Tell me why you regret about becoming a Nurse

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 18, 2016

I hear you. Trauma is hard. I left my previous job because I felt I wasn't cut out for the "trauma that could come crashing through the doors." I didn't become a nurse to be stressed out and nervous! So I now work in ambulatory. Still stressful, but at least no one comes in bleeding out =)

That part isn't the bad part at all. That was what was fun about it.

Rexie · Mar 18, 2016

I, too, regret not starting earlier. I graduated in my late 40's. However, I love what I do (at least most days). I previously worked in business and know that the grass is not necessarily greener. Even after 6 years, I feel like there is always so much to learn. I like that.

As somebody previously mentioned, I regret the toll the crazy hours and ever-changing schedule has taken on my personal life. I've missed more than a few family events that I would like to have attended.

luvsltcrn · Mar 18, 2016

I wouldn't change a thing about the career path I have chosen. However if I were younger I would continue my education to become a psych NP.

angeloublue22, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2016

As a kid I went through phases of wanting to be a private investigator, a teacher, a comedian, and a zoologist. My nursing skills includes all of these, so I think I'm right where I belong.

Yppah · Mar 20, 2016

I was very young when I went to nursing school. I wish I had of made more A's.

scuffles, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Things I love :

satisfaction

teaching

demonstrating expertise

providing comfort

building a relationship

learning from patients

Things I hate:

sense of entitlement

expectations

widespread guilt nurses always feel

being treated like a slave

standing on my feet and getting tired feet

never having a break and feeling dehydrated

lack of respect from others

working overtime

tedious paperwork and repetition

being treated like a slave

wannabecnl · Mar 22, 2016

I came to nursing as a 2nd career and have realized in 3 years that it is very, very different from the IT/tech writing background I had before. Then I had projects, near and long term goals, and actual advancement with more responsibility and new things to learn all the time. Don't get me wrong; I'm in a VERY nice position: per diem in pacu and preop, so I pick my hours, and the pay gets a little better each year. BUT, I do feel like a cog in a giant wheel, a cog that could be replaced in 2 seconds by another nurse cog, and it really wouldn't matter that much. Also, the realization that the 20- and 30-year veterans are doing the SAME WORK I AM DOING is starting to bother me; in 20 years I should be doing more than I'm doing now, right? I do hope to move into a research role eventually, and I know some nurses get more advanced degrees and go into management or NP/PA work, so I'm probably not the only one.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2016

I regret not becoming a nurse sooner in life (2nd career nurse here). I love this profession, it is where I was meant to be.

Mhays · Jul 19, 2016

The thing that I wish would be that I had more time to study more into the nursing field. I would love to study research nursing, but right now I do not have the time to do so. I would also love to study geriatric nursing certificate as a post-educational aspect, but I really do not have the time right now. Perhaps I will have the time later on. Life keeps you on your toes. I just wish that I would have gotten my masters degree earlier as well. Waiting so long is so hard, but I worked for many years before I even thought about it.

Marisette, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2016

I regret the toll nursing has taken on my joints and back after numerous years in nursing. I regret working in nursing positions under extreme stress with mediocre compensation.

If I could do it over, I would be a librarian. I like quiet, books, simplicity, and routine. I don't want to be responsible for people's lives in any way, shape or form.

Mhays · Aug 22, 2016

The thing that I regret is not knowing more about other specialties in nursing; especially the trauma nursing including CCU, PCU, and ICU. Now, there are even more options for nurses to work and to help their patients as well. I also regret not knowing about the telework nursing option as well. I am just thankful to be in the nursing position that I am in right now. Here is some information regarding trauma nursing:

ACLS Online Library: Becoming a Trauma Nurse

Thank you.

allnurses Guide · Aug 22, 2016

Right now, I don't regret much. There have been many, many times during my nursing career that I HAVE regretted becoming a nurse. However, right now I have hit upon an AMAZING job with wonderful coworkers, and my life as a whole is pretty awesome. So right now? Not regretting a thing!!! :)

Nine months ago, I would have said I would rather be working as a professional artist/graphic designer/illustrator. As a much younger person, I had aspirations of becoming just that. I have a BA in Visual Art. I've always been artistic. Finding a good job here in KY proved to be rather difficult however. I did find one eventually, but things just didn't work out, you know? I have always been artistic, but especially back then.. I lacked the patience to create truly sleek, polished work. I lacked that sort of talent. Plus I lacked knowledge of printing processes, which affected my confidence when job hunting.

So, I eventually decided at 26 to go back to school, and it was between Nursing, Art Education, and Computers. I chose nursing. :)