What do you think about negative comments from exp nurses about nursing?

Jen2 · Aug 14, 2003

Not at all. I have been working in the medical feild for 7 years and have heard it all. Nursing is what you make of it. It is a true calling and if you don't find out if your not cut out for it in school, you will as a new grad. This is MHO. I am not a nurse yet, but date one and work side by side them every day. Each and every profession has it's faults. However, I do believe that nursing is being somewhat "glorified" to something it's not, due to the shortage. All the commercials, and sign on bonus's are trying to recruit new students. More and more people are wanting to go into nursing for the benefits such as job security, decent salary, etc.etc. etc.. There are alot of things you don't see in the commercials, and things the facilites are leaving out. Because of this, I believe that there will be more people disgusted with the profession and leaving it. Like I said, it has to be a calling and your drive and love for it that brought you to it in order to keep you there, not the benefits.

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2003

Originally posted by agent
Does it discourage you?
Does it intimidate you or make you not want to do it?
Especially for you career changers, if you read other forums on this site it can be discouraging!

Don't tell me you're thinking of changing your mind! LOL j/k

I don't really have anything fresh to say that the other posters haven't already (I don't usually get on and post at night) -

I do get discouraged thinking about it occasionally, but I've heard it mentioned here before that this a place where many nurses come to vent - maybe the negative aspects of their careers get a little bit more "airtime" than the positive.. and of course each job has its ups and downs. I know I don't want to be stuck sitting in front of a computer, typing in my windowless office for the next 40 years. :)

camkib · Aug 15, 2003

I ignore it and keep on pushing. People often tell me about the the things they don't like...a certain soda, candy, movie, other people, etc. --I may listen to their opinion, but if I want something, I still try it for myself....and many times I really love what it is they say they dislike!

Gardengal · Aug 15, 2003

I have been a nurse for over 20 years. I am currently a unit manager of an ICU. This summer has been atrocious with staffing issues, sick leaves and increased short staffing, and last week I was ready to walk....But then I thought...what do i always tell my staff when they get disgusted? ...Think about what brought you to this profession and is that still true. Do you have any satisfiers? What could you do to improve your situation? What exactly is it that you'd rather do, and is it realistic?

When I forced myself to look at it that way I reaffirmed my committment to my profession. Sure....we all ahve bad days and bad periods of time, and tend to get pretty vocal about our frustrations. We tend to be ess vocal when we are satsfied, because life is then "normal".

If you want to be a nurse...go for it! I love nursing >20 years in the profession, although admittedly I get disgusted like everyone else! We're all human. When we're disgusted we like to gripe and moan.

Nightcrawler, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2003

This is what I always think.... The grass is always greener on the other side. If you listen to any group of workers, in any career, you will hear the same type of stories. Long hours, short pay, no appreciation, etc. Not to say that in many cases they aren't right, but I have heard owners of multimillion dollar companies complain that the employees don't appreciate all of the work that he does and blah, blah, blah.

This is my viewpoint: 1. I would rather be a nurse than a restaurant manager (where I regularly worked 60-70 hour weeks for $30,000 a year, talk about over worked and underpaid! :eek: ) 2. I would rather suffer the tired feet of a 12 hour day and see different patients, than sit at a desk or behind the wheel of a car all day. 3. The patients do appreciate us, and isn't that what counts?

I am becoming a nurse for these reasons and others. You just have to remind yourself that there are burnout cases in all professions, and they tend to shout to the rooftops while all of the happy nurses go about their jobs quietly and without a lot of fuss :kiss

Scruffy · Aug 15, 2003

I run into students coming out of that long dark "tunnel" who are burned out and pissed off in school, and i run into nurses at work who also seem to be a little torn and frayed and i am amazed about the horror stories that they tell me, but i am even more impressed by what they don't tell me. I have never had one of them say, " I wish i wasn't a nurse."

mother/babyRN, RN · Aug 15, 2003

As an experienced nurse, I don't think it is fair to tell anyone not to do what they believe and know they at least want to try, but I will be honest and tell those who ask, exactly how difficult and stressful it not only is but will continue to be. That said, I try to be supportive as best I can, of those who want to achieve nursing...But, I wouldn't do it over again, knowing what I know...And have been through, given the culpability and major lack of support from above....Do what you must and see for yourself..There will be negative comments in any field you choose....Don't let it detract you from whatever goals you have..I see both sides and wish you well. SOME one has to replace us so we can eventually retire or expire!

Rapheal · Aug 15, 2003

Originally posted by LauraLou
I am in my mid-30's and am making a career change to nursing. I have done a lot of research into the field and have also heard the negative comments from experienced nurses.

My theory is to learn what I can from their comments without getting too discouraged. I try to understand what specific circumstances have led them to become bitter about nursing. I want to use that information to guide my own career.

My observations have been:

1. Do not work on a Med/Surg floor. Workload is overwhelming and causes burn-out quickly.

2. Be very careful what hospital you go to work for. You want one with a very good new graduate orientation program lasting 3 months plus. Avoid hospitals where you will be floated your second week and charge nurse your third.

3. If you have a job that makes you miserable, leave and find a new one. There are too many opportunities for nurses to stay somewhere you hate.

4. Nursing offers a wide variety of work settings. Take the time to find what area is best for you: ED, ICU, LD, home health, research, insurance company, etc.

No matter what career you choose, you will have nasty coworkers, unreasonable clients, unpleasable bosses, budget cuts and poor management decisions.

Listening to the experienced nurses, I know burn-out is a career hazard. I will be careful to watch for signs of it in myself and make changes as needed.

Good luck everyone!

Laralou this is great advice!

LeesieBug · Aug 15, 2003

Negative comments don't bother me a bit. They have no influence on my decisions because I have enough life experience to know that the only opinion I am sure to agree with 100% is my own! :chuckle

Just because someone has had particular problems and issues in their career does not mean I will have those same issues ( the problems I run into will probably be worse:D ).

agent · Aug 15, 2003

Originally posted by John Coxey
All:

- Am also hoping that I can devise a computer program (laptop or palm) and use that for charting. Perhaps be able to interface that to a hospital's charting system. I actually see that happening in the next few years, where you carry a PDA and do charting as you go. Then plug it into main computer at end of shift or other time interval and upload your data to system.

Software developer? I'm a web developer who has similar ideas.

Gator,SN · Aug 15, 2003

Whenever I hear negative comments I always try to think about where its coming from. Venting is healthy and it helps to know what you are getting into and what you might eventually face.

I used to hear horror stories about labor and raising kids from my firends and family, but I still chose to have children.

I had them because I felt in my heart that I was willing to go the distance and take on the challenge, no matter what.

I look at nursing the same way. I am aware of what could happen and what does happen with management and difficult patients and overtime etc, etc, but I am willing to try anyway. I'd miss out on a lot if I listened to everyone else.

Don't let other people discourage you from doing what you know is right for you. Only you can decide what that is.

Gator

agent · Aug 15, 2003

Ppl really rant about low pay though..

I make about 20 bucks now and the RN position would be an upgrade for me.