After reading negative thread, want to give up nursing dream!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

After reading post after post after POST about how so many of you would not recommend nursing to your kids, I'm about to give up. I decided to go back to nursing school after having my two kids, because nursing is something I feel that I was made to do. I have experienced a MAJOR reality check from reading so many threads about nursing being so horrible. I have tried very hard to stay positive and keep moving forward in school to reach my goal. I don't know what to do now. SO much wasted time and money to find out that, chances are, I will end up hating whatever nursing job I get. I never in my life thought that an occupation could bring this much unhappiness for so many people. I am so VERY upset about this. I had thought about going the RT route and then sonography, but chose nursing because I felt that it was in my blood to become a nurse. Maybe sonographers are a little happier-but I'll never get my hopes up again about anything.

:madface:

Don't give up! You'll find people who are happy or unhappy in every profession. I've only been a nurse for 9 months, but I love nursing and I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I do every day. For me it is a true calling.

Here's what I love about being a nurse:

-Being able to help people who need it.

-Being valued and trusted by patients and their physicians.

-Being a small part of saving a human life!

-Meeting all sorts of people from so many different walks of life.

-Constantly learning and stretching your knowledge through experience, exposure, and training.

-Facing and conquering challenges.

-Making a difference just by being kind to people (let alone by also being knowledgeable, honest, and hardworking)!

-Job security

-Endless possibilities

-Overtime (not mandatory where I work, but always available if you want it or need it)

-Flexible hours (three 12 hour days is full time - pick your days!, or work 5 eights if you like..more options I'm sure).

-Good insurance.

-Being a community- neighborhood or family resource

-I work in a hospital and when the doctors leave a room, the patients often ask me a ton of questions. This tells me a lot (and should tell you how much we're valued)-first, the patient knows that I'm knowledgeable, that I can communicate in a way that they'll be able to understand, that I can and will spend more time with them, that I am willing to listen to their concerns, that I am there for them.

-I've had doctors ask a patient if they have any more concerns, issues, or questions. The patient says "no" then the doctor leaves, and the patient then divulges really private or intimate information to their nurses - for example, that they are impotent or that they didn't want to complain about this chest tightness that has been lingering for days. What does this say about nurses? That we are trusted and that a patient will tell us things that they won't tell anyone else. Why? Because they know we have enough knowledge to advise them, they know we won't judge them and that we have the integrity to be trusted with their private issues. They know all of this just because we have the title "NURSE".

So much of nursing has to do with your attitude. For example, if being close to someone as they die seems to be a burden or a hardship for you --hmmm...find an area of nursing that doesn't call for much of that. On the other hand, I find that being close to someone near the end of their life is a priviledge. How do you see it? Just know and be honest with yourself.

Nursing is definitely a service-related field. Do you love to serve?

I would, without hesitation, encourage my children if they wanted to become a nurse. I would also be secretly be very proud and I'd feel that I must have raised pretty decent, compassionate, caring, hardworking children!!! What a gift nursing is!

0 Votes
Specializes in psychiatric, research, icu, float, pacu.

I really can't add anything other than what's already been said. However, I will state this. People tend to forget that the beauty of a career in Nursing is that there is such a variety of job opportunities. Nursing is not just floor nursing. If you don't enjoy floor nursing and find it to stressful, try something in the OR, ER, schools, insurance companies, or take the administrative route (There is a VP where I currently work....nice as can be, but will tell you she knows nothing about floor nursing. She had a degree in business, then pursued nursing and has worked only in administration since finishing nursing school). I think the Post Office evens hires occupational nurses. You can even work as a CRNA, the list just goes on and on. I would just say, don't give up, instead focus your energy on finishing this career path, then look into finding that one nursing job that fits your goals and dreams. I can't promise that what ever you choose won't be without stress. I'll take nursing to a desk job (sitting in a cubicle for 8 hours/day) any day.

I hope this helps.

