does every rn out there hate their job? sonography/x-ray tech instead?

Nurses General Nursing

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I don't ask for help, but I need some feedback badly from people. I have always wanted to be an RN my ENTIRE life. I am a newer cna at a LTC facility. I HATE it! I love working with the patients for the most part, but everything else is sooo tiring and frustrating. It is the same thing other people complain about wayyyy understaffed and crappy crappy pay for the work.No one is ever happy and families become too much when they chew my butt for something that is not in my control, like the food. I am always super nice, patient and kind to everyone regardless of how I am treated. I have met many, many RN's and they all say they HATE HATE their job. I haven't found one nurse yet who says they love their job. They also say that nursing school doesn't teach you what is needed in the real world and they forgot basically everything they learned. Do places train you once you're an RN or are you supposed to remember everything from nursing school? I have been so confused and stressed to the max because I am on a waitlist for the RN program and now I am regretting and questioning my path. I want to stay in the medical field for sure. I don't handle stress well and I have anxiety all the time. Yes, I have tried meds and all nothing works. I was looking in to medical diagnostic sonography or x-ray tech. I worry though because with the sonography I read physics is involved and math already isn't my best subject. I FEEL a sonographer would be a great job or x-ray tech, but I need feedback. Are they as stressful and hard as being an RN would be?? I AM SOOOOOOOOO LOST. I have been so upset, crying and stressed because I feel so lost. I don't know who to talk to. I just need feedback from people who know what this is like or anyone who knows or is an rn, sonographer or x-ray tech. PLEASE PLEASE someone help!!!! Please keep rude comments to yourself I already have enough to deal with.

I've loved my home health career, have worked on the mgmt and clinical side, but I graduated at a time when the opportunities were much better for new grads and had great learning experiences under doable conditions.

I did spend 3 mos in LTC as a supervisor (hired with inadequate experience) and it was as soul sucking as they said it would be (1988). We have 2 newer nurses that had to start in Skilled Nursing recently and the ratio and acuity is very tough for a new nurse. They're doing well in home health though, albeit we have a generous and supportive orientation.

And yes you have to know a lot and there's a lot of responsibility in any area of nursing where a new grad can start off.

IMO nursing these days is for the tough who are prepared to dedicate a couple of years in a difficult learning curve.

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Physics like chemistry involves math so due your math first. Buy a solutions manual off the internet for whatever math book you need. It goes thru the process step by step so you know how to arrive at the right answer instead of wasting lots of time not figuring out the correct answer. Take advantage of books like math made easy or online math tutorials to overcome this weakness. Even some math is involved in becoming an RN. The most important thing is knowing how to arrive at the answer and then doing all the homework so you have it memorized. You can't skip the homework and do well in math or science.

I would advise ultrasound tech, you can specialize, and I believe many community colleges offer the program. Check there first, avoid for profit colleges due to high price and shady tactics. Another problem with for profits is not all of them are regionally accredited so if you get your LPN or RN thru them and want a BSN the classes you did may not be transferable to other reputable colleges. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of the for profits that advertise in the newspaper and on TV. Community college is the cheapest, best value for technical education.

I think ultrasound tech would be better, pay is as good, even better by us than RN's make! Also you only work with one patient at a time so you aren't juggling multiple patients as you would as an RN. Also your job is very specialized and defined so you won't be expected to do everyone else's job where as an RN you are expected to be a CNA, HUC, janitor, etc on top of RN. Also I believe you will have less lifting than as a nurse so overall less strain on your back and body. More chance of regular hours having weekends and holidays off. So I think ultrasound tech is the hidden gem in healthcare jobs.

THANKS for your thorough reply. Yeah def am going to attend a community not a private because the community is accredited and cheaper. Really appreciate your detailed info some things I didn't think about.

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My first job was working overnight at a sub-acute/LTC facility. No, you don't remember everything from nursing school, you will need to look things up and ask for help. Nursing school is hard- you have to remember a gazillions things in a short amount of time and you have to find out how to memorize and understand the material. Half of your class will not make it, you will be sleep deprived and resent that your life revolves around school 24/7, no matter how much you try to avoid it, you will find yourself cramming for exams because there are just not enough hours in the day especially when you have kids, a job etc. You say that you have to work harder than other students- that's ok, I was like that too. I could literally spend one hour on a math, physics or a chemistry problem (and sadly to say, sometimes longer than an hour- just on 1 problem- I was stubborn) It was time consuming and frustrating but I never gave up, that's what you need to have- the drive to succeed and not give up!!! I used to be jealous of the people who claimed to have "photographic memories" in my classes but you know what, I ended up getting better grades than them because I found many of them cocky and lazy. It seriously comes down to determination and attitude. Do not be negative, nobody like to be around negative people unless they are negative themselves. I'm leaving you with a story told by Earl Nightingale, it is a little long but it has made an impact on me:

It's a story about a farmer who spots a traveler coming down his gravel road. As the traveler approaches, the traveler inquires, What type of people are in the town up ahead?” Well,” ponders the farmer, What type of people did you used to live around?” The traveler says, They were lying, cheating, good-for-nothings.” The farmer looks at the traveler and says, Well, you'll find the people up ahead are a bunch of lying, cheating, good-for-nothings.”

