Re-training to become a nurse--is it worth the sacrifice?

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Specializes in Medical.

I'm having serious doubts about going into nursing. I have a BS in public health admin., worked in hospital admin. for about 5 years & became interested in community health nursing. On the recommendation of a nurse co-worker, I went to work (3 weeks ago) as a LTC CNA to find out what patient care was like. I found out I can do the work, cleaning up toilet messes and vomit, etc. I can even manage the heavy lifting. But I don't know if I can handle the gloom; so many of the staffers are miserable, unfriendly & lazy. They hide from tough jobs or do them halfway. I'm hit up twice a week to take a shift by the very coworkers who snap orders at me and usually won't give me the time of day. I go home feeling that maybe I made someone's day a little better, but overwhelmed by the feeling that it's just not enough. Other doubts: My age--I'm a healthy, youthful 50 year old. I'll be 53 when I graduate. The program I'm in is an expensive private school ADN program, which means that I'm borrowing big $$$ when I should be saving for retirement & helping my kids. What am I getting myself into?? Unfortunately, many of the posts on this site only confirm (my fear) that nursing is a thankless grind. Is it really worth it? School starts soon & I can't sleep.

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I'm not a nurse, so I can't give you the benefit of years of experience. But I am a career changer (I'm 42) and right now I don't have doubts about going back to school. I've finished a year and I discovered during my clinical rotations (three hospitals so far) that the cultures can vary from hospital to hospital and from unit to unit.

Nursing is more than just a job. It's also about the health and well-being of people. How could that not be worth the sacrifice?

There are real problems in the field of nursing, as I see it. Hopefully, I will find the strength to not just do my job but to work for change in the profession, possibly with a union. If things were better for nurses, nurses would be better.

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

[ What am I getting myself into?? Unfortunately, many of the posts on this site only confirm (my fear) that nursing is a thankless grind. Is it really worth it?

Yes, it is worth it! I dont think that I would personally say it is a thankless grind. It is alot of stress and work. I too have found that many in the medical field as a whole are unhappy and tend to take it out on others. What keeps me going is the thought that by something I say or do can make a big difference in the life of my patient. To hear those words "Thank you, for being so kind and caring", is all that is needed for me. If I can leave work knowing that I made a difference even for one person, then the day was a success. There are people out there that will want to make your day just as miserable as theirs has been, but I do not let them. Sure some days I come home moaning and complaining about being treated poorly by a patient, but I do not take it to heart. It is my opinion that the staff you work with can make you more miserable than any patient could. Find a place you are respected and treated well, it will make a difference.

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Specializes in Medical.

I know LTC is not a great way to get an overview of all that nursing has to offer. I agree whole-heartedly that helping people is worth the sacrifice. The “sacrifice” I’m worried about is my family’s. I feel I am sacrificing their financial future, not building one.

One place to make a change in nursing would be to offer more financial support for students. More money is going to school nursing faculties—great, but the students aren’t getting any relief, really. More will be admitted while plunking down ever-more tuition dollars.

Yes, unionizing an urgent-need profession like nursing would make sense. There is so much resistance, though; resistance is stronger than the will to organize. Talking union costs jobs. Too bad.

Thanks for your thoughtful & thought-provoking posts!

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

Try to find a less expensive program, maybe, but if it's what you want to do, go for it!!

You'll be 53 in 3 years in any case!

You can't judge the entire profession from one experience. And remember that most of us come here to vent, which may not give you a balanced view of things.

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Specializes in Float.

Grace,

It sounds like the financial side is worrying you. Are there ANY other options besides an expensive school? Are there not any community colleges in your area? Could you at least take your gen ed at a cheaper school?

I go to a very reputable community college and pay a whopping $1100/semester..all of which is covered with a Pell Grant. I get books online used.

Three big things I've learned you should know:

1) find out what intern options are in your area. you may be able to work as an intern PRN during your last year, more during breaks, which pays better than a CNA.

