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.
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
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 originally wanted to be a musician. But I realized internet piracy would eventually kill the music business and, sure enough, that prediction seems to be coming true.
Once you have to practically grovel for a menial job making minimum wage, you can do anything!
I think the lesson here is to choose wisely in such things when so empowered. We all deal with adversity in our lives but how we cope such adversity is the key to happiness.
Would I invest the time, money and emotional commitment I did in my years of nursing again. My answer has been no. I would invest my time, finances and emotions in a professional endeavor more personally and professionally satisfying.
There is just way too much gender bias (socially and professionally) and other negatives associated with nursing that have exhausted my attempts to excel at this endeavor.
So at the tender young age of 42 I have moved on, more determined than ever to make the most of my choice to leave nursing and to nurture that thing that touches my soul in a meaningful way.
The choice to enter (and leave) nursing is a personal one and like all major decisions should be evaluated carefully before committing to a course of action.
Absolutely. I was always the kid who wore the paper nurse's cap and tended to animals and dolls. Nursing has definitely experienced change over the past 20 years (some good/some bad), but has been extremely rewarding for me. I feel I have always been respected by those people who were important to me, have received many blessings from the patients I have met, and learned something new everyday. It's been an exciting and rewarding career. Go for it!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by Hellllllo Nurse
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'm mean, c'mon- it's absurd.
yes it is. but this person is a student nurse and has yet to learn the ins and outs of nursing. so I will cut her a bit of slack in her statements here.
good luck to all the students out there...often nursing IS what you make of of it. a lot like LIFE.
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
My answer is no, because of unsafe staffing levels and the inability to care for my patients the way they deserve to be cared for. This, however, does not make me bitter, nor stop me from going out of my way to TRY and take good care of my patients. Saying that a nurse who complains about unsafe working conditions is a bad nurse, makes about as much sense as saying that a nurse who went into the profession for job security is a bad nurse.
I graduated in 1987 and went straight into bedside nursing in a critical care area and "survived" 13 years. While very difficult, physically and emotionally, I can say it was a good start to my nursing career.
I tried 2 years as a research coordinator and that was so different, no more shift work and holidays off!
I've recently changed my entire focus and I'm now working as a occ health nurse. I finally feel like I'm where I could stay until retirement.
There is so very few professions that give you the flexiblity to change specialities. I would highly recommend to anyone who is just tired of feeling like a doormat, to explore the big wide world of other specialities.
Would I do it all over again, you bet, BUT I wouldn't have stayed in one spot too long. It's been great to step outside my comfort zone and see more of the nursing world.
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'm mean, c'mon- it's absurd.
I can relate as wekk, but I wouldn't say it's so obsurb. The physical and mental stress of waiting tables in a crowded restaurant full of demanding customers, the frustration, the stress, the aggravation to me was just as physically and emotionally frustrating as nursing.
I wouldn't be so elistist to say my stress is worse than anyone elses. Somewhere I read a study of the most stressful jobs and was dismayed when nursing wasn't in the top 10. I would have thought it was #1. Of course everyone's stress is the most stressful if you ask them.
Of course, if you ask what is more important whether a person gets their pizza the way the ordered it, or whether I save a life, that's a no brainer.
My answer is no, because of unsafe staffing levels and the inability to care for my patients the way they deserve to be cared for. This, however, does not make me bitter, nor stop me from going out of my way to TRY and take good care of my patients. Saying that a nurse who complains about unsafe working conditions is a bad nurse, makes about as much sense as saying that a nurse who went into the profession for job security is a bad nurse.
yes it is. but this person is a student nurse and has yet to learn the ins and outs of nursing. so I will cut her a bit of slack in her statements here.
In fact, I would not go back to the only semester of nursing I was in.
If I knew then, what I know now, I would never have considered it an option. I worked alongside nurses as a respiratiory therapist for five years and thought I would know what nursing school would be like.
Sheri257
3,905 Posts
Just wanted to say this is a truly great post.