Thank you for all your help

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Aug 2, 2004

Wish you the best.

We can't afford to lose our teachers either!

cannoli · Aug 2, 2004

I think you're making the right decision.

Best of luck to you.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 2, 2004

Iwish you well. Sounds like you did a LOT of soul searching. Take care.

zenman · Aug 2, 2004

Although I have registered and bought my books so that I may begin the nursing program in two more weeks, I have decided that I will not pursue a career in nursing. I have been reading the numerous posts on this web site for months now and they have given a very good insight into what it is REALLY like to be a nurse. I knew it was hard, but had no idea so many nurses were unhappy with their profession.

Remember though that many of the happy nurses may not be posting here! :chuckle

Agnus · Aug 2, 2004

It is sad you are so easily discouraged. This is a place we come to let off steam. There is a VERY small segment of nurses who come here.

Most of us love our job. We would all become teachers or something else if we did not. (some do)

If you are looking for easy though I agree this is not the job for you. Every step of the way is a challenge. You have to want it so bad that you will meet any and all challenges to have it.

As for time with family. Well you make it. That is, there are so many open doors to nurses that for the most part we are able to choose the type of job that will allow the time we need for ourselves and families.

Not everyone works 12 hr full time shifts with weekend and hollidays. Some are strictly 9-5 M-F. Some job share, some work part time, some work when ever (per-diem), Some work 8 or 13 weeks at a time 39-40 hrs wk, then take as much time off as they choose.

My income allow me to work an average of 30 hrs a week instead of 40. I have the time i need with family and have the career I love without it consuming my life. In every two week period I am off 9 days. But if that is too little time for you, you can do even better.

I sense you did not do as much home work as you thought in looking into this, and I sense you were not driven to this.

TexasPoodleMix · Aug 2, 2004

It is sad you are so easily discouraged. This is a place we come to let off steam. There is a VERY small segment of nurses who come here.
Most of us love our job. We would all become teachers or something else if we did not. (some do)
If you are looking for easy though I agree this is not the job for you. Every step of the way is a challenge. You have to want it so bad that you will meet any and all challenges to have it. As for time with family. Well you make it. That is, there are so many open doors to nurses that for the most part we are able to choose the type of job that will allow the time we need for ourselves and families.
Not everyone works 12 hr full time shifts with weekend and hollidays. Some are strictly 9-5 M-F. Some job share, some work part time, some work when ever (per-diem), Some work 8 or 13 weeks at a time 39-40 hrs wk, then take as much time off as they choose.
My income allow me to work an average of 30 hrs a week instead of 40. I have the time i need with family and have the career I love without it consuming my life. In every two week period I am off 9 days. But if that is too little time for you, you can do even better.
I sense you did not do as much home work as you thought in looking into this, and I sense you were not driven to this.

Very well said.

I too am pursuing a career in nursing after much thought and a couple of other failed endeavors. I remember every other field or path of education I entered I always heard many, many more negatives than positives. I wanted to pursue nursing from the start, but sadly for me, I listened to others (family and friends) who told me I would hate it, why would I want to wipe peoples butts, etc. so I got very easily discouraged.

I've lurked on everything from cafepharma.com to teaching sites and it seems as though there is MUCH more complaining than positive talk. Just some food for thought. Good luck in whatever you do, I'msure you will be great !

leslie :-D · Aug 2, 2004

cowgirl,

i was under the impression that you weren't happy w/teaching either?

and as zenman pointed out, i'm sure there are many happy nurses that don't post. it's human nature that we come here to b*tch.

i'm somewhat disappointed but totally respect your decision.

personally, i just SO love nursing.

but we SO need our great educators too.

wishing you peace.

leslie

krisssy · Aug 2, 2004

I am a nurse and a teacher. For most of my career, I have been a teacher. The amount of work I brought home was tremendous. There are papers to mark and lesson plans to do, and there is not enough time to do it in school. I spent every weekend and every night doing work that I brought home. it took me away from my family, and if I had it to do over again, I would have stuck with nursing. I just wanted to give you a perspective from someone who taught for 25 years and wants to go back to nursing now!

CHATSDALE · Aug 2, 2004

What Efver Your Final Decision I Hope That You Find Happiness And Fulfillment