Why are you REALLY going into nursing? Honest answers please.

Chad_KY_SRNA · Mar 7, 2005

I am an adrenaline addict and I honestly want to help people with their emergency medical needs. I don't get to do enough hands on medical care as a CNA and medical school lost all appeal after a while. Nursing just seems like my niche in healthcare.

SKYSTHELIMIT · Mar 7, 2005

I originally was a pre-pharmacy major, but decided that nursing might be a better fit because it allowed for more hands on with patients as opposed to filling bottles with medicines all day. Education (intense and not easy) required for pharmacy wasn't worth the actual job duties. However nursing education (intense and not easy ) to me is worth what you will actually be doing once u become a nurse. I have an extreme interest for the body and it's workings. I always knew that whatever i did it would be in the healthcare industry. I know that I"m smart enough to be a medical dr but I'm also smart enough to not be LOL if u know what I mean. So i decided to be a nurse to have a lil bit of all worlds. And then i stumbled upon nurse anesthesist while doing research and then it was over from there. On my beautiful journey I go. Good luck to all.

I am an adrenaline addict and I honestly want to help people with their emergency medical needs. I don't get to do enough hands on medical care as a CNA and medical school lost all appeal after a while. Nursing just seems like my niche in healthcare.

Trixiebell · May 17, 2005

i'm becoming a nurse because i love spending time with people and because i enjoy thinking, i love having the option to chnage specialty and to travel, plus its nice to have a job thats secure...

im currently a med student, changing because of the people time and the option to change specialty...oh and i agree with however said most dr have awful hrs...i know some nurses do too but residency is meant to be 80 hr weeks in many places...

thats all

ER1010 · May 17, 2005

Because you have to go to nursing school to work in obstetrics...thats it!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 17, 2005

Ok, I'm a bit frustrated with all of these posts telling us that we shouldn't go into nursing because we need a job and steady income. Sure, I do like to help people, but I need a steady job even more. So, I decided to post a poll to see if we can get some honest answers.

Primarily because I realized that once my youngest son was in school, I was going to have several hours each day available to go back to college (I have a prior degree and a previous career that was totally inflexible and incompatible with raising young children).

I knew that I needed to find something that I could work around the kids' schedules, would bring in some extra $$, and would give me a new image outside the home. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being "mommy" and have stayed home exclusively since the first was born, but if I have the opportunity to work outside the home while my kids are otherwise occupied, it's an easy choice.

I do LOTS of human-needs and health care volunteer activities; helping people is a natural for me. I feel good knowing that I made a difference in other people's lives. Maybe it's even selfish, but I enjoy the feeling I get from easing someone else's pain (mental or physical).

Anyway, maybe I can shed some light on the thinking that you shouldn't go into it if you're motivated primarily by the money and job security. In my first semester, first round of clinicals, there were definitely alot more students whose primary focus was on the job/$$ than on the nitty-gritty of a.m. care and bedbaths. Now, please don't misunderstand me, I'm only giving you what I observed, but the students who didn't hesitate to handle unpleasant hygiene tasks, who never winced when dealing with first-semester crap tasks (literally, often!) were not usually the same students whose priority was just getting through so that they could graduate and get the money.

What I mean is, if you have a desire to help people no matter what their physical situation and state of health it's alot easier to get through this program; if you're getting the mechanics done just so you can pass it's just less likely you WILL. See, in my school, the focus on patient care as relates to emotional as well as physical safety is critical. The instructors are like hawks on the lookout for the slightest indication you really AREN'T Florence Nightingale reincarnated. And if they get the feeling you're going through the motions of clinicals without really caring about your patients, well....those students just don't seem to be there in the next module.

I think maybe that's what those who are trying to dissuade you might be talking about. Not that you WOULDN'T put forth your best effort when you have the job, but even getting to the graduation might be a factor (depending on your school's philosophies, etc). Maybe it's just elitism, or a holier-than-thou attitude from some, but from others I think they're just trying to make sure that those who are responsible for the daily mundane care of those who cannot care for themselves really DO give a damn, know what I mean?

LeiaT · May 17, 2005

1) I would love to eventually be a midwife of some sort. I've also wanted to be a lactation consultant for a while. I think working with mothers and babies would be ideal. Although I think I will like med/surg a lot. Another big dream of mine is to work in research.

2) I like to be challenged. I like to use my brain, learn new things, figure things out.

3) I need a stable job where I won't have to worry about finances.

4) I want to be proud of my job. I want to "rise above my raising!" If you know what I mean.

galenanurse2b · May 17, 2005

I have to say this thread makes me a bit sad :crying2:

All this talk about money.....Nurses are so under paid it's a crime. So if it's the money your in for I suggest you look for another career.

I left a $100,000 + job downtown Chicago, in real estate development.

I mingled with the biggest names in the City. Including sport stars, politicians, movie stars, ect.......

I was always dressed to kill and being young (late 20's), and attractive I had it made!

