Is nursing for me?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2008

I'm worried that nursing might not be for me. I have taken almost all of the preriquites necessary and have a 4.0 average. Nursing scares me to death and I don't know what to do. :uhoh21: I'm getting really stressed out because my parents keep warning me it's not really a great job and is looked down upon by people and the doctors treat you like trash and cuss you out. Is that true?

I'm sorry your folks are giving you such a dim view of nursing. The majority of doctors treat nurses with the respect that we as professionals deserve. I've never seen a nurse cussed out by a doctor, and if one did cuss out a nurse, I would hope the nurse would report him.

Are most of the patients rude and mean?

The Majority of pts are greatly appreciative of the care we as nurses provide for them. You will get a rude pt every now and then, but it is the exception, not the norm.

What is the worst thing I should know about nursing? Spare me nothing please. I want to know everything nurses do throughout the day.

You want to know everything a nurse does?! Have you considered shadowing a nurse at a local hospital? I think that might be very beneficial to you to see what a day in a nurse is really like.

If I'm underweight and weak would that be a problem considering I may have to lift patients and ambulate them?

I have a small frame as well, but I can move pts with the best of them. With proper body mechanics and never being hesitant to ask for help, you should not have a problem.

Is it hard to stick someone with an IV?

That's something I'm currentally learning. However, I will say that most hospitals have IV teams, and don't require RN's do do phlebotomy/IV's anymore.

Is it difficult to empty a bedpan?

Nope. Just wear gloves. :)

One more question is it true that nurses spend most of their time charting and doing paperwork?
-Kimberly

Charting does take up time. IMO nurses spend too much time charting. I'm one of those that'll be done charting in a few minutes. If I know what I need to say and get it charted, why sit all day typing. Now if you have an emergency or something it might take longer.

JennieO · Jul 17, 2008

Nursing is a field with many areas--everyone seems to find one that they like. Many areas, you never see a bedpan or start an IV. You do get used to doing things, rather quickly, like drawing blood, starting IVs, watching someone vomit.

In the health care field, I do believe RNs are respected. Also, nurses were rated the second most trusted profession, with only firemen being more trusted than nurses. Everyone knows that they are educated and how difficult it is to get into nursing school. Many other disciplines in hospitals/clinics aspire to go to nursing school. As for your parents, they probably do not know what nurses do. Nowadays, aides and techs do many of the things nurses of yesteryear did. Nurses have a more professional, and responsible role in any healthcare setting. Because we are better paid than most people, our time is now used in a more professional manner. For instance, when you go to a doctor it is doubtful you will see an RN, but an MA or a tech. As our pay has gone up, institutions are not wanting to pay us to do work lesser paid people can do.

Also, RNs make more than many other professions and have the luxury of working part-time, flexible hours. It is interesting and so many areas that if you get bored, you can do something else.

Do not underestimate the ability to work part-time, especially if you have kids. Most jobs do not allow you to work part-time and pay you less.

Let the fact that it is hard to get into nursing school be an indicator.

Itshamrtym · Jul 18, 2008

I'm worried that nursing might not be for me. I have taken almost all of the preriquites necessary and have a 4.0 average. Nursing scares me to death and I don't know what to do. :uhoh21: I'm getting really stressed out because my parents keep warning me it's not really a great job and is looked down upon by people and the doctors treat you like trash and cuss you out. Is that true? Are most of the patients rude and mean? What is the worst thing I should know about nursing? Spare me nothing please. I want to know everything nurses do throughout the day. If I'm underweight and weak would that be a problem considering I may have to lift patients and ambulate them? Is it hard to stick someone with an IV? Is it difficult to empty a bedpan?
Nursing is the only thing that interests me I tried accounting but found it really boring. I want excitement and a reason to live by helping others.
One more question is it true that nurses spend most of their time charting and doing paperwork?
-Kimberly

Kimberly: Do NOT let other sqaush your dreams. It sounds like you would be an awesome nurse. We need nurses in a bad way. We really need nurses that are interested in being nurses and not just their paycheck. That is just a bonus$$$. The skills will come with time, believe me. The above posts have great info.... Nursing is so broad. It depends on the area that you work in as to what your duties are. There is most times a lot of paperwork. But, don't let that discourage you. Having positive people in your life will help you to.. As always allnurses if here for you..

Good luck, take care and I hope that you decide to Go for it!!! :nurse: :redbeathe:nurse:

ilstu99 · Jul 18, 2008

I'm getting really stressed out because my parents keep warning me it's not really a great job and is looked down upon by people and the doctors treat you like trash and cuss you out. Is that true? Are most of the patients rude and mean? What is the worst thing I should know about nursing? Spare me nothing please. I want to know everything nurses do throughout the day. If I'm underweight and weak would that be a problem considering I may have to lift patients and ambulate them? Is it hard to stick someone with an IV? Is it difficult to empty a bedpan?
Nursing is the only thing that interests me I tried accounting but found it really boring. I want excitement and a reason to live by helping others.
One more question is it true that nurses spend most of their time charting and doing paperwork?
-Kimberly

I totally agree with the idea of you job shadowing for a day or two, or maybe volunteering in an area that interests you. As for your family's "support".....

