Realistic expectations of a nursing career

[jenoglv]

Good Morning,

I am contimplating going back to school to be a nurse in the near future, and was wondering if anyone is willing to share any expectations I should have about choosing this as my career? Realistically, how many hours does one work a week, what are the shift times like, what is the pay like (if you're comfortable sharing), how hard is it to get into your preferred speciality (I'd like to L&D)? Any information is appriciated. I just don't want to go into this with rose colored glasses. I am also a single mother with no other parent in the picture, so am I crazy for wanting to go into nursing?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Do some research into your local job market.Start reading the want ads for nurses in your area.In my local paper I have not seen anything( for an RN or LPN) full time within a 90 min commutein months.There are plenty of agency positions but all are "as needed" in a variety of settings.Just remember that nursing is a 24 hour a day,seven days a week year around commitmen .Don't accept an entry level position and not expect to work your share of Christmas days.....

[tutulisewa]

... Hello, I'm appauled by the negative comments about being a nurse. If you nurses hate your job so much, look for another carreer or retire. I'm currently a Patient Care Tech (CNA). I know how it is working in a hospital enviroment, and have worked all the floors, and departments. I know what the nurses do, how much they get payed (which is not that bad for new grads by the way) It mostly depends at which hospital you work at. The hospital I used to work at was not a good experience for me, the nurses were mean, and the charge nurse also. Everywhere else, nurses are happy, and treat me with respect. Maybe those miserable nurses on these posts work in hospitals with low low pay, aweful co-workers, and crazy mean floor managers. Some departments are very tough and stressful, and will give you alot of experience to where it will prepare you for anything. It all depends on what floor you work on. After about a year like here in NM, a nurse has to have one or two years experience to get on PRN or agency nursing (which pays WAY more) and will give you overtime, and the flexibility to be free to choose the days you wish to work. I know many single mom nurses who made it through school, and told me that it was totally worth it, as long as you have family support to help you with kids etc. I do ALOT of the work taking care of patients and have seen everything, go home stressed sometimes, but I love what I do, and its worth it! I can't wait to be a nurse..I always have a smile on my face, and bring that to the patients, even if the floor is short of techs, have many total care patients. I see how the nurses love their jobs, and often ask questions like do they like being a nurse, and I watch them too. I'm so sorry you had to hear all of the negativity from these miserable nurses..nursing is the BEST carreer to ever choose, school is hard and anyone can make it if they dedicate themselves. Good luck!

[Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN]

I don't mean to be contrary to tutulisewa, but when I was trying to make the decision whether or not to pursue nursing, it was the negative posts that helped me the most. I would puruse this website looking for the rants, the vents, and the most negative posts. My reasoning was I figured I could handle the good stuff. Everybody enjoys good stuff. Whether or not I felt I could handle the bad stuff determined my decision to pursue nursing or not pursue nursing.

I'm not a nurse yet. In fact, I won't be taking the entrance exam for my chosen program until next month. But after reading about some of the worst aspects of the profession on AllNurses, I go into that exam, and into my program, knowing the possibilities I face and prepared to handle them all.

Having said all that, I will agree that after all the negative, it is nice to read a positive things sometimes, too.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Actually, looking at all the negatives - like Blue Felt Fedora - is a great way to make any important decision. first examine all of the "worst case scenario" stuff and then ask yourself - "could I live with this?" If the answer is "yes" - then go for it!

It's the folks who make a decision based on all the idealistic & wonderful outcomes that they anticipate (unicorns & sparkly rainbows) that end up burned out and disappointed.

(edited to add) Critical thinking is an essential nursing skill. This requires obtaining accurate information rather than simply accepting 'hearsay' or mistaking opinions for facts. Critical thinkers will realize that on AN (like most public forums) many posts are triggered by negative emotions or reaction to a series of events that are specific to that individual... and cannot really be generalized. In other words - Your Mileage May Vary