Nurses...Miserable?

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I am finishing up my first undergraduate degree and starting immediately into an Accelerated BSN. Most people don't understand why I have decided to make this switch. Until recently, I didn't let it bother me.. because I had done some soul-searching and I have a plan - one that I am quite happy with. Today, however, my friend made a stupid generalization that really angered me. I was talking about the nursing program I'll be starting and she said, "That's so funny, I really can't see you being a nurse. Every nurse I know is miserable." Now I know I will get some fired-up responses because of that line...and that's what I want to hear!! I want to know that my friend was wrong, that she made an uneducated, sweeping generalization. I know a lot of venting goes on in this forum, and after being on here a few months I've read both stress-ed out threads as well as ones describing greatly fulfilling experiences. I just want to be reassured that there are many nurses out there that love their jobs! I also really want to have a good attitude going into this program... any tips on how to approach my first clinicals? Should I be prepared to become thick-skinned? I know I'm going to experience some stressful situations as a student and I don't want to be scared away!

Vanillavirture you made your mind up that nursing is not for you. I won't argue that point as you are probably right. What I find interesting is you were told there are good and bad days that some of us go through some hard times as nurses, and we generally pull out of it. Do you really think that this does not happen to people who have MBAs?! This is life. What these nurses have been describing is life. It happens in every walk of life.If you were paying attention almost everyone said they are HAPPY in their career as nurses.

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Ah divine calling from God. What a lovely romantic image. It's akin to wearing "pure" white, and special caps and pins that only the privileged few get to wear that set them apart as "special".

And having romantic candle lit ceremonies where the cap is bestowed like a crown and the nurses pledge themselves to their patients and to physicians.

Romanticize the profession call it a noble calling. That way nurses won't want or expect anything because it is its own reward.

This is a manilipulative tool used for centuries to get people to do what they otherwise would not. Religions use this all the time.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

:nurse:

like the song goes,

"it aint easy

girl, it aint easy..."

miserable???...a few memorable moments

frustrated, burnout...fleeting moments

but...

when you know that

nuturing

understanding

respect

sensitivity

empathy

come second nature to you

meaning....

you nurse the public, family members and friends

at different levels with no regrets

and

you are one of those rare individuals

who have been

blessed

to work in a profession that

they've always wanted

then

i say

take your term miserable

and....:D

you know what i mean?

showbizrn.

:heartbeat from the heart.

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i wondered about that also. do you have to be overly friendly to do your job as a nurse.

i find that many nurses aren't good money managers. they tend to overspend more than they actually make,

i would think it an advantange for a nurse to not be friendly sometimes, particularly if keeping family or patients in line is required.

ineffective money management is something that pervades all professions, it's a human thing that is really unrelated to profession. i work in the private corporate world and my boss is a prime example of "keeping up with the joneses" - on credit. he's got the fancy house (which he paid too much for, ironic since he's in real estate), jaguar, all the toys, his kids have everything etc....he keeps up appearances well, but it's a lifestyle that is not really earned and could easily go down the toilet.

are nurses miserable? i volunteer in emerg...from what i can tell, some nurses really enjoy and take pride in their work, some do what they have to do and then go home.

i'm going to love being a nurse...it's a tough profession that tests human strength in every area, but i think the rewards will be great. i'm looking forward to being active, focused and engaged in my work.:)

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....just keep in mind that there are many who would like to be doing what you are doing in your career. :flwrhrts:

i wonder if the bus boy at bob evans restraunt realizes that there are many of us, degreed, college educated health care professionals who, given the chance, would trade jobs in a minute.- providing of course i would keep my current pay. i was happier as a dish washer at the local country club than i have been for much of my nursing career. when things are running as they are supposed to nursing has a lot of job satisfaction.

when management makes foolish decisions that obstruct my ability to provide the best care, when families are unreasonalbe, when the docs are rabid, when i can't get out of my car when i get home in the morning because my knees and back feel like they are broken- scraping garbage into a bus pan and calling off when it's a sunny day just for a day off sounds so much better.

i honestly thing the "many people" who would like to be doing what i am doing in my career would only feel that way because they haven't done it!

amen! i was infinitely happier shoveling horse manure, saddling horses for a trainer, grooming, washing, lunging, starting colts and hauling to shows all over the country. however, i made less than minimum wage. i didn't even mind the grueling hours, sometimes 18 hr days, because i was doing something i loved. i hoped to be able to balance nursing and riding my own horses, showing and working my schedule around it. so far it hasn't worked that way.

the people who say they'd love to be doing this, are looking at the $$$ not the hours, the lack of respect, the responsibility, the crap taken from every angle, and everyone else thinking you earn too much....

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My calling from God couldn't afford me a Bachelor's.

I am grateful for having come so far. I am grateful for the lives of the people I have met. I don't think it is God's calling for me to have to re-insert that rectal tube for the 7th time, restrain the drunk, argue with the resident, reinforce the tape on the leaking wound vac for the 800th time, re-prime the tubing to get that pump to stop beeping, or take a verbal lashing from a family member.

