Nursing is pathetic...

Nurse Kate · Oct 10, 1999

Boy, after sitting here for 30 minutes reading all of these replys I feel really depressed about becoming a nurse. Is this what I have to look forward to? All these feelings of anger and resentment. I hope not. Sometimes, it is easier to remember the bad times and not the good. Lately I have been questioning my choice of becoming a nurse. But let me tell you I know a lot of people who aren't nurses who moan and groan about there jobs. Nothing is perfect. Perhaps we all need to remember the old saying, 'the grass is always greener on the other side.'

I agree with the respondent who wrote education is the key. It is! Nursing is such a diversified field. There are so many opportunities in nursing, just open your eyes and look!

By the way, yes, I am one of those "blonde Florence Nightengales" that you, nurse dude, so fondly look down upon. And you know what? I am proud to say it!

So, would I recommend nursing as a profession? YES! As long as a person goes into it with their eyes wide open, not with the blinders on.

boston burnout · Oct 10, 1999

If you asked me a few years ago, the answer would have been yes.But now, I would have to say "NO WAY!" It is emotionally draining, physically exhausting job, not to mention, most of the time, a thankless one! The working conditions across the country are horrendous.I recently left my job of eight years, and signed with a travel company.Yeah, it's fun to be in a new place and my housing is paid, but the working conditions on my new floor are just as horrible as the ones I left behind. Dangerously understaffed, taking care of patients who warrant, and certainly deserve closer monitoring..I feel like my license is on the line all the time.

In response to those who love making a difference in their patients' lives..well, I'd love to know where you work!! Most of my time is spent doing foolish paperwork, and running around giving out meds,etc..The few times, that you're actually able to sit down and talk to a patient for any length of time, you're always aware of the clock ticking, and all of the things that you have to still get done! Maybe it did make a difference to the patient, but it doesn't leave me feeling very good that the whole time, my mind was on overload!! I would never recommend nursing to a young person..it's a very lonely, isolating career. Weekends,holidays,off shifts, etc...You enter your workplace, and you're married to it for the next 12/16 hrs. Most of the time, you never even get to go out and get a breath of fresh air..never mind fresh air,how about inhaling your lunch at the medcart, or having to keep putting off going to the bathroom, because you just can't spare a minute! For me, it's been an unhealthy career choice.Most nurses I know work the 12hr shifts only because you never get out on time anyway, so why not just stay for 12, because what sane person could be there for 5days anyway? You're often verbally abused by the doctors,patients, and worst of all the other nurses! I've noticed that since I was in nursing school. So many nurses are rotton to each other! Sure, 3 days a week sound great, but they are so emotionally draining, that it takes about a day and a half to recover and catch up on sleep! You're probably wondering if I have this many complaints, why don't I just leave? The answer is the $$. I didn't go into nursing for the money, but it's become the only reason why for now, I must stay in nursing. I make 65,000, and to me, that's a pretty decent salary. If I could afford to take a cut in pay, I would leave my job in a minute.Probably the only thing that I can be thankful for, is that I've met alot of wonderful coworkers, and that by being an experienced RN, it may open doors to other career options one day.(computers,legal,etc.)So, obviously, my answer would be ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

kiwirgn · Oct 10, 1999

Nursing like any occupation has benefits and limitations. I contemplated this the other day when I had to get my car fixed. I noted that the labour charge was three times what I recieve as an RGN. This puts the percieved current financial value of nurses by society into perspective. I was aghast at the value of human life as compared to a car. Nursing is influenced by many societal factors which we have very little contol over at times.However, I would not want to be a mechanic. No other job portrays the satisfaction that a relationship with patients and their significant others fosters. Nursing can offer many alternative options to other jobs. Take from it what you want and run with it. It is one job that enables you to travel . I have had many interesting jobs from film sets to convents, still wIth the job title RGN. At present I am nursing in New Zealand and contemplating job offers from Australia and the UK. For me, Nursing has been the pearl in the saying "The world is your oyster!"

sheez · Oct 11, 1999

Ahhhh....the Small time Electrician gets $100.00/hr, pays $4,000 and up a year for insurance to run his business, has $50,000 dollars of equipment minimum, employees plus taxes if hired, crawls through hot attics and under houses, etc., and works 1/2 to 3/4 of the year, so better save up for the "dry months". He spends 16+ hour days (comes home and has to do the books, quotes/estimating, equipment maintenance, and other sundy duties unless he is a "big outfit"). Of that $100.00/hr, alot goes to overhead. About 40% is take home, and out of that, add in 16 to 20 hour days 6 - 7 days a week, and it leaves you with the "joy" of your own business. He also has a high risk of injury via electric shock, etc. And customers don't always pay up, so here comes the legal expenses and lawyers. (My husband is a licensed C-10 (now PT), my dad/brothers own a constuction company, and my sister/hubby is a painting contractor...all very good sized companies).

Also, it takes an average of 10+ years to get to the point where the money is good.

