Nursing is not what it is made out to be..

[ModernRN]

If your thinking of going to school to become a nurse please take a moment to reflect on my experiences during the 17 years I have been in nursing. To be honest up front, nurses are treated like dogs. If you have the compassion to take care of others then thats awesome but I must warn you that no one is going to foster that compassion once your in the real world. You will be expected to never make a single error and even to the point as having to consistently correct a physicians mistake. Oh yea, thats right. You must tell the physicians what needs to be done all the time and catch all their errors or else you the nurse will be punished or scolded. Most of you who are not a nurse probably think nursing is very rewarding. Wrong again. Nurses are not commended for a good job done because it is expected even when you correct errors there is no special recognition. Also the attitudes of todays patients aren't very grateful but can be downright mean and hateful towards nurses. Furthermore, physicians hardy even assess their patients adequately leaving you to wonder if the doctor really saw everything with the patient that needs to be assessed. For instants any skin issues or wounds. Most of what is the duty of the MD the nurses wind up doing.

Look, I can go on and on but here is some helpful info to help you decide if you wanna be a nurse for the rest of your lives.

Do a google search for "the truth about nursing" and see what comes up. This is a great way to see just how awful the nursing profession is.

Thank you, and good luck choosing a career.

[ModernRN]

I forgot to mention that you will be working with a ton of vicious, ruthless, and egotistical folks you will have as coworker... :-)

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I am sorry you are so unhappy where you are. I can kind of understand feeling trapped if the entire 17 miserable years have been with the same employer. It's not an easy thing to give up 17 years of accrued benefits and risk starting all over in a place that may not be any better than where you are. You don't mention what type of setting you work in, is it a hospital or for a multi-facility company? If so you can probably transfer to another unit or building. That way you could at least retain your seniority while getting away from what is obviously an unhappy work environment for you.

If that's not an option for you as hard as it is to hear you'd be better off looking for a new job. Unless you are close enough to retirement to make sticking it out to the bitter end your best and almost only option financially why would you want to remain this miserable the rest of your career? Work doesn't always have to be fun and fulfilling, but it also shouldn't be the soul sucking experience you are describing it as.

[ModernRN]

I am sorry you are so unhappy where you are. I can kind of understand feeling trapped if the entire 17 miserable years have been with the same employer. It's not an easy thing to give up 17 years of accrued benefits and risk starting all over in a place that may not be any better than where you are. You don't mention what type of setting you work in, is it a hospital or for a multi-facility company? If so you can probably transfer to another unit or building. That way you could at least retain your seniority while getting away from what is obviously an unhappy work environment for you.

If that's not an option for you as hard as it is to hear you'd be better off looking for a new job. Unless you are close enough to retirement to make sticking it out to the bitter end your best and almost only option financially why would you want to remain this miserable the rest of your career? Work doesn't always have to be fun and fulfilling, but it also shouldn't be the soul sucking experience you are describing it as.

YOU are a true caring nurse..all you others that feel the need to belittle my situation should listen and learn! Im outta here.

[Purple_roses]

Just as a reminder, I wasn't asking for anyones opinion or discussion. I am aware that not everyone will feel the way I do. I am only a portion of many perspectives out there and I just wanted to share *MY* experiences with others who may be considering nursing as a career. Just because you guys feel different does not mean my perspective shouldn't be treated with any less value.

Well that's all fine and dandy that you're not asking for opinions or discussion, but that's not a fair request for an internet forum. lol.

Which specialties have you been in? Think it might be time for a change of pace within the nursing field?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Looking at your post history, you are quite bitter about nursing. Perhaps you would best be served by finding a new profession.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

YOU are a true caring nurse..all you others that feel the need to belittle my situation should listen and learn! Im outta here.

My question still stands: what would you rather be doing? And what is stopping you?

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

Threads like these make me long for the "I'm seeing a lot of tall nurses" post.

[Emergent, RN]

Just as a reminder, I wasn't asking for anyones opinion or discussion. I am aware that not everyone will feel the way I do. I am only a portion of many perspectives out there and I just wanted to share *MY* experiences with others who may be considering nursing as a career. Just because you guys feel different does not mean my perspective shouldn't be treated with any less value.

OK, so vent to your dog then. This is a discussion forum with different people and their opinions.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Threads like these make me long for the "I'm seeing a lot of tall nurses" post.

It's over on blue. Go bring it back to the top over there!

[1056chris]

As one professional to another. Why did you enter the nursing field? We are here for that person who is our patient and while some of the things you say may be true, you fail to mention the positive outcomes of your job either because you don't recognize them or you would rather not because you are seeking something else. However, you have been in the field for 17 years, makes me wonder.

Here are some positives about your nursing career, obviously good pay and ability to find work quickly all over the country, good health insurance from day one for you and your family, the ability to help your community, the improved quality of life and perhaps the saving of a life of a person because of you, and the thankfulness of a patient's family members, and co-workers who as a whole result in the sick becoming well. This is not a job where we will be recognized, but in which is recognized in the care of the patient. Move to a job away from the bedside if the docs and paperwork overwhelm you. It's a double check system in the hospital so mistakes are not missed. We all make them. We want to find them before they are acted on. Good Luck

[RotorRunner]

I forgot to mention that you will be working with a ton of vicious, ruthless, and egotistical folks you will have as coworker... :-)

I think you're working in the wrong places. I'm sorry you've had such terrible experiences in your nursing career. I don't share your experience. My nursing career has been filled with supportive coworkers, physicians, and even managers. I've never regretted my decision to be a nurse. That isn't to say I haven't had a job I didn't like or a coworker I didn't particularly like. In general, however, I love what I do. And for anyone who is considering nursing school, I think it's important to hear a different perspective.

[37changes, ASN, RN]

I just have to wonder "what it is made out to be" ~ and by whom?

I am expecting ALL of the worst things, after hanging out on these boards -- and if I get a more rewarding experience than that, I will be thankful and pleasantly surprised. I think a lot of this has to do with a person's life experiences and mindset.