"Tell Him Not To Go Into Nursing"

[californiadreaming]

Hello everyone,

My son told me he was changing careers and was going back to school to be a RN. I told him I thought it was a great idea and he would make a great one.

Today, I went to a new doctor for an exam. The person who took my blood was very nice and we starting talking about my family and I mentioned my son was going back to school to be a RN (presently taking pre-reqs.)

She told me she would not want her kids to be a nurse, especially in a hospital! She went on and on how I should convince my son to forget nursing and go into something else. Needless to say, I left a bit perplexed and wondering if I should tell my son to reconsider his career change.

It seems everyone I've talked to says the say thing....nursing is too stressful, bad hours, terrible work conditions, poor management, hateful co-workers.....

Is this true?

As a Mom, should I tell him what I've been told?

Thanks for reading my post.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I've been following my dream for over 10 yrs now. After high school, I went to work in a factory and eventually realized that I didn't want to spend my whole life there. I became a CNA and began nursing school part time. I had a 2 children along the way and will hopefully finish in May. I could care less what anyone else sais about nursing, for me it has been a dream. I can't wait to begin working as a rn. I became a lpn last summer and just took a job in long term care while progressing on in the program. It is the hardest job I've ever had in health care, but I love it. The pay is much better than when I worked in the factory too. There are unlimited avenues to pursue. From insurance nursing, homecare, corrections, icu, med surg, er, etc there simply are no true limits. Tell your son to go for it!

[ShayRN]

First of all, just because someone in a doctor's office is taking your blood pressure that does NOT mean they are a nurse. Even if she was speaking with a boatload of authority on the subject of hospital nursing, doesn't mean she is a nurse. She could have been a unit clerk on a unit.

All that aside...I agree with the above poster. Some people just cannot handle stress, any stress. Me? I couldn't sit behind a desk typing and answering phones all day. I would go out of my mind in 2.3 seconds. I love the constant hustle of a busy unit. Loved the stress of my cardiac floor. Loved the humor my days in corrections brought me (nothing like it in the world if you haven't done it.) Now, I am greatful for the insight and courage my dying patients in Hospice show me. You couldn't pay me all the money in the world to do anything else.

[nghtfltguy, BSN, RN]

do NOT think that it would not be a wise carreer choice......if he wants to go into nusing then encourage him... it is not a bad choice...for the most part it pays well.. excellent benifits... respect..and a personal well-being... not to mention the fact of job security...

with the nusing shortage he can work anywhere....

i applaude your son and wish him well.. nursing is a great field to work in!!!!!

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I've never done anything that was all fun, all the time, but anything that even came close cost me money. Nursing isn't a really easy way to make a living, but it has its compensations, including fairly decent wages. Nursing isn't for everybody, and there's a risk of going into it and finding you hate it.

Couple of nights ago, working with a great kid about half my age, we had occassion to discuss, briefly and without fuss, which of us would hold up the patient's testicles and which would swab his rectum. We both later agreed that was a conversation neither of us would ever have expected to have, and though we are a generation apart, I'm sure our dads would have been equally proud of us.

But, hey, you know, it pays the bills, and it needed to be done.

[RFWB]

I just finished school and started working as an LPN about 2 months ago. I spent the last 10 years in a completely unrelated career.

You should share what you've heard with your son, but be sure to paint it for what it is - unsolicited advice from an unfamiliar, and not necessarily reliable, source.

I have to tell you, there are some aspects of nursing that I'm finding to be pretty unsavory and even a little surprising. But I'm not stupid, I researched the career I was transitioning into, and part of me expected some of what I'm getting.

There are shifts when I think "what the H*ll have I gotten myself into?!?". Then I have a great experience with a patient where I feel like I've really made a difference because of the care I've given, and it makes it worth while. Those great moments are sometimes few and fleeting admidst the craziness and stress of the day-to-day reality of being a nurse. But I'm finding that they are SO worth it.

Anybody who says that it's a dream is either working in a blissful fairyland hospital that I've yet to see or hear of, or they are painting you an overly pretty and simplistic picture. Conversely, anyone who says "don't do it" and tells you horror stories is probably pretty deeply displeased because of their own unrealistic expectations (see above!), isn't adjusting well to the realities, and probably shouldn't really be believed either.

Don't let your son have a rose-tinted view of what he's getting into. We see people at their worst. The stress can create some very nasty trends in the environment and culture of the profession. It can be, and often is, ugly. But it is a GREAT thing that nurses do, and I think the hard-won rewarding moments are made more worthwhile by the hard parts.

