Student with Question

suzanne4, RN · Oct 14, 2005

Hours can be actually shorter than many other fields. And you have set shifts most of the time.

FLstudent06 · Oct 14, 2005

I'm only a student, but here are a few things I can think of:

1) Stress of dealing with life-and-death situations. Nursing is one of the few professions where making the wrong decision could seriously harm or even kill someone.

2) Possibility of exposure to illness or disease.

3) Having to constantly update your skills as new advances are made. You are never really "done" with school.

Hope this helps!

Mississippi_RN · Oct 14, 2005

Hello, I am doing a project on nursing for school and I know there are many benefits to nursing but what are some drawbacks, (example: long hours) things like that. It would be really helpful if you could even just name one thing. Thanks

Responsibility... You have the ultimate responsibility for your patients in a lot of cases. Also, you work your tail off 99% of the time, esp on the floor...always something to do. However, that CAN be a good thing... I like to stay busy.

susi_q · Oct 14, 2005

Please don't take this wrong ... but I came to nursing from accounting ... and during one of my early months came home and told my husband that I HATED women! It is changing a little now with more men in the field, but there does tend to be a higher level of infighting than in many other professions.

Other issues:

Needing to remember customer service at the same time you are taking care of the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation)

Dealing with multiple things simultaneously - you can't plan out your day ahead of time (at least not for hands-on nursing) - you must be prepared to respond to needs as they present themselves

Your family, friends and distant acquaintances will consult you instead of their doctor - your dad will tell you about his prostate!

Most nurses have to work holidays & weekends

Lots of physical strain - bad backs abound ... we all know what we "should" do, but when we get busy or don't have help available, we do more than we should.

Don't know if i'd call this a positive or negative ... I get paid for wiping butts (etc)!