Is Nursing as Stressful as Nursing School?

Nurses General Nursing

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Okay, I have a question. I am a nursing student. School is very stressful and it doesn't seem like it needs to be unless they are trying to teach us the stress of actual nursing practice. So, skilled nurses, please answer my question. Is nursing as stressful as nursing school? :)

Specializes in geriatrics.

When you're a student, you're working with a nurse. As a student, it is perfectly acceptable to say, "Wait. Let me find the nurse." Then, all of a sudden, YOU are that nurse, and the realization hits, "Right. I'm the nurse now." Of course, your coworkers are around to assist, but you the nurse are much more accountable. School is easy by comparison.

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Specializes in geriatrics.
That's okay, HQ, I understand why you said "easy". Here is the deal. I am 45 years old. I worked in the ministry and in domestic violence before. I know stress and although I need a challenging job that keeps my mind busy and on it's toes, I also need a job that is not too physically challenging and I can't handle crisis type situations too much anymore. I want a nursing job that is pretty routine. I almost cringe to say that because I know someone will probably jump on me for even saying it. But I know those jobs are out there. That said, I would probably rather work as a clinic nurse than a hospital one. I will not thrive in the ICU or emergency. My days of the adrenaline rush working in crisis are over. I am willing to work part-time or doing whatever in order to find my way into something that is a good fit. I like medication. I like paperwork. I like interacting with people on a limited basis meaning I want some people interaction but I really would enjoy charting and paperwork too. I would probably enjoy a 50/50 mix. I would love any input. (But please don't yell at me for saying my days of major crisis type stress are pretty much over......I believe there is a place for me.) :)
Perhaps you might enjoy OR/ PACU. Organized, clean, team environment, somewhat routine, but also provides variety to a degree. I love the OR. I feel the same as yourself....I would not do well with ICU or emerg, but the OR was perfect for me.
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Perhaps you might enjoy OR/ PACU. Organized, clean, team environment, somewhat routine, but also provides variety to a degree. I love the OR. I feel the same as yourself....I would not do well with ICU or emerg, but the OR was perfect for me.

Thanks for the tip. I have no medical people in my family, so I am learning all I can from you! I want to be prepared/know what I am in for so I can steer myself in the right direction.

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When you're a student, you're working with a nurse. As a student, it is perfectly acceptable to say, "Wait. Let me find the nurse." Then, all of a sudden, YOU are that nurse, and the realization hits, "Right. I'm the nurse now." Of course, your coworkers are around to assist, but you the nurse are much more accountable. School is easy by comparison.

Totally true. School versus real life practice is like the difference between night and day.

Even if you manage to get through your first year or too w/o things being so bad, if you move into one of the more demanding areas, say like in a busy, university, teaching medical center--dude, that too is like night and day--from the frying pan into the fire. You work in a very demanding inner city place--same thing.

If you work in East Gibbip Alaska, where you have limited help, etc, and you get some high acuity patients--still pretty stressful.

Once you get into regular practice with a license, the buck stops with you. That makes a big difference between school and functioning on your own as a professional nurse.

Many years later, I look back on anything I considered stressful or a pia in nursing school, and I want to laugh my butt off.

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Besides being a cop, how many other professions are as stressful and litigious as nursing? Nurses, especially for what they get paid, are asked to do WAY more than they're worth. Yeah, someone will surely whine and say that "you don't become a nurse for the money." Please! Unless, for example, you derive pleasure from stress and or abuse, good pay is important - we all have bills, right? Pushed beyond your limits while being subjected to the real possibility of losing your hard earned license for roughly $28 an hour? Lovely! Don't get me wrong. There are a very few areas in nursing that won't totally drain the life out of you. Any ideas?

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$28/hour?! Where do I sign up? I know it makes a difference where you live but sheesh! That's WAY more than what I'm making! ?

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Stressful for no money?

Firefighters, teachers, enlisted military (we officers do just fine, no matter what some say - in many ways I am ridiculously overpaid)....I'm sure there are more...

And yes, I didn't make anywhere near $28 an hour when I was a civilian RN either!

That said, YES YES YES being an RN is a thousand times more stressful than being a student was, but I wouldn't care to go back to my ABSN program and do it again. I'm just fine with being in the trenches!

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Nursing is a lot more stressful than nursing school....however, on your days off, you are off and you can enjoy your life. No studying!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

It's honestly your personality type. I work in a level 3 ER. We do everything but trauma. I do not find my actual job to be stressful. I think it is extremely fun and the paperwork is fairly easy and even, I dare say, extremely minimal.

My first year was the worst year I've ever had job- wise working in corrections, but once I got that ER job 1 year later everything has been great. I love that most of my patients are walky-talkies. I love the constant rotation of pts. I REALLY love that the physicians are ALWAYS there in person. I love that every year for 2 years now, I've received a large bonus from the hospital! I love that I'm always busy. I love the instant gratification of that Successful IV, ABG, or pushed pain medication! I love it. I also love that I always have another nurse to go to for questions.

I truly say it from my heart, if you love your job, your stress will be minimal!

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
$28/hour?! Where do I sign up? I know it makes a difference where you live but sheesh! That's WAY more than what I'm making! 

Whaaat? $40/hour is more like it ;)

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
Nursing is a lot more stressful than nursing school....however, on your days off, you are off and you can enjoy your life. No studying!

Unless you're a nurse trying to get your BSN ... :p

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Specializes in Telemetry.

a million times more stressful (i didn't find school stressful)

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