nsc2x

No one is in the same situation I am in. I started a new thread for this reason.

Hello, I've been stressing about what I am about to explain to you for quite some time now and decided to come here for advice. I am currently a pre-nursing student in Tennessee and will apply to my college's nursing program in October. I have spectacular grades and have done well in all of my pre-req's. I'm also a CNA and have been for a little over a year. If I decide to graduate with a BSN I fully expect to apply to an NP program as quickly as I am able because I want education beyond a BSN. There is one issue however that is holding me back from wanting to be a nurse. The facility I work in isn't very pleasant, the lateral violence and "bullying" so to speak really sets a negative vibe towards nursing for me. I know hostility and lateral violence is a common problem among nurses and I am also aware that every facility is different. As a CNA I am treated poorly and I do not want this feeling of unimportance to carry on in to my nursing career as I know graduate nurses are often treated this way as well. The majority of nurses that I have encountered are very unhappy, stressed, mean, and just plain hateful. Are you all unhappy with your jobs that much? Do I need to second guess my career plans? Would you go back and do everything differently? Yes, I know it is a high stress job and burnout is a very real thing that happens. I genuinely enjoy patient care and bettering lives and have wanted to be in the medical field my entire life. From experience would you suggest a college student to redirect their career goals? My backup plan is to major in Biology-Physiology and minor in Chemistry and apply to PA programs. What are the pro/cons of NP vs. PA? I simply need advice and for someone to give me insight.