Nurses Who Don't Want to be Nurses

Nurses Relations

Published

What do you think of nurses who don't want to be nurses? Those who go to school for nursing just for the "nice checks" thinking that it's "easy money" or even those who are just going for nursing because they don't know what else to go for. Have you ever confronted anyone in that category?

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Now. Why would someone choose to be a CNA who didn't love it? THAT's a million dollar question! ;-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

I feel like I do a good job as a nurse. I've caught emergencies and intervened, I've developed my skills amazingly in the 15 months of work, I've encouraged patients who have been down due to hard diagnoses, I've built real trusting relationships with people, I've been complimented by patients, families, coworkers managers, and physicians, I am involved in some committees, I volunteer in all opportunities for professional development, this is my first and only college degree and have recently become certified.

I don't say all this to gloat, but to prove the point that I have succeeded as a nurse so far. Yes in nursing school I had a very different idea of what the job was like, but once you get into the thick of it you don't really have the desire to bother with the metaphysical "calling" crap. WITH all that said, I don't like it. I didn't come into it because I have some higher calling. I don't even really have good people skills or like them that much in general. I come in to work day by day to collect my paycheck and satisfy my own selfish desire to be industrious, then enjoy the benefits of my labor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Well people can want with all their heart to do something but if someone is a more qualified candidate regardless of drive they will get in. Example some folks have taken the NCLEX 3 or sometimes 5 times and can't pass but it's their dream. I took it in 75 questions and passed and my dream is to be a wealthy philanthropist. We don't always get what we want.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A lot of being in many careers, including nursing, is marketing, how you present yourself, and networking that will land you a job.

In all seriousness, it is not a "do you have a passion and desire to be a nurse" that is the present goal. It is, however, a customer satisfaction driven occupation--with lots of illusion thrown in for good measure.

Facilities seem to want to present a nurse as a highly educated, smile on the face, positive can-do attitude-- whose ultimate goal is that patient's are DELIGHTED with their care--and not only "care" as in nursing care, "care" as in attempting to "EXCEED" their expectations. Period.

Nursing in the sense of a "calling" or being loyal to a facility is long gone, and not reflective of what it is like to be a working nurse today. Because one is invested in patient wellness and function is good practice, however, not really a thought in any number of nursing cultures in any number of disciplines/units/facilities.

In other words, if nursing is one's calling, ministry, life's work----it can be in deep contrast to how any number of facilities want to see you work. Where the motivation is dollars. And scripting. And creating ways to do what you have to in the shortest amount of time feasible, for max reimbursement. And if all of us were doing our jobs, then in fact, we could whip through the 8 patient assignment we have in no time. Stop ACTUALLY caring so much!! In all seriousness, if "magnet" or bonuses for managers were based on any number of things, the "ideal" nurse for today would be a diploma RN or LPN (so that there is a license involved--as when the bus comes around, someone else is blamed as the licensed person) with a masters in public relations/communication.

It is a sad state of affairs, but more and more nursing is seen on the inside looking out as a customer service representative that just happens to be in the life saving business.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"What do you think of nurses who don't want to be nurses? Those who go to school for nursing just for the "nice checks" thinking that it's "easy money" or even those who are just going for nursing because they don't know what else to go for. Have you ever confronted anyone in that category?"

Why would you ever want to "confront" anyone with regard to their career choice?

I understand that you yourself do not "get" it, but why let others' life choices bother you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I became a nurse for the money only I would have been gone a long time ago. Nurses arent paid enough to deal with all we put up with. I can make just as much money doing something else.

I love being a nurse and actually enjoy it . If I got paid less I would still be a nurse but would have to supplement my income elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I think the majority of nurses who don't want to be nurses are those already working in the trenches and dealing with the poor working conditions and stress, not newbie grads and wannabe's who have no idea what they are in for!

I was bored as a secretary, but I'm glad for those early years before I became a nurse when I enjoyed life, college, had some fun times that weren't so stressful and difficult. At this point, I'm just trying to save money and take early retirement. lol I foolishly stayed bedside not wanting to work for corrupt insurance companies that deny treatment to patients. But I have a friend who became a case manager for the insurance companies and has a better quality of life than I do. As good if not better pay, plus much better working conditions and no weekends and holidays!

