Uncertain about Nursing

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Jun 9, 2014

"do you still not regret becoming a Nurse?"

I still don't regret becoming a nurse.

"Do you enjoy it as a profession?"

Yes. Very much.

"My only wish is to help other people in their time of need, I don't particularly care about the money or job opportunities."

That sounds nice, but it also sounds like you have a bit of a hero or Nightingale complex. You are not operating alone and soaking up the glory of giving, you are doing hard work as part of a team.

If you truly don't care about money or job opportunities and want to help people, I suggest volunteering. There are any number of nursing homes, group homes, or even hospitals who would love to have someone with your attributes helping right now.

Good luck!

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jun 9, 2014

I am neither a nurse nor a nursing student (but am a hopeful prospective nursing student, who will hopefully be starting this fall!), but from the things I've heard from other nurses on this forum, and nurses I know, the desire to help people should not be the only reason to be a nurse. If this is your only motivation, you will burn out quick. It is a job that requires a lot of critical thinking, daily interaction with some difficult people, and you need to be flexible and prepared to be emotionally and physically challenged on a daily basis. It isn't a pretty, flowery profession as many people would like to paint it out to be. However, if you look past the difficulties you will face, it can be very rewarding. I would recommend shadowing a nurse or volunteering at a local hospital if you have the opportunity. It will give you a better idea of what being a nurse entails.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2014

I'd never regret becoming a nurse. I love being a nurse. It has its hills and valleys but overall, I love it. I think you need to find a specialty you like.

Wheels28 · Jun 11, 2014

I have been a nurse for 2.5 years, which isn't hugely long in the scope of things. It is my second career. I raised a family first. :) My kids are older now (teens and tweens) - and I truly went back to school and chose this profession because it was something that I felt strongly about. I do not have to work. That being said, I do enjoy the paycheck. :) It's a nice bonus.
Honestly though, even when some aspects of bedside/hospital nursing wear me down, even when there are days I think to myself... "WHY DO I DO THIS?" - I LOVE my job. I love nursing. I love what I do. I read so often that people don't have time to be a real nurse anymore in the hospital, and that makes me sad... because I do. I work in a large Children's hospital, and yeah - there are times where it's crazy busy and I'm lucky to be charted up at shift change (or an hour after) - but there are also times where I can spend 30 minutes playing a game with a patient, or sit at the bedside and comfort a scared kid (or parent). I make time for the fun stuff... for the stuff that makes me remember why I love nursing.
Like "kidnapping" a teenager at 2am to go up to the rooftop garden so he can remember what the stars look like after a 3 week hospital stay. Or arming a 12 year old with three full saline flushes and luring another nurse into the room for a soaking.... :)
I kind of have the attitude of: It is what you make of it. If you want to be all about hanging your meds and charting, then that is what it will be. I work with some of those. But I choose to make it NOT all about those things. I am a damn good nurse. I have excellent time management. I get my work done. I learn new stuff every. single. day. I serve on several committees by choice.
And I still love my job.
Ask me again in another 2.5 years. :)

You are one cool nurse!!

You sound like one of many nurses I had when I was in the hospital as a kid that would make me forget I was in the hospital which as a kid was a good feeling, they were always doing stuff to make me laugh, comforted me when I was scared or feeling down, taught me things I needed to know in a fun way. I was 7 when I met my first nurse, I'm 28 now and can remember the names of those nurses and the name of my first nurse. Because of the way I was treated by nurses at such a young age I have so much respect and really admire nurses and will always have a soft spot in my heart for the profession. Thank you so much for what you do! :) "Stay Cool!"

TriciaJ, RN · Jun 11, 2014

I didn't choose nursing for the money or for helping people. It chose me. When I finished high school I didn't think I had what it took, so I became a transcriptionist. It really didn't ring my chimes and I realized I'd never be satisfied with myself if I didn't take the plunge to be a nurse.

I've worked long hours with sick people and incarcerated people. Some were more appreciative than others. I've worked more holidays than I've had off; I've missed breaks and ran around feeling light-headed from hunger. I've gone home and crashed for 2 hours before I even had the energy to change out of my scrubs. My old orthopedic injuries come back to haunt me.

I've also connected with a lot of interesting people. Some were buttholes; some were truly inspiring and a privilege to care for.

When I look back, I can't think of anything else I would rather have done. I wouldn't change my decision for anything.

tarotale · Jun 11, 2014

nursing is tough and you are not going to have time to sit and hold their hands lots of times. You may get tired of people, jaded, and bitter since there are lots of people who abuse the system, you, and tax dollars. The healthcare is all industry and about money now and the term "frequent flier" could turn you bitter. You also will have lots and lots of unappreciative, demanding, and entitled patients.

But all in all, if you have truly good heart like you say you do, you will maintain your compassion and love; I do advise to stay away from medical surgical unit. Start with ER or ICU or IMC so you start in good first step.

Delicate Flower · Jun 12, 2014

I am a second career nurse and will tell anyone who wants to know: it was the best decision I've ever made. Here are some things I love about my job:

-Task oriented - many people use this as way to describe a novice nurse who can't yet see the whole picture, but even the most seasoned nurse at the bedside still has to do a million tasks. It's just part of the job. I like being able to cross things off my list.

-Shift based, and kinda sorta predictable - each shift is like a nice, wrapped up little package. There are great shifts and horrible shifts, and everything in between, but you kinda can count on what your shift will be like. There is a certain trajectory that gets familiar after a while, and I like that.

-Unpredictable - On the flip side of that coin, anything can happen in a shift, and that keeps me on my toes. There are always different patients, different co-workers, different diagnoses. It's usually not exciting, per se, but almost always interesting.

-Clock out, go home, and forget about it - In my previous career I was "on the clock" 24/7. Traveling, emailing, assisting clients with their "emergencies." No thank you. I like that when I clock out, my time is mine.

-Flexible income - Want more money? Get a second job! Sign up for OT! 12 hour shifts 3 days a weak leaves 4 days off for working more (if you want to).

-Well defined skill base - When you are an RN, it is very clearly defined what your skills are and what types of jobs you are qualified to do. This makes the job search so much easier. My previous degree/career was way more nebulous and wishy washy. It was hard to even explain to anyone what my skills were, much less find a job willing to pay me for them.

I worry about the future of the profession, but nothing is guaranteed for anyone these days, no matter what their job title is. I know I am flexible enough to adapt to whatever the future holds.

I don't mind: pee, poop, blood, "needy" patients, gross wounds, night shift, weekends, and holidays. If you mind any of that horribly, you mind have a problem!