How do you feel about being a nurse?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 18, 2017

Don't know where you live, but pushing 50 is not old. If you live in a place where NPs are in demand, you can still do it while working (hard but not impossible) and make a nice living. I know people who did just that and were older, now working. Some employers will pay of those loans.
The biggest regrets people have when they retire is that they didn't pursue their dreams.

While fifty is not old, it may be too late for the poster to take on the debt required to obtain a graduate degree in her area. She may be supporting elderly parents, putting a child through college or both. If she spends the money on furthering her own education, it may mean less money for retirement in the future. And for some people, pursuing the dream means saving for retirement.

audreysmagic, RN · Mar 18, 2017

I love it and I hate it and then I love it again. I've found that a lot of the same things that burn all nurses out - short-staffing, low morale, management issues - plague me and I get overwhelmed, but then it might be time to try the same thing, slightly different. I moved off my floor full-time to being the weekend RN supervisor in my facility and then working my floor two days a week. The change of scenery, so to speak, really helped. Not only was it a career-booster, but I really appreciated my patients a lot more when I was with them directly. I work at a small facility, so it helps that I'm supervising the same people I started "in the trenches" with. Some do try to take advantage - as some will - but most of them know when I have to put my foot down about something, there's a valid reason and I'm not some out-of-touch management puppet. What I really want to do most is teach nursing, so I just started my MSN program...every time I swear I'm going to quit nursing forever and go run a daycare center or something, I seem to have a patient experience that reminds me exactly why I love this field.

booradley · Mar 19, 2017

I have to disagree somewhat to the posts about nursing in Aus/nz as a utopia. I'm an RN in Australia and working full time is either 5x8s, 4x10s or 3x12s, never heard of 4x8 being full time. I work in a hospital that is not in the public system so I am very familiar with surveys and management and VIP patients. My pay is adequate but in my city there is a housing crisis where property prices are obscene and most of my generation will either have to rent forever, move, or have very wealthy parents.

Despite all that I still do like nursing. I have wonderful colleagues which is a huge part why. I enjoy caring for most of my patients and I find the disease process/a+p aspects very interesting.

Ben_Dover · Mar 19, 2017

I just wish I could get my full 30 minute break, be able drink enough water during the shift and go to the bathroom more often.

- Full 30 Minute Break: Reasonable

- Be Able To Drink Enough water: Reasonable

- "Go to the bathroom more often": If you were given three wishes, this is what you would be really wishing for... now you're something else! :cheeky:

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2017

I def recommend moving out of the us. NZ, Australia, U.K. Are all very similar for nursing. You are respected and have authority, 8 hour shifts, breaks, 4-5 patients max.
Plus in NZ or Aus you don't have to worry about terrorist attacks or people shoting or any of that horrible stuff that happens in the us. Much safer here. Oh and people don't tip here, that is the craziest system I've ever heard of. Don't get why I should pay someone for doing there job. That's what an employer is for.
No desire to go to America seems like ****** up place and so much drama.

I hear NZ is a beautiful place to live. I have never been there so it would be difficult for me to qualify any opinions. Nursing in the US is a generalist education and I believe it to be a good education. Every country has it's issues and I reserve making statements because of a limited knowledge.

I have love being a nurse. I believe everyplace has it's problems. As a experienced nurse in the Northeast part of the US I make very good money at a hourly base at my facility of approximately $70.00 US/hour. I have shift differential and weekend differential. I have healthcare and with 12 hour shifts I only work 3 days a week and considered full time. In my state there are actually hospitals that pay more per hour....so I think we have a pretty good style of living.

Yes....it is true in the US we have sadly had terrorist events. We live with and different awareness. But there are mass shooting incidents everywhere.....including NZ.

List of massacres in New Zealand

tlc2003 · Mar 19, 2017

Graduated May 2016, hired in April before graduation for a very busy high acuity ED. I've loved every single moment. A bad day of nursing beats a fantastic day of doing literally anything else. Being idealistic is not necessarily a negative. I enjoy the idea that I may have the opportunity to literally save a life. I enjoy the idea that starting something as simple as a fluid bolus on a septic patient within the defined parameters may make them well and decrease their mortality. Idealistic? Yep. And, I'll blissfully float in my ideals as long as I can. I didn't do it for the pay or the recognition. I did it for myself and my own sense of Karma and wellbeing.

EDNURSE20, BSN · Mar 19, 2017

I am well aware that NZ is not perfect. We are a small country. There isn't much to do here. It is expensive compared to America. And I don't think many people from America would like to live here. But it's what I know and like. It's a relaxed place where you can do what you like. With good perks like free health care, subsidise Uni fees which make it easy for most people to study. To get a bachelors degree here cost less than one year at an American Uni. And you can get a loan to cover it all that is interest free.

However I think we do have it pretty good here. I feel like there so much complaining about nursing in America that I've never heard about in NZ. Such as being an embarrassing job. Treated with such disrespect. Not having lunch breaks, yes we have busy days and I've had shorter breaks but not a common thing same with not being able to use the bathroom never once been an issue. Patient surveys and rude family members. And so on.

And yes 4x 8hr shift is normal. And is a pretty good lifestyle. Good job progression. Staff are generally good to others. Good pay rates. I like here. But I know it's all about where you work, and not everyone in NZ will feel this way. But overall I think it's pretty positive. I've never met a nurse who hated there job, or did it just for the money ect.

I know there are plenty of people who will love working in America, but I just find it suprsing the amount of people who complain and feel embarrassed or not proud to be a rn.

