Is nursing worth it?

Nursing Students General Students

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Is all the stress of nursing school really worth it in the end?

The stress i have experienced has caused me to lose about 4-5 pounds in a matter of 2 months. Ive had frequent migraines, hardly sleep, & just feel overwhelmingly depressed every single day.

I know these things may be common in nursing students, but i was wondering if going through all this is worth it?

Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

It's not easy that's for sure.

But I found its worth it.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I cannot imagine having done anything else for the last 30+ years.

I started as a candystriper, did the aide jobs, traveled with nursing, camp nurse, lots of hospital work.

The question is, is it worth it to you?

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Specializes in LAD.
look at your academic journey as an adventure, rather than a daunting task :x3:

Feels like the Hunger Games...or Survivor.

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During my first year of nursing school (43 years ago) I experienced many of the symptoms you describe. I do not know if you are just beginning or are well into nursing school. Personally, I had more difficulties at the beginning. I was questioning if I truly "fit" into the program, was capable of completing al the requirements and maintain sufficient GPA to retain my scholarship. Lots of stress! What helped me the most at that time was to observe nursing students that were ahead of me in the program and tell myself "If THEY can do it, I SURELY can do it! Be certain that nursing is really what you desire to do as your career. Then talk with your instructors and nursing classmates. You will find there is a lot of understanding and support available to you, but you must be willing to share your feelings with them. Take it from one who knows, antidepressant medication will not "fix" your problems, "make" you happy, or alleviate your stress. An individual who is content within himself/herself as a person is most likely to achieve the goals he/has has set and yet enjoy the journey.

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Perhaps you need some counselling. You are either into nursing or not. If you figure that out then you can make the proper decision. School is always a pain so dont let that trip you up.

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Specializes in Intake, Home Care.
Feels like the Hunger Games...or Survivor.

We actually say that in our class. If someone drops or is dismissed, we wait for the canons to go off, as another tribute has left the arena.

A few of us are contemplating tattoos "May the odds be ever in your favor" to memorialize our journey.

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If nursing is your calling and goal, then I believe it will be well worth it. As a nursing professional, you can make the choice of what area you work. There are so many different specialties and areas to use the knowledge you gain in nursing school. Nursing school does require perseverance and surrounding yourself with classmates and family who support you. I have been a nurse for over 16 years and I have enjoyed working med/surg, OR, and the ICU. Each of these areas have their own level of difficulty and frustrations at times, but the good days have outweighed the difficult days. I take a break and go to the OR whenever I feel the strains of the ICU. I then go back to the ICU whenever I feel the need to challenge my mind. This blessing of having career choices is only because I did not give up with my nursing education. It has been well worth all the studying and late nights and early mornings I endured. I feel you too will enjoy what this career can bring you.

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Work is about 1000x more stressful than school, not even close

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Being a student myself I have never once doubted my choice, then again I have a past that I am not to proud of so just the fact I am now 6 months away from my Boards is awesome for me. In regards to work, don't get tunnel vision that the only jobs are in hospitals doing bedside care. I work in the nursing home industry and most if not all the case managers for the insurance companies are RN's or LPN's and make 6 figures if not close to it and they just review charts. Our MDS coordinator does careplans and then there is our DON and ADON, these two have more patient interaction but are in leadership roles. This is just a very small handful of the amount of nursing positions that do not involve any sort of patient care at all whatsoever. A friend of mine just got hired doing informatics for a company that educates nurses on their electronic charting. Think of nursing school as just a key to open a door to a wide variety of opportunities, and remember nothing worth doing is easy.

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Feels like the Hunger Games...or Survivor.

And may the odds be ever in your favor....;)

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Specializes in LAD.
We actually say that in our class. If someone drops or is dismissed, we wait for the canons to go off, as another tribute has left the arena.

A few of us are contemplating tattoos "May the odds be ever in your favor" to memorialize our journey.

Love it!

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Im starting my third semester this coming Monday out of 5 semesters.

I want to say its worth it because i cannot see myself doing anything else but nursing. This is the reason why im still in the program.

Im just not sure if its a good enough reason.

Thanks for your input!

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