I am 37 years old and working on my nursing prereq's. I am hoping to actually start the BSN program in the fall. This is a complete career change for me (I currently only have an AAS degree). I picked nursing for several reasons; helping people, having a field that has a lot of possibilities, job security, interesting/learning something new, using my mind, having a skill, marketable, feeling of bettering someone life, etc... After being on this site, now I am doubting some of those reasons. So my question is if you had to do it all over again would you still pick nursing? Why, why not? What would you pick if answer was no...
I would do it over again a thousand times. Nursing is a second college career and career career for me. The worst day on my hectic unit is always better than the best day I had as a desk jockey in Corporate America. As a nurse, I'm stressed and tired but I know that my work is meaningful and useful, and that I truly earn every penny I make. Nursing makes me feel fulfilled like nothing else in life ever has.
I totally regret getting a nursing degree. I was a stay home mom and didn't graduate until my 30's. I did not have ANY problems with anxiety until nursing. I hated bedside nursing (worried way too much about making mistakes) so now in case management.....but I work excessive hours, work even when I am supposed to be off.....the pay is high but the stress is high too. I have worked in several different areas of nursing. I am constantly scared for the day that I just can't take nursing anymore, and how will I pay my bills. I have ZERO time to pursue any additional schooling..even online...like I said I am CONSTANTLY working. I don't know what career I would want I just know nursing stress is awful no matter what area you are in....and I agree with one of the other posters...I joined a gym and RARELY have the time to even go!
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I am very surprised that so many people list severe anxiety about making a mistake and hurting a patient. I have never worried about doing that and had no idea so many other nurses did. I always did the best I could and just assumed that one day I would make a mistake and cause harm to a patient. If I did so cause I was irresponsible or lazy or careless I would be devastated. If I did my best and something happened then that was just the way it was and there was no reason for me to beat myself up about it. Just learn from it and drive on. In my career I have certainly seen people with far more education, training and experience, people like neuro surgeons or cardiologists make mistakes that caused a patient harm.
No... I've been an RN for 1 yr but only employed for 6mos. Last week I was told to quit or be fired... Looking back just makes me mad!! I put off my life for nearly 5 yrs to become an RN and it is nothing like I expected. Like many of the other posters, I too now suffer from anxiety and feel more like 55 than 35...The gossip, the bullying, and the lack of support I have experienced as a new nurse still blows my mind. Showing up to work every day made me feel scared and isolated, like a battered wife going home to an abusive husband day after day... However, I am determined to find my niche in nursing and make it work... I'm stubborn I suppose, but if you haven't sold your soul already, I would choose some other career to invest in!! Just my 2 cents!!
I'm not going to tell you do or do not continue with your goal but, if you pursue your degree be sure it's exactly what you want to do. In today's world a BSN is expensive and like almost every other degree path out there, the market is saturated. Nursing school in itself is tough. Add to that the job market is brutal and once you do land a job it may be hundreds of miles away. You may get lucky and start someplace that has good training and a helpful environment. Or you could go to work and realize that you were hired to be a warm body and are expected to be able to function at close to 100% from the start. And new grads do not function anywhere close to 100%.
Read through the threads on here. The stress can be overwhelming (and sometimes "overwhelming" just doesn't convey the magnitude of it). If you don't have thick skin, you will.
Read the section for "first year after graduation". The first year can be nightmare inducing and at times it feels like you're just shifting into survival mode to make it through the day. Some days, however are not so bad and at the end of it you feel like you really have slain Goliath.
The money is decent but, as a new grad it's just numbers to me. It pays the bills but, at present doesn't add enjoyment to my life. Many days I come home and have a real meal for the first time all day. A lot of days I wake up with my jaw clenching so much that it hurts and I come home with a knot between my shoulder blades that feels like a six penny nail was hammered there. A large percentage of nurses leave the profession in the fist year and still more before five years. I read somewhere (can't remember where and have no further documentation) that 11% of nurses are clinically depressed.It does affect your health but, if you have a solid support system around you and are able to persevere with an exercise and relaxation regimen it would help greatly.
As to those who say that there are many areas of nursing to pursue remember that almost all of those "other" areas require 1 to 2 to sometimes 5 years of clinical experience.
Sorry, it's been a very long past two week stint and I've rambled. I don't want to dissuade you and your goals because I know nurses who really do love what they do and several who volunteer for extra shifts whenever the opportunity arises but, be forewarned, this is not TV. This is a business and nurses do not call the shots.
I don't know. honestly, sometimes i regret going into it. because i don't see myself beign able to handle this job long term. yes i can be a nurse in a less physically demanding enviornment but I DONT want to. That is one aspect that isn't often discussed.
I was charting today next to a fellow nurse. We looked up and there was this dude staring down at her. My coworker said, "Are you looking for someone?"
Dude, smiling said, "Yes. You."
We both looked at the guy wondering who he was. It took a couple seconds but I finally recognized him as this really sick patient who spent a lot of time on our med surg floor about 4 months ago in really bad shape. High acuity, high maintenance, unhappy, you dreaded seeing him on your assignment. I remember when they wheeled him out thinking he was not long for this world.
I said, "Are you Bob Smith*?!?! You look fantastic!" I don't think any of us ever even saw him walk and here he was. Walking, talking, about 30 pounds heavier, great color, twinkling eyes. I got up to shake his hand and he said, "Yep, good to see you buddy!"
He said he wanted to stop by and thank everyone for the great care he received while on our floor. It was amazing seeing him.
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I would do it over again a thousand times. Nursing is a second college career and career career for me. The worst day on my hectic unit is always better than the best day I had as a desk jockey in Corporate America. As a nurse, I'm stressed and tired but I know that my work is meaningful and useful, and that I truly earn every penny I make. Nursing makes me feel fulfilled like nothing else in life ever has.