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

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

In a heartbeat! I only wish I had done it sooner! I entered nursing as a career change when I was 38 years old. I have the best job ever - I work with adolescent psych patients in crises and I love it. What's more someone actually wants to pay me to do this every day!

Ok maybe I'm a bit over the top but I do love what I do.

Hppy

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Every day I learn something new. How to change a dressing, how to change/care for foleys/peg feedings/etc, disease processes, therapeutic communication ... and how to duck (psych nurse).

Knowing when to duck is good but it's also important to master bobbing a weaving.

hppy

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

Would you redo choosing nursing or the medical profession?

Curious to the feelings of others

I can redo it. Every day I can choose a different career.

I don't want to, so I don't.

[holyland1233]

No I would not

[Beatlefan, BSN]

Hell to the no!! Mostly because of the other nurses and people in health care. Just horrible.

[calivianya, BSN, 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.

A plague to the profession?

All of the people I've precepted say they like working with me because I'm enthusiastic and a perpetual learner. I stay on top of the latest journals in my specialty area and love sharing things I've learned. The new grads aren't afraid they're going to get eaten alive if they ask me something... unlike what happens when they ask some of the other experienced people for help. I am the first person they run to when their patients are in trouble.

I get glowing thank you letters from my patients and their family members. I'm fair when I'm charge... I don't give myself the easiest assignment and kick back my feet all night unlike some of our staff, and I don't crap on the travelers, floats, and new grads. I usually piss off the experienced people because I don't give them the easiest assignments just because they're in the old boys/old girls club. I usually end up in every single room in my unit by the end of a shift, because I like knowing what's going on in my section. I always help with baths, poop clean ups, and complicated dressing changes.

Clearly, I'm a plague to nursing. xD

[Surprised1, MSN, RN]

No way. I would have chosen OT or even ST. The redeeming part of my job is the relationships I have with my patients and their parents. I could have had a personal connection with my patients as therapist. This job has damaged my body and my mental /emotional health. The hours, and devastation to my mind and body, have not been healthy for my family life. I realize that the mental and emotional devastation have been due to the specialty and location I ended up in.

This is the first time I've complained publicly about my job and career choice. Now I'm being so honest. I feel guilty for writing this.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

If I'd known I'd end up working most days of the month, including a period of 38 days in a row without a day off, with absolutely no weekends or holidays off, then no, I wouldn't have chosen nursing.

No one is required to work a schedule like that. That is a choice you have made.

[Beve57]

There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that you have made a difference. I love helping people. Would do it over again with no regrets

[Beve57]

In a heartbeat. I love making a difference in the lives of others What I do matters in the grand scheme and I want to make a mark that means something. No regrets here!!

[LDU4life]

I would absolutely choose nursing again. I have had a very rewarding career, made numerous friends in several different states and am winding down my career working with a great group of nurses at a county teaching facility where I get to share what I have learned over the years. I would definitely choose a diploma program again for the bedside exposure I received. I graduated so well prepared to actually be a bedside nurse, not like the new grads we see today who need orientation just to learn how to be a nurse. I would, however, probably get my BSN earlier in my career than I did. More time to utilize it and pay it off!

[gaby19]

Nursing has so many different options. If you dont enjoy bedside nursing you can work ER. If you want to do EHR or education you can do that. I think if you're in nursing already, there is probably a field you can choose where you will not be miserable, maybe content, or maybe even happy.