Is nursing REALLY that difficult?

Yes nursing really IS that hard. But I wouldn't choose to do anything else. I work in a very physically/emotionally draining job with a population that is still very affected by historical trauma. Because the area I work in is so underserved, I worked several years ago while recovering from influenza except for 1 day off. It's rough. It's rough on the body and the soul. It's very easy to idealize nursing before you're actually a nurse. The reality is harsher than what you expect. But again, for me-completely worth it. I am glad I work in a place that genuinely needs me. That keeps me going.

I'd like to add that if these comments/responses really make you think that you shouldn't be a nurse...GREAT

I'm really happy we helped you to realize it now while you're still in high school and haven't put time and effort and money into getting halfway through nursing school or even graduating before you realize it isn't for you.

Because if you're being serious and these comments alone are enough to dissuade you...You truly aren't cut out for nursing. And that's fine, that's why we have thousands of different professions...So that there's something for everyone. I wish you luck in finding out what the right choice is for you. It's a tough choice for any of us, and it will have repercussions for years to come, so it behooves you to choose well.

I would not let internet form your opinion about anything really. Especially something a big as your career.

I'm a new nurse and I don't hate my job. Actually, I love my job but it's not for everyone.

You have to realize that there is a lot more to it than just e 12's a week. I have to be able to think on my feet, to react and not panic and to multi task. I have 20-30 patients at a time and they all have needs I need to meet.

If I don't meet those needs there are serious consequences for them and for me.

I am on my feet all the time, my body aches from helping to lift and turn and transfer, but I still have to be alert and focused while I assess and care for my patients.

I also have to work holidays and weekends. I don't get a set schedule and I don't know what days I will have off from week to week. That makes it hard to plan things.

I can't leave work in the middle of a shift just because there is an emergency in my life, someone has to take my patients from me before I can do that. Doesn't really matter what the emergency is, I can't leave until I have relief.

If the next shift gets in an accident (God forbid) on the way to work, or calls in sick last minute, I have to stay.

I love my job despite all of the above. I really don't think I could do anything else, to be honest.

You just have to decide if you could also love a career that has so many "down sides".

Here's my two cents on "nurture", although perhaps without an adrenaline rush.

A couple years ago I had a freak trip-and-fall at home, and suffered a long laceration on a 3/4 circumference of my lower leg, requiring 20 sutures. The laceration wasn't healing well on its own because of the location between mid-calf and ankle. I ended up becoming a patient of the local university wound clinic.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that 3 of 20 RN staff members were my former BSN students whom I had taught only 2-3 years earlier.

Each of these nurses told me that they had spent a few years working 12-hour shifts as bedside RNs in the university medical center, in Burn-Trauma, Pediatric ED, and CT Stepdown. When the opportunity presented itself, each wrenched themselves away from inpatient care for the structure of a 40 hour/week 0800-1630 clinic job.

Their reasons included desire for a less fatigued life, better hours related to child care, and a desire to hang with friends and family who also worked regularly scheduled hours.

These nurses are very bright and have become highly skilled in their wound and skin specialty. They are valued members of an interdisciplinary team consisting of physicians, NPs, a clinic-specific social worker, and available OT and PT consultants. They attend continuing ed offerings, have the same university benefits package as nurses at the hospital bedside, and although their hourly rate is ~ 12% less than what they earned at the bedside, each of these former students said they are happy and fulfilled in their nursing role.

Seeing them carry out their expert nursing functions made my heart sing, from intake and preliminary assessment, to carrying out complex treatments, to providing patient education and telephone follow-up, as well as implementing and tracking performance improvement initiatives.

For a prospective or experienced nurse who is seeking a position where there still is room for "nurture" without undue time-related pressure and craziness, it appeared to me that this type of clinic nursing would be a great job.

Because the clinics are part of the university medical center, minimum RN requirement is a BSN.

Interestingly, over time, I have run into other former students who work in sleep clinic, derm clinic, ortho clinic, and HF clinic, among others. Busy, fulfilling work on a more regular schedule, for those who are fortunate to live near an academic medical center.

As an aside, I worked 12-hour nights in the ICU while I was a grad student in my late 30s. Hated 12-hour shifts with a purple passion; loved 3-11 shifts (the party shift) back in the olden days. We were able to get things done in 8-hour shifts; it takes pacing oneself. The older and more achy we become, the less desirable are 12-hour shifts.

Just saying.

I've just completed my first semester as a nursing student, aka fundamentals. Let me tell you. It's by far the worst thing I've ever done in my entire life that I've loved so much. Before nursing school, I was a 4.0 student. I wanted to go to medical school. Decided for my future that wasn't in the cards. Went into nursing school. They will test you in every capacity possible. They will tear you down, so you arise stronger than before. They will find ever weakness you possess and throw in your face. It's long hours. 24-30 hours a week in school. I also work full time job as well. With studying and working it's about 70-80 hours a week. It's grueling. It's painful. It will cause you to have mental breakdowns. But seeing a patient recover from a traumatic injury based on the implementations you as the nurse actually did! It's incredible. Don't give up. You can do it!

Yes, it can really be that bad, depending on where a nurse is in their experience level, place of employment, area of the country, etc. There are many factors that play a part, but nursing is generally exhausting mentally, physically and emotionally. I don't think there are many nurses who go into the profession thinking that it will be easy, but if they do, their first year of nursing usually does a fine job at showing them just how gritty real world nursing is.

I've just completed my first semester as a nursing student, aka fundamentals. Let me tell you. It's by far the worst thing I've ever done in my entire life that I've loved so much. Before nursing school, I was a 4.0 student. I wanted to go to medical school. Decided for my future that wasn't in the cards. Went into nursing school. They will test you in every capacity possible. They will tear you down, so you arise stronger than before. They will find ever weakness you possess and throw in your face. It's long hours. 24-30 hours a week in school. I also work full time job as well. With studying and working it's about 70-80 hours a week. It's grueling. It's painful. It will cause you to have mental breakdowns. But seeing a patient recover from a traumatic injury based on the implementations you as the nurse actually did! It's incredible. Don't give up. You can do it!

As someone who is finishing up my first semester in nursing school, my experience has been the complete opposite. Are you on the quarter system?

I worked the first part of my life in the construction industry and have done everything from carpentry to roofing. Roofing is by far the hardest construction job around. The second part of my life I am a nurse. Nursing and roofing are about the same effort level. Roofing is physically exhausting and beats up your body. Nursing is emotionally exhausting and beats up your body. Don't get me wrong, I am glad I made the move in 2005! I love my job and I also love the 4 days a week I am not here.

It's not "whiny," it's simply a fact of life as a nurse or nursing student from time to time. Many nurses and nursing students have managed to balance work and life but in my opinion, it takes time and practice. It's an incredibly rewarding profession that pays well and nursing school for me has been the absolute time of my life. A time for growth, making friends, and of course learning. That being said, it's still exhausting and sometimes you'll still go home in tears and question if this is even right for you. It doesn't come without its drawbacks but still, personally, I love it.