I've been an RN for about half a year now. Not long by any means but still a good amount of time to allow me to sit down and reflect upon the path that I've chosen. These are mainly personal musings and surely not everyone will agree.
1.) Night shifts are great...while your body can handle them.
My unit puts new nurses on night shift to start out with after they wrap up orientation. While the patient load is higher, it's a much slower environment and the pressure is undoubtedly lower. Of course there are some nights that are pretty hectic and chaotic, but on the whole it's much more laid back. As a young 23 year-old it's not too difficult for me to manage them. It comes as no surprise to me (or anyone for that matter), though, that there is a high turnover on night shifts simply because it burns nurses out. Couple the physical strains with having a family, it gets tough. For now, though, I'm enjoying the shift differential and low-key environment.
2.) One nurse year equals about three normal person years.
I'm a pretty healthy dude but even I'm starting to feel the pains of such a physical career. I've got my massage therapist on speed dial.
3.) Nurse techs and respiratory therapists are lifesavers.
Pretty self-explanatory.
4.) Experienced nurses, even those with a couple years of work under their belts, are a wealth of knowledge.
I never realized how much I could learn from my coworkers. I'm fortunate enough to work with great people who don't mind taking the time to explain and enlighten certain diseases, treatments, procedures, etc. Even after only six months of working, I feel much more competent than when I started and a large part of that is because of the experienced nurses I work with.
5.) Patients are, for the most part, very appreciative of what you do for them.
I've only encountered a handful of patients that are rather rude and couldn't care less about me and what I'm doing. Some of those feelings can be explained from being in the hospital in the first place but most of it is just a character issue. Otherwise I've had some wonderful patients. There have been a few that come onto my floor multiple times and even if I'm not their nurse while they are there, they still some say hello to me and give me a hug. It's a phenomenal feeling and it gives me a tremendous sense of self-worth.
6.) I don't nor can I know it all.
This was the toughest lesson for me to learn considering my ego and the amount of pride I place in being smart. I simply don't know all there is to know. I draw blanks on questions patients and their families ask me. I say, "uhhh," when the doctors ask me questions. It's embarrassing. I slowly began to realize, though, that I can't be expected to know everything about everything. It's just not possible. That doesn't mean I have an excuse for being incompetent. Far from it. I hold myself and my career in high regard and expect the best from myself and my peers. However, it's unfair for me to place such demands and pressure on myself. I'm six months in; I'm still a rookie.
7.) I made the right choice.
Mom and dad must be happy to know that all that college tuition didn't go to waste. I love what I do. I can support myself, help people, learn, and have fun all while doing it. What's not to love?
I SO wish I could work nightshifts where u r! We do 10 hour nightshifts and no one gets a break because it is just so insanely busy. Lucky it's only occasionally for me but the other RNs say 3 in a row kills them, & they don't see their families.
I wish I could look on nursing at your age through rose coloured glasses as well. I did think it was the perfect career when I was a bit younger too, thought I would cope with shiftwork if I stayed fit, ate/slept well, etc, etc. I found out all I could about the profession, & asked people who were nurses what it was REALLY like. So I had no illusions about nursing when I chose it as a career - I knew it was going to be a hard slog doing unpaid shiftwork clinicals, working & studying at the same time. So I thought I was pretty much prepared, plus my sis-in-law was a nurse so she told me much of what it was like.
But the reality of nursing gets to you. You are still young, so I really hope u can stay on this happy cloud. You have less responsibilites to worry about (I take it from ur post u aren't a parent yet?).
There are many procedures/things done in nursing I don't agree with but still have to do (barring talking religion here, I'm not getting into that at all). The shiftwork kills you as you get older. I don't have a family, but my friends do & many have had babies, then had to go back to to work 4-6 weeks later for the money. Nursing/care work is all they know - they knew they'd have to do shiftwork but didn't train for anything else. My gf had her little boy late in life (she was in her 40's, he was unplanned) & as she was a single mum, had no choice but to work & missed him growing up. She told me she really regrets getting a job with shiftwork, but that is all she's done.
