To be or not to be a nurse

[ShallINurse]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some solid advice and insight into the nursing profession as a career. Currently, I'm a 23-year-old who just graduated with a non-nursing Bachelor's with the intent of applying to occupational therapy graduate programs. My reasons for going the OT route are the ability to work 1-on-1 with patients, schedule flexibility, good pay, and the ability to be creative and manage your own caseload. I have a collective 1 &1/2 years of experience working at a pediatrics therapy clinic, a rehab hospital, and within school settings. While I've mostly enjoyed my time working in these settings I've sometimes found that I've been bored while shadowing the therapists. My dilemma is that I'm more interested in learning about the body, pathology, diseases opposed to rehabilitation through daily activities and such.

I'm currently taking an EMT-B course alongside anatomy and I am absolutely loving it. I am never bored studying the material. Additionally, I am thoroughly enjoying the EMT-B course where you apply the knowledge you learn through techniques catered to patient care. So that led me to start thinking about nursing instead of therapy.

Here's a little bit about my personality and characteristics:

- Detail-oriented

- Task-oriented: get a sense of accomplishment from completing many tasks throughout the day

- Kindhearted & gentle, yet stern in required situations

- Highly organized

- Strong interpersonal skills

- Thrive in a role where I need to support a team or work as a supportive lead

- Independent self-starter

- Extroverted introvert: I enjoy meeting new people and conversation however if it's too much I'll start to feel exhausted (Note: this is one reason I'm weary about OT, one-on-one patient care a majority of the time sounds like something I might get exhausted from)

- Sense of humor I often like to use with patients where applicable

The things that appeal to me about nursing are foremost the knowledge base. Like I mentioned before, anatomy and physiology as well as pathology are my favorite topics. I'm also drawn to the flexibility, ability to travel with the job, leadership/advance education potential (NP), and opportunities to work in several different specialties.

From friends, forums, and personal experiences from nurses, I've heard a lot of negative about the profession (the burnout, the disrespect from higher-ups, the long hours, etc. which has kept me from pursuing and exploring the career. So I'm looking to hear from any of you about the positive and negative aspects of your nursing career as well as what you think about my personal situation (and the possible solution).

I hope I gave enough information but I welcome all questions and opinions!

Thank you so much in advance,

Undecided Youngin'

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Welcome!

I've met too many unhappy nurses to count, yet I've never met an unhappy OT. In general, OTs earn excellent money and have a great deal of job satisfaction.

However, if nursing piques your interest, go for it. Good luck to you!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

All direct patient care is one-on-one. The big difference? OT's don't have to deal with the 'less desirable' aspects of patient care such as dealing with bodily fluids and ADLS (bathing, toileting, feeding, etc). They don't get saddled with all the scut work that no one else wants to do. They aren't responsible for policing & supplementing everyone's documentation to ensure that all of the (sometimes bizarre and irrelevant) legislative and regulatory requirements are met. They aren't blamed for poor housekeeping, cold meals, lack of ESPN on the in-room TV and out-of-date magazines in the waiting areas. AND - OTs don't have to deal with 7 or 8 patients simultaneously.

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

I'm 26, and if I could go back, I will never do nursing, and I can swear that on my cerebellum. It is a refreshing reinforcement everyday in the ED, as I am reminded constantly that I came out of a Bachelor level university while carrying a portable bedside commode, wondering whether I can get a quarter raise this year, while our esteemed administrator are wiping their Mercedes with $100 dollar bills. It is great career if you like it, but it can't get any worse than any other career if you really hate it, and I really hate it. Do yourself a favor and don't even think about being a nurse.