Is it really that bad?

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I am a dental hygienist, currently not licensed, as I moved to a state with no reciprocity. I do not like my profession, because it's a sales job and the focus is production. I have applied to a local nursing program and am awaiting acceptance (or not). You all are scaring me! I have read horror stories of this profession... stress, anxiety, burn-out. Geez! What am I getting myself into? So I ask you: is it as awful as it appears to be? The local nurses have, for the most part, expressed job satisfaction; so I was really taken aback at the general consensus that nursing is a terrible career. For what it's worth, I want to work in a clinic and establish relationships with patients... or work in an assisted living facility. I've pretty much gathered that bedside nursing is too much stress for the average person!

Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

I've been burnt out and I've been completely satisfied with my job at the same time within the one year I've had. It's rewarding, it's demanding, it's a new way of thinking about the world.

Exactly how I feel!

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You made it through an RDH program. You can make it through nursing.

I suggest maybe shadowing a nurse.

Yes, I'm curious how the two curriculums compare. I found hygiene easy as far as academics, but I would go home crying after clinic. Our instructors were almost abusive and seemed to enjoy their position of superiority. Also, regarding lack of appreciation, I found that in dentistry. Many patients are phobic, having a death-grip on the chair, and dentists can be downright condescending. What I've gleaned from this thread is that nursing is stressful, but character-building. I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and what you do, after reading about your experiences.

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Specializes in High Risk L&D.

I would never send anyone I love into this career. I love my job despite the hundreds of things that are wrong, but it's a daily fight. The majority of patients think they own us, the hospitals expect you handle more than a full load and still carry the weight of the entire patient experience on your shoulders (making up for the things that you have absolutely no control over), the hours are long and hard, holidays and weekends away, high stress, always conflict within the staff bc it's a staff full of women with high stress...I could go on. The only thing that keeps any of us going is the occasional amazing patient, strong friendships, and venting on boards like this. I would do A LOT of research and consideration before making the career change.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Yes, I'm curious how the two curriculums compare. I found hygiene easy as far as academics, but I would go home crying after clinic. Our instructors were almost abusive and seemed to enjoy their position of superiority. Also, regarding lack of appreciation, I found that in dentistry. Many patients are phobic, having a death-grip on the chair, and dentists can be downright condescending.

Sounds a lot like nursing. You sure you want to go that route?

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For me, yes it really was that bad. Oddly enough, I only became a nurse after being wait listed for Dental Hygiene. It definitely was not a calling. Nursing is corporate driven: do more with less, patient satisfaction, & never enough staff. I have found my niche as a provider & graduate 5/21 with my DNP. I do not recommend nursing to my children. I've told them to choose any role in healthcare except the nurse. Nursing has become like a drive thru where they can have it their way. Everything is the nurse's fault/responsibility. I stopped floor nursing in 2013 and have missed exactly never once.

LOL.

Not everyone hates floor nursing, some really love it. The point is that you did not like your specific role before and now you found your niche. That is what is so special about nursing, if you do not like your circumstances then change them. There is too much variety available in nursing to remain in a position you dislike.

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I don't want to be the gloomy gus here but I think this post is overly optimistic for today's realities. You have to admit that most new grad RN's will not travel the world speaking. Nor will they open their own family practice and Coumadin clinic (how does that even happen when RN's cannot bill for their time?). And a lobbyist is a very seasoned, experienced nurse who has definitely put in his/her time in the trenches.

And the trenches are the problem. I absolutely disagree that anyone who complains about nursing "has not found their specialty or work setting." And to make that statement just shows that the writer is definitely out of touch with the realities of the nursing world. Right now, acute, chronic & long-term care is absolutely grueling for the most part. Those are the positions, for the most part, that are available to the new grad. Corporate has taken over nursing in a big way. Budgets are squeezed. Nurse/patient ratios are squeezed. Raises are minimal to none. It is not fun out there. It is particularly not fun for new grads, the vast majority of whom are having difficulty even finding jobs (but that's the subject for another thread). Nursing today for the majority of us is stressful to the nth degree.

So, OP, I think you are wise to question. Keep reading and researching.

You make of nursing what you will. I did not mention those jobs trying to say that those are awesome jobs, it was to point out that if you did not like "the trenches" then change your trench or jump out of them.

I have spent most of my career in LTC, home infusion, and acute care. I have been full-time behind a desk for 3 months and spend about a week a month in hospitals around the country. It has been about 1 year since I have had my last patient, have things changed so much in 1 year?

If you think the grass is greener anywhere else you are sorely mistaken, the fact is that pretty much every employer from every profession is asking more for less. The heat does not lessen the closer to the center of the fire you go.

The point is if you do not like your current specialty then change specialty. If you don't like the trenches then don't be in them, that is the nice thing about nursing.

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Specializes in O.R., Case Mgmt, QA/UR, LTC, Psych.

I have been a nurse for 30 years, in several different specialties. I am by nature an idealist, but nursing has turned me into a complete cynic. Understaffing means you can't be the nurse that you want to be; most of the time it is sink or swim. Some shifts are just about surviving & protecting your license one more day. It takes a very resilient person to last long in nursing. Patients are more acutely ill, you will be physically attacked, verbally attacked & your license put at risk because corporate is too cheap to schedule one more person. O.R. was my favorite. LTC facilities, psych facilities, etc. will work you until you have no more to give. You are emotionally, physically & spiritually drained, but still must not make a mistake for fear of losing your license. Nursing has given me some of the best & worst times of my Life. With the culture these days, most days now lean toward the worst side.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
You make of nursing what you will. I did not mention those jobs trying to say that those are awesome jobs, it was to point out that if you did not like "the trenches" then change your trench or jump out of them.

I have spent most of my career in LTC, home infusion, and acute care. I have been full-time behind a desk for 3 months and spend about a week a month in hospitals around the country. It has been about 1 year since I have had my last patient, have things changed so much in 1 year?

If you think the grass is greener anywhere else you are sorely mistaken, the fact is that pretty much every employer from every profession is asking more for less. The heat does not lessen the closer to the center of the fire you go.

The point is if you do not like your current specialty then change specialty. If you don't like the trenches then don't be in them, that is the nice thing about nursing.

You are missing the specific point that many "alternative" nursing positions are not readily available to a new grad, aka no time spent in the trenches. There may be no choice as to,"don't be in them" [trenches].

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A physician/nurse couple that I know pretty well has a daughter that is graduating from nursing school. I'm pretty sure this will give her a 2nd degree (very bright, in her 20's). This gal will most likely start where she wants with her connections and her parents certainly know what today's nursing looks like.

I would still go into nursing if I were graduating with opportunities, or one of the therapies.

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