Try med-surg for a year and then tell me how you see God in your daily life. I see Him when I get home and know I have 3 days off.

Too FUNNY!

I don't know why you guys are getting excited about a person who obviously isn't a nurse, isn't going to be a nurse, and doesn't have a clue what nurses do. Adding Christian to the mix and calling nursing a "calling" just perpetuates the whole martyr system that has made the health care field what it is today. Martyrdom only serves management. Just the fact that vanillavirtue talks about how she will be able to balance her life just proves that she doesn't have a clue what it's really like. Try getting stuck at work because your replacement called in sick and you are the only RN on. If you leave you lose your licence, BALANCE THAT!

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Anointing. Yes humm. I can only hope you get to experience your anointing. Then maybe you will understand what is being said here.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Ah divine calling from God. What a lovely romantic image. It's akin to wearing "pure" white, and special caps and pins that only the privileged few get to wear that set them apart as "special".

And having romantic candle lit ceremonies where the cap is bestowed like a crown and the nurses pledge themselves to their patients and to physicians.

Romanticize the profession call it a noble calling. That way nurses won't want or expect anything because it is its own reward.

This is a manilipulative tool used for centuries to get people to do what they otherwise would not. Religions use this all the time.

Amen, sister.

Also, from my experience, it's those who enter the profession with this view that suffer from burn out early on in their careers, once they realize the realities of the job and that their expectations are not going to be met.

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Jersey girl,

I have been in nursing almost 30 years, and I still love my job! It is not easy, and I sometimes get overwhelmed and frustrated, but I wouldn't want to do anything else! Nursing school is a lot of hard work, but it will be worth it! To be able to come home at the end of every shift and to see that I have made a difference in the lives of those around me is a wonderful feeling! The first year is rough, but make sure that when you look for a job, you find a supportive manager and staff who will be glad to help you and be a resource. If you can't find a place like that where you live, consider relocating to Charleston, SC, and we would be glad to welcome you into the world of nursing! There are so many options in nursing, too. You can specialize in whatever you love, without having to worry about being tied down in one role. I have done many different kinds of nursing, but I keep coming back to my first love, cardiology.

You have made a great career choice.

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I am finishing up my first undergraduate degree and starting immediately into an accelerated BSN. Most people don't understand why I have ...

Just try to go in with a positive attitude...there's no job that is perfect...and my attitude is if this one makes me unhappy...then there are plenty more out there that might be great...

I'm not happy in my hospital position at the moment...not because of the staff, or facility...just for some reason I can't get past a strained back that I got when I first got out of nursing school working at a local hospital that was very short staffed....it flairs up every now and then.

Just remember everyone perceives things diffently...so you may throughly enjoy it...but definitely keeping a positive attitude works wonders...Good Luck!

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Miserable is a very strong word, "stress", however, is the word most of us nurses use at our work. Although I am just an LVN and only been one for 2 years now, I do alot at my job. I went straight into psych nursing when I graduated LVN school, I actually love it. I did take a 7 month break to get some experience in Med/ Surg and I love that too. My heart is with helping the mentally ill, forensic patients. I do get stressed out because some of the patients want alot of attention and reassurance. I have never been miserable at being a nurse. The funny thing is that I use to work on computers after waisting 2 years in college for that profession. Thats where I was miserable, working on them dang computers.

For me, being a nurse is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I see the same patients everyday and most of them stay at the state hospital for a long time. Atleast I know who I am dealing with on a daily basis. If you are miserable being a nurse, then go find something that your heart is set on. I know being a nurse, you make good money, dont do it for the money, do it for the love of the profession. I know alot of nurses who do it for the money and could care less about their patients and to me that is unethical.

My theory is "Don't be miserable with your profession, be happy and enjoy it!"

Their is my 2 cents worth.

Tx Psych Nurse

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The issue is not (from my perspective) whether there are miserable nurses or not, the issue is do you believe that this is the calling that is on your life. To be a nurse is not related to the number of patients you have on your case load, or whether you employer (supervisor, manager) is a jerk or does not believe as you do. Nursing and being a nurse requires that one is able to encourage him or herself and accept the reward that being a nurse completes him or her. Yes, there are times when I know that things with the profession are not as they should be and that the decisions my organization is making are not the correct ones at this time for this customer group, but still I am one and I impact one and so it makes things work for me. To be a nurse is not about the paycheck, not about getting credit for an idea, not about being right, it is about touching a life, just one life and the charge that comes from doing so. I have NEVER been miserable as a nurse, I have worked with colleagues who have and are miserable, I have concluded that it is not nursing, it is the individual. Miserable people will be miserable no matter where they work or what profession they are in. If you are committed to being a nurse be yourself, do the best you can.

Nanacarol

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