Regretting becoming a nurse???

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I was 100% positive about my decision to become a nurse until I found this web site and now I am on the fence. Although this site is a wonderful place to ask questions and get information, I have been reading a lot of startling comments/experiences about being a nurse. I totally understand that a lot of nurses are venting and that is perfectly normal and very beneficial (to me as well). I admit, I did not realize all of the responsibility and stress that nurses have work under.

When you go into a doctor's office or a hospital and they check your bp and write down your symptoms and you think that their job. I guess this site has educated me on the career and now with my new knowledge I am thinking "Do I really want to do this?" I still have the same desires as before but I can't help but wonder how many students get into nursing school and realize that they are in over their head and was not prepared for such a stressful career. I never knew about all of the charting, researching patients conditions, reporting, etc. There should be some kind of seminar, that students enrolling in nursing school, must attend! Even before all of the pre-reqs.

Did any of you get in there and think, "This is not what I had in mind?"

So if you knew then (before you started nursing school) what you know now, would you have enrolled in nursing school?

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There is no way I could ever have "known what I know now" about nursing before nursing school, but I did familiarize myself with the range of what RNs do and are responsible for as part of making the decision to attend school.

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Specializes in SICU.

Even after working as a tech in acute care for several years and thinking I knew what I was getting into, I didn't fully understand what being a nurse entailed. Nursing school can not make you understand what being a nurse is like, because until you have your license the full responsibility does not hit you.

Knowing what I know now about nursing, would I go though the pain of nursing school and beginning this career? Yes, in a heart beat. I love my job, I go to work with a smile.

If you not sure, get a job as a tech in acute care to get a better understanding of what most nurses do, although nurses can and do more than just acute care.

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Specializes in Certified Wound Care Nurse.

I was positively clueless. The only thing I had was the idealistic version that had been planted in my brain by commercials regarding "nursing" and the "caring touch" - the emotional, heart tugging dramatics that neglected to show any portion of the reality of nursing.

Now that I am in over my head and seriously struggling - I am questioning my decision - while at the same time - gritting my teeth and admitting, that, yes, despite all that I didn't know and all that I still do not know, I would do it all again.

The only thing I would have done differently would have been to perhaps work as a CNA for a year or so to at least get an idea of what it's actually like to be in a hospital and to get a grip with time management. Prior to this job - I'd never been in a hospital before - other than my clinical experiences during school. Not enough to make me feel comfortable.

So - I have to believe I made it through for a reason and that I am going through my trials for a reason and that my sanity (and license) will remain intact...

Take good care,

Shawna

P.S. Check out any one of Suzanne Gordon's books - they address this topic quite well.

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Specializes in PEDS/NSY/L&D/med-surg.

I was an accountant when I quit work completely go to nursing school. I had never set foot in a hospital as anything other than a patient. I was so intimidated and scared, but very excited. Do I ever regret my career change?? Not for a minute!! Every career field has its highs and lows, good days and bad days, and nursing is no exception. The pros to a career in nursing (besides personal fulfillment) are many. For example, flexibility in hours, scheduling,etc. Not to mention you'll be able to find a job pretty much anywhere in the world. Go with your gut...that's all you can do. I did, and I love my chosen profession.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

It took awhile to get used to today's healthcare system. I went through a lot of culture shock and growing pains, but I would have to admit that yeah, I'd do it all again.

I just feel like this is what I was born to do.

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
It took awhile to get used to today's healthcare system. I went through a lot of culture shock and growing pains, but I would have to admit that yeah, I'd do it all again.

I just feel like this is what I was born to do.

Amen sister I totally agree :yeah:

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I'm a new grad in orientation. I have mixed feelings all the time, everyday. I hate the moments where my head is spinning and I know I'm behind, and I feel inadequate, and all that stuff. Then there are moments where I'm really getting to know a patient, providing good care, having them ask for me or wonder when I'll be there again because we've developed that bond -- and then I feel I'm doing something extremely SIGNIFICANT in this world. It has also shown me how lucky I am to have my own health and my own family. Gives you quite a perspective on the world.

Lots I'd change about the profession if I could, and about nursing education. But if I make it to my one year mark, I will be very proud. Still, I have days where I'm looking for other jobs options ....but I'm still very new.

To borrow a phrase from Ronald Reagan when he was talking about the Marines:

"Others wonder if they've made a difference in this world . . . Nurses don't have to guess."

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Honestly, I would have to say no. I would not do it all over again. As I approach the one year mark, I am not only disillusioned at times, but also disgusted with the current state of the healthcare system in the US. I graduated from one of the top nursing schools in the nation, yet felt so ill-prepared for the bedside due to lack of clinical hours in my program.

