nursing. Additionally, I consider myself to be a compassionate, loving person. I can take a lot of things in stride but I have my limits. Is entering the nursing field really that scary? Are hospitals really that toxic? Are co-workers really a reincarnation of that evil witch and her possee from junior high?

I could really use some advice from some of you RNs who are already "there" and have been in the trenches.

-Signed-

Someone who wants to help others and wants to be a nurse but is terrified of the future

[Irish_Mist, BSN, RN]

Sure thing, Ruby! I see you and Esme's post along with a few others. A few that come off the top of my head are GrnTea, SoldierNurse, LadyFree, and llg. I might not have the exact usernames right. I can just tell by all of your posts that you all have "been there, done that". That is why I am always eager to see your responses. This is definitely a site where people can expect to come to learn.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Does hard work "suck"? That is up to you and you must decide. I have been a nurse since 2006. It is HARD COMPLEX work. Some people think that "sucks" some people embrace it. It is up to you. To ask does nursing "suck" is a question that cannot be answered by anyone but you. Some people like to live in hot weather. Some people like cold weather. Some people like living in a city. Some people like living in the country. You want the big time you have to be willing to work for it. That is about it. If you decide not to do it that is totally cool as well. Sales is something I have no interest in, yet I know people who do really well in it and enjoy it. Some will say sales "sucks". I have no idea what to you means something "sucks". I don't think hard work "sucks". I enjoy it.

[sadoyya]

Sometimes I do have good days. Even great days actually where I actually feel like a nurse. Had a couple of those days last week and then wouldn't you know it my overtime day was the worst day I had last week. I hardly ever work OT because the thought of working extra and being beat up doesn't appeal to me much. But I look back on my 2 good days last week. I was able to do a lot of teaching and spend time with my patients. I even had an emergency with one of my patients. I was so calm that it made everyone else calm including the code team anesthesia, ICU doc. After we stabilized the patient and shipped her to the ICU, the ICU nurses and doc came over to me and said they hardly ever see a floor nurse so calm and have such an affect on everyone else in the room. So that made me feel great. The next day my OT day made me feel like I was a glorified babysitter, waitress, nail tech (one patient wanted me to polish and clip her toenails um no to both) hvac tech, referee, everything but a nurse. Unfortunately for me I have to many bad days and I'm getting out of the profession for good Lord willing. Don't worry I'm not turning this into a religious debate so please no one comment on my use of Lord. I'm tired, I'm defeated, I should have gone into nuclear medicine, radiation tech, radiology tech, histology, respiratory, (hint hint there are other medical fields you can go into besides nursing) anything besides nursing. There is no nursing shortage unfortunately. So if you still want to be a nurse research your area first to make sure you'll be able to find a job. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com[/quote']

Hello

I humbly request you to please post your ideas about WHAT other medical field areas can one pursuer after a BScN honours in nursing?. I have tried the research myself but for some reason I never come up with anything that alternates a reward for going through Nursing as difficult as it is!

[anon456, BSN, RN]

I know several nurses in different areas of nursing-- from community health, telephone nursing, floor nursing, doctor office nursing. Many nurses who post here do so because they need advice or feel frustrated. It is boring to post "I love my job" and that's it. :-)

I LOVE my job! It's hard though, backbreaking, frustrating, but also joyful and I have the privilege to work with kids who most people will never have the time or circumstance to meet. Very special needs kids. I have horrible days. And I have great days. The great days win out so I stay where I am.

Basically you have to love the good parts more than you hate the bad parts. And you are a nurse through and through-- when you are at work and when you are not at work. It's part of who you are-- a smart, observant, compassionate, organized, honest, hard-working person. You have to have those skills and that personality and drive to be a good nurse. For me nursing is an extension of who I am and therefore it gives me great satisfaction (most days). It is not "just a job".

Like you, I have a Bachelor's in non-nursing area. I went back to school at community college level after a break to raise my kids. It is my dream and my passion. I do it because I want to do it, not because I have to. I am starting my third year and can see myself working as a nurse in my area for many more years.

