Should I become a nurse

lassenlake · Jan 13, 2016

After 25 years here is what you should answer for yourself:

Are you comfortable working with people and helping them?

Do you like science and enjoy understanding how things work?

Do you have patience and when that runs out do you have more?

Would you be willing to work night shift at first (maybe up to several years)

Do you thrive on challenges?

Start with those. I'm sure others will have more.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2016

Question one is extremely broad and will vary based on what's important to you.

Question two depends on what your ultimate goals in nursing are.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 13, 2016

Is the friend a nurse? If not, how does the friend know that nursing is a good career?

Are you actually interested in nursing? If not, why would you consider it? I'm not saying a calling is necessary (I don't believe it is and never felt called), but there has to be something to draw you to nursing to have a successful and fulfilling career.

Would I do nursing again if I had to start over? I don't know. Sure, it's a decent paycheck number wise, but I do not feel as though I'm paid on par with the amount of work I do. I've been injured on the job (some people wake up swinging from anesthesia, and I had some shoulder issues from taking a knee to the shoulder while trying to hold a patient's legs down to keep them from throwing themselves off the OR bed), I work long hours (scheduled for 8 hour shifts, but also take call- my longest time working is somewhere around 25 hours straight), I miss family functions because of weekends and holidays. Yes, it has its good things, but there are sacrifices as well. I love my coworkers and we are a great team. I love my boss, who actually scrubs in or circulates when we are short or to give lunch breaks and really knows her stuff.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2016

I have a bachelors degree and in my area I have a few options. Accelerated Bachelors of Nursing, Accelerated Masters of Nursing, or RN.

Those with ASNs (associate of science in nursing), BSNs and MSNs are all RNs. The RN is not a degree; rather, it is professional licensure.

Purple_roses · Jan 13, 2016

We cannot tell you if you should be a nurse anymore than a magic 8 ball could.

Dobieb2009 · Jan 13, 2016

I think nursing does have to have a degree of "calling" to it. It is hard, demanding, physically and emotionally exhausting. You will see, and smell, and handle things you wouldn't believe. But most who do it, love it. I know I did( I'm retired$. The adrenaline rush of a code, preventing a code, making just a little difference in someone else's life; these are just some of the rewards. But if you don't have a strong stomach, and even stronger sense of duty, it's not for you. That's bedside nursing. There are many other ways to practice. Think it over carefully, it's a big commitment. Good luck!

jpicurn · Jan 13, 2016

It depends on what field you are currently working in, and what your current lifestyle/job is like.

Coming from someone with 19 years experience, would I become a nurse again? Maybe.

I will say that one of the hardest parts of the job is dealing with non-medical friends, family, spouse, etc. There is no other job out there quite like nursing, in terms of hours, holidays, hospital vs. non hospital jobs, weekend commitments, etc. It has been a challenge for most of my career to explain why I will be working on Christmas, or missing one of my kids birthdays, or leaving a holiday party to drive straight to work, etc. There is not enough money in the world to hand out for all the shifts I am "supposed" to be off at 0730 and leave the hospital at 9am, or all the sleep I have missed by working nights, weekends, holidays, and many shifts in a row.

That being said, I tell all of my nursing students that nursing as a career choice is extremely flexible, and can be made to work in almost any situation, and that part is true. I have worked only weekends and been home Mon-Fri when my kids were little; I have worked during the week and taken extra weekends off for life events. I have been able to volunteer at school more than some of the other working moms due to my weird schedule and off hours. I am paid well for what I do and enjoy my job for the most part, most of the time.

Good luck with your decision!

ED Nurse, RN · Jan 13, 2016

Nursing is not a career you decide on on a whim from a friend- is this friend medical? To answer your questions you can just spend some time looking around this site and reading threads. Strangers on an app can't make a life changing decision for you.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2016

Should I become a nurse?

How could we know? Only you can figure that out. If your "friend" has recommended nursing and that recommendation is enough to motivate you, well then, go for it.

Traditionally, folks have a desire to pursue nursing that is their own (not a friend's), but I guess personal motivation is not a requirement.

I will say, however, that pursuing a nursing degree without some level of desire or energy will likely be a failure.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2016

Is getting the masters a significant advantage?

A new nurse with an entry-level MSN degree is eligible for the same new grad positions as those with other degrees (ASN, BSN, diploma, et al.).

In the area where I live, new grads with traditional BSNs are preferred over those with entry-level MSNs. Many hiring managers have commented that some entry-level MSNs struggle with the concept of the 'worker bee.'

vetnrse · Jan 13, 2016

Well the good thing is the choices and flexibility of types of nursing jobs. You don't have to do facility. There's everything from home care, school nursing, community health etc... You have to have a strong interest in science and its helpful to be a bit anal as it is a very detailed profession. If your in a facility you will be amongst ******* and backstabbers. And if you don't mind working in a mostly female dominated field then it might work for you. It doesn't for me. I'm tired of the phonyiness and control freaks. I am switching careers because of this. Can't take the bs anymore. I've worked many places and its always the same. I don't do facility's anymore and refuse to work in an office of females. I do home visits, and schools, on my own and this works for me until I can make a career change