Scared & Confused!

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

We vent on this site a lot so its not a good reflection of the whole industry. I love being a nurse, have been for 14 years and was a paramedic prior to nursing school. You will find unhappy people everywhere but in nursing you will find more kindness and satisfaction than in most any other job. Nursing allows you to find your own place, I am a wanderer, I move from one type of nursing to another every 2 to 5 years. Some are homies and just find their place from the start and stay there for 30+ years.

Nurseinpink · Jan 29, 2006

hello everyone

scizzerin · Jan 29, 2006

Jollyjenny,

I, too, am going through my prereq's to get into nursing school. I have a 4 yr old little girl as well. My thought on the subject is that in EVERY line of work, there are some people who "hate" their jobs. I'm currently a hairstylist and I work with some real complainers. In nursing, from what I've read here on this site, some of the problems may stem from certain personalities not being able to cope with the things that nursing requires. But that should not deter YOU from your goal. Live your dream! I want to be in nursing for many reasons, and you have to decide if your "pro" list is longer than your "con" list. Good luck.

DapperRN · Jan 29, 2006

You know it sounds like you have done your research. Bottom line is and I'm sure you'll hear other people say this but, continue to research the profession, do the job shadowing, immerse yourself as much as you can in the profession, and try and talk to as many RNs as you can face to face about their job considering both the pro's and con's. I just literally had the worst shift of my life, but you know what I know I'll have many more just like em. What I do know is that I have had some amazing experiences and that is what keeps many of us going. There are so many things you can do and become as an RN. Everyones experiences are their own, how one perceives something could be very different from another. So if you truly believe that you should become a nurse, do it. No matter what job you have it's never going to be perfect everyday. But, the experiences you will have as a student nurse and as a licensed RN will promote growth both personally and professionally. You'll notice that because of the job we do and the scenarios we confront eveyday, nurses need to vent. So even though you will come across some very negative responses about nursing in general keep in mind that tomorrow these nurses might even say they have the best job in the world. Best of luck to you on your decision, and just a side note, I think that people who make it through nursing school while raising children are the strongest and most amazing people in the world! Good luck.

TexasPediRN · Jan 29, 2006

Not to long ago, another member posted a question quite similar to yours.

The advice that the poster was given, was that please remember that these boards were designed for nurses to vent, as well as to get help with certain things or subjects.

Many posts on here do relate to unfortunate nursing situations, but nursing is a wonderful and extremly rewarding profession. As any profession, it has it ups and downs, but in my opinion- nursing is worth every second of trouble because at the end of the day, you can go home knowing that you helped at least one person.

Its not that we, as nurses, hate our jobs, its just that we see a lot of things that nobody else understands, so we use these boards to vent and get feedback from others who have been in our situation and who can offer valued advice.

I can tell you, I've been a nurse since May 05, and was a student nurse aide for 1.5 years before that- and I can tell you without a doubt that I love my job. No matter what happens- from sad situations I've been in, to patients who you just want to smack- I've never once thought that I hated my job. Sure, I've had times where I may not like my job due to the circumstances that were presented to me that day, but thats just nursing.

I wish you the best of luck. Also, if you arent sure after getting these responses about going into nursing- why not take a CNA course and start working in a hospital so that you gain insight to what nursing is and does? This way you'd be able to make an informed decision about whatever you choose.

-Meghan :nurse:

jollyjenny · Jan 29, 2006

Thank you everyone for your responses. I know this is a place where nurses should be able to visit and feel comfortable about venting. Everyone needs to vent!:angryfire I just want to make sure I'm not being naive and that the ideas I have in my head about nursing aren't completely opposite of what it's really like.

I appreciate all of your responses! Keep 'em coming! Hearing this stuff is VERY helpful and I'm sure there are lots of others who feel the way I do.

Oh, and another thing that worries me is learning how to calculate dosages. I have seen some horrific-looking equations on the "student nurses" board. For someone who is a bit on the "mathematically-challenged":no:side, is this something I might struggle with? How did all of you make it through your pharmacology courses?

leslie :-D · Jan 29, 2006

hi jenny,

i've been an rn for 10 yrs and personally have found it to be the most satisfying 10 yrs of my life. professionally, it can get hectic, understaffed, not enough support, just reg b.s. but i must reiterate, it's the personal satisfaction that keeps me in nsg. it's what you can do for your pts., the bonds formed, what they can teach you (yes, there's much to be learned from all of your pts) and the rewarding satisfaction a nurse feels when seeing their patients happy, well and eager to be discharged.

as for the pharmacology and math, don't look too far down the road. there's a wealth of information on the web and when the time comes, you will find these resources. if it's something your heart wants to do, then i say follow it.

as has been stated, many nurses find this board a haven to vent their frustrations. being a good nurse is hard work but if you have that passion to be one of the best, then it doesn't seem like such a chore.

good luck in whatever you choose.:balloons:

leslie

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

Please be reminded that even though you read some negative posts here from people venting (which everyone does in any job or profession from time to time), most of us are STILL in nursing and most likely wont be leaving anytime soon.

Read some of the posts in the student nurse forum and see how supportive people here are of one another, experienced, unexperienced, and those not licensed yet. Keep focused on what your goal is and you will be fine.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

I have read so many posts on this website about people hating their jobs and wishing they had never entered the nursing field. It makes me wonder if I'm wasting my time.

Two-thirds of all working Americans hate their jobs. It is not a problem that's exclusive to nursing.

Most people who post on internet forums usually have anger or hatred to vent; likewise, few posters discuss the lighter moments of joys, successes, and triumphs. If you base your opinions only off what you have read on an online BB, everything is going to be skewed negatively.

bargainhound, RN · Jan 29, 2006

We all probably had (before going to school/while going to school) some wrong ideas about what a nurse is/does.

I thought that a RN just sits at the desk and does not have to do anything.

I was only about 16 when I first had these ideas, and laughed about it later, but

that does not mean that it was not a good move at the time. I have been a RN

since I was 19 years old and am now 53.

Nursing is a growing process as life is in general.

Just realize that you will be changing all your life and always learning.