Feeling Torn on Nursing

[Cozyclove]

Greetings,

I'm a 21 year old student completing pre-reqs for nursing while working at a local hospital as a cna and phlebotomist. I have been working in healthcare for 4 years now and even prior have always had the goal to become an RN and work either peds or psych. My end goal is to become either an NP or PA and enter the psych field to provide more competent and empathetic care (I feel that area needs it the most!)

However, since starting my CNA job, ive become disenchanted watching the nurses work and doing some basic nursing work. I love helping take care of people, washing someone up, giving someone the space to talk, helping bring ice packs for pain or giving someone a much wanted walk. However, I get beyond anxious when it comes to lifting and staffing. I feel like theres never enough help around and always pressure to do things ASAP, even if it means not using the electronic lifts or having proper body mechanics. I come home aching and dreading the next shift. Im only 5'2 110lbs and the lifting expectations feel way too much and Im very scared I'm going to permanently injure myself. The stress of bedside also scares me, because ive only worked a few months and i already feel too exausted to function most days. I work in a post surgical spine and stroke unit, so i know my pts take more care than some.

Is nursing right for me? Is it worth pursuing a degree in if I feel so exausted by my CNA job? I know i would be happy in a clinic doing more pt education (i love to teach) or in some other type of ambulatory care, or with peds or nicu (i love kids) but i know these are quite specific and I want to look at things realistically. I dont know what else I would want to do with my career and I feel so conflicted and discouraged. Anyone have any advice for me?

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

At my facility, we are expected, and trained in lifts/good body mechanics to the point that if we do not follow policy, we could be putting our workman's comp status in jeopardy if it is found that we didn't follow policy. I use the lifts and good body mechanics.

See if you can get through and become the psych nurse you want to be. It's worth it and it sounds like you will be a great nurse.

[NewOncNurseRN, BSN, RN]

Always follow the proper body mechanics! If anyone complains (including patients if you wait for a second person) I tell them if I do it and injure myself we are down another nurse and the wait is longer. I am also the same height and roughly the same weight.

All the things you mention you dislike will happen when you are a nurse, but all the things you like require you to put up with bedside. It’s up to you if it’s worth it. For me it is!

[jobellestarr]

Nurse here for 36 years. Personally, I would not advise anyone to go into nursing. It will damage you physically, emotionally and spiritually. If you have doubts, you may want to check out Occupational Therapy or some other allied professional. Personally, I think an OT career with peds or psych would be wonderful and the pay is also more and you get to keep your body whole and intact. Good luck to you ❤️

[Katie82, RN]

Go for it. What you describe is mostly the physical side of nursing and could be just temporary. I worked Med/Surg for a while, but after I left the hospital, found there were some very interesting "non-acute care" jobs in nursing.

[Sour Lemon]

The fact that you're so young and already feeling it so much is the biggest red flag, to me. Alternative options matter a lot, though.

Before I decide "should I", I need to know what I'll be doing if I decide not to.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

If you want to be a PA, don't waste the time on nursing. Totally different discipline. my daughter in law wanted to go to nursing school. I told my son NO. She graduates as an OT in May 2020. Thank goodness, and she's so much happier

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I know of several aides who worked our floor and were in nursing school but ultimately decided they had seen enough and changed their major. Nursing can be great and rewarding but it also depends alot on the floor/unit, management, co-workers, etc. If you find the right combination of those you will really enjoy it. If not you will be miserable.

NP isn't always great either. You have to have a combination of the same above or else you will be miserable. There are a lot of areas in nursing thought that aren't as bad/physical as bedside.

[Christina_, BSN, RN]

There's so many different specialties that you can go into nursing. It seems that you are worried about the physical aspects of nursing. Nursing is draining physically, mentally and emotionally. I love it tho, I'm assuming you have not had any clinical experiences yet since you are completing prereqs. Maybe you can ask if you can shadow a nurse at work? Also don't forget there are other places like doctor offices, clinics, schools etc where you can work as a nurse. I'm currently working at a dialysis clinic and I love it. It's not as stressful as working as a RN at a hospital. I don't know if this is "good" advice, but maybe try to find a perdiem job as a CNA at a different setting like a clinic, so you can see the difference between working in a hospital vs clinic. I wish you the best of luck!