Feeling discouraged & scared. HELP!!

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Oct 26, 2010

If nursing is something you feel you want to do then go for it. I have been a nurse for 11 years and love it. Don't worry about the job market, it has it's ups and downs but there are jobs to be had. Don't be discouraged by these posts...sometimes people have to vent/talk about stuff and this is a good place to do it. Nursing is an awesome profession and I don't think you will have any regrets if this is what you decide to do. Good luck future nurse :nurse:

NurseFrustrated · Oct 26, 2010

Hello Lilly.

Nursing can be a good career if you can find the right job. Nursing is a tough career. It is not glamorous. It is a huge responsibility. A lot of times it is thankless. I feel sometimes that I get very little respect on the job. That really surprised me because I always had respect for medical professionals.

Also, a lot of jobs make it nearly impossible to be the kind of ideal nurse you wanted to be. There were times I have been very upset that I can't take care of my patients right due to a huge patient load, can't do the things I want to do for them, and are just happy they are all breathing and have heartbeats when I leave my shift. Isn't that sad?

To be a nurse, know that you will probably at some point be working nights, weekends, and holidays while your friends and family have those days and times off. You rarely start out on the Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm jobs. You sometimes have to work your way up to them, pay your dues so to speak.

On the other hand, if you can get a good job you enjoy, working with a good team and management, and don't mind the odd hours, nursing does pay fairly well and is a stable career for the most part. You do meet the occasional wonderful patient and family members. If you don't love nursing though, the other things you have to deal with can make it very, very tough.

SlightlyMental_RN · Oct 26, 2010

To answer you questions:

Only you know if this is the right decision for you. Is nursing something that you feel strongly about? Have you wanted to do this for a while, or did you only decide to go into it for the money and couldn't think of anything else to do? Yes, there are nurses that are successful that go into it only because of the paycheck, but it's much easier to be discouraged by poor job climates, working conditions, nasty co-workers if you don't also have a bit of a passion for the job.

Yes, the job market is stinky for most all parts of the country--this includes nursing. However, if you haven't started your pre-reqs yet, you will probably be in school during the worst of it. Just keep your fingers crossed that the economy improves.

Yes, current new grads are often ignored in this crummy job market. Again, hopefully it will be better by the time you graduate.

Yes, burn out and abuse are pretty common in this field. Nursing is an emotionally draining profession. Recognize that fact, and have plans to recharge your batteries. The first year is pretty all-consuming of time, energy, and emotions. It does get better, though. During that first year, do things that are non-nursing related that feed your soul. Every nurse needs to nurture herself before she can give to others. Also, we seem to forget that there are psycho/crummy co-workers and bosses in every profession. We are not unique in that regard, but we do have this board to come and vent to.

Good luck, and if nursing really is your thing, don't let yourself be discouraged...this economy won't last forever--it just feels like it some days. :redbeathe

LillyRose · Oct 26, 2010

Thank you all so much for replying! You've all made me feel a lot better about my decision to go into nursing. I know there will be ups and downs but my drive to help people, my friends and family, and my drive succeed in this profession will enable me to get through all of the tough times. Im honestly not going into it just for the money. I was first a psych major because I thought I could help people that way, but then eventually decided on nursing because I love a challenge and to work hands on throughout my schooling. Again, thank you so much for your responses. Good luck in all that you do as well! :w00t:

wee_oneRN · Oct 26, 2010

Please take the posts with a grain of salt. Many of us use this as a resource for when we are frustrated or depressed as well as for academic knowledge. People vent on here.

I have been a nurse for just over a year. It was a great decision. If you are choosing nursing because you think it will be easy to find a job after graduation, then you will be shocked. But, I think you already understand that it is work in this economy to get your foot-in-the-door anywhere!

By the way, my first degree is in Psychology and I love nursing for all the reasons you already listed! God bless and good luck in your schooling and career!

turtlegrl · Oct 27, 2010

Hi Lilly! I've just started to take my pre-reqs for nursing too, and I'm also scared. I'm already an established engineer with a good job making a decent salary, but I just can't shake that feeling that I want to make a difference in the world by helping people. I'm miserable at my current job and hate sitting behind a desk all day. I'd much rather be on my feet interacting with people and doing hands on work. So I've started taking night classes towards the pre-reqs for nursing and I hope to complete an accelerated program in a few years. It's scary to go into a new profession when I'm already established, but I just think I'll be happier with nursing. I don't really know for sure though until I do it, which is scary. And the prospects of an unstable job market are scary too, but I know it is bad for all professions right now. I'm definitely not doing it for the money either. I make more now than I'm sure I will in nursing. It's for the life experience that I want to do it. Good luck in your pursuit! I know you can do it and I hope I will too.

RevolutioN2013 · Oct 27, 2010

To the OP I am in your same shoes, but I am 40 and have some life experience behind me. Let me offer you some advice, advice I wish that I had known and followed 20 years ago when I had my entire adulthood ahead of me! First, if you want something then do NOT stop until you make it happen. Opportunity is fleeting and easily missed out on so be ready to jump on board when one comes by you. Second, everything in this life is made easier by who you know. Always put your best face forward and always be prepared, on time, and ready to be professional. For instance, in my Nurse Aide class I am the only one wearing scrubs to our classroom meetings. They are only required at clinicals. However, it has already been announced that during our final class meeting a recruiter for Bayada will be coming to visit. What do you want to bet that this recruiter will ask the instructors who THEY would recommend for hiring? To my way of thinking, wearing my scrubs to each class will show that I am serious about what I'm doing (along with doing the classwork, being prepared, and making good grades of course!). I plan to take a Paula Deen bread pudding to the last day of class because one of the instructors has already mentioned that she loves to eat and she loves Paula Deen. Is this "sucking up"? Some would say so, but as a 40 year old who has a child to put through college and retirement to save for, I need EVERY POSSIBLE advantage I can get and if a little something extra makes those instructors remember me later on then that is a good thing for me. Be polite, be professional, and always remember that the person whose path you cross now might be in a position to affect your future in the future. Think of ways you can position yourself to stand out among your peers while still being your true self. If you do that you'll find your job search going much better when the time comes! Best of luck to you!