Most nights before going into work, I almost feel as if I'm being set up for failure. (For instance: I can't be five places at once, and as a result, this will upset a hard to please patient at some point on my shift. This is also detrimental for the confused patient trying to climb OOB, yet the MD doesn't want restraints and no sitters are available. What do you expect me to do doc? Pull a tech off the floor we don't even have to begin with?) The amount of charting is impossible to complete most nights, most of my more experienced coworkers also cannot complete it, so I don't feel so bad. Yet each month, another form or sheet gets added to the mix. Do these forms ever benefit the patient? Nope, just adds more time I have to spend away from my patients. We get in trouble for incidental overtime and I don't work for free. So I have to do the basics, and then pick and choose whatever else is most important to complete (paperwork and task wise). All of this while usually working short-staffed. And from reading this board, this kind of stuff goes on in many places.

My patients are usually so sweet and grateful for what I do, and its those patients that keep me going. They are the reason why I do what I do. With them, I know I've somehow made a difference in the world that day. And I know I'm a good nurse. But its dealing with the self-centered, rude, manipulative patients who just suck the life right out of me.

I think the fact that I applied for nursing school at age 17 plays a big factor in me overall regretting choosing nursing. I wanted to make a difference in the world, do something meaningful to help people, especially when they are most vulnerable. I was a naive, somewhat sheltered teenager, who was encouraged by those inspirational TV commercials about nurses, an innate interest in health, and also encouraged by my parents, teachers, and high school guidance counselor. They all thought I was very "nurturing and caring," so I thought nursing would be perfect for me, right?

So I left home and went away to nursing school. I have grown up significantly since then and understand a lot better how people really are and how the world works. I'm surely not so idealistic anymore. Yes, there's a nursing shortage, but there are so many factors as to why. Do your research, I'll be the first to admit that I didn't. So knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it over again.

Thanks for reading my little vent. After all of this, I don't intend to leave nursing but I will not stay at the bedside. I plan on spending another year or two at the bedside to get the necessary experience and then hopefully I can do something in nursing away from the bedside.

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I wish I knew then what I know now, it would have helped me to get more out of my nursing program. I would have still become a nurse.

I agree with many points already made, and wanted to add that when it all boils down, I am still the same person, I have a strong desire to nurture and care for people, it's just who I am. There is a lot of BS in nursing, but I have to push through it to do what needs to be done.

I wasn't one of those people who saw the commercials or always knew that I wanted to be a nurse. I kind of fell into it, I decided to go back to college after being a stay at home mom for 10 years. The university had a school of nursing and on a whim, I walked in the doors one day while passing it. I thought, hmmm nursing, that would be cool. Here I am 5 years later, I can't imagine doing anything else.

My first year of nursing was hard. I was cursing myself for making the biggest mistake of my life, I couldn't believe that I gave up a comfortable stay at home mom life to get 50K in debt to be so stressed and miserable. It was hard, and I am sure I complained here at times but I made it through.

I feel that I have to add this disclaimer. I have an awesome job, I work in a NICU with supportive coworkers and a good nurse manager. My job isn't all lollipops and gumdrops though, there are bad situations, nasty coworkers, understaffing, but I love what I do. I am proud to say that I am a nurse.

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but I can't help but wonder how many students get into nursing school and realize that they are in over their head and was not prepared for such a stressful career. I never knew about all of the charting, researching patients conditions, reporting, etc. There should be some kind of seminar, that students enrolling in nursing school, must attend! Even before all of the pre-reqs.

While ultimately it is the potential student's responsibility to research what they are signing up for, I do think it would be a very useful service to provide this kind of information to potential students. My experience was that school recruiters emphasized all of the non-bedside nursing options when encouraging students to enroll, with MAYBE a blithe passing word that a little bedside experience might be useful... making it sound as if that's easily gotten. And since nursing is often considered as a job that one can "fall back on" and that can "always find a job" in it, it also makes it sound as if it can't be all that hard. Sure, some specialties or units might be especially tough (ED, ICU), but it's quite easy to assume (& is often suggested by recruiting personnel and advertising) that many of those secure, decently paid nursing jobs out there wouldn't be THAT tough to become sufficiently competent in, especially for those who have already performed competently in both the work world and academic world in other areas.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

Just wanted to say thanks for this point. Your story is so similar to mine. I've just graduated and looking into securing a job and I already feel the apprehension (which is why I'm being so selective in terms of my job search) and I pretty much know I am going to go into this 1st year kicking and screaming every day. Just hearing that you felt this same way and can look back now after a few years and feel comfortable with your decision, gives me a little strength to keep pressing on. Thank so much

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