RN Rant Posts are Scaring Me

Copperismydog · Oct 28, 2010

I've felt the same way reading the RN rant posts. I was in a similar situation to you - I finished a degree in Nutrition and it wasn't what I what thought it would be at all. I decided I'm going to go back to school for nursing. I think all you can do is try to find out as much about nursing as you can before getting into it, and try to be as prepared as possible for when you start nursing school. Also, at least with nursing there are so many different options and areas that you could work in. You don't even have to work in a hospital if you end up finding that you don't like it.

rn/writer, RN · Oct 28, 2010

Keep in mind that unhappy people tend to be much more vocal than those who are satisfied.

And the tough economy has many otherwise happy people stressed out as employers keep cutting staff and supplies. Eventually, this area will improve, and the atmosphere will brighten again.

In spite of all the negatives, there are many nurses who do like their jobs for the most part. I'm one of them. I work at a responsible facility with good management. My co-workers are decent people who care about their patients. The work load, with rare exceptions, is reasonable. I can connect well with my patients and feel like I have done right by them at the end of a shift.

Sure, there are glitches. I'd love a big raise. Some people (patients and co-workers) bug me on occasion. There are times I just don't feel like hauling my booty into work. But overall, I'm happy with my job.

I know I'm not alone, but when you're doing well and feel okay, you don't tend to rant about it.

jjjoy, LPN · Oct 28, 2010

Not everyone who became teachers feels as miserable as you do. There may have been some disillusionment and disappointment that their experience didn't measure up to their expectations or the ideals school was promoting... and of course the frustrations of professional politics, budget shortfalls, inane administrators, obnoxious colleagues and the like... but for some it's still worth it to them to keep teaching despite the frustrations. The same goes for nursing.

Some get through nursing school and feel just like you do about teaching. But for others, nursing is still worth it for them despite the numerous frustrations. Things you might envy about nursing (overtime pay, leave it all at work) just is not worth it to them in the same way that what others might envy about teaching (summers/holidays off, M-F) just aren't worth the aggravations to you.

Unfortunately, we have no absolute guaranteed way to find out if whatever education we pursue will definitely land us in a career that works for us. Fortunately, we're rarely ever totally stuck and can make alterations as we go, though it can be an uphill struggle at times. Best wishes to you as you find your path!

NurseBanana · Oct 28, 2010

Not everyone who became teachers feels as miserable as you do. There may have been some disillusionment and disappointment that their experience didn't measure up to their expectations or the ideals school was promoting... and of course the frustrations of professional politics, budget shortfalls, inane administrators, obnoxious colleagues and the like... but for some it's still worth it to them to keep teaching despite the frustrations. The same goes for nursing.
Some get through nursing school and feel just like you do about teaching. But for others, nursing is still worth it for them despite the numerous frustrations. Things you might envy about nursing (overtime pay, leave it all at work) just is not worth it to them in the same way that what others might envy about teaching (summers/holidays off, M-F) just aren't worth the aggravations to you.
Unfortunately, we have no absolute guaranteed way to find out if whatever education we pursue will definitely land us in a career that works for us. Fortunately, we're rarely ever totally stuck and can make alterations as we go, though it can be an uphill struggle at times. Best wishes to you as you find your path!

Oh, yes- I defintely realize that not everyone dislikes teaching who goes into the field. Plenty of people love it! and that's wonderful. It just turned out I made a bad choice when I was young, in college the first time around. I really had no guidance in what I wanted to do. I think that I was just blind to the amount of time spent outside the workplace still doing more work....and not getting paid overtime really ****** me off. I found a way to be an educator that worked better for me (starting my own business) but, I feel that I've had my run with teaching. Perhaps I'll go back to it later in life as a Nursing Professor. :nurse:

QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 28, 2010

The Internet is like group therapy - only for free! As humans we tend to dwell on the negative (I just spent the last 24 hrs angsting over a midterm in which I just found out I aced! In restrospect, it ruined my whole day).

Even the pre-nursing board is full of posts about school issues, teacher issues, struggling grades. I'm doing very well in my last pre-reqs, but I don't post about that because I'm content and don't feel the need to, plus it can be seen as bragging.

I tend to read the Nurses threads and they are full of posts that scare me. patients hitting, spitting, sexually harrassing, broken bones:eek:, abusive families, etc. Most of it seems to be hopistal nursing too, which bothered me because that's where I want to be.

But then I have to remember again that usually the people that post are NOT the ones that love their jobs and that are indeed out there, and that there ARE rewards in nursing and that's its like every other field where it won't be perfect 100% of the time.

I'm still excited about nursing school, and you should be too! If I'm gonna hate something I at least want the chance to try it first with no regrets! :nurse:

mangopeach · Oct 29, 2010

This is my second career as well. Hated the first. But you know what, I don't think I'm going to love every day that I'm a nurse either. That does not mean I would have made a bad decision to be a nurse. I'm sure some days it will suck. I don't think everyone loves their job every single day. The good thing about nursing is that there are so many options. Maybe a different specialty, maybe working in a doctor's office vs hospital, maybe research, maybe applying nursing to the legal field, my options are far more open now than my previous career so I'm very optimistic. Besides, this is something I've wanted to do for so long. My first career, was more of a "safer" option and thats why I did it.

FoodieJ · Oct 29, 2010

If you’re not sure, maybe you should spend some time volunteering at a hospital. Get a feel for what it’s really like to work in a clinical setting. Yes everyone has days where they love/ hate their job but working in a hospital is not for everyone.

Nursing will also be my 2nd career and I’ve spent the last 7 years working in different hospital settings realizing that.

It can be an extremely challenging career choice, but so much more rewarding if you let it be.

NurseBanana · Nov 2, 2010

I'm not so scared anymore. thanks for all your posts; they made me feel better. Obviously she was just venting and posted that she is much happier now that she got a new job! I've not been deterred from my goal. I'm still super excited for Nursing school!

NICURN2013 · Nov 2, 2010

I just finished all of my pre-reqs and I'm heading into my nursing classes!! :) I'm SOOO excited and I really feel like I'm going to LOVE being a nurse. Don't let anyone ruin it for you!! :)

I have classmates that are HATING nursing classes and I hear a lot about it, but it's the stress. Just like I hated some pre-reqs in the moment, but at the beginning of every term, I'm just as excited. :)

Keep it up, it'll be worth it! You'll find something you love in the field of nursing - there's SO many possibilities!!!