I think as you get older nursing does age you, I agree. I have friends who do great clerical/admin jobs, have nice nails, wear nice clothes & high heels 2 work, can wear their hair loose, etc. I can't do that. They tap on a keyboard all day, have scheduled breaks, have EXTRA breaks, sit & laugh at funny emails & all go out to lunch together - I can't do that (though most times I get one, scheduled break). They all seem so carefree, talking re what they'll do over the holidays, don't seem to have put on any weight, and don't have degrees. I often sit & wonder where my life went since getting my degree, & putting on weight from working and studying so much, and having lost 2 relationships choosing nursing over settling down. I tell you: it has gotten me absolutely nowhere.
So much for self pity! That is why I am out of nursing in about 6-12 months & will be studying what I wanted to do originally, writing & saving to travel. I'm so excited thinking about it, I can't wait!
If anyone on here is young and thinking of nursing as a career, hey, it is OK when ur young, but I urge you to get into another field first or get a degree in something you love. Otherwise nursing can destroy your soul and your family as well. I've heard too many heartbreaking stories to think that nursing is anything but a hard slog that will eventually lead you into an early grave. Very dramatic you may think. But there are statistics I've read somewhere (sorry can't remember the source right now), that nurses on average, die younger & just wear themselves out from the stress on ur body and of the job itself.
Don't do nursing if ur young. Look at some other careers, get extra training in other positions & then think about nursing a bit later, when ur mature & have had some life experience & some fun.
Debbie Downer much? Why would anyone go into nursing in the first place if they weren't at least 90% sure that it's what they wanted to do? It's not a job that one simply crosses their fingers about and hope for the best. I don't think anyone who signs up for a career in nursing says, "This job is going to be a cakewalk." To think that nursing isn't a demanding career at any age is simply foolish. I'm sorry nursing didn't work out for you and I'm glad you're pursuing your passion, but please don't discourage others. It's really not helpful and the examples you give sound pretty extreme.
Nice post musicalsound. I'm a dude so I feel pretty much the same way you do. I have been a nurse for almost 6 months....the not knowing everything stuff is still hard for me, but accepted nonetheless. I am an older guy, 38, who made my career change for a BSN and it has worked out for me. It is rough with my family, but how many people have the option to get out of debt and work unlimited overtime? Not many in my state and I feel really fortunate.
To the last post, carol, I kind of consider that a hijacked thread. I understand you situation is much different than the first poster, but to be honest, we make of life what we can. My life isn't perfect and neither is nursing. I am sorry that you are having a hard time in your life, but the the thread was about what you have learned as a nurse, not how terrible YOUR life in nursing is.
I just want to say thank you to the OP. I'm going to be starting a RN position in February and reading your post was a breath of fresh air. I know that the first year is going to be hard as SO many people have stated. But your positive spin on working through your first 6 months is so uplifting. It was nice to finally read a post that gave a positive outlook on starting out. You are very lucky to have so much support around you! And congrats on surviving your first 6 months!!!
And to the person who posted all those negative thoughts shouldn't have commented at all in my opinion.... So i'm choosing to ignore that part :)
carolmaccas66 is a bit melodramatic and suffers from the 'grass is greener' disease. Any career you choose is what you make it, and although there seems to be a lot of RN's like carol with pisspoor attitudes and long held grudges, I believe you would find that in any field...its just that we all hang around this nursing forum.
Having worked many years in corporate America, where I was lucky enough to sit at a desk all day and tap on a keyboard with my manicured nails and high heeled pumps, I can vouch, its not what you perceive Carol. Not sure what company your friends worked at that allowed them endless time to take lunches and frequent breaks while reading personal email! I suspect that company is either bankrupt or has decided it really didn't need 3 gabby women to do the job of one. Probably didn't pay what an RN makes. Bet they worked 5 days a week too.
I love being an RN. Yes, its hard work, but my day flies by and I know I am helping people. I am extremely grateful I have this job, and at the risk of sounding overly sappy, I am so very glad I made the decision to trade the world of business for the world of medicine.
Thanks so much for posting your thoughts!! I agree with other posters that there are many "downer" stories about nursing (such as the poster above ) so it is refreshing to find one like yours. I can't wait until I am 6 months in and hope that I can make just such a positive list! Thanks so much! :)
I SO wish I could work nightshifts where u r! We do 10 hour nightshifts and no one gets a break because it is just so insanely busy. Lucky it's only occasionally for me but the other RNs say 3 in a row kills them, & they don't see their families.