Days later, another stranger come up his lane. The farmer goes out to meet him where his lane meets the road. The stranger asks, Hello sir. Might fine farm you have here. What kind of people live in the town up ahead?” Well,” ponders the farmer, What type of people did you used to live around?” The stranger says, Well, they are the kindest, most generous and welcoming people I ever did see.” The farmer looks at the kind stranger and says, Well, I reckon you'll find the people up ahead are the kindest, most generous and welcoming people you ever did see.”

Wow thanks for your response. I am glad to hear you don't have to remember everything from school because that just sounds to be too much. Yeh I know how insane it is from this forum. Glad to hear im not the only one who has to work harder. I got a's besides a couple of b's, but I worked hard for them. I am very determine and a hard worker and I know what you mean about lazy and cocky because although it isn't school I have many people at my job who are like that. They seem to be always sitting and having time to chat and be on their phones when I barley can get to use the restroom or drink water. I have to pick up their work because of their laziness. Thanks for the story it is a sweet and thoughtful one. It is interesting to me and I will always remember this. Thank you :)

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Ok. First, unless anyone here has also worked as an X-Ray tech or Sonographer, we can't tell you if those jobs are more or less stressful than nursing.

Anyone who tells you that they get thrown to the wolves and "have to remember everything from school" when they start a new RN job is either A) lying, B) exaggerating or C) working for a horrible employer. I had 20 weeks of orientation when I started my first job out of nursing school. I started my career at a large academic hospital, which is preferable for a new nurse. My training was considerably less for my other jobs but that's because I had 5 years of experience when I started them. Nursing school does not teach you to hit the floor running. You need to find an employer who's willing to nurture and support a new grad.

If you can't deal with high stress situations, that's something you MUST learn to do before you become a nurse.

I have never hated my job. I have always enjoyed being a pediatric nurse. I HAVE become disillusioned with employers and when that's happened, I've moved on.

Glad to hear that you had training and that the rn's who told me this were lying or something. When they said that it frightened me because I just cant imagine having to remember everything and get no training on a new job. Glad to hear you didn't hate your job. Thanks for your reply :) I know I need to figure out my stress.

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Define "rude" comments. You just want comments that are sugar and spice and everything nice? You for SURE should not go to nursing school. Good luck.

I am saying most of the forums on here have a lot of people being really rude etc. for someone looking for advice and I didn't want some smart ass comment from people like I have read and that is why I said that. I wanted advice from people who have experience. I never said I wanted sugar and spice I just wanted advice not people talking crap as I stated happens a lot on this site.

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Wow, that's kind of harsh to say he/she should not go to nursing school because he/she does not want "rude comments". Being rude and talking about the realities of nursing are two different things. The fact that the OP works as a CNA at an LTC seeing first hand how tough it can be for nurses and has come on a nursing forum to get other nurses' opinions shows that she is wise enough to do her research before spending any $ or time on an RN education. I wish more people were like OP. I did not get the impression that he/she wanted to hear stories of sunshine and unicorns but rather just honest opinions.

Yes, exactly I wanted to get stories, advice etc as you and others gave because I only hear negative things about nursing and I wanted to know if what they said was true. I wanted honest opinions before getting into the program because I am on the waitlist as it is. Thanks

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I've loved my home health career, have worked on the mgmt and clinical side, but I graduated at a time when the opportunities were much better for new grads and had great learning experiences under doable conditions.

I did spend 3 mos in LTC as a supervisor (hired with inadequate experience) and it was as soul sucking as they said it would be (1988). We have 2 newer nurses that had to start in Skilled Nursing recently and the ratio and acuity is very tough for a new nurse. They're doing well in home health though, albeit we have a generous and supportive orientation.

And yes you have to know a lot and there's a lot of responsibility in any area of nursing where a new grad can start off.

IMO nursing these days is for the tough who are prepared to dedicate a couple of years in a difficult learning curve.

Thanks for your reply and I'm glad to hear of another person who loved their job as an RN. I just hope that if I decide to be an RN I get support as It seems like at my current job there isn't regardless of what your position is. I have heard of the learning curve and I appreciate your reply thanks.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I am a nurse in LTC. Do I love my job? Some days yes. Some days I hate it! But that being said I think every job in every field is like that. For any job there are good days and bad days. Please don't let your bad experiences at this LTC facility sour you on this very rewarding field. Not all LTC facilities are bad. Yes it is hard work but in my opinion it's usually worth it.

