Crystal112

Is it possible to be a fit nurse (doing 12 hour shifts)? How do you combat that? Can you be physically healthy and mentally happy? In general, of course you will have the bad days. And can you age well as a nurse, even with all the stress, with good diet and exercise and learn to do so? Also, why are shifts for twelve hours?

Here in Canada, nurses do have unions.

I am just curious, what are the chances of being fired as a nurse...and what would be the main reasons in the nursing field? And how can I prevent such an occurence? I've been fired working at a retail store and it pretty much scarred me for life. However, every other job I've had was stable. Is being fired easy?

So, what would be good reasons to go into nursing? I heard one is if you like to deal with people at their worse. Edited: At their most vulnerable*

I think that's a good idea, bds.

It beats a student who blindly goes into it thinking (s)he will be into a career of appreciation and fluffing pillows. >.> It's a life-changing decision. To be even honest...Questioning it is a GOOD thing. It gives a sense of what to expect...and it's better that a student asks questions in all aspects. Nothing wrong with it. I would think it may be deadly if a student never questioned anything - especially if it's a student in healthcare or heavy labored jobs. What is so wrong with asking this question?:igtsyt::w00t:

I think after my psych released information about me... he may have changed his mind... Not quite sure... but he seemed slightly less vocal about it when he learned I had issues with confidence, etc.

If you were to make reasons to not go into nursing, what would they be? When I interviewed a nurse, his number one reason was MONEY. 1. Money What are some additional reasons?

With all the stresses a nurse generally deals with plus the shift work times (crazy twelve hour shifts from seven in the morning and seven at night), is it possible for nurses to stay fit throughout their lives and not just when they are young? I am just wondering if the stress of being a nurse is worth it... or the toll it takes on the body is worth going into nursing...even with decent pay to help keep physical fitness (example: being able to afford swimming lessons). It's definitely not a career for people who are in it for the money...burnout will most likely happen. What strikes me as odd is that this profession is female dominated, why is it? I've also heard that females were more likely to suffer from depression than men. So, would that mean if nursing was a male dominated profession it is easier for them to handle the emotional toll? I don't know...in some respects, I feel like nursing might be better male dominated? In the context of the gender-depression fact. Just like I think businesses should be more female dominated... because I've always thought that men were less compassionate in the business world..etc...Just a personal opinion.

I suppose feeling old can increase looking old, vice versa too.

Oh, OP, I feel your pain. I have been in a similar situation where I felt like quitting and I did quit... It took me a while to realise that the topic / subject wasn't the problem, but I was the problem. The bad grades were due to MY studying habits and that needed to be change. Discipline is the biggest problem..So although i can't offer any adivce about nursing school, I was told a couple of things by other nurses. (both young and one I had interviewed today after class...he was sweet) Anyway: 1. It is normal that there will be times when you will try and want to quit and feel not cut out for it. 2. First year (or slightly over) is a shock to the system. 3. If you are solely in it for the money, you will burn out eventually. 4. Take this as an obstacle - a test of character, a challenge. Rather than admitting early defeat. *hugs* I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat. You have to ask yourself is it the habits, something you are doing wrong that is causing you to be discouraged and wanting to quit...or if you genuinely hate it. I'm just surprised that you completely hate direct patient care...that one baffles me a bit. My heart goes out to you.

I am a student contemplating nursing... thanks for your reply! I've heard that people can psychologically age which causes physical aging...Hmm...

Due to the stress and the physical toll it has on the body. Do nurses generally look older than they actually are? I am actually scared about this...it's on a top list of fears. 1. Aging quicker than average due to the stress? 2. affects your personal relationships? 3. contracting disease that is incurable

It sounds like a case of bad timing and untactfulness...other than that...the OP didn't actually do anything wrong or immoral. I do think you got yelled at because the VC felt being used and not for volunteering. With that being said, I wouldn't blame the OP for trying to get an interview through volunteering...

Actually, when I contemplated nursing, I volunteered at the hospital in the pediatric ward. It was great! In the longest time, I generally felt like I did something worthy and I just wasn't a waste of human space...I didn't sit on my butt and decided to become one...I went out to check out the enivonrment and such.

