Stressing Over Stress

[petitefleur]

Hello, everyone!:)

I'm considering pursuing a BSN after I finish high school. I've always wanted a career in which I'd be helping others, and health care seems to be a great fit. Above every other profession I've googled, nursing promises the most flexibility, stability, and satisfaction. However, my mom, an RN BSN, says the stress of nursing far outweighs its benefits.

Do you find this to be true? Do you regret going into nursing? Which areas of nursing- if any- are least stressful? Which are most stressful?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

~petitefleur

[NightNurseRN]

I am going to be completely honest. Yes. I regret it for the most part. The only thing I LOVE about nursing is the flexibility. I work only 2 twelve hour shifts a week and still make a good amount of money. However, I usually dread those 2 days of every week. This could be just a hospital setting though as this is the only area I've worked in. I sometimes wish I would have just went to beauty school!

[NightNurseRN]

P.S. My mom is also a nurse and she warned me the exact same way your mom is warning you. I wish I would have listened! On the other hand however, some people love it! Im sure you'll hear their opinions as well. Best of luck to you!

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

I don't think I could ever regret going into nursing, except on days like yesterday when you work a 12 hour shift and the paw paw hits the fan, Murphy jumps out of the corner and says "hello! did you miss me?", the circus comes to town and the elephants get loose and stampede through the hospital, and bookingsdidn'tcheckthebedoccupancy... andthepatientscan'tbeadmitted'costhere'snobedsavailableandwhatthehellisasurgicalpatientdoinginmaternity? AndOMG... anothersurgeonwantstoworkandtheunitmanager'soffsickandeveryone'sbusyandonescrubsister'salsosick... andtheinstrumentsareallinuseandthewardstaffareateachothersthroatsandthepatientsarethreateningto:-

1) Go to the press

2) Litigate

3) Sign the red slip and walk out (promises, promises)

And to top it off, you have to stay on till midnight because the afternoon lists are still running and there's no night staff to take over! Usually, I can manage a day like yesterday and still be able to laugh and joke with my colleagues regardless of how tired I am, but I must admit even I got ratty by the time the last patient left theater...

Yes indeed, nursing is a stressful job-but if you can handle the stress and retain your sense of humor, you'll be an asset to the profession.

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Do;4432611]andthepatientscan'tbeadmitted'costhere'snobedsavailableandwhatthehellisasurgicalpatientdoinginmaternity? AndOMG... anothersurgeonwantstoworkandtheunitmanager'soffsickandeveryone'sbusyandonescrubsister'salsosick... andtheinstrumentsareallinuseandthewardstaffareateachothersthroatsandthepatientsarethreateningto:-

.

I think my blood pressure rose trying to decipher all these words all crammed together! :lol2: too much stress RNship can sometimes B.