If you decide on nursing school be prepared to work very hard. It is not easy, but with dedication to your studies it is certainly doable. No need to be a genius and if you know that there are areas you need to work extra hard at [like math] do some extra online studying. There are many sites that provide this for free.

After school is finally done and you pass the dreaded NCLEX you have learned enough to learn to be a practicing nurse. It is true that nursing school gives you a solid foundation but the majority of what you will need to learn will be on the job. There are just too many areas of nursing for you to learn specifics about a particular nursing specialty in school. Any good employer will give you plenty of orientation time to learn what you need to know before you are set loose on your own.

Whatever you decide to do good luck with your endeavors, and welcome to Allnurses!

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In very simple words... I dislike pop music, it just makes my ears bleed. Does that make it a bad music genre and should anyone about to hear a pop song begin to despise it?

As dumb as that example is, this actually applies to various life scenarios. Liking or hating anything depends on many factors, keep that in mind because you need to build your very own experiences. It is actually very healthy to question whether if nursing could truly be your thing because it may allow you to see "the dark side" of it. Nothing in life will ever be perfect, there's a good side and a bad side in all, it is only up to you to let that "revelation" either turn into a simple reality check that wont define your choices or a big enough disappointment that fuels your interest in other profession.

If your passion for nursing is genuine, you will find a way and you'll be satisfied choosing it, even when being aware of its good and bad parts. Keep in mind that everyone's experience is unique and different, you might like things that other nurses don't. I have even read about nurses that worked for "x" amount of years on a determined unit, hated it, thought that nursing was not for them and then switched to another unit and end up loving it and completely changing their minds. Sometimes all it takes is to change a little bit the factors involved.

Good luck

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I agree. The work load required I stay on top of things but it wasn't difficult. In fact the politics of nursing school was far more challenging for me to initially manage than any of the material. Graduate school other than advanced patho was stupid easy and I went to a well respected state university.

Wow that's interesting. I would think it would be super difficult as that is all I have heard. Thanks!

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I am a nurse in LTC. Do I love my job? Some days yes. Some days I hate it! But that being said I think every job in every field is like that. For any job there are good days and bad days. Please don't let your bad experiences at this LTC facility sour you on this very rewarding field. Not all LTC facilities are bad. Yes it is hard work but in my opinion it's usually worth it.

If you decide on nursing school be prepared to work very hard. It is not easy, but with dedication to your studies it is certainly doable. No need to be a genius and if you know that there are areas you need to work extra hard at [like math] do some extra online studying. There are many sites that provide this for free.

After school is finally done and you pass the dreaded NCLEX you have learned enough to learn to be a practicing nurse. It is true that nursing school gives you a solid foundation but the majority of what you will need to learn will be on the job. There are just too many areas of nursing for you to learn specifics about a particular nursing specialty in school. Any good employer will give you plenty of orientation time to learn what you need to know before you are set loose on your own.

Whatever you decide to do good luck with your endeavors, and welcome to Allnurses!

Thank you for your feedback. I try not to let other peoples comments affect me but it is on a daily basis several times a day so it is hard. Yeah I know nursing school is hard work and I have always dreamed of being an RN until working at the LTC with all unhappy rn's none are happy. Thanks for the advice on math. Yes, I am so scared of the NCLEX because I have read soo many forums on here on people failing, unable to pass and those who have taken It many times. I am glad to hear that the specifics isn't as bad as the RN's made it seem. I really appreciate your advice thank you!

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In very simple words... I dislike pop music, it just makes my ears bleed. Does that make it a bad music genre and should anyone about to hear a pop song begin to despise it?

As dumb as that example is, this actually applies to various life scenarios. Liking or hating anything depends on many factors, keep that in mind because you need to build your very own experiences. It is actually very healthy to question whether if nursing could truly be your thing because it may allow you to see "the dark side" of it. Nothing in life will ever be perfect, there's a good side and a bad side in all, it is only up to you to let that "revelation" either turn into a simple reality check that wont define your choices or a big enough disappointment that fuels your interest in other profession.

If your passion for nursing is genuine, you will find a way and you'll be satisfied choosing it, even when being aware of its good and bad parts. Keep in mind that everyone's experience is unique and different, you might like things that other nurses don't. I have even read about nurses that worked for "x" amount of years on a determined unit, hated it, thought that nursing was not for them and then switched to another unit and end up loving it and completely changing their minds. Sometimes all it takes is to change a little bit the factors involved.

Good luck

Wow what a great way to show an example. Yes, nursing has always been my passion since I was a little girl and being a can I love the patients (most), but hating working in a LTC facility. I have seen and heard way too many negative things on being an RN and it has made me question my entire life and the goal I have been trying to get to. This Is why I wanted advice and stories from people who know about the career path etc. You're right though everyone has their good and bad days and their opinions. That gives me hope that you read about RN'S hating their job until they found the right place for them. I really hope I can figure it out. Thank you for your reply :)

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