Not sure if I want to be a nurse....

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After many years of thinking I wanted to be a nurse, I went to nursing school in my forties. Just graduated this summer and thought I would take some time off. Now I feel like I "should" start looking for a job, but deep down I don't want too. I don't want the stress of today's nursing jobs. Not sure I want ANY job. Has anyone known of someone who graduated from nursing school, then never worked as a nurse?

Specializes in ER.

How many people graduate with a biology degree and never become biologists? How many graduate with an English degree and never do anything "special" with it? Just because you graduated from nursing school does not mean you are compelled to be a nurse. You have and education that no one can take from you. If at some point you decide to practice nursing, you can take a refresher course and do so. If you do not need to work, why do it? I agree with others. Nursing is stressful and demanding, and if I could make ends meet by staying home and being a farm wife I would do it in a second and NEVER look back! I can't tell you how many times a co worker or myself has said something to the effect of..."I wonder how much Blockbuster pays? OR...the greeter at Wal mart position sure is looking good right now". Do what YOU need to do and don't worry about what anyone else says. Signed.....Dixielee, and "old" nurse!

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How many people graduate with a biology degree and never become biologists? How many graduate with an English degree and never do anything "special" with it? Just because you graduated from nursing school does not mean you are compelled to be a nurse. You have and education that no one can take from you. If at some point you decide to practice nursing, you can take a refresher course and do so. If you do not need to work, why do it? I agree with others. Nursing is stressful and demanding, and if I could make ends meet by staying home and being a farm wife I would do it in a second and NEVER look back! I can't tell you how many times a co worker or myself has said something to the effect of..."I wonder how much Blockbuster pays? OR...the greeter at Wal mart position sure is looking good right now". Do what YOU need to do and don't worry about what anyone else says. Signed.....Dixielee, and "old" nurse!

Boy, I think we must all think about that greeter position at Walmart!:chuckle

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Yep......some days I long for a position that carries no greater responsibilities than remembering to ask the customer, "Didya want fries with that?" :chuckle

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Hey, you do what works for you. Believe me there are days and weeks (like this one...LOL) where if I didn't have a kid in college needing my support, no way would I work as a nurse. I would do something lowkey that doesn't involve service to people in crisis. Like groom doggies or work in a flower shop or something...hehe. ;)

PS I believe lots of new nurses never really get into the career, and many more bail during the first few years. Only 25% of my grad class is stil in nursing and few are at it fulltime...so you will not be alone should you decide not to work as a nurse, believe me.

Best wishes...don't let guilt drive you...do what makes you happy.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I want to be a barista when I grow up, I think.

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I went through a BSN program and decided 6 months before graduation that I didn't want to be a nurse, at that point in my life. My parents took it pretty well. However, my nursing counselor was another story. She told me I was making the biggest mistake of my life. I think, I can still here her screaming:rotfl: I decided to go into law enforcement and love it! I also did not let my med background go to a complete waste... I went back to college and became a paramedic. Now, in less than 10 years I can retire with a pension and go back to nursing, paramedicine as a civilian, or who knows. But, the thing is right now... I love what I'm doing. You have to decide whats going to make you happy and go for it.

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I want to be a barista when I grow up, I think.

Yummm...sounds like a great job smelling coffee all day...almost heaven for me. :)

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Only 25% of my grad class is stil in nursing and few are at it fulltime....

I am very curious as to the stats on how many nurses bail, how many go part time, and the reasons behind these decisions. I wish someone would do a survey/study.

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I am very curious as to the stats on how many nurses bail, how many go part time, and the reasons behind these decisions. I wish someone would do a survey/study.

I bet they are too ashamed to do a study. If a study proved what all of us know - high attrition rates in nursing - people would ask "why?" Especially those that the J&J "Be a nurse, Dare to care" {{gag}} ads are aimed at. Then, the healthcare industry would have to answer for WHY these professionals they claim to need soooo much are treated like dirt and paid peanuts. Doctors would have to answer for their poor behavior and temper tantrums directed at nurses. Patients and visitors would be expected to treat nurses as the educated professionals they are rather than maids, personal servants, and wait staff. Nobody wants to know how many or why - they want to pretend that nurses not working in nursing just don't exist at all, rather than admit that they leave the field due to intolerable working conditions.

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Yum, is right for the most part if you like to be on the go. Which I do. :) I get to smell the coffee but, I also get the occasional smell of the usuals of people who loose control when they see a car coming at them at 60 mph +. :uhoh3: You know, there is no where to escape in the back of a Bell helicopter.

Yummm...sounds like a great job smelling coffee all day...almost heaven for me. :)
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Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

My dad works with people who have nursing degrees, journalism degrees, etc...and now they're working with computers. My dad himself was pursuing an astrophysics degree and then changed to computer science. He keeps telling me that a LOT of people work in fields totally unrelated to their major.

A barista, hmm. Working in a coffee shop WOULD be great except for the STRESS. Try to imagine taking orders at Starbucks. :eek:

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I am very curious as to the stats on how many nurses bail, how many go part time, and the reasons behind these decisions. I wish someone would do a survey/study.
Actually, there are several good studies (one paid for by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) that suggest that working environment issues are driving nurses in droves from the profession. Two years ago, I heard that fully 30% of all RN's under 30Y/O were planning to leave nursing by the end of that year...not the bedside...altogether.

What all this boils down to (IMHO), is that people choose nursing because it is a well thought of profession by the general public. Nursing school certainly must still fill your head with the importance of the work. Then you hit the floor...the patients and their families vent their frustration with the system on you, the doctors treat you like a fixture without a brain, and the hospital treats you like meat...expensive meat, at that. No wonder nurses run for the door!

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