Is nursing really that stressful?

[dslite]

I am interested in becoming a nurse, but I'm kind of scared to go foward with it because I have been hearing these horror stories. I'm old enough now to know that there is stress involved in any career but what I've been hearing about nursing is unreal. So is nursing really all that stressful or are some people exaggrating a bit?

[meadow85]

Of course it is stressful, there is a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. Peoples lives are in your hands. But it gets better with time, I think. I find it rewarding and challenging.

[WantAccel.BSN, BSN, RN]

dslite, thank you for starting this thread. I'm the same age as you, and have been thinking the exact same thing.

[pebbles, BSN, RN]

Keep in mind that what you read online from nurses is often stress-release and venting, and not an accurate portrayal of ever aspect of the job. These posts and other forums are not intended as mentoring for people who are curious about the job and what it's really like!!

Yes, it's stressful. But there are challenges and rewards, and many successes to be found along the way. I have friends and family in other fields who are just as stressed regarding work as me - or even more so.

"Stress" is a matter of what you enjoy and how you handle things. Many people "couldn't do what I do". But many people can, and do. I couldn't work in an office all day, I would find that too stressful.

[R*Star*RN, BSN, RN]

Stressful, rewarding, couldnt imagine doing anything else. Takes a certain person, you will either love it or hate it.

[Cosmicmoon67]

Nursing can be very stressful at times. It usually depends on who and what type of people you work with. I have had the opportunity to work with some great people, but very horrible management. Management can make your life extreamly bad. From my experience, if you do not have good management you need to try to find something else.

[mcknis]

"Is nursing really that stressful?"

:) need we say more?

[ex1140]

Currently, I am working on a psych floor and the job is so easy that the only thing I have to be concerned about is the supervisors. Some of them are petty...but the job is cool. I have been blessed in that I have been able to find very good jobs that pay well, or least in my opinion, and don't come with a lot of stress.

Of course what's stressful to one nurse may not be stressful to another. If you really want to be successful as a nurse you need to take note of your perosnality. Med/surg is not suitable for every one. Be truthful to yourself and you find the right area for you.

[SoundofMusic]

Well, yes, and no. It's extremely stressful the first couple of years, because you just don't know what you're doing and there isn't a lot of time to "study up" while at work. Sometimes during a 12 hour shift you will not get much of a break -- I mean, lucky to get to the bathroom and lucky if you get 30 mins to eat. You have a phone that rings constantly, buzzers, call bells, IV pumps and monitors that beep non-stop, you run around like a crazy person trying to get your orders carried out and meds given, paperwork done, patients on and off stretchers, blood draws done, IV's in, discharges, etc. I mean -- I COULD list out a typical day, but it would probably involve literally 1,000 tasks.

If you are not multi-tasker, it will probably be extremely stressful for you. I don't know -- I've had days where I've gone home with a white hot burning headache and shaking from the stress, and days where I've just been extremely satisfied and happy. It just depends on the assignment and all the other million factors -- bosses, co-workers, tech support, patients, etc.

I also really, really enjoy my days off, and thankfully I have more days off than work days!

[Iam46yearsold]

I find nursing to be a joy in my life

[RN1982]

Some days are stressful, some are not so stressful. Every job has some sort of stress that comes with it.