New Nurses: Is nursing what you expected it to be???

[Misslady113]

Hello to all. My question is for new nurses. I have heard of the dream of nursing school and the career, but the shock of the reality of it. Is nursing better or worse, harder or easier, than what you thought it would be? If you could do it over, would you? What was the biggest reality check of it for you? Thanks for anyone who answers.:)

[philanurse74]

The overwhelming sense of responsibility for people's very lives. It's so heavy some nights. But I would not do anything else. I would do it all over again in a hurry if I could. Strangely, I kind of would like another crack at nursing school.

[Thankful RN,BSN]

I didn't realize how many pt's came into the hospital with altered mental status. Sometimes, i feel more like a babysitter than a nurse.

[taz628, BSN, RN]

I agree the sudden onset of total responsibility is quite alarming. I work at a teaching hospital, so dealing with SOME the R1's has been a bigger headache than I ever imagined. I did pick a unit though that has many helpful experienced nurses and that's helped tone the shock of being a new nurse down. I don't think I'd change a thing when it comes to decisions made about my nursing career.

[blinks14]

Nursing is everything I expected it to be and more. I LOVE it. I love it when it's hectic, I love running around, I love solving problems or being part of the solution. I thrive on all of it. The only thing that I had a hard time wrapping my head around was the fact that I am responsible for what happens to my patients, I mean I knew I would be but it's different then I imagined it to be. But I still like it, I like all it's challenges and learning experiences.

[ACRN06]

I'm actually 3 years in, but I'm gonna go ahead and put a reply.. its stilll early in the big picture

Nursing has actually been even BETTER than I expected!

Granted the floor I started on I got my ass handed to me on a daily basis, 8 patients every night, always short staffed, taking on the charge nurse role by 9 months in... Granted every now and then I get overwhelmed just like the next nurse at just HOW MUCH we're responsible for and the more I know and learn the more worried I get! Granted having to see the abuse of the ER and 911 system is bad enough to want to idealize some SI of my own on some nights... Granted I've gone home some nights after a shift and SERIOUSLY thought of what else I could ever picture myself doing and ask myself...Is this worth it?

Theres so much I can b!tch about! Theres so much I could RIGHTFULLY complain about... but I still do it. Cuz I love it. I really do. Its such a rewarding job!

I learn something every freakin shift. I'm constantly challenging myself. I've been in ER for 6 months now and love it even more! So much more my stlye! I'm making a real difference in patients lives.

I can honestly say that being a nurse has made me a better person. I've grown in so many ways.

You know what I've learned makes a HUGE difference to your experience at work (To me anyway, IMHO)? ::: The people you work with.

My worst nights are usually ones that I didn't have the team support around me, that I felt alone. When you've got good coworkers that have your back it makes all the difference. And really I'm not talking about help with your job and tasks... I'm really talking mentally.. people you feel you can talk to, vent to, etc. And of course the help when you're handed a patient load of pure hell is appreciated as well :)

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

With 6 months experience, I'd have to say nursing is better than I expected. I learn something every hour. Best part about the ER is you never know what's coming through the door. My reality check has been the incredible lack of education in the general population. It's not that they're stupid (although some truly are) but really a lack of fundamental knowledge.