Stress-proned

if you are prone to being high-strung and easily flustered, then no, i would not recommend acute care nursing.

however, there are several specialties that you could research, that do not include the hospital.

but even working ltc/sub-acute, the nurse is generally responsible for minimum of 20 pts.

it may be more challenging to find a job, w/o med-surg experience.

i have only worked urgent care in hospice, so i really don't know what's out there, or what it would entail.

but overall, the nursing profession is indeed, a highly stressful one, and is not for the faint of heart.

best of everything.

leslie

How does one know how one will perform until one actually tries it? Have you thought of doing something where you work in the hospital but not as a nurse, but still assist with patients? I'm not sure what job this sort of role would encompass in the US. But it would give you an idea as to whether you may find the work interesting, and while you are not a nurse, you will have a gist of what we go through, and are expected to do...

Best of luck with whatever you choose to do...

J

Why don't you see if you can shadow in a few different units of the hospital? Maybe some more stressful ones like ER or step down. That way you can get a feel for it. Respiratory therapy is a lot of bedside care, and can also be stressful, especially when patients begin going downhill, sometimes the RT's are the first ones on the scene.

My friend is an occupational therapist assistant. She absolutely loves her job for the school district where she works with kids. I think were I to do it all over I would be an occupational therapist. That is if I had the money for the training. If I did not have the money for the training I would go through the same training as my friend. I believe her training was less than two years and a whole lot cheaper than all those degrees an occupational therapist gets. .

I tell you this, when a respiratory therapist at my hospital tells me that he has 60 or so clients on his roster to give breathing treatments to and feels guilty 'cause he can't reach them all and besides that handles codes, including intubating babies with worried parents in the room, and the like and I just have my four or five, two of which are acutely ill. And I'm paid more for my work as an RN! I think to myself, jeepers! That respiratory therapist has a stressful job! Stress is ever present at my work, however you learn ways to overcome it by taking multiple 5 minute talk breaks with your buddies...find something funny to talk about, stretching, visualizing the last time you were at the beach, concentrating on relaxing one's lower back muscles (I swear this works!), and remembering that I had four days to recoup. All of this makes nursing less stressful and more fun. You'll find your way.

if you are prone to being high-strung and easily flustered, then no, i would not recommend acute care nursing.

however, there are several specialties that you could research, that do not include the hospital.

but even working ltc/sub-acute, the nurse is generally responsible for minimum of 20 pts.

it may be more challenging to find a job, w/o med-surg experience.

i have only worked urgent care in hospice, so i really don't know what's out there, or what it would entail.

but overall, the nursing profession is indeed, a highly stressful one, and is not for the faint of heart.

best of everything.

leslie

:yeahthat:

Know thyself.

YOU have to want it more than anything else---HONEST.

We can't decide for you.

You sound like you have some reservations already so...

Look, I'd love to welcome you to the NURSE CORPS, but your doubts concern me.

Just my opinion.

I wish you much success in pursuit of your career.

"Registered Nursing. The BEST profession healthcare dollars can buy.":balloons: