should i even bother with nursing

TurboGirl · Apr 5, 2012

You def need thicker skin for this career. U can do everything right and still get a comment like that. Sometimes you just can't please everyone. As for your skills, your still in school utilize the skills lab while you still can, also get a book on how to do procedures and skills. That might help. Good luck and stop beating yourself up.

allnurses Guide · Apr 5, 2012

"internalize and magnify" actually...

I tend to be like that, too. You will get used to walking into patient's rooms, calling them from a waiting room and all of that in time. I spent so much time worrying about things until one day I was lamenting something or other other and my charge nurse just said in a half-serious tone, "E****, I really don't think it's that big of a deal . . " and laughed. I must've looked quite stricken. . .

Then I realized what took up such a large space in my mind took up a very small amount of space in other people's, and my perception of my worth was skewed. Ultimately, dwelling on stuff like that is a waste of time.

You can think ahead for some things to say so you won't feel so awkward, and learn more effective body language and tone of voice until it comes naturally. :)

Nursemeg89 · Apr 5, 2012

Don't give up on nursing that easily. Sometimes it's easy to focus on the negative comments that patients and their family members say, and ignore the truly kind things that they say. However, stop and consider the empowering effect that being complimented on your skills has! As a newer nurse, one patient telling me "You're such a great nurse" or "I hope you're back to take care of me tonight" goes much further than the negative comments that have been said. Try to keep that in mind

Good Morning, Gil · Apr 5, 2012

You definitely need to relax. Stressing so much is not healthy or worth it. While being a new nurse will be stressful, you will get past being a new nurse after you gain experience (around the 1 year mark), and family members and patients that are rude or demanding won't bother you in the least (as you come to expect it, and you will be more confident in yourself and your abilities).

For instance, right now, you have to focus so much on everything, and don't have much confidence in anything since you haven't done it routinely yet, so you're probably nervous drawing blood or any other nursing procedure while a family member is there. You'll get past this. If you're smart, careful (never get too complacent), and compassionate, you'll do just fine.

Nursing is stressful for a new nurse, but as you gain experience, it really isn't all that stressful (since even non-routine/critical events become routine in a way because you know how to handle them or have confidence that you can handle something new that comes along that you have never encountered before because you know which resources to utilize and/or can figure it out).

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2012

Once, a very long time ago, I went to start an IV on tough stick. He had already had several attempts fail. I was young(ish) but I had graduated nursing when I was 19 with my ASN RN(child prodigy;)) So I had been a nurse for about 20 years at this point. As approached him, he looked at me with skepticism and told me he thought they we going to send someone with experience and told me to send him the experienced nurse over there.....indicating a nurse who was older than I.....I said "which one" he said "the one over there with the gray hair" I just laughed at him and told him I'd be happy to send him that expereinced nurse over there.....if he wanted the new grad on her first day..... :lol2: .

Take everything people say with a grain of salt and........Never let them see you sweat......:hug:

redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN · Apr 5, 2012

im an rn-bsn student and havent really worked. today i was doing a clinical rotation. I walked into a patients room, and i guess one could tell right away i was a 'new nurse' by the manner I carried myself... good thing, my preceptor finally came in....so, i got a comment from a family visitor "how many patients have you killed?" He said in a joking tone, but im sure his wariness of me was clearly conveyed. I felt really offended, and it caused me to look down on myself as well. This really shattered my confidence and made me brood what i am doing in nursing anyway.

I get nervous sometimes with a room full of family members because I feel like I'm performing tricks for them like a dog. That's usually when they ask "how long have you been doing this?" The answer is "long enough." If they want a hospital full of nurses with 10 years of experience on a med surg floor, they'll have to go find that dreamy hospital in Narnia because it doesn't exist.

Norma_Saline · Apr 5, 2012

I just wanted to add that Guide's siggy is appro here:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission" Eleanor Roosevelt

Norma_Saline · Apr 5, 2012

And also, I think many, if not most nurses have asked themselves that same question- 'Should I just give up nursing'.

interceptinglight, CNA · Apr 5, 2012

"or how about "I feel a kill coming on tonight..."

What a horrible inappropriate thing to say!!!!!!!!! I like it.

OCNRN63, RN · Apr 5, 2012

I'll bet almost all of us have heard that one before. You're going to find these smart-alecs everywhere. Don't let them discourage you.

celyseRNBSN · Apr 5, 2012

When I first started nursing school, I had zero confidence. I was book smart, but definitely felt like a bumbling idiot when it came to performing manual skills. People can usually pick up on this lack of confidence, and make comments. When I was trying to start an IV on a patient once he rolled his eyes and asked me "how many times I had done this before." I just smiled and told him I had a 100% success rate (and left out the part about only having ever started 1 IV before). Whether its patients, other nurses, doctors, or whoever, there will ALWAYS be someone who has something not-so-nice to say.

The best thing I ever learned in nursing school was to stop taking things personally and grow some thick skin. Easier said than done, I know, but when you stop caring so much about what other people think, you can become more confident and do a better job! Some people are naturally better at it than others, but keep at it!! It's a process that takes time.

caliotter3 · Apr 5, 2012

Sometimes people make hurtful remarks just to make remarks. They don't think of something more appropriate to say. And who cares if it was meant or not? While this particular patient may be the reason you are "working", he is not the individual who is "signing" your pay check covering that day. Don't let a misguided remark ruin your life. After all, that type of remark could be said about anyone in any line of work. Get run off from all lines of work and you won't be able to support yourself.

I would seriously consider getting some patient care experience as a CNA. While CNA duties are not 100% of what an RN would do, you would get the benefit of exposure to patients and an opportunity to build your confidence. You also would get a lot more input toward your future, and I stress "future", decision about staying with nursing. No one should leave the field until they have enough first hand data upon which to make an informed decision. Good luck. And BTW, congrats on not falling apart in front of the patient and your instructor. You know there are some people who would have melted, but you did not!