Does nursing really suck that badly?

Nurses Professionalism

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I know this discussion has likely been hashed and re-hashed several times. However, I wanted to discuss not only my concerns but my specific situation.

Here is some background information on me:

I recently graduated with a non-nursing bachelors degree. For the past two years, I have had my heart set on entering an ABSN program. But, I wanted to finish my bachelors first as I felt since I was almost done, I could apply for a one year accelerated program and essentially not "waste" my almost completed degree. I am taking A&P2 and Nutrition this semester and Chemistry and Microbiology in the fall with hopes of applying for two ABSN programs in my area.

Here are my concerns:

I read so many negative things on here about nursing. Whether it is someone complaining about their boss, a high patient to nurse ratio, backstabbing co-workers, patients who treat you like a slave, managment that doesn't get it, concerns about losing nursing license, etc etc. I understand that NO job will ever be perfect. I understand that people come here to vent. I am not judging the nurses who complain on here because everyone needs an outlet to release stress.

My fear is that I will get into a career that I hate. My fear is that I will be chewed up and spit out. I am already at a cynical point in life where I see employers in general as crapping all over good employees and rewarding the bad ones. I am at a point where I am so tired of my government internship that I will do ANYTHING to get away from it. I love the idea of helping people. I love science. I've thus far enjoyed the academic pursuit of nursing. Additionally, I consider myself to be a compassionate, loving person. I can take a lot of things in stride but I have my limits. Is entering the nursing field really that scary? Are hospitals really that toxic? Are co-workers really a reincarnation of that evil witch and her possee from junior high?

I could really use some advice from some of you RNs who are already "there" and have been in the trenches.

-Signed-

Someone who wants to help others and wants to be a nurse but is terrified of the future

Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

Nursing has good days and bad days. I have worked for 2 nursing homes (LPN) and for 3 hospital systems (RN) and they all had some things in common.

Nice patients and residents that are grateful and full of compliments for the care you give.

Nasty ungrateful or entitled patients who feel they are the priority and your only patient. Family members who are worse.

Horrible scheduling without regard to seniority.

Understaffing and turnover

Unrealistic management

Cool coworkers that will help you and answer questions readily

Fake coworkers that are waiting for you to flop

Do you mind poop, urine, blood and mucus? Sometimes it gets on your scrubs.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

Ok here's my answer.

I work nights. I work weekends. I work holidays. And I love it!!!

You can see from some of my past posts that I have bad days and good, but for the most part, I truly love what I do.

Halloween? Bring candy for kids in the hospital (ask parents first if you can give it) and sit back for the laugh riot of complaints in costume coming through the E.R. doors.

Thanksgiving? Parade is in the morning, music all day. I'm trying to lose weight so missing that gigantic dinner doesn't hurt.

Christmas Eve? Do prep a few days in advance. Bring some small cute things for any kids in the hospital.

Christmas? Open presents before going to sleep until Christmas dinner is ready.

But my favorite day by far is working Valentine's Day in the E.R.... for reasons I'm sure you can guess.

My kids are so proud of me that the first thing they lead off with when introducing me to people is "This is my mom, she's an emergency nurse!!"

Nights are fantastic. I sleep while the kids are at school and if they call home with "I forgot my..." or "Can you come to my school for..." then I can. I'll be tired, but I'll be there, and because my husband works opposite me, we never need daycare.

What else. My coworkrs are my dysfunctional family. That's fine by me because I know that even if we squabble, they'll still have my back when it gets tough.

Specializes in ER, ICU.
Ok here's my answer. I work nights. I work weekends. I work holidays. And I love it!!! You can see from some of my past posts that I have bad days and good but for the most part, I truly love what I do. Halloween? Bring candy for kids in the hospital (ask parents first if you can give it) and sit back for the laugh riot of complaints in costume coming through the E.R. doors. Thanksgiving? Parade is in the morning, music all day. I'm trying to lose weight so missing that gigantic dinner doesn't hurt. Christmas Eve? Do prep a few days in advance. Bring some small cute things for any kids in the hospital. Christmas? Open presents before going to sleep until Christmas dinner is ready. But my favorite day by far is working Valentine's Day in the E.R.... for reasons I'm sure you can guess. My kids are so proud of me that the first thing they lead off with when introducing me to people is "This is my mom, she's an emergency nurse!!" Nights are fantastic. I sleep while the kids are at school and if they call home with "I forgot my..." or "Can you come to my school for..." then I can. I'll be tired, but I'll be there, and because my husband works opposite me, we never need daycare. What else. My coworkrs are my dysfunctional family. That's fine by me because I know that even if we squabble, they'll still have my back when it gets tough.[/quote']

I love this statement well written and I feel the same way. Except now the kids are grown so I get more sleep. ;-)

You will see the best of people and the worst in this profession. You are wanting to be a nurse for the right reasons. Sometimes we complain on this board because other nurses understand. Nursing doesn't suck even on a bad day I wouldn't do anything else.

Specializes in ICU, PACU.
To present my humble opinion, I think that nursing schools make you believe that as a nurse, you are going to be very focused into science, autonomy.... well that was a bull's dung. Throw autonomy out the window, and the profession is not science focused, but 100% task oriented, because all we do is carry out orders. Draw labs, medicate, npo for procedures, get consent, admit, discharge, chart, chart, chart, task after tasks. I don't believe I have seen "science" or autonomy in my profession.

To be frank, I am not one of those people who came into nursing just to help others; I mean sure, everyone SAYS they want to help others, and who doesn't? I do too myself, but who wants to associate their work life surrounded by bunch of complaining, whiny, negative patients and some coworkers who make you want to assess their brain function? I haven't found my niche yet, but I truly do hate my job, and with current healthcare policies, future seems bleak.

