I am considering going back to school for nursing. I've been a CNA for 11 years and have worked in various aspects of nursing. I enjoy the patient contact and the caring/helping part of nursing.
Not to mention the flexibility that I have in this field.
I have many concerns, though. The high patient loads, the politics, the backbiting, the sad and depressing things that I will encounter, etc. What if I make a mistake? This is someone's LIFE!
Are all of these feelings normal?
Would like to hear from other registered nurses who would or would not considering nursing again.
Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.
Helllo Nurse--
I work in critical care and yes, my hospital is unionized (though when we are hired, we have the opportunity to not be "unionized", though I am). We just renegotiated a new contract. I think that I am just really lucky as far as workplace enviornment, which is really important to me. I really do work with a great group of people....I am also fairly new to nursing so I have not seen all of the changes over the past 10-20 years, this is all I know. In the valley that I live in, we also make decent wages in comparison to other professions.
I love love my job. I also realize how many other things there are I can do with my nursing license if I ever get tired of patient care.
Even harder than dealing with family members, and patients, are the residents. I think they wear me out more than anything. I get along with all of them really well, but it's such hard work keeping up with them and making sure they are doing their job correctly. Sometimes I think I should get paid more, since I feel like I'm part doctor.
I've considered going back to school for a Nurse Practitioner's degree/license.
However, I am still enjoying my job so much right now, and all of the daily challenges, that I don't want to even think about leaving just yet. I do know that I won't work where I work forever, but I'm going to squeeze every bit of learning out of it that I can.
I would have to say no, but not for reasons r/t job satisfaction, pay rate or things such as that. I have been thru so many things in the past year with my husband health wise that I have wished and wished that I was not a nurse so that I would not know what was going to happen next with his health situation. Being a nurse means you know too much sometimes and that often hurts too much when it involves family members and for that reason and that reason alone, I would not be a nurse.
YES, without a doubt! I have been in nursing for 27 years and like the idea that I will NEVER be without work. I went into nursing for the job security. I make as much as I want and work as much as I want. Where else can you go and work and get this type of deal? There are a lot of bitter people out there who's dreams of nursing just wasn't fulfilled. These are the people you don't want to take care of you or your loved ones. They should get out of nursing ASAP! Too many people go into nursing thinking it is going to be a bed of roses and suddenly one day they wake up and can't believe what is going on. I rarely feel any stress and the only problem I have is wasting those 8 hours sleeping! I am a workaholic and have no problem saying that. You get out of nursing what you want and what you put into it. The whinners out there that constantly complain about anything and everything about nursing should step back and ask themselves why they went into nursing. If it isn't living up to all your expectations, then get out. Nursing can be a very stressful job but that is why you get paid a bit more than McDonalds wages. I have worked in the OR for all but one year and can't think of anything else I would rather do. I gave up complaining about things years ago and it has helped tremendously. I know this is kind of a negative response, but I do get a little tired of those out there who aren't quite up to the challege. For those out there they take this too personal, don't!Good luck with your decision I know you will make the right choice. Mike
I love caring for patients, helping to figure out what may be wrong with them and helping to make them well. Howeve I dont feel I get to do a heck of alot of that. It is more about making the almighty buck, paper work, politics and backstabbing. I know there are better environments I just havent found it yet. The money in my oppinion is good but not considering the liability that we face every day. If I had it to do over again no I probably would not become a nurse. But if I did become a nurse I would have went straight for my RN so I would have had more options. So basically I vote no but if I had to go for the RN.
My original career goal was to be an actress (really). When I was 17 and learned the statistics on the small percent of union actors who have regular jobs acting, I realized I wasn't prepared to work as a waitress and go on auditions for the rest of my life. I went to college with the intentions of becoming a psychologist or a counselor with the lofty idea of working at a cushy private practice listening to other people complain about their jobs... (yeah right!) I ended up dropping out of college because my heart wasn't in it. Now, at age 26 I will finally be doing something that I am right for. I spent a stressful two weeks in March 2002 (Colon Cancer Awareness Month) watching my mother-in-law die from colon cancer and liver cancer in the ICU. I was touched deeply by the nurses who cared for her (and us). I do have a love for medicine. I used to read medical books in elementary school for fun! I love science and studying and people and nursing is one of the few fields that incorporates all of those things.
And after quitting college, I have worked all manner of menial jobs. Wanna talk stressed out? I worked the hot dog wagon at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World on New Year's Eve when we welcomed the year 2000 in (75,000 people in the park and about 200 people in line for one of my hot dogs) and to top it all off, I was making less than $7/hr. Once you have to practically grovel for a menial job making minimum wage, you can do anything!
:chuckle I will just give you a few words to describe nursing:
TRYING
REWARDING
SECURE
RESPONSIBILITY
TRUSTED
FLEXIBLE
POLITICAL
RESPECTED
TIRING
In a global market where the unemployment rate is up, yet nurses are in great demand, it is a VERY secure profession!
Although there are some jobs that are more glamorous, nothing is more rewarding than a patient holding your hand and telling you what a difference you made in their life. To know you are a part of something good! Sounds corny but TRUE!
I have worked all manner of menial jobs. Wanna talk stressed out? I worked the hot dog wagon at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World on New Year's Eve when we welcomed the year 2000 in (75,000 people in the park and about 200 people in line for one of my hot dogs) and to top it all off, I was making less than $7/hr. Once you have to practically grovel for a menial job making minimum wage, you can do anything!
I have worked minimum wage jobs (back in the 80s when min wage was $3.35). I was laid off from several of them. (Reaganomics, you know) And I did have to grovel for min wage jobs- in factory work. So, I can relate to you, there.
But I'm sorry- the stress of working at a hot-dog stand cannot be compared to the life and death situations nurses face daily.
I have worked in the medical field since 1980.Became a RN in 1992. Looking back on it now and seeing how the health profession has taken the downward spiral, I would definitely say I would not become a nurse again. I found a career that brings me the sense of accomplishment and pride I thought Nursing would, and I never felt happier. I still work part time as an RN, but I'm down to working a single four hour shift every three to four months. I am only doing this to keep my license incase any of my family members need to be hospitalized, I can do private duty nursing for them and ensure they receive the proper care most hospitals are unwilling or unable to provide.
I have worked in the medical field since 1980.Became a RN in 1992. Looking back on it now and seeing how the health profession has taken the downward spiral, I would definitely say I would not become a nurse again. I found a career that brings me the sense of accomplishment and pride I thought Nursing would, and I never felt happier. I still work part time as an RN, but I'm down to working a single four hour shift every three to four months. I am only doing this to keep my license incase any of my family members need to be hospitalized, I can do private duty nursing for them and ensure they receive the proper care most hospitals are unwilling or unable to provide.
susanmary
656 Posts
If I knew then what I know now, I would not have gone into nursing.