I like here, obviously. But well aware it's not for everyone. It's a completely different lifestyle.

and yes I know nit everyone will agree with me in NZ, but my experience is positive and so is everyone else I've talked to. But that's one hospital.

but it is very much a different culture compare to the culture of american nursing. Which is what I was trying to point out, was just so stick of reading negative comment after negative comment about how awful nursing is. And trying to say nursing isn't the same everywhere. It can be a positive job. (Not a perfect job or place, I know this)

And to who ever said there mass shootings everywhere. That is a sad way to feel. That link you provided was from Wikipedia, and is not at all accurate. 2014 shooting you claimed to happen never did. And the rest are all 20+ years ago so can't say if they are true or not. But maybe try more reliable sites next time. Some one whose gone through a degree programs should know better than to use Wikipedia as a source!!!! NZ is a safe place, even the most unreliable source only could provide you with shootings that didn't happen or ones long before most of the people on here were born.

Libby1987 · Mar 19, 2017

I am well aware that NZ is not perfect. We are a small country. There isn't much to do here. It is expensive compared to America. And I don't think many people from America would like to live here. But it's what I know and like. It's a relaxed place where you can do what you like. With good perks like free health care, subsidise Uni fees which make it easy for most people to study. To get a bachelors degree here cost less than one year at an American Uni. And you can get a loan to cover it all that is interest free.
However I think we do have it pretty good here. I feel like there so much complaining about nursing in America that I've never heard about in NZ. Such as being an embarrassing job. Treated with such disrespect. Not having lunch breaks, yes we have busy days and I've had shorter breaks but not a common thing same with not being able to use the bathroom never once been an issue. Patient surveys and rude family members. And so on.
And yes 4x 8hr shift is normal. And is a pretty good lifestyle. Good job progression. Staff are generally good to others. Good pay rates. I like here. But I know it's all about where you work, and not everyone in NZ will feel this way. But overall I think it's pretty positive. I've never met a nurse who hated there job, or did it just for the money ect.
I know there are plenty of people who will love working in America, but I just find it suprsing the amount of people who complain and feel embarrassed or not proud to be a rn.
I like here, obviously. But well aware it's not for everyone. It's a completely different lifestyle.
and yes I know nit everyone will agree with me in NZ, but my experience is positive and so is everyone else I've talked to. But that's one hospital.
but it is very much a different culture compare to the culture of american nursing. Which is what I was trying to point out, was just so stick of reading negative comment after negative comment about how awful nursing is. And trying to say nursing isn't the same everywhere. It can be a positive job. (Not a perfect job or place, I know this)
And to who ever said there mass shootings everywhere. That is a sad way to feel. That link you provided was from Wikipedia, and is not at all accurate. 2014 shooting you claimed to happen never did. And the rest are all 20+ years ago so can't say if they are true or not. But maybe try more reliable sites next time. Some one whose gone through a degree programs should know better than to use Wikipedia as a source!!!! NZ is a safe place, even the most unreliable source only could provide you with shootings that didn't happen or ones long before most of the people on here were born.

I'm not even going to read your posts. You live in New Zealand and that isn't fighting fair. :laugh:

Green Tea, RN · Mar 19, 2017

I feel being a nurse was a wrong career choice to me. I am going back to school for something other than nursing.

AvaRose · Mar 19, 2017

Right now I would do anything to not be an nurse. I'm not sure if that is just anxiety over starting orientation for my new job tomorrow or if I really have no interest in continuing in this field but I guess I'll find out once I start at the hospital. Today though I wish I was going back to a minimum wage position at Walmart rather than putting my scrubs back on to get paid well and finally be working at a hospital. This month between jobs spoiled me greatly. I had time to do things, I even went on a wonderful vacation that I would have never afforded without nursing.

The negative is that the more I think about it the less I want to deal with people. Patients, families, coworkers all included. They are all rude 99% of the time and the more I have to be around people the less I care especially when they can't bother to listen to anything I have to say. Which basically means I try my best to say as little as possible to people so they can't irritate me and try to just get on with my day.

I've only worked as a nurse for 6 months but I think that if I make it 6 months at this new job it will be a miracle. If it was something I had any sort of interest in whatsoever then maybe it would be better but so far I've been stuck with Rehab, and now Med/Surg...two parts of nursing I already knew I HATED from clinicals. But that's all that will hire new grads or inexperienced nurses so I'm stuck. Oh well, I'll find a way to get out hopefully soon. Then probably turn in my license and tell the BON to go to h***.

ZenRN181 · Mar 20, 2017

I love being a nurse and now a nurse practitioner but they are both very difficult jobs!! It will not be easy and you need to be dedicated. My advice to you is to do as much research as you possibly can- this website, nursing blogs, job shadowing, volunteering etc. I am so happy with my career but it is not for everyone. Good luck!

NuGuyNurse2b · Mar 20, 2017

Like others, it's a tough job, with some good days and some bad days. But I have experienced the corporate world, behind that nice shiny desk from 8-5 working only Monday-Friday since nursing is my second career. And the desk wasn't shiny or nice, more like some form of plastic with these half walls set up that they call "cubicles," which I found comical cause a cube has more than 3 sides.

I wouldn't go back to corporate unless it was one of those million dollar jobs. You're swimming in shark infested waters where people from various backgrounds congregate and stab each other in the back. At least with nursing, your cohorts had to get some kind of basic education to be on equal footing with you.

I wouldn't go as far as saying I love nursing, but it has proven to be a financially rewarding career and the flexibility is unmatched. The days off are way better than your usual Sat/Sun that you only get in corporate. Some days I go shopping on a weekday and forget that it's a weekday, and wonder why the stores seem so empty. I've met some really great co-workers who are kind, knowledgeable and just overall great people.