0 Votes

If nursing is what you feel you are supposed to do, then don't let anything stop you. Nursing is just like any other job. There are going to be days when you feel like you can not remember why you even wanted to become a nurse. Then there are the days that you remember exactly why you are a nurse et why it means so much to you. I have been a nurse for almost five years et yes I grumble about my job. Do I regret becoming a nurse? Never! When it comes right down to it, I love it no matter how frustrated I get.

Leslie

0 Votes
It's not about the venting, trust me. I understand people come to allnurses.com to vent about all of the negative aspects of their jobs. BUT-the thread titled, "Would you recommend nursing to your daughter?," is the one that scared me because it was NOT about venting, but simply about all of the people who hate their jobs enough to not recommend that their loved ones enter the field. 95% of all the posters responded in this manner. Too many people hate it. I've also read posts about how nursing school doesn't prepare you for the real world of nursing, and seasoned nurses telling newbies that the only reason they like their job so far is because they're new. Also, it makes me angry and nervous to know that just because people have been nurses for a long time gives them an excuse to "eat their young." Why do people like this enter the nursing field??? People with bitter attitudes should not be nurses!!! What is wrong with people? Sorry, but I'm very irritated. Oh, and I have shadowed 2 nurses and have already gotten a glimpse of what goes on, and this was at 2 different hospitals. One of the nurses is a friend of mine, and just like so many posters on this website, she loved her job at first and now regrets becoming a nurse. It's too bad, because she's a wonderful, caring, compassionate person who genuinely wants to help people. She's looking into something else now. When people say they think about leaving nursing to go work at Starbuck's or Wal-Mart, there's something very wrong.

Most people want their kids to have a MUCH better life than they did. Even if they were completely happy with their lives. I think that's one reason people said they wouldn't encourage their sons and daughters to go into nursing. I bet a mom or dad who never went to college would be thrilled to learn that their kids were pursuing a degree in nursing. Me? I'm convinced my daughter will either be a ballerina or a concert pianist. HA HA!

0 Votes
Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

Nursing can be very rewarding. I loved being a nurse for years. I recognize that this current stage of my life has been influenced by some outside things out of my control. This site can be very therapeutic, great place to really unload! Some of us are also looking to see if anyone has some solutions and are trying to work toward improving things. Hopefully what us frustrated nurses can do is turn our negative energy into some positive changes for nursing that newbies can benefit from! So hang in there!

0 Votes
Specializes in Lie detection.
it's not about the venting, trust me. i understand people come to allnurses.com to vent about all of the negative aspects of their jobs. but-the thread titled, "would you recommend nursing to your daughter?," is the one that scared me because it was not about venting, but simply about all of the people who hate their jobs enough to not recommend that their loved ones enter the field. 95% of all the posters responded in this manner. too many people hate it. i've also read posts about how nursing school doesn't prepare you for the real world of nursing, and seasoned nurses telling newbies that the only reason they like their job so far is because they're new. also, it makes me angry and nervous to know that just because people have been nurses for a long time gives them an excuse to "eat their young." why do people like this enter the nursing field??? people with bitter attitudes should not be nurses!!! what is wrong with people? sorry, but i'm very irritated. oh, and i have shadowed 2 nurses and have already gotten a glimpse of what goes on, and this was at 2 different hospitals. one of the nurses is a friend of mine, and just like so many posters on this website, she loved her job at first and now regrets becoming a nurse. it's too bad, because she's a wonderful, caring, compassionate person who genuinely wants to help people. she's looking into something else now. when people say they think about leaving nursing to go work at starbuck's or wal-mart, there's something very wrong.

ok, many points have already been covered. first, i do remember a thread not too long ago in which most of us said that being that we have to work, we're ok with what we are doing.

[color=#483d8b]

[color=#483d8b]of course that means we'd really rather not be working at all but you get the point. i'm one of the "venters" i feel very safe doing it here and also it is hard for me to do it anywhere else as i am alone most of my day. well except for my pts.

as far as nurses being bitter and eating their young, it is wrong and there is no excuse for it.

