If you could go back would you still choose nursing?

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If you could go back to before you started nursing would you still have chosen to be a nurse? And if not what would you have choosen to do instead?

YES... YES... YES

I am not an RN but i'm a CNA so I definately know the ins and outs of healthcare...my only regret is that it took me so long to find it...i worked in accounting, business and computers before this and by far i wished i did this right out of highschool....hindsight is a lovely gift but at least i know what i'm not missing

coco;)

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Yes and no.

I love nursing, but some of the other things (such as that **** degree debate) that come along with it are enough that if i had to do over, before LPN, i'd take another path.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Yes, I ultimately love being a nurse, i love the versatility, the knowledge and the patients. Travel nursing rocks. The ER rocks. The pay sucks. Sometimes I get frusterated, but in my heart, I know i'm helping people.

Most recently though I talked my brother into rad tech school. ( it was either that or pilot.) My little sister just started her pre-reqs for nursing school and is hoping to get into a program.

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This won't come out as very convincing.....but yeah, I'd probably do it again. There are things that I like about nursing and things that I don't like, but the good definitely outweighs the bad. As many people have said, I wish I would have done it a bit sooner.

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At this point in time, I probably wouldn't do it again. When I was in nursing school, I thought I'd love it. I enjoyed the critical thinking, spending time with patients, feeling like I really made a difference. Now as a real nurse, you're so busy you never have time for developing strategic care plans or doing the extras. I feel more like a task master than a "thinker". I think the noble parts of nursing are unfortunately overshadowed by heavy patient loads; demanding, abusive patients/family members; ridiculous paper work; the threat of law suits and unsupportive management. However, my only experience is working on a crazy busy med/surg specialty floor. I'm in the process of transfering to a unit in which I can focus on fewer patients, and maybe even get to take a break and eat lunch once in a while. I don't want to give up on nursing just yet - but I'm close.

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Absolutely. Everyday I leave work my life is in perspective.

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If I could go back I'd change alot of things but I know that no matter what I changed I'd still end up a nurse.

I've majored in political science, pre law and criminal justice. None satisfied my like nursing.

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Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

Wish I had done it 10-15 years ago!!!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I'd like to add to my above post, that I wish i'd done it sooner.

I look at the 22 year old travelers...........and say "wow!" If i would have done this at their age with no kids...............................

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At this point in my life a resounding NO!Wish I'd had the chance to follow my dreams and made my name in the art world or better still archeology.Oh well, maybe the next time round.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

While I'm glad and grateful for having become a nurse, I'm now glad and grateful to be retired from nursing!

I started as a young 17 year old under the 'apprentice' system of training. We worked long and very hard. didn't have the equipment which is available today. My body has paid a price for all that heavy lifting and hard work. I burnt out at age 50. As I say, I'm glad and grateful to be retired now at 55.

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Specializes in Nurse Practitioner-Emergency Room.

Nursing can be a rewarding career. Let me tell you from an ER nurses perspective. First of all, when you have sick patients, it's alright. What's not alright is patients who don't need to be there but come for every little sniffle and ache because they've got a medical card. What's not alright is being understaffed and overwhelmed and not being able to chart like you'd like to cover yourself legally because you're so busy. What's not alright is your boss only doing chart review on the charts you've made SMALL mistakes on and hounding you about it, but never commending you for doing a good job. What's not alright is doctors who act like the patient they are seeing is the only patient you have in the emergency room. Still, despite this and many other negative characteristics, there is that one patient every so often that appreciates what you do, that thanks you for what you've done, and it makes it worth all the trouble that you put into it. So yeah, I guess I would be a nurse again. I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. I'm going to be a nurse practitioner, once again displaying a benefit of nursing: there's many different routes to take to further your professional career. I would encourage anyone in the field to take it as far as they can. You'll feel better about what you're doing the more you know.

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