[DoeRN]

Hello I humbly request you to please post your ideas about WHAT other medical field areas can one pursuer after a BScN honours in nursing?. I have tried the research myself but for some reason I never come up with anything that alternates a reward for going through Nursing as difficult as it is!

I posted some of the other areas in my post. Radiology and radiation tech, respiratory tech, histology, nuclear medicine. There's physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, nutrition. And I was referencing the OP whom I understand is a pre-nursing student.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Depends heavily on where you are. My first job had crazy ratios and no support staff. I hated it. My current job caps you at 6 patients and has a clerk(even on nights!), PCAs, phlebotomy, clinical support etc. What a difference that makes.

[Clementia]

I spent seven years working nights on an ortho/surg floor. Looking back, I do not think nursing was a good fit for me. I had wonderful co-workers, great bosses, a schedule that worked well, and a comfortable salary. I also developed a cast-iron stomach, an inability to panic, and a long, long fuse. What got to me was the patients and their constant demands. 85% of my patients were decent people, reasonably polite and not too entitled, but I am an artistic introvert who loves being alone. Over time, the nature of the job itself ate into me.

Without actually entering the profession, you won't know for certain whether it will fit you well or not. I would suggest working as a CNA for a while before you commit to a nursing program. CNA work and nursing are not alike, but you will be exposed as an aide to the same kinds of co-workers, patients, and dirty work that a nurse puts up with. Nursing sucks only as much as you let it suck, and only as much as the culture of the floor you work on sucks. The same job that would be great with upbeat, hardworking cohorts will be toxic if you have to work with toxic nurses and aides.

Take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror, and ask if you can handle it. Will you be able to keep five or six balls spinning in the air at once? Will the nasty, demented patient who scratches you every time you touch him wear you down? Will you be able to be professional to the grumpy doctor you're calling at 2 am? Can you deflect the crazy family members who want to follow you down the hall? Can you leave work at work, without worrying too much at home about how you did your job? If you're a people person who thrives on challenges and knows not to take things personally, you'll probably do fine.

Good luck! I hope you figure out the best path for you in life.

[CJ NV]

Like most other jobs,nursing can be like that.It can be good and can be bad(believe me I myself went through tough times in my carreer) but if your heart is set on helping people and that's where your heart is,so go for it....:)

[silentRN]

Yes it does. I'm sorry that you have to hear it like that, but yes it sucks bad.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Yes it does. I'm sorry that you have to hear it like that, but yes it sucks bad.

With pretty much anything in life, you take out of it about what you put into it. I'm sorry that nursing sucks for YOU, but it doesn't have to suck. For anyone.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

There are hospitals that are just pits to work in and for, with coworkers that feel they look better if they point out every mistake made by others. Nursing there IS as bad as they say. You have to figure out what kind of environment you want to work in and keep moving until you find a fit.

I don't see nursing as just task based, and I've hated the jobs where you were expected to just carry out orders. I need coworkers that support each other, and despise checkbox nursing. I landed in the ER, and we are a small enough group that we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We've got protocols to initiate based on the RN assessment, and docs that will trust our judgement. I was in a hospital once that needed bulletin board notices approved by a committee before they went up. Aghhh! that felt like a straitjacket!

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Sure it sucks...every job sucks at one time or another. You have great days and then you have days when you are walking out and plotting to never go again, you may even call off the next day because you just can't do it another day. Then you put on your big girl panties or your big boy underroos and head back into the minefield. And that day will be better. Sometimes, you make your own day bad by starting with a bad attitude...ie I hate this assignment, I hate this patient, I hate my co-workers, but only you can change your frame of mind. And really, who like working off hours, weekends, holidays when our "normal" friends and family are working "normal" hours? Nobody really, and that sucks. But, you knew this coming into this profession, and thank you lucky stars you are not in the patient bed. And you are providing a little love and compassion to that person who is in that bed on the off hours, on the weekend or holiday. Now that doesn't suck. Yup, lots of things suck, but sometimes the rewards out weigh the suckiness.