Negativity; questioning nursing school

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I am a pre-nursing student who is excited about becoming a nurse; but I have to tell you it's pretty scary hearing all the negativity about a career in nursing. I hear you can work 3 12 hr shifts which to me sounds great leave time for my family but then there is talk about all the mandatory overtime; how 12 hour shifts are really more like 14 - 15 hour shifts, how the more experienced nurses treat new nurses like crap, how patients treat nurses like doormats etc.

Now I realize not everyone is cut out to be nurses but it the negativity kind of makes a person wonder if the hard work of nursing school is worth it. :o

So I guess I'm asking for words of encouragement; what are some reasons you like nursing, what are the good things about your job, what would you saw to a person starting nursing school.

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Specializes in OR, Pediatrics.

Congrats to you on your goal to become a nurse! I'm a new nurse myself. It isn't all negative. There are so many options as a nurse and MANY specialties to go into besides med/surg fresh out of school. The good FAR outweighs the bad. As with anything, take a step back and look at the big picture. Sure, there are frustrating days, but there are plenty of good days, too.

Best of luck to you!!!!! JH

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Imandatory overtime; how 12 hour shifts are really more like 14 - 15 hour shifts, how the more experienced nurses treat new nurses like crap, how patients treat nurses like doormats etc.

Now I realize not everyone is cut out to be nurses but it the negativity kind of makes a person wonder if the hard work of nursing school is worth it. :o

So I guess I'm asking for words of encouragement; what are some reasons you like nursing, what are the good things about your job, what would you saw to a person starting nursing school.

Some people are chronic complainers.I always wanted to be anurse from the time I was 5 or 6 years old.Every position I've ever had starts out a little rough-some call it "eating our young" .I think but there are cliques everywhere and you have to prove yourself and fit in just like in any other profession..

You'll be very much in demand especially after you get some experience.The field is so varied-there are Monday through Friday 9 to 5 jobs and others that you can rack up unbelievable overtime ..Like any other "service" oriented field you'll run into patients and families with no manners and attitudes galore-just like the clerk at the 7-11 deals with.But with experience you'll learn why people act the way they do and how to respond...I would tell you to become a certified nursing assistant either in a hosptial or nursing home.Most offer some type of tuition re-imbursment and you'll see what nursing really involves. I like my job in LTC-I truly enjoy the elderly and I know I can make a difference in someone's day.I work in a very well staffed facility with a good reputation.At the end of the day I know the residents got the care they deserved.I like the administration and most of my co-workers.I can work OT if I wish -and I get out of there promptly at the end of my shift. Good Luck-school is hard but it's worth it

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Go to the threads "stuck" at the top of this page. Read through them, and you'll know why, when nurses complain, we still want to go back tomorrow :)

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, LTC.

Hello! I'm a recent grad and I just read your post. If you are asking me if the "hell" of nursing school is worth it, I will be the first person to tell you that it absolutely is! It is so rewarding. It honestly depends on your outlook as well. Don't let what others say cloud your career! Unfortunately, people that you may have heard that from are probably just burnt out. They went to nursing school for some reason, so obviously it was worth it to them. I'm a new grad, I'm young... I know, but maybe I can be a reminder to those nurses as to how it felt when they first got started... I'm sure they didn't always feel that way!

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Specializes in OB, NP, Nurse Educator.

There is negativity in every job - my sister manages a Walmart - and all I hear from her is how much everybody gripes and back stabs.

When I worked at the hospital full time that was a problem. My husband is an auto mechanic - and the guys he works with do the same thing.

If you want to be a nurse you have to rise above the grade school mentality. A bunch of women can always be catty. I do my best to stay out of things like that, but I have to admit I occasionally get a lick or two in when I have had enough!

I have never had to work mandatory overtime - the nursing supervisor attempted to guilt me out to stay many times, but I had to get home so hubby could go to work - you can't leave a preschooler zooming around the house alone.

Good luck to you! I hope you love being a nurse as much as I do. :D

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It is good to go into nursing with a realistic view of how things are. Obviously no job is perfect, but nurses have very legitimate complaints when patient safety and nurses licenses are compromised due to overwhelming nurse: patient ratios, and mandatory overtime, for example. There is a reason there is a nursing shortage, and it isn't just lack of educators. It is good not to be disillusioned with what nursing is. Here's the good news: there are many, many options in nursing. While there are many terrible environments, there are also many great environments to work in which can provide mental and emotional satisfaction. You have to find your niche, and, the right place of employment. If things don't work out at one place, move onto the next. Nursing has a lot of options including varying shifts, varying employers, varying patient population, and often high demand/job stability.

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i work in geriatrics, and my patients thank me for little things i do for them, like helping them to change their cloth, help them to put their make up on, and they give me a big giant hug and that makes my day!!!!! :icon_hug:thats when i realize i'm glad i became a nurse!!! :redbeathe:redbeathe

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