Things noane told you about nursing

Published

Hi everyone. This question is mainly for already licensed and working RN's but students are welcome to answer as well. I like hearing "inside" info from those with experience so my question is what are some things that you found out along the way that you didn't know and weren't told about working as an RN.

Thanks in advance for any insight. :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I didn't know how long people would voluntarily go without bathing, and not show any embarrassment at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I didn't know how long people would voluntarily go without bathing, and not show any embarrassment at all.

THIS IS SOOOOO TRUE, I wish we could force them into the shower because they stink so bad. ugh.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatric critical care.

I had no idea how crazy some family members can be when faced with a medical emergency. One distraught parent ( I work pediatrics) grabbed our NP by her hair!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinicals.

I didn't know how boring being a Public Health Nurse would be...ugh

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't know how hard nursing would be, especially in the first year or two. Maybe nursing schools do the best that they can, but nothing that they did truly prepared me for the reality of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.
THIS IS SOOOOO TRUE, I wish we could force them into the shower because they stink so bad. ugh.

I've offered showers to some of the worst of our ER folks. I haven't yet been turned down, and you have to be careful to do it kindly. If they have muscle aches the hot water will feel good while they are waiting, that kind of thing. Found out about some folks that didn't have running water at home, which is a shame. But they had snow, and they had heat, so geez, wash yer pits!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, cardiac tele, NICU.

I didn't realize how much I would stress about work after leaving work - what happened with that patient? Wonder if so-and-so is doing OK?

I also didn't realize how out-of-touch admin. is. Wasn't I cute and naive?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

No one told me that after 23 yrs of working as a RN, I would not be able to get a work even with excellent experience. No one told me if I ever would take time off to care for my parents who needed me so they could die at home in peace, that it would end my career.

I knew there would be no retirement plan or beach house but I figured I'd work till I dropped over. Occasionally I have worked with a pt who was a "retired" nurse and was in awe of that.

Maybe I will just say I am a retired nurse anyway! ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As a brand new nurse, I remember thinking no one told me in nursing school how HARD being a nurse is. When I say HARD, I mean HARD. There are days when you get off work and feel as if you literally cannot walk. You are exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. My fiance refers to this state of mind as "zombied out." This is something you will ONLY understand after being an RN.

Secondly, you will be shocked at how unappreciative the public is. Hearing a "thank you" is rare, even after you busted your a** off to make sure the patient will live to see tomorrow. Those are the days you browse online for change of career opportunities. However, those rare instances when you do hear "thank you" or know that you are part of the reason someone has a second chance at life is something you will never forget and that's what makes it all worth it!

There will be days where you ask yourself is this really my life? But, as many times as I have asked myself that question, I could not imagine doing anything other than nursing. Enjoy your nursing adventure!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi everyone. This question is mainly for already licensed and working RN's but students are welcome to answer as well. I like hearing "inside" info from those with experience so my question is what are some things that you found out along the way that you didn't know and weren't told about working as an RN.

Thanks in advance for any insight. :o

What about LPN's. I think we have some good insight too :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Well you are going to hear from an LPN whether you wanted my answer or not because I have a response to your question.

Nobody told me that I would be leaving work crying some nights. That its ok to not know something, and its even better to ask for help. Also the first year on the job is one long unoffical "orientation". Theres no way you can possible jam in everything you need to know in your facilitys so called "orientation period". There are still things I'm learning and things I still need to learn or become more proficient in.

And I totally agree on the bathing issue. This one resident refuses her shower. It goes something like this. Every Shower Night.

Betty: Hi, my aide told me that I'm taking a shower a tonight. Well I'm not taking one. I wash up in my room every night. Thats good enough.

Me: No, you are taking a shower tonight. You need to take a shower.

Betty: But I'm going to get pneumonia. I'm not. taking. a shower.

Me. You have to take a shower tonight. (Mind you, this woman reeks. So I'm not letting her refuse her shower.)

Betty: Well, if I get pneumonia, you are going to foot the bill!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion