Nursing Culture / Career Path

[hotmama2be]

I am hesitant to become a CNA just for the lack of respect they receive in the work place I am just starting out in the healthcare field. And I have done alot of research on this site just input from nurses and cna's .Politics seem to really play a huge role in the hospital ,LTC, etc. My previous job was filled with women over the age of 30 who acted like they were on highschool soap show, I myself at 20 years old do not want end up in a situation like that again. My mother is a RN of 20+ years and she has seen and heard it all and let me tell you she has come home in tears due to the stress and politics of this profession. Everybody I am sure will post there own experience of what they precieve nursing to be. I know every profession has its "hang-ups" , but would a job as a EMT/ paramedic be better for me in the long run to avoid this. Does this even exist in the nursing culture, if I do choose the CNA route I would of course obtain my RN degree.....But even as a RN stress and politics and insubordination still occurs. I love caring for people providing people with a sense of comfort and security no matter what occupation or field I have worked in, medical field just always interested me.Maybe that would have to do with the fact I was raised in the break rooms where my mom would pull 12 Trauma/ ER shifts at the hospital I was breakroom regular :) And I have a great respect for nurses and health care workers in general you guys inspire people like me to get into the medical field:bow:

comment and advice would HELP:)

[RNperdiem, RN]

I can't figure what it is you are really asking for. Workplace and interpersonal issues exist wherever you go. Some places have good teamwork and people work well together; other places you need to watch your back.

This is not unique to nursing.

However, in nursing, there are no offices or cubicles to hide out in. You are interacting with your coworkers all day without any private place to withdraw, so annoyances are magnified.

In a predominantly female culture, women self-disclose more personal information than is in their best interest.

Many people supply all the harmful personal information to the gossips and then complain about gossip.

Learn to get along, be smart, and you can succeed in most environments.

[RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

it sounds to me like you just need to sit back and figure out what you want. you kinda eluded to that you just need to decide whats right for you, thats what you have to do. maybe do a list of pro's and con's for each part of what you want to do. just make sure you know there are +'s and -'s for every single profession, its never what you want it to be i dont think.

[NurseCherlove]

My first job as a nurse in a local hospital was an extremely toxic environment. It almost "did me in" as far as nursing was concerned. But, it didn't - and I'm so glad! In subsequent jobs, I have met some of the most awesome people, and yes some pretty horrible ones too.

As others have said, backstabbing goes on in every professional environment - think about the cut-throat corporate world. Sayings like "dog eat dog" probably did not originate from the nursing profession.

For the matter, I was a substance abuse counselor prior to becoming a nurse and saw some backbiting there as well. Chew on that one! You just would not expect that from those types. But I saw it happen. My co-workers were pretty vicious to this one girl, like they just singled her out for no apparent reason.

You just need to decide if you think nursing would be right for you. There are several ways to help people. Familiarity with something (growing up in break rooms) is always alluring if it was a pleasant experience. But that is not enough to sustain you in the long run.

Nursing is stressful (bedside anyway), so you need to have some pretty grounded reasons for wanting to do it, or else you won't last. And you don't want to waste your time, right? Heck, if your mom is still working in the hospital, see if you can go and shadow her at work and really get a chance to experience the thought processes, constant multi-tasking, etc. That would be the very best way for you to know if nursing is something you would like.

Good luck! You are young - don't make a hasty decision.