Should I let past experiences ruin it for me?

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Hello!

I am seriously considering becoming a nurse after I finish my B.A. (psych). But I have concerns on whether I'd be good at it because of my job I had last year.

From August till December I worked as a youth specialist at a residential treatment center for at-risk teens. They ranged from low to high functioning and had a variety of behavioral and emotional issues. Some were just straight up delinquent. At first I really liked my job, but towards the end I had a panic attack before every shift because I couldn't deal with the delinquent kids. (The mental health residents didn't get to me as much, I liked working with them). The coordinators (I feel) didn't do a good job preparing me for my job and often left me by myself in the cottage with the residents (ratio is supposed to be 5:1, but sometimes it was more) or scheduled me with another staff who did not know our program (which isn't the staff's fault and I tried my best to teach them our program on the spot and appreciated their help.)

My leads and co-workers really liked how consistent I was and how hard I tried and how I wasn't afraid to go into restraints when things got physically aggressive. I like doing a good job and like being good at my job.

I know that if I were to become a nurse I will have to deal with difficult patients or that I will have to juggle more than one, and that doesn't bother me. But, I feel working in a hospital is a different environment than being stuck in a small cottage with 12 angry teenage boys (and they certainly have a right to be angry, poor guys). I love helping people and being there for them.

Should I let my bad experience from this job discourage me from pursuing nursing? I have a job shadow in a week at the hospital as well.

Thanks for taking time to read this! I know it's lengthy!!!

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I would not let this experience discourage you. You can insure that you do not enter any employment situation that might be close to that. I would look for a nursing specialty that I think I would like. Troubled adolescent populations are probably not for you. For that matter, most likely a lot of people would be uncomfortable working with this population. Good luck with your decision.

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I really think you are comparing apples and oranges as a youth specialist in a cottage versus a RN in a hospital. The youth specialist job sounds really hard and I can't blame you for being burnt out with it. I think the experience will be a great asset for you as a nurse.

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Thanks you two! I was afraid to generalize nursing and make too many comparisons since I don't know as much about nursing as I do being a YS. I did job shadow for mental health nursing and I felt uneasy during my observation, so I think you're right, caliotter3/thanks for the support, brownbook!

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

have you considered 'shadowing' a nurse? you could gain an understanding of the day to day environment, and the unique stresses of nursing, to see if it is something you can handle.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

You're talking apples and oranges here from your old job and a nurse.

But never let any past experiences ruin anything in the future for you, you might need to learn from the past, but you shouldn't let it hinder your life or your dreams.

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Shadowing is a great idea, and I'm scheduled for next Thursday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone!

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