I wish I could look on nursing at your age through rose coloured glasses as well. I did think it was the perfect career when I was a bit younger too, thought I would cope with shiftwork if I stayed fit, ate/slept well, etc, etc. I found out all I could about the profession, & asked people who were nurses what it was REALLY like. So I had no illusions about nursing when I chose it as a career - I knew it was going to be a hard slog doing unpaid shiftwork clinicals, working & studying at the same time. So I thought I was pretty much prepared, plus my sis-in-law was a nurse so she told me much of what it was like.
But the reality of nursing gets to you. You are still young, so I really hope u can stay on this happy cloud. You have less responsibilites to worry about (I take it from ur post u aren't a parent yet?).
There are many procedures/things done in nursing I don't agree with but still have to do (barring talking religion here, I'm not getting into that at all). The shiftwork kills you as you get older. I don't have a family, but my friends do & many have had babies, then had to go back to to work 4-6 weeks later for the money. Nursing/care work is all they know - they knew they'd have to do shiftwork but didn't train for anything else. My gf had her little boy late in life (she was in her 40's, he was unplanned) & as she was a single mum, had no choice but to work & missed him growing up. She told me she really regrets getting a job with shiftwork, but that is all she's done.
I think as you get older nursing does age you, I agree. I have friends who do great clerical/admin jobs, have nice nails, wear nice clothes & high heels 2 work, can wear their hair loose, etc. I can't do that. They tap on a keyboard all day, have scheduled breaks, have EXTRA breaks, sit & laugh at funny emails & all go out to lunch together - I can't do that (though most times I get one, scheduled break). They all seem so carefree, talking re what they'll do over the holidays, don't seem to have put on any weight, and don't have degrees. I often sit & wonder where my life went since getting my degree, & putting on weight from working and studying so much, and having lost 2 relationships choosing nursing over settling down. I tell you: it has gotten me absolutely nowhere.
So much for self pity! That is why I am out of nursing in about 6-12 months & will be studying what I wanted to do originally, writing & saving to travel. I'm so excited thinking about it, I can't wait!
If anyone on here is young and thinking of nursing as a career, hey, it is OK when ur young, but I urge you to get into another field first or get a degree in something you love. Otherwise nursing can destroy your soul and your family as well. I've heard too many heartbreaking stories to think that nursing is anything but a hard slog that will eventually lead you into an early grave. Very dramatic you may think. But there are statistics I've read somewhere (sorry can't remember the source right now), that nurses on average, die younger & just wear themselves out from the stress on ur body and of the job itself.
Don't do nursing if ur young. Look at some other careers, get extra training in other positions & then think about nursing a bit later, when ur mature & have had some life experience & some fun.
I am sorry you had such an experience.
However, I cannot agree. My mother retired from nursing after 35 yrs. She worked nights her entire career, raised 5 children while a military wife and is still kickin' it at 75 yo!
Nursing isn't the only career that women re-enter right after childbirth. I was an officer in the USAF when my oldest was born. Got 6 wks off (because I delivered in a civilian hospital...), by my 4th, I took 2 weeks off and for my 5th, 1 week. Fewer women have the luxury of being home to raise their children......budget realities hit you when you least expect it.
One thing I would point out to the young'uns here....
My sister is a nurse....she has 3 kids.
I had many 'catastrophies' throughout my life....to the point where my sis expressed how she didn't know why I "hadn't killed (my)self yet!". Years later.....I thought....with all the trials and tribulations I have had to live through, I would rather be me than her! I was HAPPY, she was MISERABLE. I honestly believe it is a state of mind that we choose.
One point I found 'amusing'....she felt angry because she 'couldn't' complain about her life and situation when my life and the lives of some she knew were so much worse! Wow. How sad.
Count your blessings. It helps. See the good in others. It helps you see the good in you. A positive attitude will take you places!
) so it is refreshing to find one like yours. I can't wait until I am 6 months in and hope that I can make just such a positive list! Thanks so much! :)
vlmusicalsound, BSN, RN
45 Posts
Debbie Downer much? Why would anyone go into nursing in the first place if they weren't at least 90% sure that it's what they wanted to do? It's not a job that one simply crosses their fingers about and hope for the best. I don't think anyone who signs up for a career in nursing says, "This job is going to be a cakewalk." To think that nursing isn't a demanding career at any age is simply foolish. I'm sorry nursing didn't work out for you and I'm glad you're pursuing your passion, but please don't discourage others. It's really not helpful and the examples you give sound pretty extreme.