Again, it's I honestly THINK it is...not so much that I know...

Hmm..Tx... I'm not exactly crushed by what you are telling me...but... let's see you try to handle a whole family that verbally and psychologically abused you continuously for SIX years minimum (but it started in childhood)...I don't feel sorry for myself, and not once have I contemplated suicide..in my opinion, that's a form of thick skin right there...be me, and see where the confidence will lie, and how your anxiety is afterwards in the Asian culture. How you would turn out... it isnt a pretty sight... Trust me, you will then understand how I am feeling. I wasn't born a wimp and yes, I have to work hard at science. This isn't some sob story I'm telling, this is just an insight. I can spot the irony though...it's people (like you and the counselor) who say you "shouldn't" or "can't" that contributes to the source of WHY I am the way I am. But the credit given is that you are saying it with reason and the fact that you are a nurse. Do you have any idea what it's like to always be told you'll never amount to anything Or you suck at everything? Or that you'll always be last in everything when you are twelve up to adulthood? To get laughed at and be told you'll get fired...everytime you tried something new? To be told that you are ALWAYS doing something wrong? And at first you'll be able to brush that aside, it isn't a big deal. But it gets exhausting. They are just a couple of comments here and there... Am I being punished for something I did a long long time ago that I did not seek redemption for? I don't know if nursing is right for me. And I take your words as a warning. Funny thing is, this whole thing is very much a cycle I have to break...nursing or not nursing... whatever career.

I see. Well, if it's other circumstances that's fine. I just thought your whole objective based on the nay sayers. Thanks!

You spend a decade or two proving someone wrong??? I'm just disappointed because it seems like a career I enjoy. If someone told me I wasn't fit for a career and didn't want to do it, I wouldn't care... That sounds unsatisfying and a lose-lose situation.. You may have proved her wrong, but are you enjoying the quality of your life? Was it worth proving them wrong? I'm not entering nursing school just to prove someone wrong, I'm thinking about entering because I honestly think it's the right career.

One of my biggest mistakes was just that - I didn't follow my heart the first time and ignored my want to go into nursing because I often thought that nurses didn't get the respect during high school. and it was looked down upon and such. most of my friends have the mentality of 'going into med cuz its prestigeous' type of thing happening. Now because I didn't following my heart in high school, I missed my chance of getting in plus now I have to take pre-requisites.

Thanks guys! It's really that obvious I need a psych, huh? (I already am seeing one). Progress has been great.

