My experience and a friendly warning if you are Thinking of changing to nursing

[Mister_sister]

If you are interested in health and medicine and like to help people, nursing may sound like a great career but I would advise you to think very carefully if your personality and mentality suit this industry. Nursing can deliver satisfying experiences and give you a wealth of knowledge, but it's also increasingly bureaucratic (forms/paperwork/audits), under huge cost pressure to reduce permanent staff and nonessential services, and there is a very big blame culture beneath the surface which is the result of healthcare being run like a business and patients not being interested in taking responsibility for their own health outcomes. But if you can leave the rubbish at the door when you go home and have a tough skin then it might suit you. All the best and feel free to share your thoughts.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

Are you in nursing school? It sounds like you have had a really bad day. Nursing is a difficult major and is like no other majors. Are you in a 2 or 4 year program? Has something happened in particular that has you upset?

[Mister_sister]

Hi there and thanks for your reply :) Truth be told I did have a tough week, I am in my grad year in Australia after doing the standard 3 year nursing program. I changed from working behind the scenes in healthcare inventory. I think perhaps there are a lot of people who have the compassion and critical thinking to be nurses, myself included, but I would dearly like to see more emphasis in the degree and student experience about emotional awareness both in yourself and your peers, team work skills and building personal resilience. After those long days of poorly written post op instructions, grumpy bowel obstructions and diabetic ulcers sneaking out for KFC, and then your TL dobs you in for not filling out the waterlow form, it can all be a little underwhelming. Still, its nearly worth it when a family gives you sincere gratitude for your help and you feel you've really nursed someone back to health. Interested to hear if anyone has had a similar grad experience.