Is nursing REALLY for you?

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Yes, you are all obviously nurses at this point :)..but I'm wondering...pure honesty..do you feel nursing is really for you?

I know that many people find out that nursing is not for them...and some are some of the most intelligent nurses out there. So I am just curious...is this seriously what you want to do for the rest of your life? :nurse:

I'm asking because I have seen so many posts full of stress, misery, and yet (all at the same time), enthusiasm. Some seem to be in denial..and the other seem to just really love the profession. What's the consensus? Please...don't sugar coat your reply..no answer is right or wrong..I am just curious to know how you REALLY feel about your profession...deep deep deep down inside. :D

I honestly dont know. I like what I do and I like nursing. But looking back at when I graduated high school, I think I just focused in on one thing cause I didnt know about a lot of other fields out there. I grew up in a rural town and there were not a lot of options presented to you and most of them were blue collar jobs. If I had to do it all over again I cant say for sure that I would have chose nursing. I like repetetive tasks and quiet predictable outcomes. That is not nursing. Its just my personality. Sit me in a corner for 8 hours with a list of tasks in a quiet environment where I dont have to deal with people and their drama and I would be in job heaven. Guess I really missed my aim huh?:rolleyes:

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Still a student RN (Grad date 09/10), but I had to admit that the first half of my education in the classrooms had me wondering if nursing was for me. I had to learn and be able to apply knowledge at the drop of a hat, I had to learn patience, and even being in my 40's I had to learn a whole new level of maturity, and I had to learn that scarifice can (and will) be required to work as a nurse. I had many many thoughts that I may have made a mistake and that the only reason I was still there was the financial and time investment I had made... Then I started clinicals.

I have never been more stressed, yelled at, belittled, rushed, humiliated, or had my butt handed to me then in any other time in my life (Marine Corp boot camp included).

But someting happened as well...I never felt more at home, more assured in what I was doing, or more confident in my choices.

I have seen some of the ugly aspects of nursing in regards to Dr's who don't respect RNs, to RN's who do eat their young (they apparently prefer to do it slowly...maybe it enchances our flavor).

My friends think the bad side of nursing it the bedside care, the code browns, care plans that don't make sense...especially ones that YOU wrote, but that is what I have found myself thriving on.

I look forward to joining the ranks of RN's this year and short of my body wearing out on me (my nickname is "Big J" and "Forklift" so you can imagine what kind of patients that save for me) I forsee a rewarding 20+ years of floor nursing.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

AFter 15 years, I love all aspect of direct patient care and it really is what I love doing as well as teaching new nurses.

The paperwork, joint commision, administration... if all that went away, I'd never leave. AFter 15 years of all this excess crap and little time for patient care... I'm ready to go

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

Yes, it's really for me. I couldn't imagine at this point to leave the bedside. I don't think in this profession you can ever know it all. It's always changing. I like the challenge and to be kept busy and on my toes.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I really do think that it is.

Can I see myself doing something else? I can. I enjoy writing, I enjoy computers. I could have gone another route and been happy, I am sure. But...I get so much joy out of what I do. My mom is having some (hopefully minor :() issues with her health right now, and the extent of my help right now is talking her through it...but I thrive when I can get in to that role as a caretaker, even more so for someone I love. That giving of my knowledge and self really does fulfill me, so yes....I am a nurse. :) Sounds kind of cheesy, huh...

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I honestly dont know. I like what I do and I like nursing. But looking back at when I graduated high school, I think I just focused in on one thing cause I didnt know about a lot of other fields out there. I grew up in a rural town and there were not a lot of options presented to you and most of them were blue collar jobs. If I had to do it all over again I cant say for sure that I would have chose nursing. I like repetetive tasks and quiet predictable outcomes. That is not nursing. Its just my personality. Sit me in a corner for 8 hours with a list of tasks in a quiet environment where I dont have to deal with people and their drama and I would be in job heaven. Guess I really missed my aim huh?:rolleyes:

If I may add a comment...

You do realize that sitting in a cubicle for 8 hours a day doing repetitive tasks will probably pay less than half, maybe one third of what a registered nurse makes? Also switching from saving lives and helping people to mundane tasks a monkey could do? That would be hard for me.

