KitKat416

Thank you all so much for your very thorough responses! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

Hello! First off, I'd like to say I'm sorry for posting another question like this- I know this question has been tossed around the forums many times. But I'm asking it again because the LAST thing I want to do is become a nurse and realize it's nothing like I thought or wanted it to be... I am a freshman at a university with a really good nursing school. I've wanted to be a nurse for a while, because I want to help and care for people. I want to have a job where I can make a difference. Blood and guts, bodily fluids, etc. don't scare me off. I am fascinated by the human body, and how it recovers from illness and disease. And, I like to use my brain. But here's the thing- I've been doing research, and talking to the nurses I know, and pretty much everyone is trying to talk me out of it, the biggest argument being that it's not what it used to be. Basically, that the technology and the demand for productivity are the focus now, and there's almost no time to genuinely care for the patients. On top of that, it's so demanding physically, mentally and emotionally that most nurses have health problems, are depressed, etc. and don't really feel fulfilled by their jobs/are totally burnt out. And the new grads can't even find jobs a lot of times.. Is this the true nature of it now? Is it that bad? Does the good outweigh the bad? I want to know the cold, hard truth before I dedicate myself to this. (If I don't do nursing, I'll probably get my undergrad in something else with the intent of going to occupational therapy school). Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!!!!

Thank you or your honest response. I appreciate it! I honestly OT would be better for me just because of my personality, I guess I'm just having a hard time dropping the nursing idea.

Hello all, I am a sophomore at a school known for it's programs in health care professions. I wanted to be a nurse since I was a young child, but people (in many cases, nurses) have tried to talk me out of it, saying it's too stressful, or that it's not a good career to have for a long time, etc. So, I got really interested in occupational therapy, and am currently a psychology/pre-OT major. I thought I'd be really interested in OT because I love working with people who have disabilities, and I am. But I'm still stuck on nursing. I need to decide this semester if I'm going to switch to nursing so I can get all my ducks in a row for nursing school admission. I want to be a nurse because I want to really have the opportunity to care for people. I can handle blood and bodily fluids, etc. I really admire many of the women I know who are nurses. I also don't want to be in school forever. And, I'm in the Honors program at my university, and all pre nursing students in honors are given automatic acceptence into the college of nursing upon completion of their pre requisites. Any thoughts on nursing vs OT? Any nurses wish you had done something else? I can't decide between the two, though I worry that nursing is really as bad as everyone keeps telling me, or that maybe I'd get bored as an OT. Any input at all would be awesome! Thank you :)