If you had a reset button, would you choose nursing again?

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I often hear conversations with nurses old and new discussing whether or not they would choose nursing as a career again if they had the opportunity. Some even have children in college now whom they haven't quite steered away from nursing, but strongly suggest they may want to choose an alternative career path. For me nursing wasn't my first career choice, but I'm glad I ended up here, and would definitely choose it again,

Specializes in ambulant care.

Two answers :

Yes, it`s realy fun.

No, it doesn`t fill my bankaccount.

POV, Frieda

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I would have gone to nursing as a first career, then after I'd put in a couple of years in ICU, I would have applied to CRNA school.

Overall, though, I don't have any serious regrets.

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I couldn't see myself doing anything else. Although, I am a young nurse. I have been working for 7 months so far and have been really enjoying the job so far. I like that I can move around in my career if I need a change of scenery or my interests change.

I sometimes hear this from other nurses once in a while. They state that they regret their career choice and I can understand that. Our job is no way near being easy. To me they sound like they are so privileged in life and don't appreciate what comes with being a nurse. A career in nursing had afforded me to being an ambitious and independent young person. I didn't grow up in an easy environment. I came from a negative alcoholic home environment where the women in my family lacked access to such opportunities. I love my job because I get to help people and learn new things everyday. I am beginning to understand how nursing is an art form.

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One word NO, now that I have worked in the field I would have done physical therapy

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Specializes in Critical Care.

This is my second (or third, depending on that you think counts) and I would totally do it again. Ask me in 5 or 10 years and I may sing a different tune, but I really don't think so...

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Nope. I would have gone to veterinary school even if it took multiple attempts to get in. I gave up way too easily on that dream d/t familial pressure.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Congratulations....as a mentor of mine said years ago either you will love ER nursing or you will hate it....I guess I love it been an ER nurse now for 32 of my 40 years.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Probably not. I would have chosen the path to becoming a dietician.

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Specializes in Nutritional Therapy, Functional Health.

I've agonized with this question throughout my nursing career, but at this point, I am able to admit that the answer for me is NO. It took a lot to even get to the point to admit that nursing was a career decision that wasn't optimal for me. While I am grateful for the life lessons and opportunities that I've had to touch other people's lives, this career choice has also had a lot of heartache and unhappiness attached to it. Honestly, I would have made a better physician. And yes, I know that "it's never too late" and all that jazz and I have no doubt that I could still do it...but now I know way too much and that's the last thing I would want to do. I wouldn't be happy with being a physician at this point in my life, if I ever would have been in the first place. Conventional health care is definitely not the place for me.

Isn't it kind of crazy that our society expects young people to make a career decision when they are fresh out of high school and then happily stick with it for the rest of their lives? I started nursing school when I was 17-years-old. Even during nursing school, I had the nagging feeling that it wasn't a good fit for me, but I was too stubborn and dedicated to give it up. The really great news is that each day presents an opportunity to make a new choice and I am actively pursuing another career. I will also maintain my nutritional therapy and functional health private practice, and I am prepared to have a career that is a bit more eclectic than the typical nursing role.

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NO! highly disrespected by the management if we do not fit into their fiscal plans or tyranical groupthink. After 20 years I see the letters after a name are more credible than the thoughts and real competencies offered to patients. Sadly I do care deeply for most people I see. It saddens me to wonder what will happen to me should I need inpatient care for a serious illness.

Should have studied to be a veterinarian.

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Specializes in Education.

Yes. I'm always asking myself why I didn't go this route sooner, instead of futzing around with other things.

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No I would not

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