Nursing among top careers of 2007.

MIA-RN · Nov 27, 2007

Just because its stressful and difficult, that still doesn't mean that its awful or not fulfilling.

I am going thru stress right now, dealing with issues at work, But that doesn't mean that I hate nursing. I love nursing. Like any job it has its ups and downs, but it tends to hit one a little harder, because we are dealing with live people and not numbers, computers, etc as many other jobs do.

I find it very fulfilling.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 27, 2007

I really like Mia-RN's answer.

In addition. Nursing is ranked high because the pay is decent and there are plenty of jobs available -- assuming you can be flexible with your work hours and flexible about your patient population, etc. Nursing is also ranked highly because it is predicted that there will be an increasing need for nursing in the future and that the jobs can not be "out-sourced." In other words, there is some security in the field that doesn't exist in many other fields.

However ... that doesn't mean that nurses are always happy in their jobs. We work in stressful environments and work harder than a lot of people realize. A lot of people don't realize how difficult the work is (emotionally, intellectually, and physically) and they suffer a great "reality shock" when they graduate from school and enter the work force.

Finally, nurses are not always treated well by the health care industry (that view us as blue-collare workers and just "cogs in the machine" to be managed) and by other professionals who consider themselves to be "above" nursing because of the higher level of education required. Many nurses resent that treatment. Patients don't always treat us very well, either -- though patients often treat us better than their family members do.

Put it all together and you have a mixed bag. Yes, we have jobs ... and career mobility ... and a decent paycheck ... etc., etc., etc., However, the working conditions are often unattractive -- and that makes us miserable sometimes. It's not a fun, pleasant job much of the time. But it is an important one that gives us some inner satisfaction and pays the bills.

oramar · Nov 27, 2007

Excellent response, right on the money. Nursing is a noble profession. Unfortunately it is a rotten job.

ASSEDO · Nov 28, 2007

Maybe its ranked top by employers, who get excellent help and also get to keep the wages at an all time low??

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2007

Post-collegiate salaries tend to be pitifully low, especially in the liberal arts majors such as English, classics, history, sociology, philosophy, fine arts, and so forth.

Perhaps nursing has garnered a high ranking because the starting pay rates tend to be competitive. For example, I'm an LVN who earns twice as much money as an acquaintance who holds an M.A. degree in music appreciation. When my friend was a social worker with a B.S. degree, she was only earning $24,000 yearly.

Nursing is stressful, underpaid, and lacking in societal prestige, but I still think we're doing somewhat better than people in other professions. For example, how vital is the philosophy major next door?

RN1989 · Nov 28, 2007

Yes, in general the money is good. But it is not comparable when you look at the amount of responsibility nurses must take for people's lives. Or how much you must spend of your own money to do your job - from special clothing, stethoscopes, pens/pencils, paper to take report on, continuing education, etc. Nurses are expected to give their lives to their employers, being available to work ALL the time and being guilted when you refuse to work that 6th 12 hour shift in a week because you just spent the last 2 shifts at work sick as a dog because your employer will fire you for calling in sick. Yes, the growth of nursing is huge - meaning people are sick and so many nurses are leaving the profession that there is a lot of room for new nurses to come in and take over. Hence being high on the list of professions. But no one is looking at WHY there is such a large need for nurses when they decide to change careers. Just as no one going into IT careers takes a look to see that Texas Instruments in Dallas and Motorola in Austin have some not so great histories in recent years of layoffs due to a slowdown in new technology compared to 6-10 years ago. I also know of more dieticians who enjoy their jobs as compared to the number of nurses (percentage wise).

Trauma Columnist · Nov 28, 2007

And...given the nature of the internet (ie anonymity) this board gives us a place to vent without being judged.

That said, I too did something else (broadcast journalist) before becoming a nurse. I may not be gloriously happy with my chosen profession all the time however, most of the time I am pretty happy. As I get older (sound like my Mother here), the important things in my life have changed. My contribution to society and my patient's care has changed as my roles have changed. That's a huge plus for nursing - we can add to our education either formally or informally and presto - change jobs and/or types of nursing we choose to do.

Overall, I'm happy with my choice. Come on over and join us!

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 28, 2007

Excellent response, right on the money. Nursing is a noble profession. Unfortunately it is a rotten job.

Oh ... I have a feeling I am going to be using that line in the future.