Discouraged

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello, I am a junior in high school and today I went on a job shadow in the NICU (b/c that is my area of interest). When I was talking to the nurses the majority of them told me NOT to be a nurse b/c you have to work holidays, weekends, nights, tough to get vacation, not very flexible anymore, bad pay & too much work (high work load of patients), lack of respect (by doctors and public), that you can contract diseases very easily & it is even possible if you wear a gown, gloves, and mask, also they said that nursing school was awful and if they knew that was how nursing school was that would have never become a nurse. When I asked them if they went back in time if they would become a nurse all over again and most of them said NO!!!! I have been so excited to become a nurse ever since I was in 8th grade but now I am lost and confused and don't know what I should do. Any insight at all would help. If you would be willing to be an e-mail buddy or have any comments please e-mail me at [email protected]

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

https://allnurses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=87

When you ask someone for an honest opinion, you shouldn't be surprised if they give you one.

I will say that there are many reasons not to do it. BUT only you can decide if you want to try it. It is the hardest job I ever loved.

There is an entire forum here for just this question. Would you recommend nursing?

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Don't let this one encounter with nurses spook you out. Maybe these nurses would be saying the same thing if they were flight attendants, or office workers. For me, it's a great feeling to make the decision to enter nursing at 37. A phew nurses moaning about their lives is not what nursing is about.

Besides, by the time you finish school, I will have been a nurse for a phew years and will have changed all the problems currently in nursing fo the better. Watch. :-)

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I'm surprised that came from NICU nurses. Our NICU nurses are the happiest bunch in the whole hospital because they have EXCELLENT staffing ratios, a great manager, and good relationships with the docs.

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sounds like a bunch of grumpy, unhappy, overworked and underpaid nurses telling you this. did they have anything good to say about nursing? i hate that all some nurses do is complain, complain, complain and don't encourage anyone to do it. that is my biggest pet peeve.

i wouldn't change my profession for the world. yes, nursing school is hard, but everyone on this board got through it, and if i ever had to go through it again personally i would. yes, working weekends, nights and holidays sucks, but hell a lot of us work 3 12 hour days a week and get 4 off...that is not so horrible, considering everyone else in the world has to work all day for 5 days, and only get 2 days off. yes, we are underpaid...but money isn't everything, and it is a lot more than what some ppl make. i am living comfortably. yes, there is a nursing shortage and we are overworked, nobody can argue that. yes, some doctors treat us as if we are nothing, but i have met a lot more doctors that value my opinions and my work. yes, you can catch diseases but not that easily, i personally have had 2 bloody needle sticks and am negative for everything. i have been coughed on, puked on, peed on...and i am not sick. i know a nurse that has been there for 35 years, and has had everything happen to her...she is negative for everything. it is a risk...but everyjob has some risks...right?

i feel that nursing is very rewarding. seeing someone leave the ICU after they were sooo sick is rewarding. getting a hug and a thanks from the patient or their family members, gives me the best feeling. when a doctor comes up to you and says "thanks for doing this or catching that" makes you feel valued. many of my coworkers have become my good friends, there is a lot of commradery. ect....

do what your heart tells you!! i grew up wanting to be a nurse, i shadowed and got the same answers you did. i still listened to my heart...and now i am a proud RN!

becky

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Nursing--the hardest job you'll ever love. That just about sums it up!!!

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Specializes in SICU.

Don't let anyone dampen your enthusiasm. Do a lot of research and do what YOU feel you will be happiest doing. A lot of nurses are very unhappy today due to the changes that are occuring in healthcare. I think that the majority of them want to NURSE, and sometimes that's hard to do with all of the BS...

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Despite my grumblings on here, and at home to my (nurse) husband, I mostly feel my job is rewarding, and I enjoy assisting my patients with recovery, and even to have a dignified and comfortable death if that's where they're going...

Besides, I make VERY good money (compared to a lot of people, although I do feel I deserve more :D) and I only work 3 12's a week.

Email me if you have ANY questions or just want some advice...

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I think in any career it is what you make it. I am a NICU nurse and I love taking care of my babies. There are so many avenues to this profession. I have to admit most nurses have legitimate gripes about their profession but many of them are not doing anything to make it easier. I say go for it. See for yourself. I think you may like it. I truly love what I do. I made a niche for myself. I don't work full time and do weekends unless I want to. As you go in the profession you will see many options lay before you. I say give it a chance. :-)

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i bet that the majority of those nurses who told you not to enter the profession, are the first to complain about the nursing shortage. :devil:

i think that you will make the "right" decision, regardless of what you decide to do because only you know what is best for YOU. my godmother discouraged me to enter the field and i did it despite all of her attempts to pursuade me otherwise, and i love my profession!!! :D

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As a CNA, I make "decent" money, not what a full blown RN gets paid. However, money and feeling good about helping people is another story. If you like to help people (and work amongst some surses who I heard will attack you) then you can be proud, and sometimes money can by pride.

You know. Tomorrow is my first day as a full blown CNA :-)

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:D

Hey daisy16....... All those things you mention happens.

As for me I don't want to become a nurse but out in a blue during my college years i went for an interview which send me to a nursing school and come to love it.

Now am working not for the money, but for people. I love my work which is very challenging and tough. And i love being a nurse eventhough nursing is regarded low here in vietnam , who cares, it's only what people say and i don't give a hell of what others say. Think of what you want to do and go for it. ONly you can make a best possible decision.:D :D :D

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I suggest you FULLY research nursing before you decide. There are good points..making a difference in a person's life is the best one of all. As far as the MD's attitude towards nursing... it really depends on the culture of the unit and of the hospital. For the most part it is not like that on my unit and nurses are respected, but you must prove yourself. You will always have doctors who look down at nurses, especially if they ALLOW it. There are a lot of very bad points about nursing. The pay is VERY low compared to similar degrees and the worst part is as a bedsie nurse it never increases much with time. New grads make what an experienced nurse makes just about. Would I do it again? No, probably not. The money and night shifts and lack of unity in the profession would keep me away. You have to decide for yourself. Try a position as an aide. That will give you more insight. Good luck.

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