Does anyone here like nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've seen so many topics and posts about those who hate their nursing jobs. As a future nursing student this worries me. Most of the nurses and nursing students I talk too in my area seem to like nursing some even say they love it and that all the hard work at the nursing school was worth it.

However in my area with the 4 year nursing degree there are alot of jobs and nurses start off with high pay so that may be a factor.

Do I like nursing?

I went to school because I needed to get a degree to support myself. I like science, I like tasks. I like to organize. I hate politics, charting, nasty people, people that don't do their jobs and over regulation. So I could say that I like nursing by about 30%, more if I find the right job. I want to be an educator in a hospital but have not been successful finding a position. So I am not currently working as a nurse. 33 years is a long time anyway. Wish I had joined the Air Force when I graduated, 20 years in and done. Even went to see a recruiter. How long do you want to work, til age 67? Can you hold up that long mentally and physically? Just a thought.

You got that right. My back hurts from bending over beds and my feet from pounding concrete.

The main problem with nursing is even if you can find your "fit" TPTB choose to understaff to pad their pockets, disregard nursing input if it gets in the way of money which is pretty much all the time, combined with lack of control over your assignment, and dealing with some people that are impossible to please and being expected to do every other person's job on top of yours. If you were only responsible for your job and had adequate staff and resources and were respected and listened to it would be ok.

I'm glad I'm nearing retirement and can put this behind me. Why do I stay, for the pension, for the benefits I've accrued, its convenient close to home, pay is ok, and I don't like change. It's comfortable, I know the routine, I'm happy with my schedule, I like my manager, just not the corporate yahoos dictating things now. If I knew then what I know now I would have went back to school for my NP. I think I would have enjoyed that job much more than floor nursing. I'm not willing to take the pay cut required to do other things such as homecare or clinic nursing. I'm saving all my money to be able to retire early and my mortgage will be paid off before I'm 62.

Honestly, I feel sorry for the new grads and what they are walking into because at least when I first started we had great staffing and plenty of resources. I would advise anyone going into nursing to plan on getting their NP.

My end goal is NP once I have some experience under my belt. Thank you for the response.

I love nursing, enjoy taking care of patients BUT... When someone asks me about nursing I steer them away, alot of other jobs in healthcare that pay more money and have less responsibility. My nursing degree hasn't made my life or financial situation any better, where I live the hospitals are smart they don't hire anyone full time so yeah, you make alot an hour but after taxes and beni's you don't bring home much. I really do love nursing, when coworkers were coming in saying 'I hate being here", I was so thankful to be doing what I loved but sadly a recent negative experience in the workplace has really jaded me and made me see the light, not about the job, but the employers and coworkers.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

I've been a pediatric RN for 12 years, at three major pediatric hospital across the country - I still love my job. I can't personally relate to 91% of the posts/complaints on this board because my specialty and hospital choices have thankfully led to great staffing ratios, good-to-great-pay, and I float and don't need to be friends with coworkers so the drama aspect just isn't there for me.

That aside, this is a place for everyone to vent. It's not always as bad as it sounds all the time, but this is a place where someone can make a post and know there will be others who will relate or at least be able to offer a different perspective. Don't let it scare you.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

It depends on the day you ask me. Not being snarky. This is the truth.

Nursing administration and hospitals suck to work for period! Caring for others is a different story.

As a brand new RN at a hospital I can tell you I was SUPER EXCITED to become a floor nurse with my new job. Unfortunately, it's been super stressful and has made me struggle quite a bit. I think it's mostly because I didn't realize how nursing school doesn't really prepare you for the real world of nursing. I am in my 5th month at a hospital and I'm slowly beginning to like my job a little more often. I LOVE my patients and LOVE being a nurse but the job itself and managing care is a lot more complicated than I expected. I've heard the first year of nursing is the worst so here's to hoping i'm half way through :)

As a brand new RN at a hospital I can tell you I was SUPER EXCITED to become a floor nurse with my new job. Unfortunately, it's been super stressful and has made me struggle quite a bit. I think it's mostly because I didn't realize how nursing school doesn't really prepare you for the real world of nursing. I am in my 5th month at a hospital and I'm slowly beginning to like my job a little more often. I LOVE my patients and LOVE being a nurse but the job itself and managing care is a lot more complicated than I expected. I've heard the first year of nursing is the worst so here's to hoping i'm half way through :)

Best of luck :)

Give it more time and lets see if your attitude remains the same.

I was in pre-med, but financial and family issues were, well, issues. I threw my credits into a BSN degree. Not because I like the idea, but because I dislike wasted effort.

Fairly soon I realized that most of the nurses, professors included, had inferiority complexes. Stunted egos. Perhaps years of being badgered on all fronts in hospitals, by MD's, by patients. But any job/profession has its share of people nipping at your heels. I still can't figure out why most nurses seem to feel that they belong in the back of the bus.

At any rate, it was and always has been just a job to me. Easy to get, and if you have eyes in the back of your head and a healthy distrust of your fellow human being, relatively easy to keep. You can basically have the credentials of a gnat and get a job in many facilities. You don't have to be articulate. You can even forget many of the basic tenets and standards of nursing and be promoted.

So, if you want a job that is NOT highly competitive, ie, there's a job for you under every rock, then go for nursing.

Specializes in Home Health.

Nursing has given me so many tangible and non tangible experiences and opportunities and I will be forever grateful for it. I've been a nurse for almost 6 years & was burned out by the 4th! I loved the idea of being a nurse as a child and teenager and even during college. When I began clinical, I got a hunch that I wouldn't be retiring a nurse. I'm 29 years old and left my first and last Full Time job as a visiting nurse last February after having a nervous breakdown (no good) which triggered anxiety, depression, & stress. I went and hired a life coach, a therapist, began practicing self care extensively and almost 1 year later I'm still in recovery. I've always been Per Diem except for this time around; tried adulting and failed miserably. I am now Per Diem and even that can be overwhelming for me. I guess my values have changed and my awareness has grown a lot since I was 22/23 years old and I just don't care to be in this environment anymore. Nursing doesn't do it for me like it did 3 years ago. Family and friends dont really understand because "I'm such a good nurse" but if I stay, I'll die a depressed, miserable old lady. I'm going through a transition period right now just trying to figure out what's next in my life. It really sux having a career (that most would die for) that I've worked so hard for, and be willing to lose everything and start all over again for the sake of my mental and emotional wellbeing. To each is own. Get in tune with yourself and do what feels good in your heart. We're ever evolving beings. If you change your mind later, that's okay. On to the next you'll go! Nothing is a waste of time. Just all lessons on life's journey. Good luck!

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