Hi guys! To answer a couple of questions... 1. My counsellor & psych sort of know each other (they work my college and they used to work at the same department), so I don't know how much I should tell them. On top of that, I recently gave my career counsellor permission to access information my psych has about me. (same day he said nursing may not be right for me). My career counsellor also has buddies in the nursing field. And I 100% realise he never truly belittled me or insulted me, but he has shaken my sense of direction and he has been added to my personal list of nay-sayers in my life (I really hope he didn't make the list, but he did). I'm not angry at him or offended, but disappointed. Even though it bites, he was being honest, and that is something worthy of recognising. 2. Chem is really the only thing I struggle with ultimately and that was because of anxiety in the lab. I am reconsidering taking it again, but other than that, I had mostly eighties in high school. Now in university, it is a different matter though. My grades aren't as high but I am taking this semester to improve. Math - I have to work hard at it, but I ended up with decent marks in general. 3. I have had other healthcare experiences - I did administration for my doctor (nothing illegal though) but it did give me a good grip on the reality and what it's like to work in healthcare. People are demanding and ungrateful for the Canadian healthcare system, people will lie and cheat to get meds / drugs, people will demand certain appointment times, people will yell at you, emotionally abuse you. And I will not be surprised if one day I would be physically abused. People will put their frustrations / anger on you because of the medical problems they have and you become their punching bag. And that was just a small taste. I know a spine is needed. 4. I have also volunteered in a hospital when I considered nursing. It gave me joy. 5. My cousin is a nurse and she is not good with chemistry / math or science. So some of the practical things I have learned: 1. I need a spine. Need to be assertive (and rarely aggressive) 2. I have to stand bodily fluids and strong disgusting odors. (which I found that I didn't mind that much, nor was I disgusted with anatomies). 3. I need to always practice safe habits / procedures. 4. I need to learn how to emotionally cope with situations. Because I will be subjected to emotional abuse. 5. Assume that people have many contagious disease they may not even be aware of. 6. Communicate well with patients. These are some of the things I am completely aware of. Outside of nursing questions and on a more personal level: I also had a chat with a sibling...she thinks that I am way more normal than I should have turned out to be given the fact that my parents have psychologically abused me (unaware of the long terms effects). In comparison, the only bad thing about me is low confidence and bad grades, and yeah, sadness. On occasion, angry and sometimes I have skewed perceptions on life. She is one of my feedback sources and thinks nursing isn't right for me at the moment due to the confidence issues that affect my academic standing. But once I get this thing tackled, then she thinks I will stand a chance. My sibling said to me, and if she were subjected to the same sort of treatment I was getting since early childhood from my parents , quote, "I would be dead." ( Don't get me wrong, my parents are with good intentions but have awful ways of doing so...I love my parents and I have a good relationship with them now, but the effects are still there...and to some degree, they still haven't changed but I have learnt to deal with it). I've withstand at least 6+ years of psychological abuse and yes, it has landed me on a nice comfy chair in a psych's couch. But what I come to realise (today) is that I do have the sensibility to do what is needed to change for the better. I am willing to do it...and it isn't going to be easy. I am DEFINITELY on my way to develop better confidence. My anxiety (especially social) has significantly improved. It bugs me when people tell me I can't do anything right and then wonder why I have low confidence. Do I think I have what it takes? At the moment I am not sure of what the academic requirements are so I am seeing the academic advisor soon and see where I stand and what needs to be done. But I do have the desire. I realise medicine and nursing are one of the few fields that are only worth pursuing (and being happy with it) if you want it...for the most part. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!:heartbeat

I am seeing a psychologist for a year now, that part has been pretty helpful. I'm progressing quite a bit. Thanks for all the support!

so, if this is the wrong one place to post, please feel free to move it...but no one has responded so far in the career section, so i'm thinking it might be the wrong one to post. hey guys, i saw a career counsellor not too long ago and he told me that he doesn't think nursing is the right career. i don't have anything personal against the advisor, but i honest feel a bit crushed and saddened. almost as if he shook my sense of direction. he's goal is not to insult me, and i do not feel offended...just really really sad. the career advisor asked me about what i see in a work environment and many other questions. i answered honestly...now he feels it isn't right and i feel like i need to justify my want... i also have anxiety ...low confidence...and i suck at chemistry and math....at the same time, i feel like a suck at everything else i do anyway... i have an appointment to see another academic advisor for what i need to do to be a nursing student / get accepted and then i will be seeing the career counsellor again. because i have anxiety, my grades aren't high. and i realize nursing is highly competitive. i am in second year of university. he might have said nursing may not be right for me out of many reasons...it may be the emotionally demanding aspects...the work environment...the patient interaction...etc...whatever reason it is... i do believe he was talking in realistic terms... i feel like everyone keeps telling me "you can't" or "you shouldn't" and then they wonder why i have no confidence and it feeds into a cycle. nursing is the only thing i have interest in, but i was afraid of it at first...i don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been. sure, i've heard nursing pays a lot, but i have a strong sense that nursing is not a field where i would go in it for the money. if it's anything, it's more of a bonus. i know that nursing takes a great deal of hard work once you graduate, the hard work is continous. can someone give me any advice? i am very broken hearted. :vlin: i can't accept my limits... because i have so many of them i might as well work in a low wage job. i want to push myself. my ambition in life may just to get married. the end. i'm sad, because i have to work hard for everything in high school and even hard work didn't pay off. by the time i got to university, i felt so defeated and i'm giving up. to always be told you can't this and you can't that by many people...takes it's toll after 6 - 10 years. if i try and fail... people will just be like, 'i told you so, why didn't you listen to me in the first place? " if i don't try... i will spend the rest of my life dreaming instead of working towards it...or wondering what could have been. is life even worth living if you can't do things you want, be like every other depressed adult who lived an unfulfilling life when it isn't necessary?

Thanks for the chat!