Unless you can really really be sure of yourself that you are dedicated to helping life of others like Albert Schweitzer, Nightingale, or someone who really feels happiness of life by helping others (and not that typical "oh ya, I became nurse to help others" that everyone says) then yes nursing is for you. But if your compassion level is like that of a regular human being (that would be me), and you want to help others, but also in it for financial security, let me tell you there are many other jobs you can get that are much easier than nursing and make equal or even better money. I just learned today dental hygienist starts at about $31/hr. If I could go back in time, I 100% would have chosen different career, something like CPA or lawyer, or work in some kind of corporation. Please think well before you choose nursing because if you hate your job, life certainly is miserable.

^This x 1000

Although I'm currently in a job where I have more a lot more good days than bad days, I wouldn't recommend nursing just because you're looking to get out of your mundane job and "help" people. There are plenty of jobs where you can "help people" and "make a difference". I can say that if I was looking to be a social worker, firefighter, EMS, nonprofit coordinator, teacher, physical therapist--the list goes on. The pay and the intrinsic gratification you may possibly get from the job doesn't always outweigh the stress level and the ******** that you have to deal with.

People say that nursing has endless possibilities because of the different specialties in which you can work. If you don't like where you are, you can always work somewhere else. Not really. It's different now. This is mostly true for people with years of solid experience on the field. The job market is saturated with nurses--experienced and new graduates. You can't just go from dialysis to L&D just because you got bored or you feel like you want to move on. In some places, they would actually turn you down because your experience would be too "specialized" especially if you spent a long time in a certain specialty.

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

You think this is bad? Ha! If you do decide to go into healthcare, you will be in for a rude awakening. These responses have been mild and fairly polite.

Honestly, I did expect some feedback but not to this caliber. Perhaps I am a bit... Stunned? The general consensus of this board (at least the one I am getting) is to run away as fast as I can. I can see why many nurses are disappointed. Our economy sucks and nursing is the profession so many people tout as full of job security, opportunities and a never ending rainbow. I cannot begin to imagine the challenges you all face. I hope all of you who have given me advice read this because clearly, my comment to Butterfly was miscontrued as "me not wanting to hear the truth". I have mixed feelings about this thread.

I fantasize about being the cleaning lady at work. She always looks so happy, mopping the floor, taking out the trash, wiping down the counters. Oh how little stress she has. The patients are always happy to see her. She doesn't get physically assaulted, yelled at, lied to, manipulated, complained on, run into the ground, etc. You get the idea.

Have to agree with pretty much everything others have said in this thread, the positive and the negative. I've had to make peace with being a nurse and all it entails. Some days I like my job, some days I curse myself for choosing this career path. But I am putting in my time and working toward goals I have. Nursing will allow me to do what I want in life. So there's my take on our profession.

And to answer your question: Yes. Yes it does.

When the neighbor girls ask me about being a nurse, I tell them to go to the hospital and watch 3 fifty-year-old nurses walk down the hall, then come back and tell me if that's what they really want.

By the way, whenever I read those happiness-in-the-job surveys, accountants are always at the top ;p

Specializes in Emergency.

Hmmm. Lots of answers here, not one of them wrong because they are based on the experience of the person writing them.

Personally, I have seen the sucky side of nursing. It's there staring me in the face all day.

Today was not a banner day. I was sworn, swatted and spit at, I had a heavy patient load too much to do, not enough time, help or patience to get it done and really sore feet (mama needs some new shoes apparently).

I practically sprinted to my car shouting "enjoy suckers" in place of report.

I'm happy to be going back tomorrow.

Suck is a state of mind, I don't know if nursing will suck for you, apparently it does for many, but not for me.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Unfortunately for me I have to many bad days and I'm getting out of the profession for good Lord willing. Don't worry I'm not turning this into a religious debate so please no one comment on my use of Lord.

Ha ha ha hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Good job with the code.

Specializes in Emergency, Med-Surg, Progressive Care.
I fantasize about being the cleaning lady at work. She always looks so happy, mopping the floor, taking out the trash, wiping down the counters. Oh how little stress she has. The patients are always happy to see her. She doesn't get physically assaulted, yelled at, lied to, manipulated, complained on, run into the ground, etc. You get the idea.

I had this same exact experience when I was at Keesler Air Force Base. I had just finished basic training and was undergoing my technical training. I remember marching around like a tool, sleep-deprived, and subject to more stupid rules than even now as a nurse (astounding!). I looked at the people mowing the grass and I envied them. As far as social status, military trainees are pretty much on the bottom of the totem pole (underground, even, at basic training).

I can't say that I exactly envy the custodians at work, because they're constantly taking on more work for the same pay just as we are. The nursing staff have a camaraderie with the environmental staff that you might not see in most other workplaces. We're all in 'the suck' together, so to speak.

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
That isn't it at all, TU RN. All I said was that it was refreshing to see something happy. I don't see how my one response to butterfly implies that I am only focusing on the positive or believing what I want. I never once discounted you or anyone else's experience or posts. I appreciate the information. And truthfully, I am still not sure how I feel about nursing.

i have a humble 42 years experience as a RN! seven as a reg.resp. therapist, and six as a med.assist during college and nursing school...... yes nursing is not today what it was, what I experience is positive, I brought and bring a tallented attitude, confidence, and skilled work ethic. i did not get entraped in drauma and the negatives, I was afforded advance opportunities as head nurse, unit director, and several DON positions....... it is definitely not a bed of roses, i choose my battles, did not get too wounded ))grins((.....i continue to work today, for the fun of it, yes I actually have fun and get job satisfaction.....is this the norm? probably not, but my attitude, enthusiasm, and abilities, probably contributed, oh and the perverable work ethic :roflmao:

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