Members are discussing the stress levels and compensation in various nursing specialties. Some members mention that nursing is a practical means to earn a living, while others share their experiences in different nursing roles such as hospice nursing, med/surg, and occupational health nursing. There is also mention of the importance of clinical experience, finding one's niche in nursing, and managing stress through coping mechanisms and self-care.
This is my first post here so bear with me. I am a current RN student and while my main focus right now is finishing the program I am nevertheless interested in finding out more about different specialties from nurses who have been there.
I have yet to decide on a nursing specialty for sure. To be honest money is a big motivator for me..but a post I read from forum member THE COMMUTER really struck me as exaclty how I feel. It stated id rather love my personal life and tolerate my job than tolerate my life and love my job. By this I mean im never going to enjoy work, I mostly enjoy traveling, exploring , cars..etc..(hence money motivated).
So begs the question...what nursing specialty out of the seemingly hundreds...would be very low stress on a daily basis and very good pay ( even if masters level as I have considered the NP route after RN school).
Any suggestions? ( I know im kinda asking for the best of both worlds here but im looking for things closest to what I seek). Thanks in advance everyone.
WOW. Still a student and asking for the highest paid, lowest stress job. Perhaps you should obtain your licensure and work in a few areas while you figure that out.
WOW.
I found the OP's post to be more hilarious than anything. I'm dying from laughter over here, I'm dead. Poor thing, OP is just reachin' for a unicron you guys...Bahahahhaha! This meme came to mind:
I found the OP's post to be more hilarious than anything. I'm dying from laughter over here, I'm dead. Poor thing, OP is just reachin' for a unicron you guys...Bahahahhaha! This meme came to mind
I have a great sense of humor, I could not have made it 35 years in nursing without it.
You found it hilarious, I did not. I was ticked that a student came onto the forum, trying to pick our brains about the easy road.
Guess i dont remember asking for any opinions on an easy job...low stress doesnt mean easy....your job could be the most physically demanding job in the entire world..but if you are strong and know what you are doing its gonna be low stress because you are not worried or freaking out...you know what it is...you know what to expect ..say for example a person who does roofing....being in the heat all day working a physically demanding job isnt easy at all..but the guys ive talked to dont think its stressful at all because they all know exaclty what they are doing.
Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..
Been there,done that said:
I have a great sense of humor, I could not have made it 35 years in nursing without it.
You found it hilarious, I did not. I was ticked that a student came onto the forum, trying to pick our brains about the easy road.
Me, I was kind of wondered how long it will be before "OMG, this nursing school is so hard, I don't know if I can do this" will take over the...........looking way too far ahead.
Correctional nursing comes to mind or mental health. My friend works for a state mental hospital in California dealing with sexual predators, which is in that middle of nowhere.
That would be the most stressful job imaginable to me
It's not so much that any nursing job has less stress. It's that, when you find the speciality/area/job that is the right fit for you, it is less stressful.
If working in group homes is what you're interested in and what you like, then go for it.
One thing to consider is that "low stress" can also mean monotonous, boring, stale, dry...........you get the picture. To me, being bored is an awful thing in a job. I would rather have some level of stress keeping me on my toes and keeping me challenged. When I was in nursing school, people would often say to me, "Nursing is not an easy job." Well, I didn't go into it because I wanted an easy job.
This is soooooo true! I'm actually at a job where I'm making excellent money with no stress, but it is the most boring job I've ever had. It's actually painful getting through the day!
Guess i dont remember asking for any opinions on an easy job...low stress doesnt mean easy....
Essentially, these terms are interchangeable for many of us seasoned nurses. I imagine they may not always be, but if a job is low stress, it is easier for one to get up every day and do it. However, some people just don't stress as easy as others; their job/specialty may be difficult, but they do not stress over it. When I worked in Peds Oncology, it was a difficult job; I did not find it stressful. I am a Professor now, and I find it incredibly stressful (while many would not consider what I do hard, because many think we do nothing ). But the stress surrounding my workplace has made me really dislike what I do.
I know you are a student, but how far along are you? Have you observed the nurses you encounter in clinicals? What is your perception of what they do, and do you find it to be stressful?
Also, I wonder how old you might be (roughly). Are you beginning your adulthood, and is nursing your first career? I am well into my nursing career (20+ years) and I feel the way the Commuter does (as per your paraphrasing). But again, I've been at this for more than half my life now. I'm tired. When was a new, young nurse, I was up for the challenge, wanting to work where the action was. I hate generalizing about generations (because not all fall into that category), but if you are at the beginning of your professional life, you are not going to realistically achieve that balance, while making a ton of money. You need to put in your dues (this is true in any profession you choose). While no one wants stress, you should want to get out there and be the best nurse you could be. With almost every promotion, raise up the clinical ladder an increase in salary, comes and increase in responsibility. If a Master's or Doctoral degree is required, more is required of the position (and in some cases, there is no significant increase in salary). There are many nurses out there who have given up higher paying jobs as a trade off to a more manageable lifestyle (either for their own mental being, or to balance working and having a family). Then, there are others who do not, because they cannot afford the pay cut (many a night nurse would love to work days, but cannot afford to lose that differential).
And, as many have already said, the 'cushy' jobs are cushy because the nurses are seasoned enough to know how to do the job. Jobs that a new nurse could never handle, nor would be hired to without significant experience.
I'm a new nurse, just 8 months in. I think you might be a little disappointed when you graduate if you're expecting a low stress job with great pay. I work in the nicu and while I absolutely love babies and enjoy most aspects of my job, I want to cry everytime I think of work because the stress of knowing that 3-4 lives are dependent on me for a whole night is a lot. I have the best coworkers, great managment, and usually time for a meal break. The best part is I've never had a patient bigger than 12 pounds! Despite all that, I'm stressed. I couldn't even imagine the stress a lot of new grad nurses who go into adult floor nursing have. I see a lot of posts on here about people who have horrible management and don't have time to eat or pee.
The pay isn't anything to write home about either. I make 21.50/hr. It's enough for me to afford all the necessities, save some, and get to enjoy occasional trips or meals out but I don't have a family to support. But im a new nurse and don't expect to make too much because my skills arent that valuable yet. As a new grad, your should be happy to get a job that let's you get some experience. I'm sure any job is less stressful when you know what you're doing and when you have experience youl be worth a lot more.
ItsThatJenGirl, CNA
1,978 Posts
Being happy in your career and being happy in your personal life aren't mutually exclusive.