If you could do it over again, would you choose nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone!

I am so confused! I have the option of starting a LVN program or a radiology technologist program in the fall, and I absolutely don't know which one to choose. In so many ways, I feel that radiology would be a better fit, because rad techs seem to have good schedules most of the time (Mon-Fri, 8-5). Also, I am really interested in sonography, so I could pursue that after the radiology program.

BUT-nursing is also something I can see myself doing! I am always visiting this website because I love it, but along with that I have read many many posts about lots of nurses regretting becoming nurses. I want to make the right career decision!! I don't know what to do.

So, what do you think? If you had to do it all over again, would you choose nursing? Please give me some advice on which path to choose. I really need some help.

:uhoh3: :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

Most definitely. There is usually always work for an RN

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I had to think awhile on this one. Mostly I would have to agree with other posts. After working in nursing for over 34 years....YES, I would do it over. The negatives have been the shift work, working holidays, unpleasant people (co workers, patients, and doctors), hard physical labor, and loss of sleep. The positives have been that wherever I have gone there has been a job that pays relatively well, as a mother of a young child I was able to cut back my hours and sculpt a schedule that fit my family.

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Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.

Yep, without hesitation. I have never had one day's regret over the choice that I made. Career paths along the way-well, that is another thing I'd like to revisit. As far as the education, I think it made me a better, more well-rounded person who has been able to do her best to help improve the quality of life for a lot of people, and even to help (with God's grace and some good MDs and Nurses) save the lives of many! How many people can go home from owrk and have that kind of satisfaction?

Of course there are crappy days sometimes, but you'll find those in all fields. Good luck on your decision. Should you choose either path and it doesn't fit right, you can always take what you already have, get a bit more education, and take the other career path. How can you go wrong?

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No, never! The bottom line in hospitals is business and dollars. Nurses are uderpaid for all the jobs we have to do. I'm a nurse, secretary, dietary, housekeeping, transport and concierge to everyone but I get paid for only one of those jobs. Its too much responsibility and liability and the pay isnt even that good. If I had been a pharmacist like I started to then yeah I might be paying back 100,00 in loans but atleast I could afford to do it. Im a nurse with a roommate who is a nurse and between rent, car payment and a 26,000 school loan to pay, I BARELY GET BY. :angryfire

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

"IF" I knew then (1973) what I know now I would have gone to medical school and been a dermatologist. At the time being a doctor never occured to me. My parents have offered to pay for me to go back to school but at almost 52 years of age I'd be ready for retirement shortly after graduation. :lol2:

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Specializes in Acute Hemodialysis, Cardiac, ICU, OR.

Yes, I would. But I would have started a little earlier and gone to school a little longer -- I didn't decide to become a nurse until I was 28, didn't get into school until I was 30. I don't think I would have made it straight out of High School, but I wish I'd done it before having my family. Of course, it was DUE to having my family that I decided to become a nurse, so there you go!

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