I'll take nursing anyday!!!! And since my hubby is not FT C-10, the kids and I love seeing him more often!

mirn · Oct 11, 1999

Dear MollyJ,

Beautifully put. You took the words right outta my mouth...(and arranged them much better than I've been able to!)

Mirn

NurseBoy · Oct 12, 1999

well, this has been an interesting little exchange, hasn't it?

ND has made some points that me & my mates here in Cairns (Australia) often discuss over a drink (or two, or three)

it's a career that is pretty limited in it's rewards, unless you are prepared to sacrifice the sort of rewards that most of the workforce expects (money, status, convenience, power) for "nursing" rewards (the sense of satisfaction that comes with caring & helping)

perhaps I'm not just not a nice bloke, but I would recommend future job-seekers pursuing money & all that

is this an argument between job-satisfaction and life-satisafction? if so, it's a shame that nursing doesn't make it easier for us to have both

spetherbridge · Oct 14, 1999

Hello everyone, this note is especially written with "nurse dude" in mind. I decided to read this string because I was intrigued by the topic "nursing is pathetic". All jobs have their pros and cons, nursing is no exception, but we can deal with those cons by getting on the whine train or by getting off our **** and trying to do things to change the what we don't like. Have you tried participating in research, attending policy meetings (not just complain but to make suggestions), or helping to make your working conditions better by setting a good example i.e. more positive attitude? Maybe this would be a better outlet for your frustrations.

terilyn · Oct 19, 1999

I just read these posts and to be honest, my eyes hurt now and i'm a little dizzy!! I 've been a nurse for 9 1/2 years and it definitely has had its ups and downs, but I would highly recommend it. Every job has it's problems, when we got into nursing we knew we would be working weekends and holidays. There are plenty of Nursing Jobs that don't include these!! NurseDude, isn't there ONE good thing you have to say about nursing???

millie arnold · Oct 20, 1999

You probably won't like my reply, but it sounds as if you've hit a sensitive spot in nursing. I am 50 years old and have been a nurse for 15 years. I was a late bloomer nurse and actually chose to be a registered nurse. I have about 13 years of adult oncology nursing experience in a variety of positions. I now have chosen to return to school and chose to return to bedside nursing. You sound as if you have a few choices you need to make about your nursing career. Keep your sense of humor...remember nurses in the 1800's were paid in ale, and beer! Only if you were a very good nurse did you receive payment of gin! Life is precious, enjoy your chosen profession or make another choice.

jbresolin · Oct 21, 1999

The last post poingnant- as nurses we can all relate to the value of trying to enjoy and live each day to the fullest. To MIRN, Nurse Dude, and Kate I have been a nurse for 12 yrs. (before that I was a welder for 10 yrs.) I make 35.66 benefitted and would make over $40/hr without benefits. I am thankful for the struggles of CNA to help ensure a decent wage (I participate in political action). I returned to school for MSN/FNP and expect to make less. Community clinics pay $30/hr with benefits which is considered good. Planned Parenthood pays $20/hr for FNPs. Benefits and work load are negotiated by the FNP. Education may sustain interest in your career, but in a materialistic culture it is hard to appreciate the benefits of education in nursing. We must recognize the importance of personal values and context in answering the question of nursing as a career. I remember making more as a welder than my brother -in -law who had a PhD. He went back for an MBA in his field and does much better financially in marketing and development. I wonder if there will be comparable benefits to getting a graduate degree in nursing? I do appreciate the flexability in scheduling that nurses have, it has enabled me to volunteer, go to school and have time off whenever I need it. Both sides have valid points to make, nursing is a hard job and sometimes the efforts we make are not rewarded. I had heard that it was difficult before I started out but I was idealistic. I think I still have some of that but each person has their limitations. Perhaps a prospective nurse would benefit from interviewing and following nurses on the job before embarking on the educational process.

AmyRN1227 · Nov 2, 1999

To NurseDude:

We need more positive people like you on these boards!!! NOT! It's pathetic that we have people like you in the profession. Your poor patients. You shouldn't even get close to sick people with your attitude. Go get some counseling. Obviously you picked the wrong career. Sounds like you should have become a plumber/electrician/truck driver...etc. if they are such better careers. Maybe you should have done more research BEFORE you became a nurse. You are too sad.

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Amy

LAS · Nov 8, 1999

NurseDude and those who share your opinion.

First let me say that I acknowledge that I now how demanding and undervalued nursing can be. I have been a nurse for almost 15 years on a busy med/surg unit. But your attitude is part of the problem and not the solution. It is easier to complain about what a "pathetic" job it is instead of taking pride in the profession and work to make it better. We as nurses need to stand united and support each other. We need to be activist when ever we can to bring about change in the health care industry, that will allow us greater satisfation in out jobs and allows to provide better patient care. I take great exception and am very offended that a member of my profession can say that what have dedicated my professional life as being Pathetic. I you truly do feel this way, I think it would be best for you and the profession to find something more fulfilling for you. But do not belittle those of us, who have not given up and are keeping the faith. I wish you the best and truly hope that you are able to find a solution that makes to happy.