So you all hate nursing?.....

[averna]

...or that's what it seems.

I know that a lot of these forums offer a place for nurse to vent anonymously. That's totally cool - it's important to have a place to let some steam go. It's healthy.

But it really does scare the crap outta me. What if I go through four years of nursing school, spend all this money, have a ton of debt, only to be one of those people who posts on this forum, "Nursing is awful. I hate my job. Do NOT go into nursing. I should have never done it."

People say that they just "know" that they're cut out to be a nurse. Well, I don't *know*. Not for sure. But how can you be 100% sure on anything?

Also, how many of you are working in hospitals, and how many of you have more low-stress jobs?

See, here's the thing. I don't want to work on the floor. I don't want to be running around in a hospital. I'd much rather be a small doctor's office, or at a school, or an eating disorders clinic. I really want to go and become a mental health nurse practitioner and work with adolescents. So part of me is like, well, I'd go through nursing school, get through it, get through the whole clinical hospital thing, maybe work in a hospital and just grin and bear it, and maybe a couple years after I graduate I'll be able to settle into a nice 9-5 job at a home for troubled kids, or at an ED clinic, or maybe a s

Am I just COMPLETELY delusional? Is this NOT what happens? Am I going to become a mental health nurse practitioner and just be destined to work in the ER at nights and have a crappy manager who cuts corners and have people pooing on me all day? I mean I can deal with that for a little while - but only if I know that a different, better-suited job for me is around the corner.

Please, let me know if I'm completely naive.

[averna]

And sometimes, even the best places to work will have crazy days where everything goes all to h*ll.

See, that's where I thrive. Right now I work in a library, and we just sit here. Things are so slow. Honestly? I liked WAITRESSING more than this, despite the weird hours and the being on your feet all day and the getting crappy tips from customers. I like being super busy. I actually enjoy feeling like everything is about to go all to h*ll =D It's like some weird thrill.

Granted, I'm NOT comparing waitressing to nursing. LOL. Not at all, don't get the wrong impression here. Obviously they're uh, VERY different (which is an understatement at the least).

But do any of you actually enjoy being so super busy? Or is it more just absolutely and completely overwhelming, and totally past the point of being manageable/enjoyable?

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

why dont you apply for a job in the health care setting. Everyone has a different point of view, sometimes its the place youre working at, and not nursing. I think if your in it, you will have a better idea of what youre getting yourself into. I know a lot of people are going into nursing for money, but to be honest..nurses dont get paid enough in my opinion to work as hard as they do. Its hard work. Period. I suggest the sanitation department, or in my case (cause Im in Long Island) NCPD to get rich quick. I really really enjoy helping people, peers, strangers, you guys, anyone. Im doing it with the hopes of traveling the world and doing medical missions.

I said all that to say, it really depends LOL. If youre interested in working in labor and delivery (or any floor for that matter), try and get a CNA or clerk position.

[whiteoleander5]

Don't be discouraged from the things you read on here. I know all about how that feels since I am only in my first semester of a nursing program, and have come across many threads where nurses are completely miserable at their jobs and I am stunned and say YIKES:uhoh3:WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?... But then I remind myself that it is just like any career, you have your good days, and bad days, you have your crappy coworkers, and good coworkers. Sometimes you get pooed on (Figuratively, and quite possibly literally!). Some people are nurses who shouldnt be, who are doing it for the wrong reasons.

You would be surprised how miniscule the "poopy" situations seem (They suck but its not that bad!)... I used to think how on earth will I clean that up!?... but, when you are in the situation, I find that you tend to be motherly, even though on the inside you might want to throw up occasionally:clown:. I dont have kids or anything but I am guessing it is pretty much the same-- Your child is yours to take care of so your going to do what you have to do, and the same goes for your patients.

Given all the things that I have read on here, I can understand where you are coming from. But also keep in mind that I am still pushing forward to be a nurse, because there are certain aspects that just make it downright worth it. The gratitude, the empowerment of knowing you can save someone, improving someones wellness, making someone feel better even if all that means is listening to them while they voice their concerns. Of course in nursing school they make the outside world of nursing seem all rainbows & butterflies...but you just have to be open minded about it.

And like you mentioned, there are so many fields to branch off into if you choose to. It seems hard to get burned out if there are so many options available beyond just being a hospital nurse. Eventually, you will end up where you should be.:)

If you truly want to be a nurse, then go for it!!!

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

I wasn't around here when I first started nursing school which might have been a blessing. I had many of the same concerns as you do and I'm pretty sure all the rant threads wouldn't have helped me, lol. Personally I think venting is over rated. Finding a way to make changes so you are happier is much more productive, imo. As for school, my strategy was to start with my LPN to see if I even liked nursing and go from there. I am thrilled to report that I love nursing, have gotten my RN and work in Pediatric Psych. Like others have said much of life is what you make of it. I was very picky in the team I joined when I graduated and that really paid off. Wishing you the best.

[CBsMommy]

I didn't have a feel for nursing either. In fact, I didn't think that I could ever do it because I faint at the sound of the word blood - at least I used to. I took my bio pre-reqs and they were SO COOL! Looking at how the body works and everything that's involved. I couldn't get enough. I took a CNA class, too, and actually do not mind one bit wiping another person's poo! As weird as that sounds! Anyway, I now know by being in those classes that I am meant to be a nurse! And the word blood...can't get enough! So, I encourage you to try to different classes and see if you can see yourself doing this. The only person that can answer that is YOU! If not, hey, no big deal. Not everyone is meant to be a nurse or a teacher or an accountant or whatever. That's what makes the world go round! My best piece of advice - FIND YOUR HAPPINESS! Find what you want to do for the better part of your life and go for it! Good luck and keep us posted!