Nursing? May not have any other choice.

SharonH, RN · Oct 29, 2008

You know Jane, you've posted in previous topics that you've been trying to get a degree for the past 15 years but you've been unable to finish anything. You've also posted that you tried to go for forensics or something like that but the science classes were too hard so you dropped out. It's clear that you have "settled" on nursing as the lesser of all choices but you seem to believe it is within your reach. I hate to break it to you but I seriously doubt that. With your attitude, an inability to follow through on anything, a clear disdain for the profession, a dislike of working with other people and your difficulty with science I must say that you are doomed to fail again and I don't say that lightly. You really don't want to be a nurse. Do yourself a favor; take a break from community college, do an honest assessment of your abilities, think about what you really want to do and figure out how to get there.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

I dont really like the title of your post, almost like "oh well--I can always be a nurse"

Nursing school and actual nursing can be very difficult especially if your heart is not in it. Contrary to what you think it is not that easy to just "move around" the nursing community can be a small one.

Er is not always very exciting, you will see your fair share of: rashes-twisted ankles-cuts and "I have had this funny pain for about 6 weeks now"

Since you have not actually started nursing school yet, you may want to sit down with a career counselor and discuss other options.

There are alot of other degrees that are easier to get, that will bring you more money than nursing!!

Best of luck on what ever path you take!

PopeJane3rd · Oct 29, 2008

You know Jane, you've posted in previous topics that you've been trying to get a degree for the past 15 years but you've been unable to finish anything. You've also posted that you tried to go for forensics or something like that but the science classes were too hard so you dropped out. It's clear that you have "settled" on nursing as the lesser of all choices but you seem to believe it is within your reach. I hate to break it to you but I seriously doubt that. With your attitude, an inability to follow through on anything, a clear disdain for the profession, a dislike of working with other people and your difficulty with science I must say that you are doomed to fail again and I don't say that lightly. You really don't want to be a nurse. Do yourself a favor; take a break from community college, do an honest assessment of your abilities, think about what you really want to do and figure out how to get there.

Sharon, as I've stated in my previous post I DO lack direction. I realize this. I suppose it is why after 15+ yrs I'm still in school trying to find what's right for me. Yes it is true I wanted to do Forensic Science but the curriculum WAS really tough. It is too hard for me to keep up with Calculus, Statistics, College Algebra, Physics etc and try to work full time nights. But you need to understand that though my mind is this way, I am a very good worker. For instance, I don't particularly care for where I work now but if you asked my bosses they'll speak highly of me because I have good work ethic. I'm at work every day, only 1 call in in 4 yrs, I do my job above and beyond and I show initiative to the point where despite my lack of social skills I'm always asked to go into a leadership role by others. Yes it is true I'm having reservations about nursing, the best thing I can do is to try and see how it works. Who knows once I get in I may find I love it. I have to do something because I have to look forward to retirement and I can't do that at the job I'm at because the pay is so low.

SharonH, RN · Oct 29, 2008

Sharon, as I've stated in my previous post I DO lack direction. I realize this. I suppose it is why after 15+ yrs I'm still in school trying to find what's right for me. Yes it is true I wanted to do Forensic Science but the curriculum WAS really tough. It is too hard for me to keep up with Calculus, Statistics, College Algebra, Physics etc and try to work full time nights. But you need to understand that though my mind is this way, I am a very good worker. For instance, I don't particularly care for where I work now but if you asked my bosses they'll speak highly of me because I have good work ethic. I'm at work every day, only 1 call in in 4 yrs, I do my job above and beyond and I show initiative to the point where despite my lack of social skills I'm always asked to go into a leadership role by others. Yes it is true I'm having reservations about nursing, the best thing I can do is to try and see how it works. Who knows once I get in I may find I love it. I have to do something because I have to look forward to retirement and I can't do that at the job I'm at because the pay is so low.

Look, I'm sorry if I seemed harsh before. Have you actually spent a couple of days shadowing a nurse in various settings? What about the nursing curriculum? Why don't you ask one of the instructors if you can sit in on a class so you can see if it's something you can handle? I think it's rather expensive and a waste of time to take classes towards something you do not really want to do but feel you have "no other choice" in the hopes that you may learn to love it. I have no problem with people who enter nursing without the heart but who make a rational choice because they feel they can contribute while meeting their economic needs. However, I think that most people who go for nursing have at least a little bit of respect for the field and want to actually be a nurse, if only just a little. You are already planning your escape route and you haven't even got in yet! Don't you think your heart is telling you something?

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

Nursing is a really tough room for loners or people who don't like to be around others. There are NOT a lot of jobs that don't require human contact. I'm an RN consultant and have my own office, no patient care responsibilities, I don't even have to supervise anyone. But I do have a customer base that is constantly in crisis and co-workers who need me 150% of the time. Also, it took me 10 years of acute care to get enough experience for this job.

I think it is really not a good idea to think of nursing as a gig that hopefully will provide you an isolated type job. There just aren't that many out there. Honestly, if the job can be done solo and possibly by a non-nurse, the employer will do that. Please think hard about why you'd want to be an RN.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

I figure even if I don't like nursing very much I have the ability to move around because they are always hiring for nurses.

