Is nursing depressing? Would you leave because of that?

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

Yes, it can be depressing. I left the NICU after a death of a baby and the parents I bonded with over a 2 month period. That really got to me. It was like family. Very, very painful.

I left the ICU, ED because people were becoming numbers to me. That bothered me--not that I didn't care, that I was in charge and empty beds were more important. Needed them for the truly sick and someone going through the death and dying process was just another PIA situation. I didn't like that I became that way...so I moved forward....

I love the PACU. It is not depressing. It is actually a very funny, and occasionally harrowing environment. Mostly calm except for some heart-attack moments...people go home (usually) miserable from anesthesia, but happy that the surgery is done and they back to homeostatic balance.

So not all areas are depressing...you have to pick and choose...

msrob · Dec 14, 2009

Thats what I have been wondering myself. I am a sitter now while I'm in nursing school. And I know not all of the pts are like the ones I have to sit for, but I don't know if I want to be a punching bag for a living like a lot of nurses seem to be. Its the worst in ER and stuff.

But thats what I am trying to figure out. Where I can go where I won't be a punching bag. lol.

No one tells you that about nursing. I thought it was taking care of sick people, and I knew that the pts might be grouchy from time to time, but some of the pts are enough to make you want to pull out your hair.

However, I think when I don't have to spend 8 hours in a hospital room listening to them the entire time, and can go and take care of other pts and have a break from the tough ones, then I willl be a lot happier.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Dec 14, 2009

Not at all. I'm in NICU and love it. I had an >6 month old primary die, but I dealt with it and stayed with it. He'll always be in my heart but I don't get very emotionally involved.

KungFuFtr · Dec 14, 2009

Depressing? No, I don't think so. Yes, I deal with a lot of rude ingrates who abuse the healthcare system. However, the rudeness is theirs to own. Abuse of the healthcare system also provides me with work. What's also sweet is job security and you can always switch to a different unit or some sort of case management/admin job if the floor is stressing you out.

I'm really happy with my pay. I make $24 base with a 17% shift bonus for the first half of the night and a 20% the last part of the night. I'm really happy with that and I don't think I'm underpaid. Hell...nursing is a cush job compared to some of what's out there. I've done much more difficult work for far less pay. Have you ever tried installing shingles? Your knees, back and elbow ache at the end of the day, while you sweat buckets! You work long days and half a day on saturday and then you do unemployment for the winter.Try spending time in a semi trailer stacking heavy boxes during the cold winter or brutal summer.

Sewbusy~RN · Dec 14, 2009

I love my job. I feel like I make great money. I make enough to support my family. Some nights are way harder than others, and yes sometimes I drive home in tears. But at the end of the day, this is a calling and its what I was meant for. Nursing is in me and there's nothing else I would want to do.

AngeLnyt · Dec 14, 2009

It actually depends on how you look at nursing. Some nurses may find it depressing because that's how they looked at it. But if you become a nurse with the thought that you will be taking care of people, I don't think it's depressing at all. As a student you have to ready yourself that you will be seeing and experiencing depressing situations but it will be up to you on how you will overcome it. Accept the fact that in a kind of job like ours there will be a lot ef emotions involve. There will be times that you will definitely say, "I give up and I don't want to do it anymore" but if you are trully meant to become a nurse you would think of positive ways to help deal with the "stress" that goes with nursing. I'm telling you right now, if you're only motivation on becoming a nurse is pay and job security, you will not be successful. Nursing will definitely affect every part of your being. It will be a bitter sweet journey for you. I've worked with "old" nurses who I think nursing took out the best in them. They complain, gripe, so negative abt almost everything. and the sad part is they don't show that they care abt their patients anymore. These nurses took their stress level at its highest making them to who they are now. If you really are meant to become a nurse you would know. This will show on how you treat your patients, your co-workers, your family most especially yourself. Depression will be always be a part of nursing but it's still up to you on how far you want to take it with you. Good Luck in nursing school!

Up2nogood RN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

Yes it can be mighty stressful but never depressing for me, I can honestly say I actually enjoy going to work. I love the patient population I work with, for the most part they're all A & O, and it's gratifying to be able to connect with them to make their time in the hospital more bearable. I don't feel I'm underpaid at all, most nights are crazy but I'm grateful for a stable job.

tewdles, RN · Dec 15, 2009

I think some of the previous posters have given you some really good things to think about.

You said that you like to take care of people, so you will need to find a niche in nursing where you feel like you are able to do that. Your focus needs to be on finding your joy in nursing rather than avoiding the parts that may depress you.

regnurse1995 · Dec 15, 2009

I so appreciated your honesty. I quit my job over a year ago and started doing real estate investing with my husband...but the economy and banks are a bit tough right now, so I have to go back. I am depressed thinking about it. The abuse nurses take from doctors and patients isn't worth any amount of money. I found that I did enjoy the clinic setting the most. I haven't tried psych nursing and might give it a try. The worst that can happen is I quit. We are not heroes. We are human just like everyone else, only there is so much more expected from us. I have been a nurse since 95. I've seen a lot. Many rewarding times and patients I adore...but the majority are ungrateful, obese patients that made for a bad family life when I got home. It was hard to just leave the job at times. Do I want to be a nurse? Yes and No. I want change! I do speak up when I get the chance. The least depressing nursing jobs I had were allergy nursing and wound care, in a clinic setting. The patients and doctors were pretty nice and I even had some pretty close friends as patients...but the thought of working at a hospital makes my stomach go in knots! I am keeping my options open. Victoria Secret sounds much more fun!. In fact, I would love to be a plastic surgery nurse if I found a nice doctor to work for. That sounds like fun...can't find any though. We are supposed to enjoy our jobs and I don't care what others say...it's a HARD JOB and I am so glad we have a place to discuss it. Way to go for posting this!

Batman25 · Dec 15, 2009

You can have very sad shifts but overall I don't find it depressing at all. You get to help some patients through a tough time in their life while they are most vulnerable and that feels good. My experience has been that most patients are very grateful and appreciative of the help. The good more than outweighs the bad.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Dec 15, 2009

I enjoy being a nurse and the fact that what I do has impact in others' lives. What can depress me though, is the bull**** that goes on with coworkers.

Nursing can be stressful enough. Why do we have to be so godawful to each other?