Starting to doubt nursing....

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Here is a short summary of my situation.

Currently I'm a third year student at Orange Coast College. In my first two years I wanted to become pharmacist then on the third year(this year) I decided that the career is not for me. I picked Computer Science at first and actually took one class and I do not like it at all. Afterward I've been looking into Nursing career ever since(6 months already). I don't want to let me parents down and I feel like the longer i stay in this school the more they disappointed in me.

Just today, I typed in "I hate nursing" in google just to check out the cons for this career and to my surprise there are so many that actually starting to worry me. I've already do many research and here are some of the cons I've found:

1. Underpaid + Overwork.

2. Really really really stressful career.

3. People don't give you respect (coworker + patients)

4. Screw up schedules (ruined your social life)

5. There are many more but it seems like my thread is getting long...

I have a few questions for Nurses.

1. DO you like/hate your job? why?

2. DO you recommend nursing career for students? why?

3. DO you regret going into nursing career??

4. Is it true that there are variety of nursing jobs in one hospital?? for example if you hate your area/floor you can pick a different one in the same hospital and have totally different experience??

Please please answer these questions from the bottom of your heart. I'm so depressed right now. Right now I just want to rip my ***** out with my bare hands cuz I don't feel like I'm a man anymore. I don't know since when have I become this indecisive and so low in confidence.

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Trust me, if you think you feel indecisive and low in confindence, wait til you're in nursing school. Okay, maybe that's a bit of a rough week speaking...No one else can decide if its for you. All those things you worry about are true of other occupations. I have already had some great role models who bring their own unique personalities and strengths to the job. It helps to pick your job carefully and decide that you're not going to tolerate being disrespected on the job. Sometimes being a good patient advocate includes being the squeaky wheel. Lastly, when you complain about a problem, have a possible solution in mind. That makes a difference in how others will perceive you. I was worried after I read the horror stories about jobs. I've already decided that there's a limit to how much dirt I will eat in order to have a job. My patients and I deserve respect.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

Ive been a nurse for almost two years now and I love it. I love where I work, as well as the people I work with (with the exception of two here and there) and I also love interacting with my patients.

1. I love my job because I genuinely care for people and love being able to make a difference in their lives when they are ill and probably at their worst. I also like the money, however, I didn't get into nursing for the money.I do make a decent paycheck >60K.

2. I would recommend nursing only if you feel that it's for you and not your parents. But first, go to work as a tech in a hospital and get the feel for it, then decide.

3. No regrets at all.

4. There are many area's of nursing to get into. I currently work in medsurg and I love it. I work three days on and four off, great schedule in my opinion.

Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

Just an observation: You went looking for negative and you found negative. How about googling "I love nursing". Now, to answer some of your questions:

1. and 3.

I gripe, I vent, I moan and groan,

but at the end of the day

i wouldn't have it any other way.

4. one of the great advantages of nursing: areas of practice are vast and plentiful

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Newborn Nursery, Risk Management.

Wow! I really feel for you. Nursing school is such a huge investment. It may be that once you are in clinical courses actually taking care of patients, you will find your answer. You will probably either love it or hate it. Its true that you can transfer to other floors until you find your niche. Being overworked is universal, I think, in any job. Your salary will vary wildly depending on what part of the country you live in. In my experience, the southern part of the country is the lowest paying. I moved from Texas to Las Vegas and got $10 more per hour plus no cost health insurance! Its a good career if you want to always be able to find a job. Yeah, doctors yell and act like infants, but not all of them. I don't think there is a job out there without politics and at least one person who you really can't stand. Every once in a while, you take care of a patient and they really appreciate it. More often, they blame you for taking too long to get them pain meds, to the bathroom, etc. when its just that you are busy with all the other patients! But floor nursing is not the only place to work, you can move on into administration, home health, corporate health. I hope you find your way and don't feel guilty about being indecisive. I mean this is YOUR LIFE you are talking about! Good luck to you.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Newborn Nursery, Risk Management.

I posted once before, now I can't find it so sorry if I double posted!:confused:

You might find your answer once you start your clinical courses and actually start taking care of patients. You will either love it or hate it. I really feel for you. Please don't feel bad about being indecisive. This is YOUR LIFE you are talking about here and you should be contemplative about your career! To address some of your questions, being overworked is universal, I think, in any career. Also you will always find difficult people in any job. As far as being underpaid, your salary will vary wildly depending where you live in the country. In my experience, the southern US pays the least. I moved from Texas to Las Vegas and got $10 more per hour and no cost health insurance for my whole family! Where I am at right now I feel compensated pretty well. It is true that you can transfer to different floors in the hospital until you find your niche. You don't even have to continue working as a floor nurse, you can move on to administration, home health, corporate health. Its a good career if you always want to be able to find a job. Good luck to you and I hope you find your way. Don't let anyone pressure you into making a decision!!

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another guardian here....

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