Ironically her private insurance company makes a profit from the govt to take care of patients on medicaid. (This is perhaps one way we could have national healthcare with private insurance companies competing to administer the benefit.) But Wendell Potter the health insurance whistle blower predicts health insurance companies will get out of the business of healthcare now that the profits won't be there anymore since they can no longer refuse patients. Apparently many companies had other areas of insurance before they specialized in healthcare and may just go back to that. I know it's off topic, but thought this was an interesting aside.

Looking back I should have used my brains to go on to be an NP, and I encourage the new grads to do this. For me now, time is not on my side and I'm too close to retirement to go back to school and take out student loans. I don't want to be working in my 60-70's! I've put my time in and now just want to look forward to early retirement.

Sure there are some times I've felt good about being a nurse, had wonderful patients, saved lives and made a difference. I'm grateful for those good memories, but I just don't think the stress is worth it. Ironically it seems being a nurse is just downright unhealthy for the workers taking care of others in poor health. lol I just hope I will retire with my back and my sanity intact!

I chose nursing as a way to make a difference, use the intelligence God gave me and have a "feel good" job I could be proud of, and of course because the pay was a lot better than working as a secretary. Like I said there are good days and I strive to be positive and treasure the good memories, but the problem is the bad overshadows the good!

I have a friend who feels guilty for not wanting to come to work, for not liking nursing and wanting to retire yesterday. Every day is a struggle for her because of chronic back pain that makes it difficult for her to walk, let alone work. I totally get why she doesn't like it and don't think she should feel guilty about it. I just wish she could afford to retire and that her back wasn't already ruined from being a nurse. We should have a no lift environment, but that will take an Act from Congress or the National Nurses United. lol

Why do so many nurses want to idealize nursing as this noble profession that we had all better have pure, angelic intentions for going into nursing, and we had all better like it no matter what! Funny, I just read a study that said the ideal super nurse with noble intentions and perfectionist people pleasing is more likely to burn out quicker than those who went into nursing as a practical decision as opposed to their heart.

All nurses is here as a support for nurses, both those on the journey and those already working in the trenches so please let's not get down on nurses over their motives and feelings. We are all just ordinary people trying to make it thru the day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
"What do you think of nurses who don't want to be nurses? Those who go to school for nursing just for the "nice checks" thinking that it's "easy money" or even those who are just going for nursing because they don't know what else to go for. Have you ever confronted anyone in that category?"

Why would you ever want to "confront" anyone with regard to their career choice?

I understand that you yourself do not "get" it, but why let others' life choices bother you?

I don't think she meant "confront" as it "question" but rather as in "encountered"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

If I was young again and going into the medical field for the $$$$, I'd become an Endodontist! And I hate saliva!

Root canals all day long, but not without an upfront payment!

Don't know that I could tolerate such tediousness, even with the healthy earnings.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
Good nurses are smart, efficient, and proactive.

One of the best characterizations of what makes a good nurse. Take out anyone of those descriptors, and the nurse falls short.

Smart + proactive = staying late way too often and prioritizing incorrectly

Smart + efficient = missing things that should be acted upon

Proactive + efficient = possibly dangerous

You need all three.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

I think to some degree, you HAVE to have empathy and compassion to be a good nurse. A person who doesn't like working with people, or has no compassion/empathy for others, has no business caring for the sick. JMO

Having said that, I don't think those people generally make it past the first semester of nursing school. Those who don't like people and go at it JUST because they think it's a nice paycheck learn pretty quickly there are easier career choices to make a buck. I wasn't 'called' to nursing, I stumbled and fell and when I dusted myself off, there was a path out in front of me, and being a nurse was at the end. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Lol, it seems like the percentage of people who became nurses after a failed attempt in another career is higher than that of most other professions. I know I number among those who already had another bachelor's degree!

The fact that you have another degree & then went to nursing school doesn't mean you failed pursuing another career. I obtained a BA in political science before going to nursing school & was gainfully employed prior to starting my nursing pre-requisites. How odd that you would look down on someone for getting an education!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment