Is Nursing the hardest job out there?

Jules A, MSN · Mar 20, 2015

I think there are some out there probably in education, maybe social work but to answer your title being a floor nurse was not the hardest or most stressful job I had ever worked. In fact waitressing and bartending which I also enjoyed and found similar to nursing were every bit as stressful for me.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 20, 2015

My friends are all aerospace engineers. It works for them. Little stress, until launch day then they pray their multi million dollar rocket doesn't explode into expensive fireworks.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Mar 20, 2015

A certain percentage of the stress in nursing is self-induced. I work in pediatric critical care, but feel surprisingly little stress about my work because I have a terrific team of co-workers (MD, RN and RT). I know nurses who work in dermatology offices (where no one ever dies) and feel a great deal of stress.

elkpark · Mar 20, 2015

Nursing is nowhere close to the "hardest job out there."

Libby1987 · Mar 20, 2015

Nursing is nowhere close to the "hardest job out there."

I kept trying to open your link lol.

Libby1987 · Mar 20, 2015

My SO's job is more stressful and he usually works longer hours than me, certainly more physical.

I don't have a friend that works FT that exerts less or has less pressure (deadlines etc) than me.

Short of working in unsafe conditions, and I'm going to put most of the blame of that on the over supply of nurses desperate for work and willing to fill those spots, I don't know anyone who has a cush job anymore.

Nola009 · Mar 20, 2015

In my opinion, the stress level and odd hours aren't really worth the pay. The nursing profession just goes to show if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you have a good business idea, that might be a better way to earn a living.

Nola009 · Mar 20, 2015

My SO's job is more stressful and he usually works longer hours than me, certainly more physical.
I don't have a friend that works FT that exerts less or has less pressure (deadlines etc) than me.
Short of working in unsafe conditions, and I'm going to put most of the blame of that on the over supply of nurses desperate for work and willing to fill those spots, I don't know anyone who has a cush job anymore.

Seems like we have an over supply of nurses because our economy is failing and nursing has been looked at as a secure, decent paying job. People just want to be able to provide for themselves and their families and I don't blame them.

Libby1987 · Mar 20, 2015

Seems like we have an over supply of nurses because our economy is failing and nursing has been looked at as a secure, decent paying job. People just want to be able to provide for themselves and their families and I don't blame them.

What causes the over supply of nurses is a separate issue than why nurses will accept and stay in an unsafe position.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 20, 2015

What causes the over supply of nurses is a separate issue than why nurses will accept and stay in an unsafe position.

Not necessarily. It would be unwise for one to quit a job, even if unsafe, when one can't find a job because there are too many applicants- and the facility very well may choose to go with the cheapest (aka new grad) option.

Nola009 · Mar 20, 2015

What causes the over supply of nurses is a separate issue than why nurses will accept and stay in an unsafe position.

Yes. I'm saying that there are plenty of people coming from other proffessions/jobs looking to enter the nursing profession because other jobs' wages no longer cut it with the higher cost of living. Nursing is perceived to provide a steady, alright income. And... I've spoken with a few burned out nurses with the mortgages and the kids who feel like they have no other marketable skills, since nursing is such a specific course of study.