But, you also have to be happy in life. My good friend who is a lawyer makes plenty of money but is going to leave law for a big paycut and teach. You have to find a balance between what kind of work makes you happy versus what kind of income you want to live on.

Remember also though, that hard work and facing challenges are very rewarding personally for some people (myself included).

Nursing is hard, but it is also one of the most important jobs in our society. That, and affording a decent living, with my sense of worth in tact, are what keep me going...

Take care.

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

I can honestly say, without reservation, that going into nursing was one of the worst decisions I have ever made. The second worst was staying in it as long as I have. I regret having lost 20 years of my life. I have no intention of losing the next 20.

But thats just me.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Well, if you had asked me this a year ago I would have said no. I was deeply depressed and thoroughly burnt out. I went out on disability for a year of rest and recovery. I really considered myself retired after 32 years.

Then, at Christmas, a new job literally landed in my lap. They needed a part-time school nurse and I was available. Not only was I available, but I was healthy again and ready to rock. So today I can say YES, nursing really IS for me. It's who I am and what I do. I love being with children(I've been in peds for decades.) If I couldn't be a nurse I'd probably work for a non-profit helping people find shelter, food, and healthcare.

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I have wondered this a lot. On some days, I'm quite good at it. I'm a multi-tasking champion, getting everything done, all my patients revere me, and I can do no wrong in anyone's eyes. On bad days, my patients hate me, I can't do anything right, and everyone seems mad at me. I really hate days like that and often entertain thoughts of leaving.

I am good w/ people a lot of the time. I can multi-task and I can think on my feet. I love emergency situations, wild situations and the drama of it. I DO hate the fact that I seem to be responsible for everyone's unhappiness, for inappropriate med orders (come on -- I'm not the one who went to med school for crying out loud), and of course, all the ridiculous paperwork and JHACO silliness. I really hate some of the antics of the management and administration also. It is an important job, though -- I just wish nurses got the respect from EVERYONE that they deserve.

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I left a full time, benefit-laden, lucrative, county paramedic job where I could go to work and sleep for 24 hours if I wanted to. (Occasionally interrupted by 911 calls.) For the last few years I spent my time studying for my ADN.

I'm 52 and for most people my age, this would be the perfect job. And it was a great job. But, I got tired of sitting on my a** waiting for a call. And when the call did come it was usually anything BUT an emergency.

I have been working as an RN for a month orienting to the M/S floor and LOVE it. I could have spent my last 15 years working in a cushy job doing nothing but can't stand to be doing nothing. I would rather be busy. And as a nurse, I have so many options. Traveling, clinic, LTC, home health, insurance, case management. The possibilities are endless.

Yes, I'm happy with my decision!

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If I may add a comment...

You do realize that sitting in a cubicle for 8 hours a day doing repetitive tasks will probably pay less than half, maybe one third of what a registered nurse makes? Also switching from saving lives and helping people to mundane tasks a monkey could do? That would be hard for me.

I'm going to have to disagree. That is simply not true. In NYC, an exec. assistant can expect to make a solid 55-90+k per year. Many at big companies who work for the super $$$$filthy rich$$$$ guys make 150k. I have seen it. The ones I have worked around were "upper middle class" and all making a solid 80k per year. Their jobs, HANDS DOWN, were probably 1/4 of the stress a nurse puts up with...and when the boss is out..(which is often)..oh forget it..they may have a desk full of things to do..but it's just "bulk" work.

I agree with your "mundane monkey" comment..had to laugh..because I said.."I'm getting into nursing because I can't sit and do paperwork all day..I don't want to be an office drone". However, after all of the paperwork/admin. b.s. I see that nurses have to deal with...a mindless monkey job is starting to sound good to me. I don't have experience as an R.N. yet..so I guess I would just have to see for me.

But yes, desk jobs are not always that much less than nursing. Many times they pay more. If you want to be a receptionist, mail room clerk, etc. (something without a skill/degree), yes, you might make more around 30-40k in NYC..that's about 40% less than what a starting R.N. makes. :)

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