I'm interested in going into nursing and I have a few questions.

SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN · Jul 4, 2017

1) I was never a fan of science until I went to nursing school. I like it now and can understand what I need to know for nursing but I'm not whiz at it either.

2) I'm only really skeeved out by severely broken bones but you just get over it really. I've never been easily grossed out though by body fluid or anything though.

3) Every job field is stressful. Every job field now expects you to do the best job with the least resources. Nursing is no different.

poopylala, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2017

1) Not every nurse is naturally drawn to science. We tend to be drawn to caring. The science comes in to play when you're understanding the how's and why's of what's going on with the patient. It's important to understand anatomy, physiology, basic math, and even basic chemistry among other things. You don't need to love science to love learning about the human body.

2) Everyone has their niche. I am a burn nurse. I love wounds and really gruesome things but I also have always loved this stuff. You don't need to be around what bothers you unless it's part of the area you want to eventually go into. What I can't stand is trach care. Give me poop, burns, necrotic wounds, etc but trach stuff is just blah. What helps too is to look at instagram accounts of nursing or medical pages to get used to seeing some of the stuff you'll see. For example, there's a pathology assistant on Instagram whose username is Mrs. Angemi and she posts incredible educational posts with photos and an explanation.

3) It definitely can be. The issue is we're expected to not just be nurses but to be a secretary, house keeping, food services, etc all during the same 12 hours. Families and patients can be frustrating to work with. There's a ton of redundant charting or paperwork. You sometimes have people who talk down to you. None of this is any different than any other job I've worked. What makes this different is I love what I do and I care about my patients. Nurses have what's called gallows or caustic humor- we make sometimes terrible jokes to deal with frustrating things. We go for drinks in the morning after 3 long shifts in a row. We laugh at how awful medical shows depict what we do. I take dance classes. Some work out. I see movies and go eat with friends. The point is to find what you need to relieve the stress... Massages and pedicures are always my go-to!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2017

1) I don't know that you have to be naturally good at science, but you do have to be able to learn the material with extra work, if not naturally gifted in that area.

2) I have a naturally strong stomach, and with few exceptions didn't need to "get used to" things. However, the extreme things like large burns and open fractures you don't need to see. Don't plan on working in units like ED, OR, surgical/trauma ICU, or burn unit. Oh, and in LTAC (long term ACUTE care) I did see lots of severe wounds including burns.

3) For me, nursing has its stressful days, but if I said it was the worst stress ever I'd be exaggerating. Military, fire, police, air traffic control, and hostage negotiators have FAR worse stress. Or like at one of the hospitals I did clinicals at -- a level 2 trauma center with a single neurosurgeon. Or a single parent needing to work 2 or 3 jobs....

I can clock out and be done. In life-threatening situations, an RN is never alone; even a private duty nurse who is alone much of the time can call 911. I get paid well, and full-time work can mean 3 days per week if I work a 12-hour shift. I can work mulitple jobs if I want, or I can work a couple of shifts a month. (my geologist-sister doesn't have the option to work part time.)

I think in general, people are more likely to vent about the bad than the good.

Purplemommy, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2017

1) I didn't think I was a science type either. But nursing was a fit and I found I love MEDICAL science. And I really love critical care.

2) Mind over matter. I'll take a wound or burn pt over an ostomy bag any day. Everyone has the one thing you rather not do. But you do it anyway (maybe with a mask ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ and some essential oils inside... and coffee grounds under the bed).

3) Find the stress you love. I love critical, life or death stress. I'm fast paced and low on patience. ICU is my home. The good outweighs the bad and only other medical professionals will understand that your stress is DIFFERENT. That you thrive on your stress. Its a rush to save a life, being your patients voice, their guardian, their advocate. It's an honor help people heal. To hold their hand and comfort someone when they lose their loved one. To teach someone how to live with their disease. Yes my feet hurt, I have chronic cystitis from no bathroom breaks for 20 years and I eat lunch in 2 mins flat because who knows who will code next. But I've saved lives. Held the hands. Taught the sick. It's worth it. Nursing isn't easy. It's an honor.

RNikkiF · Jul 12, 2017

You have to understand science, not necessarily like it. You have to have a solid foundation on which to build your knowledge.

No. Not every nurse is exposed to burns and bones sticking out. Steer clear of ED and burn units and you're probably OK.

Yes. The stress is as bad, if not worse than the internet says. You can't be "in it for the money" or you'll burn out fast. If you're in it because you truly want to help people, you learn to deal. That's not to say you're immune to burn out. You have to take care of yourself too.

saskrn · Jul 12, 2017

2) How do you deal with the gruesome stuff and how long did it take to get use to it? I mean like burn victims, bones poking out the body, and things like that.

First of all, it's inappropriate to refer to any patient as "gruesome".

Second, I'm a "burn victim". Me and other "burn victims" don't like being characterized this way. FTR, I'm a survivor, not a victim, TYVM.

Flatline, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2017

I generally agree with the above posters that you do not have to be science oriented, the science classes are generally entry level college so not bad and no you do not have to deal with blood and guts.

The thing with nursing is that it is very flexible in the type of job you perform. You most likely are imagining scrubs at the bedside taking care of people. That is one job you can do. My wife and I are both nurses and both work in an office, her from home and me in a corporate setting. The most gore I encounter is a nasty papercut and the stress I have is normal office type politics stress.