why do nurses discourage nursing students?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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This is not based on any thread I've read on allnurses but on other other forums like indeed and not really just one post I've read in particular, but over the years I've read many that discourage nursing students..

For example, it seems like a lot of nurses and nursing professors say many if not most students don't really want to be nurses or think that it's hard work, then they go on to say that nursing ruins your back and feet, you deal with the messy stuff, you're underpaid, overworked, under appreciated, wreck havoc on your body because of the erratic work hours, etc. I pretty much assume nursing students know all that too.

What do you guys think about this topic? I guess I will feel differently after I had experience but right now I feel like encouraging and building up nursing students, not trying to tear them down or paint the worst picture possible of this profession.

H233: I just finished first semester and have had the same reaction. Some tell me to run now! =(

If your heart is in nursing, don't run! Just be aware that there are obstacles and you will have to work to avoid or alleviate them.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I don't think most nurse DISCOURAGE students, but rather, they tell it like it is. How many threads have been started here along the lines of "No one ever told me X!" That this is no nursing shortage, that coworkers/employers can be total jerks, that the wage is NOT what you pictured, etc.

I think its much more fair to be honest with someone looking to join our ranks, I wouldn't always say it's an out-right discouragement though

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I always found it strange that everyone mentions about a shortage of nurses. I see at my school what seems to be hundreds of students trying to get into nursing. To me it seems that this profession has been saturated with people trying to become a nurse. This is of course just from observations I have made.

What bothers me is that nurses have told me, "We need more nurses." But then also say, "The hospital is not hiring any new nurses." Is this a problem on the institutional scale? Are the higher ups not hiring for financial/profit reasons to give an illusion that we need nurses, but at the same time will not hire new nurses (even though there is an army of nurses ready to work)?

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I agree with you, I want to take it upon myself to encourage others to follow their dreams, especially if that means nursing.

I have been interning in a hospital, alongside registered nurses, and I have encountered some nurses that literally crush my dream. Since I am pursuing a Master's in Nursing (for non-nurses), they often tell me "why are you going for a masters just for nursing? makes no sense. might as well become a doctor. all you need for nursing is an associates degree. Why are you getting a master's." And they really discourage me, one time a nurse actually made me cry.

But, I get it. Most of these nurses have been nurses for many, many years. And back then, all you needed WAS an associates. But it's not the same anymore. More education is better, all the more empowering.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

What bothers me is that nurses have told me, "We need more nurses." But then also say, "The hospital is not hiring any new nurses." Is this a problem on the institutional scale? Are the higher ups not hiring for financial/profit reasons to give an illusion that we need nurses, but at the same time will not hire new nurses (even though there is an army of nurses ready to work)?

This is exactly the problem with the so-called nursing shortage. Just about any nurse will tell you they need more staff, the one's that don't are lucky indeed. Health care is a business, and a big bucks business at that. Nursing staff is the biggest chunk of the budget, so the fewer nurses they have to pay and the least amount of money they can get away with paying them makes a big difference to the bottom line. It is not unusual [at least where I live] for a hospital system to have multiple job postings that they never intend to fill with an outside applicant. What happens is nurses change floors or change positions and the open positions just rotate and seem to rarely get filled.

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This is exactly the problem with the so-called nursing shortage. Just about any nurse will tell you they need more staff, the one's that don't are lucky indeed. Health care is a business, and a big bucks business at that. Nursing staff is the biggest chunk of the budget, so the fewer nurses they have to pay and the least amount of money they can get away with paying them makes a big difference to the bottom line. It is not unusual [at least where I live] for a hospital system to have multiple job postings that they never intend to fill with an outside applicant. What happens is nurses change floors or change positions and the open positions just rotate and seem to rarely get filled.

It is a little scary. I want a job. I can love nursing all I want, but what good will it do me if I won't get a job for 2 years after I graduate?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Everything they say is absolutely true. You will be overworked, have tired feet, ruined back, and be the least appreciated member of the team. In fact I detested floor nursing and tell my kids be anything in healthcare other than the nurse. It's just a thankless job. I'm hoping to at least be able to tolerate being a provider more.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Everything they say is absolutely true. You will be overworked, have tired feet, ruined back, and be the least appreciated member of the team. In fact I detested floor nursing and tell my kids be anything in healthcare other than the nurse. It's just a thankless job. I'm hoping to at least be able to tolerate being a provider more.

I guess that's as true as you want it to be. I think everyone in most jobs feels as if they're overworked. Tired feet is not exclusive to nursing: almost everyone with a job involving standing or walking has tired feet. Think law enforcement, teachers, hair stylists, salespersons, law enforcement, military, construction workers, surgeons, and myriad other technical and professional workers. As far as ruined back -- it's up to you to protect your back. Either you do so or you rue it. Nurses don't have an exclusive on ruined backs, either. In fact, just getting older is tough on your back, your feet and the rest of the body.

Your post tells me you have little respect for bedside nurses, and as a provider that can be a dangerous thing. I hope you rethink your stance. Just because you couldn't manage the bedside doesn't mean that there aren't smart, capable professionals who can, do and love it.

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If I had to guess is say its because it's true ? Or rather, there's a high degree of accuracy in those statements made.

Basically now-bitter nurses who were once bright-eyed and excited about the field as we are probably see an old them (which ironically refers to a younger hem) who were just like us; disillusioned with rosey-colored glasses on. So they warn us with tales of stress, workplace hostility, and fecal anecdotes to caution us about the gritty field we'll be entering.

Not exactly a PSA but still a heads up of what's to come how I see it.

Then there are just bitter batties that Dont like freshblood coming through and will say anything to scare the next generation away. Either way, pay no mind and stay focused

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IMO many nurses aren't optimists or even pessimists: they're realists. They're telling you what you're really signing up for. It's kind of like reading through terms and conditions. This is what's going to happen, this is what it may feel like. If you're ready for it, climb aboard!

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I have to admit that I have spoken with friends very frankly about the hardships involved in nursing. I want them to go in with their eyes open. It is a grueling profession that is thankless with a tremendous amount of liability and responsibility. It definitely takes a certain personality to deal with the daily stress, problems, and politics involved. There is a huge turnover in nursing and the reason we're paid so well reflects the difficulty of the profession. However, if you want to work in a secure profession where you'll always have a job, be paid well, and care for others, this is the place to be!

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some of my clinical/classroom instructors mentioned something of the like during the first day of each semester.

"they don't want to be nurses... they want a paycheck. can you blame them? 2 year (minimum) in return for a somewhat stable career with decent pay. decent enough for a modest lifestyle. patient CARE... ha!"

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