if you hate nursing, what would you rather do instead?

Again, there are a lot of options in nursing. One does not have to work full-time; a person could work PRN and have more flexibility in terms of scheduling. A person could volunteer to work abroad in poorer countries (I've seen nurses who do work full-time at my hospital do this) for a bit, or work as a travel nurse.

From my personal experience, I know plenty of nurses who do work full-time AND have plenty of time (after four free days), to start their own side businesses, pick up a second job, etc. Imagine what one could do working part-time or PRN (if he or she can afford it of course). I know a nursing couples who will work crazy hours for a short time and spend weeks mountain climbing, etc.

I don't think nurses truly realize just how blessed they are to have four days free per week. Having to work five days a week, however, leaves little to no room for much else.

There are some nurses who get schedules/lifestyles such as you describe, but it seems there are quite a few here on allnurses who are claiming they have to "take what they can get" in terms of schedule in order to get a job. Many are lamenting being denied their vacation time (myself included).

I'm a new nurse and already dread going to work sometimes and I work per diem. Lol

I've always wanted to be a nurse since I was little, but NOW I look at news casters and say I wish I could do that.

I also used to want to be a detective or work in forensics when I was younger.

Your expectations of the "free time" of most nurses are too high. Sorry to say it but you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Sure, if you work part-time or PRN (working 1 or 2 12-hour shifts a week), this may be possible - but full time? Nah. Not for a new grad at least.

What happens when you (as a new grad) are hired on night shift 1900-0730 and you're not scheduled three in a row? Is that middle day going to be spent pursuing your interests or small business at 2300 through the rest of the night? Or say you are scheduled 3 days in a row, so you have a nice break in between. Any nurse will tell you they aren't springing to action on that 4th day.

I don't mean to be nasty, just reintroducing reality to a nursing fantasy that isn't too dissimilar from my own not long ago. "Expectation is the root of all heartache."

It is hardly a "fantasy" when I have personally encountered and know plenty of nurses who DO live as I say. I'm not pulling stuff out of my orifice. I KNOW nurses with second jobs, boutiques, and nurses who find plenty of time to travel thanks to PRN/flex jobs where hours are plentiful. I know nurses who have traveled the world and use their nursing skills abroad in developing countries. I know PLENTY of nurses who love their twelve-hour shifts because of the four days off in-between.

And those nurses happen to be ones who have been in nursing for quite some time. They all say that the new grad period is rough, but after a year or so, scheduling becomes more flexible, and you can switch to days.

There are some nurses who get schedules/lifestyles such as you describe, but it seems there are quite a few here on allnurses who are claiming they have to "take what they can get" in terms of schedule in order to get a job. Many are lamenting being denied their vacation time (myself included).

Is it during prime-time?

Be an independently wealthy philanthropist..,,

I've grown to hate nursing. It's a dead end job with not a lot of growth potential. I am considering going back to school but having trouble deciding what to do. It's tough to get out of this profession when it's the only skills I have. Being a bedside nurse.

If I had to do it over I wouldn't go into nursing. I would have taken time off to figure myself out and what I wanted to do.

My dream job? Not working. Being a stay at home wife. Sometimes I daydream about owning my own business like a flower shop or boutique but in this economy I don't know that it's possible.

I always wanted to be a palentologist/archeologist. I LOVE digging up fossils and the like, and the ways of life of ancient societies fascinate me to no end. When I was a little girl, I would go down to a little creek in the woods with a spade and a bucket and hunt fossils all day. I would spend hours there, in my own contented little world. I sure miss that.

I've posted on this question before- I hope not in this thread- it makes me look too senile to post the same thing over and over.

I've been looking into "millionaire philanthropist" or "millionaire playboy" but I can't seem to find where to get my certification as a millonaire. I was hoping for an on-the-job training position for one of these careers but Monster.com dosen't seem to have many listings.

I've posted on this question before- I hope not in this thread- it makes me look too senile to post the same thing over and over.

I've been looking into "millionaire philanthropist" or "millionaire playboy" but I can't seem to find where to get my certification as a millonaire. I was hoping for an on-the-job training position for one of these careers but Monster.com dosen't seem to have many listings.

Let's me know when you find who offers this certificate- defiantly interested....

I've always wished I could have gone into quantum physics-(schrodinger's cat etc..) really. I just don't think I'm bright enough for the math. My original major way Biology with a goal to become a marine science specialized veterinarian. Then I found out how much a DVM with a PHD costs to get and pays to have. YEAH Nursing!- Much more bang for your educational buck.