It's not easy. Nothing really worthwhile ever is. But it IS worthwhile. As long as your son really knows what he's getting into, he'll be cool.

[talaxandra]

Nursing isn't for everyone, but it was the best decision I ever made. If your son wants to study nursing, or even look into it, I think it's a great idea - inursing is a recession-proof, portable career that allows you to work almost anywhere in a huge range of areas, from pediatrics to geriatrics, intensive care to long term care, in hospitals or jail, or in people's homes and in the bush, as part of a team or on your own. You get to make meaningful change in a person's life almost every day (if you're lucky), come in contact with a wide variety of people that cover the spectrum of nationalities, personalities and backgrounds, and work with some of the best people to walk the earth.

[Laught3r]

When I was considering becoming a Nurse I asked many Nurses why they became Nurses if it is considered to be so stressful and difficult. One 30+ year Nurse explained it this way " The Peace Corps said it best its 'The toughest job you'll ever love'" Now that I have been a Nurse a while, I totally agree.:pumpiron:

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

It's not easy that is for sure, and it can be demanding but I love it. Yes it isn't for anyone and if your son is one that can't handle stress or deal with people then I might say eh you might not want to do that. Keyword being might.

But if he is willing to work and actually wants to help people I say go for. Plus the pay is awesome! =D And then once you get experiance you can go anywhere!

[Vtachy1]

I am the odd one here I guess. If you want to have no life and no family, then I say go for it.

Also if you don't mind your license flapping in the wind every time you go to work the long stressful adrenaline filled shifts, then go for it!

I am in a rural area and I can't move (I am tied down here, we built a lovely home on my dad's farm, and I am the sole caregiver for my 90 year old grandma)

Believe me, I've tried to get those telephonic nurse jobs and insurance jobs. I'm not giving up on my job search. I am burned out and I never got to see my family when I was at the hospital. Even when there is a rare instance that you get a day off, they call you in. My phone rings off the wall, to the point that I NEVER answer it anymore because I know exactly who it is. ICU needing help AGAIN!!! I've been in it for 19 years and I hate nursing. Or I guess I should say that I hate nursing while having a precious family that you never get to see. Before I had 2 kids, I could devote my everything to nursing, and it wasn't as bad. But if my kids want a mom, I can't work at the hospital. I've seen what other moms' kids turn out to be, maybe its just a coincidence but I have seen lots of nurses kids end up in drug rehab, teen pregnancies, the list goes on and on with my colleagues kids.

[NICU Mama]

I have to TOTALLY disagree with the above poster! Part of why I chose a nursing career is because I also wanted a family. I wanted a job that could be flexible. I see my family way more now than when I worked 8-5 five days a week. And we NEVER had to put my kids in daycare. My husband and I work around each other's schedules so we are always there for our kids. Working full time is only 3x/week. If the hospital calls because they are short-staffed and are looking for me to work an extra shift, it's up to me to work it or not. They can't force me to work more than what I was hired to work. And if I want to work it, it's great extra pay. I feel bad for the previous poster who hates her nursing job and feels she never sees her family. It's people like that who stay in their jobs miserable, who make everyone around them miserable too.

If you son wants to shadow a nurse for a day, have him contact HR and talk with a recruiter. They should be able to set something up for him. It's a great opportunity for him to see what it's like first hand.

Good luck!

[BornToCare]

"The career opportunities for a man in nursing are fantastic. (Just as for women.) I don't regret my career change at 47 in the least."

My husband is in his early 40's and attending nursing school. Before nursing he'd been in the military overseas, and his stories of the military was all he ever really spoke about. He had truly enjoyed his career. Since leaving the military he'd worked in hospitality (which can be stressful) and he knew it was time for a change. He told me he saw how I would come home hyped up about enjoying being a nurse who felt she was making a difference by really helping someone. So after much debate he went for it. Now, my husband comes home with stories about his clinicals, and I see he's as excited as he use to be when he spoke of his military days! I am happy he's found his second calling!! Tell your son to follow his heart! As it says printed on one of my co-workers shirts, "nursing is the toughest job you'll ever love!" And it really is!! At least for this nurse =)

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

don't let someone who is unhappy with their own career choices make decisions for you or your son. If he wants to go to nursing school, then so be it. If he is unhappy, then he can make that decision for himself and choose to find another aspect of nursing or move on.