Please do not be fooled, because "they" are NOT always hiring for nurses. Nursing jobs are strongly affected by the economy just like any other industry. Contrary to popular belief, nursing is certainly NOT recession-proof.

During the recession of the early 1990s, some nurses would remain unemployed for 6 months or longer as they looked for jobs. This severe nursing glut continued well into the middle 1990s before easing in the late 1990s.

During recessions, patients avoid having elective surgeries because they are fearful of taking the time off work that is needed for full recovery, which results in low hospital census. When hospital census is low, less nurses are needed to keep the floor running. Although people will always "need" healthcare, these same people will always delay or refuse healthcare during bad economic times to avoid raking up the medical bills.

More people become unemployed during these rough times and, as a result, lose their health insurance. Uninsured people are definitely not inclined to seek healthcare unless it is an absolute emergency. In addition, medical bills incurred by uninsured patients tend to go unpaid, which means less money for healthcare facilities.

While it is accurate that nursing jobs can never be outsourced, always remember that nurses can be "insourced" by recruiting foreign nurses to work at US hospitals. These nurses are less likely to whine about working evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays because they are earning more money in America than they ever would in their country of origin.

A mass of part-time nurses accept full-time positions during recessions to keep their households afloat when a breadwinner spouse loses his/her job without notice. Plenty of retired nurses are reactivating their nursing licenses and returning to the nursing workforce due to the high costs of food and fuel, and the effects of rapidly dwindling retirement funds.

This is just some food for thought. This sour economy is resulting in nursing layoffs, low census, and nurses' shifts getting canceled frequently. Just read the many threads and discussions on this forum about new graduate nurses who have been looking for jobs for several months.

PopeJane3rd · Oct 29, 2008

I've been thinking to myself for quite sometime that I am not a people person and would rather work alone. I'm at a crossroads in my life and very unhappy at my current job. I'm waiting to hear by early next year if I've gotten accepted into the nursing program. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure nursing is for me unless I can do something in it really interesting like work in the ER or closely with the medical examiner. Yet I was thinking with this economy being the way it is I may have no other choice right now. Alot of companies are laying off and people are losing jobs. I figure even if I don't like nursing very much I have the ability to move around because they are always hiring for nurses. So say if I'm at a hospital that I hate and coworkers I don't like, it may be easier for me to find another job and jobs for nurses are always available. Whereas if I go into another field the job market may not be as good with this economy.

I'm sorry. I made a typo in this post. I didn't mean to say "if I don't like nursing very much I can move" I meant to say if I don't like the place (hospital, nursing home etc) where I work as a nurse I can move around to another place of employment as a nurse. They are always hiring for nurses where I live, at many different hospitals and such offering huge sign on bonuses.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

I am a hardcore introvert who doesn't like mingling with different people. To be perfectly honest, I'd be far more satisfied working alone.

However, I became involved in nursing due to the supposed career stability, income, and opportunities. While I enjoy the tasks, charting, disease processes, and performance of nursing skills, I cannot stand dealing with people, especially the family members and visitors.

I cope by working night shift so I can have a fairly quiet atmosphere without being bothered by families, visitors, and managers. Day shift is too stressful for me because I am disgusted at the mere thought of having to deal with all the people. While this might sound disturbing, it is true.

My point is that nursing might be a poor career selection for someone who is not a "people person."

Angel0411 · Oct 29, 2008

I really think Nursing is for people who really love the field. The one thing I hate is to interact with someone that is not a people person, especially when dealing with sensitive information..and trust me, it shows no matter how hard you try to hide it.

Also, Nursing school is very difficult. My school requires an 85% or higher to pass every course. There are some days that I just want to throw in the towel. If you don't ave passion behind it...at least in the beginning...what will drive you to follow through?

There are infinite choices out there. I agree that you should speak to a career counselor and find out what is right for you.

PopeJane3rd · Oct 29, 2008

I really think Nursing is for people who really love the field. The one thing I hate is to interact with someone that is not a people person, especially when dealing with sensitive information..and trust me, it shows no matter how hard you try to hide it.
Also, Nursing school is very difficult. My school requires an 85% or higher to pass every course. There are some days that I just want to throw in the towel. If you don't ave passion behind it...at least in the beginning...what will drive you to follow through?
There are infinite choices out there. I agree that you should speak to a career counselor and find out what is right for you.

I'm not a people's person but I do quite well with basic interacting when it comes to job information. I don't do well with people who are overly gossipy, rude, nosy, lazy, thin skinned and judgemental. I get along well with people who are easy going, slow to anger, hard working, and open minded. I may not go out of my way to befriend them but we usually get along quite well on the job.

As far as the studies go, I do well in any course that doesn't require extensive upper level math. I did very well in anatomy, microbiology, terminology etc. When you start talking TRig. calculus, balancing chemical equations, college algebra etc. I will have problems. So I think I'll do well in nursing. The only problem I may have is dealing with pushy trainers in the clinicals.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

I will enjoy reading your posts as you progress through school as if you are having this much doubt now, and have such requirements as "I only want to do ER" "I dont like pushy teachers" "I dont like gossip" I think you will find that school will be a challenge!!