2) Find out what kind of loan repayment plans are available from area hospitals. Many will repay part of your loans when you go to work for them. in my area it's $250/month

3) Find out if any of the hospitals pay tuition. Area hospitals around my area will pay your tuition and sometimes books in exchange for an agreement to work for them. I haven't done this but many have. some "forgive" $x every 6 months. Some repay one yr tuition for one yr service, which would be really great if you have expensive tuition lol

Lastly - how will your salary change? Does nursing pay better than your current income? If so, then you will be making a worthwhile investment.

But seriously look (QUICKLY) into community colleges. Some have spring admission and have August deadlines for application.

HTH! I was always scared of the sacrifice but I finally jumped in with both feet and now I graduate this spring and have a great job as a nurse intern!

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I am right there with you. I am going back and the way I look at it I may have to work forever, and we will always need nurses in some capacity. Also, I like the flexibility. I like the challenge that this is giving my mind. I just got my final grade and I got an A in A&P. That really helped my confidence in going back to school!

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

I agree with the post saying that LTC is sometimes not the greatest place to get an idea about what it's like to be a nurse.

If you worked in hospital admin., did you not hear any of the concerns nurses had at your facility? Think back to what the atmosphere was like in your previous job.

You might try getting a job as an ED tech. or ICU tech. That would give you a much better idea of the hospital environment. LTC is not for everybody, and I'd hate to see you get discouraged just by one area.

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I'm having serious doubts about going into nursing. I have a BS in public health admin., worked in hospital admin. for about 5 years & became interested in community health nursing. On the recommendation of a nurse co-worker, I went to work (3 weeks ago) as a LTC CNA to find out what patient care was like. I found out I can do the work, cleaning up toilet messes and vomit, etc. I can even manage the heavy lifting. But I don't know if I can handle the gloom; so many of the staffers are miserable, unfriendly & lazy. They hide from tough jobs or do them halfway. I'm hit up twice a week to take a shift by the very coworkers who snap orders at me and usually won't give me the time of day. I go home feeling that maybe I made someone's day a little better, but overwhelmed by the feeling that it's just not enough. Other doubts: My age--I'm a healthy, youthful 50 year old. I'll be 53 when I graduate. The program I'm in is an expensive private school ADN program, which means that I'm borrowing big $$$ when I should be saving for retirement & helping my kids. What am I getting myself into?? Unfortunately, many of the posts on this site only confirm (my fear) that nursing is a thankless grind. Is it really worth it? School starts soon & I can't sleep.

No one can really answer this for you. You are wise to consider all the pros and cons. I will pray for God to guide you. If you do go for it, you will have about 12 or 16 years to work before you can retire at 70 for full SS benefits, I think. That's time to earn a pension, too. If you work for the VA, you will get top dollar as pay and at retirement. As for the personalities you will encounter, well, you will meet some great people and plenty of bytches (of both genders).

I wish you the best.

Why do you want to leave PH Admin? What type of Nursing do you think you might want to do?

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Specializes in Medical.

The decision is mine to make, I know. As to why I left PH Admin., masters degrees are the norm for moving up and, in my locale, men dominate in the key roles. The Boys' Club does exist. But, as in nursing, we need good administrators in health care. Maybe I should take another look at admin. Thanks to all of you for your posts--they've been really helpful. This is a great site!

(My nursing interest is community health--part of my job involved coordinating health screenings. So much care needs to be provided outside the doctor's office.)

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Specializes in RN.

To be honest with NO I have been a nurse for many years since I was young and the job is becoming harder and harder, people moan and complain more now than they ever used to. No matter what is said to you on here about how wonderful nursing is, and it can be at 50 you are a healthy individual but I doubt you will be that at 55 after years of lifting and walking and no breaks has wreaked havock in your life.Oh yeah add a dose of walking on egg shells and wondering if you are going to be written up and you have a case of depression to add to the ruined back.

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