Nursing student unsure...in fourth semster

TheCareerStudent · Jan 14, 2011

I am curious about the same thing! There are a lot of stereotypes out there about nurses. I am just starting school and already nervous about whether or not they hold much truth.

I will say that reading the way some of the nurses on here talk to other people and bite off heads does not really help with any of the stereotypes. I know some nurses who seem great but there could always be a difference between how a person acts in their personal life versus the professional life.

So I am anxious to see what the nurses will say in reply to your post.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 14, 2011

I am very happy being a nurse but that said I would not have had the maturity to do it successfully as a 19 year old. My hat is off to the awesome younger nurses I have known.

andazola · Jan 15, 2011

When you say fourth semester, do you mean after this semester you are going to graduate with your BSN? If you are just 4 semester in college I would ask an advisor about other degree plans that can count the classes you have already completed.

sicushells, RN · Jan 15, 2011

Nursing is hard, hard work. You're typically caring for sick people, and sick people tend not to be nice. They often have family members who are seriously stressed out, and thus, are not very nice. However, some people are really sweet and appreciative and I can tell you that there are several patients who are still frequently in my thoughts, heart and prayers, even though I haven't seen them in years. But nursing is physically, emotionally and mentally challenging- I honestly think it is THE hardest job in the world. The pay is good, but not amazing (not nearly in keeping with how exhausting it is). As a career, it's fairly stable, especially if you stay bedside and don't divert narcotics. There are a ton of things you can do in nursing. I, for example, don't always "love" taking care of people, but I do love teaching them how to care for themselves. I love making stressed and overwhelmed patients and families feel empowered and educated. I love when I have a patient who is absolutely miserable, but I can crack a stupid joke or hold their hand, and get a smile out of them. I hate the politics that sometimes get in the way of good patient care. I hate that I never leave absolutely everything done and the work I do will never, ever be finished (though that does lead back to the "job security" thing). Something that's hard about seeing nursing from the outside in, is that the public and media often portray nurses as divinely inspired or something. You've probably heard that nursing is a "calling" and there's so much mythology that makes nurses out to be some sort of angel of mercy, who tirelessly and selflessly helps sick patients with nothing in it for herself. The reality is that nursing is just a job. Typically I go home after twelve hours and (try) NOT to think about work. Often at work, especially when it's bad, I think about nothing but the paycheck I'm going to get. So if you're not feeling "called" to nursing, or you don't think you can care for people day after day with no break and a full bladder- none of us can. I guess what I'm getting at is, if you're scared off by some nurses venting online about nursing, don't be.

So, rambling over.

-You said your mom suggested nursing and you made a "mature" decision to major in nursing in college. What drew you to nursing when your mom suggested it?

-What is it you think you'll get out of a nursing career?

-Shadow an actual nurse in an actual hospital if you can (instead of listening to us b**** online). If you don't know any nurses, see about volunteering in a hospital over the summer, or working as a CNA. Those are all smaller steps that will solidify what nursing has to offer and what the stressors are.

-That said, I didn't really know what nurses did until I was almost done with school, so even if you do all of that, you're still going to have to take a leap of faith- but that's true of any career.

What ever you do, best of luck to you!

lsk40 · Jan 15, 2011

I think you might have the wrong idea this is a site of nurses a place where nurses can vent to other nurses that understand what they are going through and people usally don't talk about the good but about the bad there are alot of good things about nursing too you will see if you stay in the program

noahsmama · Jan 15, 2011

I am just starting to research the state of health care and nursing and this website aboutmyjob.com really kind of portrays nursing in a crappy light. Almost all of the reports are of how crappy nursing is...and I started to think about how why there's a shortage in nursing.

That's great that you're trying to research this field before going into it. You should therefore know that THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE!!!!!! At least, not now, not in most areas of the country. If the idea that there is a nursing shortage is playing any role in your decision about whether or not to go into the field, you should know that currently most new grad nurses are having an extremely hard time finding jobs. This may or may not change by the time you graduate.

Burlshoe114 · Jan 15, 2011

I agree with everything said above.

How happy you are in your nursing job depends so much on so many factors - What job you are doing (there is a BIG difference between what a day-shift OB RN experiences, versus a night-shift trauma nurse, versus a volunteer parish or clinic nurse), what kind of co-worker dynamic you have (I have been on floors with excellent teamwork and floors where it was dog-eat-dog). Managers also play a BIG role in how happy nurses are in their fields. Get a bad one and you can end up in a very unhappy place, even if the job is good.

I believe in always listening to what your instincts are telling you. There are many jobs in Healthcare that don't involve nursing that still pay well and have openings - Pharmacy, Radiology, Dental, etc. Talk with your advisor and see what they say.

Good luck!

jo1828 · Jan 15, 2011

I was going through the same thing in nursing school...i threatened to quit about every other day. I felt like nursing didn't come naturally, felt inadequate, had other interests...but now, almost 6 months out as an RN on a tele floor at a major teaching hospital, i LOVE my job. There's still awful days where i go home and cry...but for me, being a nurse is soooo much better than being in nursing school...and looking back, it was all the precious little moments connecting with patients that made me keep on going.

So, no one can make the decision for you...but know that being a nurse is a TON different from being a student.

Heart4hearts · Jan 15, 2011

Sounds like you chose your major, based on another person's wishes for you, and you are still trying to figure out who you are and what you enjoy. Have you

sat down w your college career counselor? There are assessments, at no cost to you, which suggest careers, according to your personality, interests, and strengths....some of which you might not have considered.

I think it's great that you

are recognizing that this might not be your ideal fit, early enough to make a change, without investing too much time and effort!

Dennis DeAguero · Jan 15, 2011

Kris, my name is Dennis, I recently graduated from a college After studing for LVN

I still need to study for the NCLEX test. I am looking for somebody

To study with. I have asked everyone in my class if I could study, but

noone has time to study with me. Do you know where I can look for

Someone to study with? I have found that I can remember more information

If I study with another person.

Dennis DeAguero · Jan 15, 2011

Hi, My name is Dennis , I recently graduated from LVN

nursing school, and I am looking for another student who would

Like to study with me. Iam studying for the NCLEX test.

Please contact me at [email protected].