Good God....You guys make me nervous about nursing

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Hello everyone. I am a 35 year old male in Massachusetts that is about to make a huge career move because of what I can only call my "calling" to Nursing. I worked as a CNA years ago, had a car accident that screwed up my back and hopes at that time of becoming a nurse, and followed a computer career. I yearned for the benefits of caring and helping people that needed it, to feel that one feeling each day from seeing the thanks in just one person's eyes who could not even begin to explain how much I have affected their life, day, or simply in their moment of need.

I received my technical degree, top in my class, shining star, every honors award.....went on and got the dream job, promotions, pay, everything. What did I think of almost every day? How I wished that the car accident never happened so I could be lucky enough to be in nursing every day.

I am looking to get into a 4 year RN program this coming fall, and then plan on going into a Master's program for Nurse Practioner, Nurse Anesthetist, or possibly Nurse Educator. Not too sure...but....

I read these posts, and I am making a wise choice? I hear the frustrations, threatenings of quittings, utter lack of pay, respect and truly, I don't hear too much about the reward I decribed above. Yikes! Am I naive by assuming that it is just easier to voice the bitter feelings here, much more than the good ones. People! Please!!!! Tell me that there is still some reason that I should join this honorable field.

Please read this line carefully, and take my words to heart:

I have had so many people in my computer design career comment to me that what I do is amazing, and I must be so happy to be that good at it. I have replied so many times, "No. What was amazing was when I worked side by side with nurses who could save your life in almost any circumstance. This is just cool looking tricks."

I think Nursing is the probably the most ultimately evolved presence of mind that a person can be....meaning that you bring the levels of caring, education and ability to a place where you can use them to ACT and actually change someone's life. That is AMAZING to me.

Tell me there is still a reason to become a Nurse. Please.

-Gary (The long-winded son-of-a-gun from Massachusetts.)

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nursing is hell....lots of work...lots of time mang...lost of code browns...lots of critical thinking....lots of pts.....lots of admissions and discharges.. some asystole.. However, if you have nursing in your blood you will complain about your job, but you wont be able to leave......YOU WILL BE ADDICTED.....HEHE

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My big question: How is your back now?? Have you researched the job description? Are you cleared/able to lift now? (75 then 100# and able to demonstrate it from the floor 6 times...my job description) If not you may have trouble finding a job as a nurse.I'm doubt if its possible to (even with enough degrees) to not have to ever do any lifting, and surely you will have to demonstrate care of patients prior to going on for higher degrees. This includes lifting. I believe most schools have physical exams and may not clear you, and if they do, facilities may not. Just something you should check into thoroughly, IMO, before committing the time energy and $$$. Best wishes.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Please be sure your one and only back is healthy 110%

Yes, you are correct to assume it's easy to speak of the negative here. That's why

we come here to vent our frustrations to those that understand.

Good luck!

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it is only natural for anyone to complain about their job....i mean - it IS work

nursing pay is generally good - my last job was GREAT pay - i have worked at multiple places that were wonderful to work for...one that sucked - but i left - so no biggie....

IF nursing is your "calling" and you want to do it...you need to do it...plain and simple...it is a great field - no doubt about it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Dialysis.

There is definitely a reason to want to become a nurse. When you get into nursing for the right reason and that is to provide the best care possible for those who cant. But we are all only human and there is a lot of frustration that comes with being a nurse. Yes we are underpaid, short-staffed and most of the time not appreciated. But when you learn not to look to Man for your reward, but from God and know that you have given the best care you possibly can, it helps you to continue just one more day. No field is ever perfect just as no job is. But as the saying goes, you have to take the Good with the Bad.

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

Just like anything else that is a major life decision, you don't enter nursing lightly or uninformed.....if you are smart.

best wishes in your decisions in the future.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

gslpro, please don't listen to people that try to discourage you from nursing. like any job, nursing has its pros and cons but generally speaking it is a good, fulfiling stable career. to get the best out of nursing, you have to do an area that interest you the most. if you don't like being weighed down by taking care of 6-8 patients at a time (med/surg usually) then do E.D. or critical care nursing. if you want more flex time in your day and still want patient contact, do home care. the options are endless. there is a lot of room for advancement in nursing and i happen to be a very happy nurse. i encourage any nurse that is unhappy to try another specialty or do something totally different as a career. you deserve to go to a job that you like and your patients derserve people who care. :wink2:

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Hi everyone, I just have to jump in here.

I am 38, and finally get to take the time to enroll in to the RN program! I too have a back problem, actually having surgery on June 1st. I have been told by the nursing counselor that I would only be required to lift 20 lbs, for schooling. I realize that in the field the lift amt will change drastically. My question is, am I really wasting my time doing this? I am having a surgery to my lower spine that is not FDA approved yet. The outcome looks remarkable. Mds tell me I will be able to do 98% of a normal active lifestyle, after a 3 month recovery. Sooooo~what do you think? My Dr says go for it...my family says go for it, do you think so too?!

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
Hi everyone, I just have to jump in here.

I am 38, and finally get to take the time to enroll in to the RN program! I too have a back problem, actually having surgery on June 1st. I have been told by the nursing counselor that I would only be required to lift 20 lbs, for schooling. I realize that in the field the lift amt will change drastically. My question is, am I really wasting my time doing this? I am having a surgery to my lower spine that is not FDA approved yet. The outcome looks remarkable. Mds tell me I will be able to do 98% of a normal active lifestyle, after a 3 month recovery. Sooooo~what do you think? My Dr says go for it...my family says go for it, do you think so too?!

absolutely go for it. i have been in health care for seven years with all of it involving patient care and although i don't have any back problems i won't try to lift a 300lb person by myself. it is unrealstic, even in nursing. you try your best to use proper body mechanics and always get someone to help you if possible. patients are getting heavier every year and nurses need to really take care of themselves to avoid injury. involve the patient. you'll be surprised how much patients can do for themselves if you let them.

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Please read this line carefully, and take my words to heart:

I have had so many people in my computer design career comment to me that what I do is amazing, and I must be so happy to be that good at it. I have replied so many times, "No. What was amazing was when I worked side by side with nurses who could save your life in almost any circumstance. This is just cool looking tricks."

I think Nursing is the probably the most ultimately evolved presence of mind that a person can be....meaning that you bring the levels of caring, education and ability to a place where you can use them to ACT and actually change someone's life. That is AMAZING to me.

Tell me there is still a reason to become a Nurse. Please.

-Gary (The long-winded son-of-a-gun from Massachusetts.)

Gary

Like any job, you will have good days and bad days

Good Days are the days when you know that you have made a differance to a person life or death.

Bad Days are when despite your best efforts it was not enough.

We moan and whine out of frustation that it was not good enough and the need to do better next time. We learn from other people moans and support them because we know how they feel and want to help.

Nursing in my case was not something I chose to do, it chose me.

Whether you become a nurse or not depends a lot on how much you believe what you wrote yourself.

best of luck in the major decsion only you can make.

Mike

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

My advice:

Don't listen to those who advise you to go into nursing. THEY won't be the ones who have to deal with YOUR chronic back problems (BTW 90% of nurses have back problems at one time or another), nor the myriad of other problems amply described by many on this BB.

Your view of nursing is optimistic and idealistic, but quite unrealistic in this era of get 'em in and get 'em out, chew up the nurses and spit them out, bean-counting healthcare.

Be glad you have found something at which you excel, and stick with it.

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