I'm Not Sure Nursing Is For Me

Nurses General Nursing

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pagandeva2000, LPN

7,984 Posts

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

The best thing to do is to speak to nurses themselves, preferably peers. I suggest your peers if you have any, because most of our friends share some core values; this is why we associate with each other.

I do have a passion for nursing, but, I do not appreciate the backbiting behaviors that are so dominant in my profession. The difference, to me, between nursing and other jobs is that we are more dependent on each other, due to different levels of experience, education and talents, and we need all of this to save a life. I am a new nurse, but not new to nursing itself. I am trying to find the place where most of my talents can be displayed, in the safest environment possible. I know this will take time.

Basically, most people here are frustrated because we do have a passion for nursing and wish to see positive patient outcomes. The problem is other nurses, physicians and unempathetic managers that throw crap in our paths and rain on our parades.

Also, reading here helps, especially once you get into the foxholes with us. But, there are also positives. They may be far and few for most of us, but, they are the glue that get us to keep trying. Good luck!

tbr96

2 Posts

I'm a recent grad (May 2007) and chose to work as an RN on a very busy med surg unit. They offered a substantial bonus (hook, line, and sinker) and I took it all, BIG mistake. I should have known what I was getting myself into with them offering that bonus, now i am commited to 2 years to a floor that I hate. I'm already debating on whether or not to go back to for something totoally unrelated to healthcare and just pay back the bonus. Nursing is HARD! It's not giving baths, feeding pts, or anything else I had to do while in school. I actually feel more like a nurse when I get to do these things with my patients, but in reality all I have time for is assessments and passing meds. I call doctors all the times for reasons that I feel are significant, and they act like its nothing, give no orders then a few hours later the pt is about to code. It is very frustrating. Give it a try, but you have to be dedicated. There will be days where you are so busy you can't get everything done, theres days where you will want to pull your hair out and cry.....but occasionally you will have those days where you feel proud to do what you do. Best of luck!

Azee

19 Posts

i love being a nurse!! it is hard and it can be very draining. nursing offers opportunity to grow through out your career, not to mention all the different areas you can take nursing, i could never do the same job for years on end. and when you have the patients that sincerely thank you for being there for them you then know why you are there. when you look back at how competent you have become and continue you to become self satisfaction swells in you. i think one of the biggest things to remember is to take good care of yourself!!

lyceeboo

105 Posts

Specializes in med/surg, ortho, rehab, ltc.
Well, I don't know what to say except that, could I do it over, I would not go into nursing.

I had passion.

Ditto. My sentiments EXACTLY. I've been looking for a way out since my second yr of being a nurse.

espritjolieRN

42 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Peds.

I'm not sure I want to be a nurse either. Woops, too late. I am.

Search your heart and then LISTEN to it. Don't be afraid to go forward and give it a try. And don't be afraid to back up and say, this is not what I want. Only you know which side has a greater pull.

My piece of advice should you go ahead and get your RN... if at all possible do your best not to depend on the $$ until you know how you feel about the career. I have heard of and seen too many people get sucked in by the hourly pay... they get that car/house right away and are trapped in high payments before they realize they can't stand going to work. They then want to do something else, but can't afford to. If at all possible keep the debt down and give yourself the gift of flexibility and mobility.

mikethern

358 Posts

If at all possible keep the debt down and give yourself the gift of flexibility and mobility.

Excellent advice. You don't need an expensive car. You don't need a huge house. Minimize your debts and save as much possible and invest in high quality stocks. Then you can afford to work part time, which is much better than full time if you do not like your job.

I'm already debating on whether or not to go back to for something totoally unrelated to healthcare and just pay back the bonus. Nursing is HARD!

Pay back the bonus and get out of med/surg. It's not the only area of nursing, and no bonus is worth being miserable.

mrscurtwkids4

108 Posts

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry.

Questioning your choice of a career in nursing due to the postings on here would be a mistake. Granted, there can be many frustrating and hard times in dealing with this career. That seems to be the main thing that gets seen on this board...venting and frustration. Nursing school can be quite deceptive about what it is to be a nurse. They teach you the knowledge you need to do the assessing and such, but when it comes to clinicals, it seems they are teaching us the aide's job with the bathing and care. In the short time that I have been a nurse, I have found though there if I look at this as my life choice, to serve others, and not view it as my job or career, it seems much more rewarding than you would think. Because how you view it, whether job or serving others, can determine how you feel about the work itself. If you are viewing the job in the sense of it being good income, the work you have to do doesn't become worth it. You have to look at the pay offs you get that are other than financial. Like the half smile that a stroke patient that really isn't there all the way mentally anymore because you took the time to be kind to him. Or a patient having an anxiety attack who you take the time to talk with and understand what she is going through. And various other moments that you just can't put a price on. Seems to me it's a matter of viewing your cup as half full rather than half empty.

txRN07

47 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg/Oncology.

I'll tell you what I tell every person who asked me about becoming a nurse. You have to love it, because that love for the profession is what will get you through all of the politics, long hours, lack of staff, etc. I love going to work everyday because I simply love being a nurse. Of course I get frustrated just like everyone else, but my heart is in it, and that's what keeps me going back everyday. :nurse:

mikethern

358 Posts

Pay back the bonus and get out of med/surg. It's not the only area of nursing, and no bonus is worth being miserable.

Eh, I would respectfully disagree. Anyone who has a 2-year contract should honor it no matter what. It looks really bad to turn your back on a contract. 2 years in med-surg does suck, but it is an excellent foundation if you decide to stay a nurse. I would "do my time" and then decide what to do afterwards.

RNroseshea

155 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg, Cardiology.

If you feel now that you should not go into nursing then you probaly should not even start nursing school. Nursing school is very fast paced with lots of demand and stress. I feel that nursing is not something to go in for just the money..you have to really be able to want to help others and even push yourself to the limit at times because the pay is not worth it at times.

Eh, I would respectfully disagree. Anyone who has a 2-year contract should honor it no matter what. It looks really bad to turn your back on a contract. 2 years in med-surg does suck, but it is an excellent foundation if you decide to stay a nurse. I would "do my time" and then decide what to do afterwards.

I'm a strong believer in honor, but she has an honorable way to leave that is written right into the contract. And if employers treated their employees honorably I'd feel differently about what we owe them.

Life is too short to spend your time being miserable.

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