BUT SERIOUSLY-MY SOUL WAS NOT FUFILLED :stone

I left it all behind. Now I work PT as a C.N.A while in school for my BSN. I make pennies, my wardrobe is pitafull and I am always dirty at work. I am raising my two children and trying to balance home, school, and work. I am always tired, I look a mess, and cant get my kids names straight!

But I am happier then I have ever been. I can come home and know I really, I mean really made a difference in someones life. And to me no amount of money or glamour can make up for that.

Nurses are born, not made. Either it's in your heart and soul or it's not. Would you give it all up to become a nurse?

If you go into nursing for the wrong reasons you and your patients will pay, there are lot's of ways to make money. Please dont do it for the money! My fear is because of the high demand for nursing, people are going to school for just that reason and health care will decline. I dont want to be the patient of a nurse who's in it for the paycheck..............Do you?

alexillytom · May 17, 2005

I have three children and there is no way in the world I would have decided to go to school to become an RN if the pay wasn't high enough to adequately care for them. I made decent money before I decided to go back to school but not enough to care for my children the way that I wanted to. I'm sorry but I'm a "mommy and wife" first. If I weren't, then I would be working in customer service at Target making $8.00 an hour which was a really fun part-time gig. I have always had a fascination for nursing. It escalated when my nephew died and I realized how fulfilling a career in PICU might be, but you best believe I would have pushed it to the side if it meant not being able to pay our bills or buy my children some extras or putting money into their college accounts.

Furthermore, although I am just a student who will be starting my nursing classes this fall, the most inspiring nurse I have ever had the pleasure of meeting went into nursing for the money and security. See, she was also a wife and mother who didn't make enough money as a school teacher. She went back to school to become a nurse. She was the nurse who stayed with us until the very end of my sweet nephew's life. She educated, consoled, prayed, and cried with us. She wrote us a beautiful poem that was printed on the obituary. I look at the wonderful needlework that she did for my sister and I am encouraged to keep marching on toward my goals. Although her motives may not have been as selfless as people seem to think nurses should exhibit, I believe anyone would be hard pressed to find a better nurse than she.

NurseBunky · May 17, 2005

Medicine runs in my family big time. My grandmother was an LPN, my father is a Paramedic and my mother in an RN so naturally I too wanted to go into the medical field. I started out as a pre-med major and I wanted to become a pediatrican. I later realized I wanted to become a nurse because I wanted the one on one relationship with people that many MD's don't get a chance to have.

I love helping people (I've worked in customer service at the airport for 8 years), and nursing is a field where I will be able to do that.

Sure, (depending on the area you live in and the experience you have) the money can be good. I currtenly make 18,000/year. My mom who has been an RN (with an ADN) for about 10+ years clears 180,000/year (OT included) but she also likes what she does. I already like what I do and I havent even graduated yet.

Dont put people down for wanting a rewarding career that also pays well. But dont go into nursing just for the money. That will lead to burn out pretty quickly (especially if you dont like it)

Nursing is also ideal for me because of all the differenct areas of the medical field that are available. The shortage is so bad nurses wont have problems finding a job either (and with bush in office....what career other than nursing can you say you dont have to worry about being downsized or laid off?)

galenanurse2b · May 17, 2005

I understand everyone's need to make a living, but unlike a bad waitress a bad nurse can make the difference between life and death. I am also a heart patient and I know what nurses want to be there and what nurses are there for the paycheck.

You have to go in for the right reasons, not money alone. It isnt morally right. I am sorry but the patient suffers, and that patient could be you or a love one.

dream2nurse · May 17, 2005

for what it's worth...

I was volunteering in a hospital when I decided to become a nurse. I was in a graduate program in nutrition science and wanted to get a better idea of what clinical dieticians do. Instead I discovered my true passion in life - nursing. Nurses are on the front lines, helping people with compassion and caring. I find nursing to be the noblest profession. Luckily volunteering also showed me what is truly involved and how hard of a job it can be both physically and emotionally.

After making this decision I then realized that everyone and their brother is trying to get into nursing! lol I joked with myself, of all professions to try to get into right now, couldn't you have chosen something simpler!? Well I think it is an accurate precursor to the profession - it is not easy!

Anyway, yes the pay is good... but who knows? 10 or 20 years from now something could happen and salaries could drop. I know nursing is for me because even if the average pay was $10/hour I would still be a nurse.

I just go into a program and start Fall 2005 and have never been more sure that I am on the right track.

nursepotter05, RN · May 17, 2005

I wanted to be a nurse since high school. When I was in high school there is nothing else I wanted to go to college for. I took an eight year detour, so to speak, before going back to school. I worked as a machine set-up for almost eight years in a factory. I enjoyed the job and the people I worked with. The factory I worked for announced they were going to close the factory by the end of the year. I decided then to go back to school. The company changed their mind and did not close, however I went back to school anyway.

So, I can say job security, not having to be concerned about lay-offs and closures, and a steady good wage (for my area) are my primary reasons for going into nursing.