I've never been cussed at, nor do I know anyone who has. I'm sure that rude doctors exist, just like rude people in any other profession. I have been cursed at by one patient. He was just a lonely little older guy, and cursing was his defense. Again, I'm sure that some people are rude.....but have you ever listened to someone throw a fit at Wal-Mart or a restaurant? No matter what career you decide on, someone will probably treat you poorly at one point or another.

The worst thing about nursing? That's pretty personal, IMO....but for me it's people who don't take it as seriously as you do. There are some co-workers who really slack-off all the time, who are chronically late, who leave you to clean up their messes, etc. Of course, I think that's sadly common, too. You just feel like....we worked SO hard to get here! Don't you WANT to give patients your very best? It's a drag.....because no, they don't.

If you're concerned about any physical limitations.....explore your nursing options. There are SOOO many! I work in the NICU, so no, lifting patients isn't very hard. Honestly, there are plenty of nursing careers that don't even involve daily or direct patient care. Those are just as important as the bedside nurses.

Hard to stick people? Sometimes. I couldn't do peds. My babies are pretty forgiving, though. Some people are a harder stick than others. There are plenty of hospitals where RN's still do their own IV starts, and it's something that comes with practice. Most units I've been to have a few "experts" on staff, though. Don't ever skip the opportunity because you're worried about not getting it right....or you'll never learn.

Emptying bedpans - not my favorite thing in the world. Thank God that small babies make small poop. But imagine how your patients feel - having to have someone clean up after their messes. When you can put yourself in their place and treat them with respect and humility, you find that you can clean-up a myriad of bodily fluids without cringing.

And no, I don't spend most of my time charting. The only time I chart on care plan problems more than once is when my patient might be really struggling...so I understand what an important need an accurate record is. Charting might be an hour or 90 minutes out of my day.

All-in-all....do some more research on a personal level. Go to the places you want to work. Talk to nurses in your local facilities, or instructors in your program. Ignore other people telling you about things they don't know about.

Good luck.

CherryB · Jul 18, 2008

Wow! I didn't expect so many words of encouragement. Thank you guys so much I really needed it. I'm really serious about this profession and have been eating and exercising more to gain a little weight and muscle because my family tells me the programs won't accept thin and fragile nurses. :nurse: I want to show them how much it means to me and that this decision is the only thing that fills my heart with contentment and peace unlike anything else.

Thank you all again for taking the time to respond!

-Kimberly :redpinkhe

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 18, 2008

the doctors treat you like trash and cuss you out. Is that true?

I don't know of anyone who was cussed by a doctor, but have witnessed and experienced the brunt of a physician's unhappiness when the previous day's orders were not carried out. The nurse who didn't do it isn't there, but you'll be the nurse representative.

Are most of the patients rude and mean?

Most patients truly appreciate what you do for them. Some are rude, some may be mean, but I'll try to get to the root of it. If it's something I can remedy, then I do it. I don't include dementia patients.

What is the worst thing I should know about nursing? Spare me nothing please. I want to know everything nurses do throughout the day.

Read many of the posts here and follow the previous recommendation to shadow a nurse. I really wish you would find the time to shadow many nurses on different units.

Is it hard to stick someone with an IV? Is it difficult to empty a bedpan?

You will learn these things in school.

One more question is it true that nurses spend most of their time charting and doing paperwork?

I have a lot of charting to do. Some of my patients have every 15 minute vitals signs, some have neurological checks every two hours, most assessments are every 4 hours, just depends on the patient.

I chart throughout the day, but anytime I actually do get to chart - I am interrupted constantly. It's a balancing act.

If you shadow some nurses and decide nursing is for you then I say go for it and I wish you the best.

Please make an informed, realistic decision. It is not all peaches and cream, handholding and sunshine. If it was, then many more nurses would have stayed in the field. All experiences are personal, but listen to ALL of them and decide what is best for you.

Good luck!

tiggerdagibit · Jul 18, 2008

Wow! I didn't expect so many words of encouragement. Thank you guys so much I really needed it. I'm really serious about this profession and have been eating and exercising more to gain a little weight and muscle because my family tells me the programs won't accept thin and fragile nurses. I want to show them how much it means to me and that this decision is the only thing that fills my heart with contentment and peace unlike anything else.
Thank you all again for taking the time to respond!
-Kimberly :redpinkhe

You need to stop listening to your family! lol There are several tiny girls in my class. :wink2:

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2008

You will learn these things in school.

Actually my nursing school did not teach how to do IV sticks nor phlebotomy. Would have been nice.

justavolunteer · Jul 18, 2008

Several posters mentioned shadowing a nurse for a day. Another way to see a pt unit is to volunteer at a local hospital. (I am 'justavolunteer' who has no intention of being a nurse. I just volunteer because I like it.) You won't get to do much direct care, but you do get to see nurses & CNA's as they go about their routine. The usual volunteer shift can be as little as 4 hours per week.

You will meet the occasional nasty patient, but I have found that most of them, as well as the nurses, sure appreciate volunteers.