If you could redo it....would you choose nursing?

[ICURNPA92]

Would you redo choosing nursing or the medical profession?

Curious to the feelings of others

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

no. I am not nurse material. I am going to start on a career change and am working on a graduate degree in history.

Sounds fun, but what are you going to be able to do with a MA in history? Probably the best option would be teaching high school students as public teachers have the best benefits and retirement options. But professors that's another story. They have gone to 75% adjunct professors part time, paid by class vs tenured full time professors with benefits. It is not a good time to become a professor in America!

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

A lot of you who resent going into nursing act like it's too late to get out. Get out now before you become any more of a plague to this profession.

You're funny. If all the unhappy, burnt out, dissatisfied nurses quit then there would be a catastrophic shortage of nurses! How about hospitals start treating their staff better with decent safe staffing ratios, working equipment, ceiling lifts, adequate supplies and support staff that might improve morale a whole hell of a lot! Just my opinion, but I'm sure many others would agree with me!

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

Absolutely!! I worked my tail off to get to where I am. I am a NICU nurse and there is no higher honour than to go to work every day and get to do what I do! I love my job.

[sewersurfin]

I was thinking middle or high school teacher.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I'll choose it over and over and over again.

[K9lover, ASN, RN]

Nope. I would follow in my dad's footsteps like ha wanted me to and be a cop.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I wish I had the self confidence I have now when I was 18 and pursuing my first degree as an airline pilot. I live in Louisville, home of UPS World Hub and googled their pilots' last union contract. The average salary for a captain is over $290k. Living in the midwest making $290k, you could live like royalty.

[OncoRN84]

I sure would. Is it perfect, no. Should you do it just for money? - hell no. The current climate is extremely trying, however, the caring for actual human beings is the part that matters.

An old director I had (my Cali momma) once told me- remember to take away one good experience with your patient each day. Forget the rest- the admin, the bs, red tape, etc. That one moment for that patient mattered a lot.

[RedStephyRN]

It isn't that I would have chosen something else, I just wish it would have stayed more like it had in the beginning when I started, versus how it is now (and I've only been a nurse since 2011). I loved the bedside and did not want to leave (there was so much more to learn and do), but when it felt as though my license was being put on the line with every shift, I left. I enjoy my current role, but this isn't what I had envisioned when I realized that I had to become a nurse.

[al3x117, RN, EMT-B]

Heck yea I would do nursing again!!! Not even a question. Seriously I know nursing is tough work and caring for others is hard but literally at the end of the day good or bad I can't complain. Nursing is the best damn thing that has ever happened to me. I'm still in nursing and there are days where you wonder if you should hang up the towel but then you don't because these people who are sick and injured are relying on YOU to help them. And yea its an enormous task but you are the person for the job. It's an incredible feeling and responsibility!!! Nursing all the way!! Plus I'm glad you are able to switch specialties as a nurse!! That is what makes this field the best! You can work anywhere at any time!! It's awesome!!

My biggest advice...don't ever do nursing if you know deep down inside that you are going to hate it. Because in nursing school they don't teach you sh*t of how this field will kick the crap out of you if you let it. It will bog you down because it is hard work taking care of people who need help 24/7. Just know that in your gut that you are doing something that not many people can do. A lot of people go into this profession for the wrong reasons and it's hard to see. I can assure you that you HAVE TO WANT IT 110%.

Nursing school will kick your ass and nursing will kick it even more! Enjoy the ride because caring for people is draining physically, emotionally and mentally. But this is the best work I have ever done in my life!

[dagobah, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Absolutely! Sign me up twice!!!

[rbekt2005]

Absolutely not...after being a nurse for 34 years