[color=#483d8b]

[color=#483d8b]shadowing a nurse was a great idea. i'm sorry you did not find it positive. i was a unit clerk while in nursing school and saw every day what nurses went through and it never ever turned me off. even when i saw them exhausted and frustrated i still wanted the dream for myself.

[color=#483d8b]

[color=#483d8b]bottom line is that only you know what is best for you. nursing requires a strong backbone and thick skin. you will come up against many tough situations , worse than some negative posts on a message board. it's good that you are thinking hard about this. good luck in your decision.

[color=#483d8b]

0 Votes

Keep your head up...........

I'm not a nurse yet.... And I'm looking forward to one day being a nurse, you cannot let what other people say determin your future. You have to decide what's right for you.So don't giveup on your dreams because of other people experiences.

0 Votes

If you REALLY want to have children, you won't be put off by all the horror stories about birth & motherhood you've heard or all the little monsters you've ever run across. Anyone who's EVER been a parent has complained about it at one time or another, but still, we continue to have 2nd, 3rd or even more children! That's because, on our worst days, we still wouldn't have made any other choice.

Nursing is pretty much the same way. If you REALLY want to do it, you won't be put off by other people's horror stories, you'll do what's right for YOU. Some people aren't meant to be nurses, just like some people aren't meant to be parents. There's just no one size fits all in life. Listen to your heart. Good Luck!

0 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.
If you REALLY want to have children, you won't be put off by all the horror stories about birth & motherhood you've heard or all the little monsters you've ever run across. Anyone who's EVER been a parent has complained about it at one time or another, but still, we continue to have 2nd, 3rd or even more children! That's because, on our worst days, we still wouldn't have made any other choice.

Nursing is pretty much the same way. If you REALLY want to do it, you won't be put off by other people's horror stories, you'll do what's right for YOU. Some people aren't meant to be nurses, just like some people aren't meant to be parents. There's just no one size fits all in life. Listen to your heart. Good Luck!

Great analogy.

~faith,

Timothy.

0 Votes

I appreciate the advice and kind words that everyone has given me. All of you that said I shouldn't let what other people say determine my future, you're absolutely right. I love this website, and have been visiting for years. I have found it very informative and helpful. I really do understand that people come here to vent, and that this is only a bulletin board and everyone has bad days, etc. I guess the reason I've been taking things to heart lately is because I know that all of you who vent are real nurses and you are discussing the reality of your jobs. I know we don't know eachother personally, but I pay attention to every thread I read so that I can be better informed. I've just gotten discouraged lately and all of you are right when you say that I should let the venting determine my future. The venting doesn't represent how everyone feels--I know. I know there is stress in every job, and I don't have a "fantasy" of what nursing should be like and don't feel like any of you have squashed my dreams. I am sorry it sounded like I was blaming anyone for my frustration. I am still going to pursue nursing, and I will find my niche. I have always wanted to work in the NICU, so that will be my goal. By the way-not 95%-50%. GEEEZZZ!

Thanks,

Jen :)

0 Votes

I mean, not even 50%. You'll never see another post where I mention percentages again.

:chair:

0 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.
By the way-not 95%-50%. GEEEZZZ!

Look, I can empathize with you and I'm not trying to give you grief, but rather, a different look at a different perspective of nursing. I'm trying to point out that the aggregate of experiences on this site leads to different perspectives, and that should not necessarily nor does it accurately reflect your present or future perspectives of nursing. Nor should you let it.

I understand the irony of the comment above. However, I also pointed out that many of the negative responses also included reservations that many of the negative posters, while they wouldn't RECOMMEND nursing for their children, wouldn't actively discourage it, either.

I think that thread has more to do with our aggregate aspirations for our children than it does with some comprehensive analysis of nursing. And, I think that thread should be placed into that context.

Good luck to you.

~faith,

Timothy.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment