Is it worth it?

Published

Hi Everyone,

I am a pre-nursing student. 90% of the time I am very excited about my future career as a nurse. I do have a lot of doubts when I constantly hear stories of burn-out, the mental abuse, and the lack of respect that nurses receive. I know that some of this has to be taken w/ a grain of salt. There are people in every profession that don't feel appreciated... It just seems to be a lot more prevelant in nurses. I would like your honest opinions if you feel that the nursing is woth it. Many people say that nurses get payed so much because of what they have to go through, but I'm not sure that 50 grand a year is worth being torn down everyday for the next 40 years of my life. I guess I want to know if you had a chose between nursing and a different profession would you still do nursing? and if you would choose something else what would it be?

Thank you for your honesty!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love my job, I think it's definitely worth it. Not all places are abusive or have lack of respect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

If I had to do it over again, yes, I would become a nurse! I enjoy what I do, and I am very satisfied with my job. Much like any job, there are good days and bad days, but as far as I am concerned, I have many more good ones than bad. The beauty of nursing is that there are so many opportunities available, if one field of nursing is not your fit, you can always try something different, and you won't have to go back to school to change jobs. There are some people who are always going to complain about there job no matter what, don't let the complaints affect your decisions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I like it. You have to remember that (usually, at least) when people have a great day, or even just a good one, they don't come onto this site and post about it. We come here to discuss and vent, lol. So you're reading mostly the frustrations and not many of the good things! It's your decision as to whether you want to be a nurse, but the key is to not let a few bad days get you down.

As far as abuse goes, I don't take it. If I can't handle something on my own, I call my manager/charge nurse, or even the supervisor to help me. Nobody has the right to mistreat you. I think most NMs are the kind who will stand up for their employees and not put up with abuse. At keast, most of the ones I have had experience with. Good luck!! :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I had an option I would do something else. I am in fact working my way out of nursing. Sorry if that annoys people who are still enthusiastic about nursing, but you asked for an honest opinion.

Some people really take to nursing and like it. A lot of others can't take the constant hassles and it becomes drudgery. You'll just have to see how you like it. So if you get through nursing school and then regret wasting the time because you hate being a nurse, you will just have to mark yourself down with scores of others who have done the same. I guess that is part of life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

We all have moments when we look back and say "If I had only known then what I know now". I have been a RN since 1973 and have done a wide variety of things. I am now 53 years old, and will still have to work another 15 or so years. In all honesty, I am not sure I am up to the task.

I work ER, and enjoy it as much as anything I have ever done in nursing. I love the variety, the wierd people you meet, the rapid turnover, etc., but it is finally getting to me.

We are using computers now, and it is slowing everything down. I don't have the interaction with my patients I use to. I do something with my patient, then rush to find a computer to chart what I did. But that is another story.

Would I be a nurse again?? I don't really know. I have many times thought I wish I had been a physical therapist. Yes, their job is difficult as well, but for the most part, they have reasonable hours, sober patients, and take less abuse.

I selfishly find the need to encourage young nurses to hang in there, because someone has to help us old folks when we need it. But I did NOT encourage my children to be nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't say that it is really worth it. To me the risks do not outweigh the benefits. I am putting my money where my mouth is because I'm back in school in a masters program to get the heck away from the bedside. After 12 years as an RN and 3 spine surgeries and treated like crap because of my back problems - because of being a nurse. I feel that it is time to get out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I'm still pretty new at this, and still have days when I wonder whether I made the right choice. My first six months or so were pretty rugged, and I spent a good deal of time wondering whether I was going to be able to cut it. Now I have entire shifts where I pretty much feel like I know what I'm doing. Not every shift, mind you, but in some situations where I've struggled, I've been reasonably sure a lot of more experienced nurses would have had a tough time, too. In most cases, the nights I've had to fight hard to stay on top of things have helped my confidence in the long run, although it can get pretty darned discouraging in the short run. Other times, when I've fought hard but never really was on top of things are even harder to deal with--but in most of those I've learned lesson that will help, next time.

On the whole--yes, it has been worth it. If I had really known what I was getting into--well, let's just say I'm glad I didn't really know what I was getting into. After all, driving big rigs is probably not the picnic it sometimes appears to be, either...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Government.

I'm a career changer...I'd say my 20 years in nursing have been wonderful but I do caution you to look at pension and retirement benefits...most hospitals have very poor retirement plans. I took a government job as quickly as I could for the pension. I know too many nurses who have worked a lifetime for one hospital only to find out they get a very tiny pension.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in icu,ccu, er, corrections.

It is so worth it. I love being a nurse, and yes there is some things about it that aren't that great, but there were those things when I was a secretary. Nursing has given me the ability to raise my children on my own financially. To travel to places and get paid for it. Is a good deal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's Disease, Geriatrics.

I am in nursing school now, but have been in the field of nursing for 5 years now. And I have never once thought until recently (in nursing school) that i did not want to be a nurse. And those are only some days. You are always going to have days like that. If you truly have a passion for it, you will find your niche in nursing and love it. But if the passion is not there and you are not going into the field for the right reasons you will get that burn out feeling, and the feeling of disrespect and abuse. And nurses have to have thick skin, and know who is going to help you when you need it most. Good Luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just wanna say thanks for all of the insight. It so hard to choose a career and so important to love what you do. I also want to be financial stable and have the opportunity to raise my children. The were the two main factors that made nursing appealing to me. Flexible schedule and good pay. Have most of you been able to be financial stable and spend plenty of time with your children. I was raised n a home were my parents both worked a lot and we never did w/o but I would trade everything to have had parents that were there and enough rnergy when they got home to play w/ me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion