Should Stress Level Determine If You Should Go Into Nursing?

gr8rnpjt, RN · Jan 9, 2006

Gumshooz,

Nursing is no doubt a very stressful career. It is also very rewarding, and thankfully, there are lots of positions open. Some jobs are less stress than others, but even an office type nursing position is stressful. It all depends on your coping skills and stress levels outside of your job. If you have family issues, lifestyle issues, or other strressors on you and on top of that you have a stressful nursing position, you may burn out quickly. Nursing school

puts you through the paces to see if you can keep up and handle the stress.

If you are on the fence, you will be weeded out quickly in that arena.

If you make it through school, you will have many opportunities to decide what your carreer goals are and this may take you to places that are more, or less, stressful. You can go through the motions and pick up a paycheck, and maybe it will work. But mostly, you will find stress in any nursing position.

Bottom line, for most nurses, it is a passion that goes way beyond the stress of the job. There has to be a desire to give of yourself to others in a personal way. You can be a good nurse, a great nurse, or a this-is-just-a-job nurse.

And you can find a job that fits your needs and desires. But if you are looking for a low stress occupation, your search is not over I am afraid.

AnnemRN · Jan 9, 2006

Agree, I have never had a nursing job that was not stressful.I know my nerves are not what they used to be either. You should check into all other options before making such a big decision.

pugmum · Jan 10, 2006

i am the type of person that gets worried and stress alot when i am nervous or unsure about things. i am not for sure if it is just me worrying about picking a major or other things related to my current job situation. i know i can't be in that field for another two years. buti was wondering if i should go into nursing where there is ten times more stress or just go into something else. the main reason why i am concerned is because if i do decide to continue in the medical field i dont want the stress to cause major health problems for me in the future as i get older. i hear everyone talking about the short staff and tension negative enviroments and it makes me confused about what i what to do. any suggestions?
:chair:

i have to agree with the other posters. nursing is stressful...some areas more so than others...eg critical care areas...could you cope with multiple traumas, mis, vented pts., etc. all at the same time over long periods of time? palliative care - not critical care, but can you provide the type of physical as well as emotional support these patients and their families need? and day after day? ob and babies - generally thought of as a happy place to work...what do you do with multiple deliveries, pre-natal crisis, or crisis during/after delivery? teaching - can you cope with students, deadlines, lectures? physician office - less stress until the doctor falls behind, has to leave for an emergency, or pts coming inwho should be in er. phones ringing, computer breaks down, pts. annoyed because they are expecting the dr. and you're in the way! murphy's law can be an everyday occurrence.

things go right and things go wrong every day. you have to calm, confident, and capable under a variety of circumstances, every time you work.

i don't want to sound negative or discouraging, but please, think carefully about this. i've seen many people go into nursing for a variety of reasons, only to leave because they discovered it wasn't for them. a lot of time, money, and effort goes into studies and clinical experiences, and in some cases at tremendous cost to people and their families. yes, this is where stress can play havoc with your physical and emotional health.

as a previous poster pointed out, stressors can contribute to burn out, and its not just work related...your personal life can be a tremendous cause of stress.

if you believe nursing is the career choice for you, i'll be the first to encourage you because it is rewarding and satisfying, and another positive, is you probably won't ever have to worry too much about finding a job. just please make sure its the right choice for you.