Was It Worth It?

Published

I want real, honest opinions.

Was nursing worth it for you? Would you recommend anyone do it, or tell them to run far, far away?

If you could go back, what would you have done with your life?

Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I'm in my first year and I regret my choice nearly every shift. Just being honest. Plus, I did exceptionally well in nursing school but hated it. However, having said all that, I'm very proud to be a nurse and look forward to a bright future in nursing. I have a feeling I will think it was worth this current dark period, when I look back in a couple of years. I don't intend to leave nursing. I intend to find my niche and get really good at it. Just have to get through this rough period- and it is very rough. Thank goodness for great co-workers and a will to live. Choose your first place of employment wisely.

I would not discourage anyone from becoming a nurse, but I would be honest about the difficulties if asked. If I were to choose a different career, I would be a psychologist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only thing I would have changed is biting the bullet and completing my RN when I was accepted into a program at 22. Instead my young (and incredibly stupid) butt lacked the insight that a decrease in pay for a year while I completed the program would have been worth it but I turned it down when the collage told me that I had no guarantee for online theory and could possibly be required to go on campus five days a week...now, much older and with a heck of a lot more responsibilities on top of school I'm going back for my BSN...thank you Magnet...and learning is so much harder when your older-do it while your young!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Rough the first couple of years but completely worth it.

That's something that I hear quite a bit. I'm glad you were able to stick it out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm in my first year and I regret my choice nearly every shift. Just being honest. Plus, I did exceptionally well in nursing school but hated it. However, having said all that, I'm very proud to be a nurse and look forward to a bright future in nursing. I have a feeling I will think it was worth this current dark period, when I look back in a couple of years. I don't intend to leave nursing. I intend to find my niche and get really good at it. Just have to get through this rough period- and it is very rough. Thank goodness for great co-workers and a will to live. Choose your first place of employment wisely.

I would not discourage anyone from becoming a nurse, but I would be honest about the difficulties if asked. If I were to choose a different career, I would be a psychologist.

Thank you for sharing that. It seems like the first year being the roughest is a common theme amongst nurses. If I get into (and finish) my ABSN I'll definitely be sure to carefully choose my first job to the best of my ability!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't answer the other questions.

I would only recommend it to those who have and are willing to dedicate the first couple of years to the grueling learning curve.

I would do it again in my same circumstances at the time, young pre kids free or cheap rent so I wasn't beholden to an already expensive lifestyle with dependents needing my time and energy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Public Health.

Yes it was worth it!! What I would do different is not try and please my family and go to engineering school first!! Cause if you stack up all the years I have spent in school it's more than med school!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Before kids and marriage, I had no inkling of being a nurse.

My goal for folks is to get your schooling completed before marriage and kids. That's the only change I'd make.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

Not like I can change the past, but I can definitely assure you I would not have come out of high school and gone straight into nursing! I was probably mature enough to handle the workload, but I did not have anywhere close to the social skills or patience I do now to be a nurse. (Even now, that's a struggle!). I had to do research first to conclude there was no way in hell I was getting a PhD.

But yes, it's been worth it, and I wouldn't change the way I got here. I think the most valuable lesson I learned was that I could be myself throughout school and work, and the truer I stay to that, the better a nurse I am.

I've also learned in the real world, there are many more different kinds of nurses than portrayed in school. I can define my practice as I see fit and I'm thankful for that.

With other pre-nursing/nursing students I meet, I'm very real. I tell them it's going to potentially be a brutal program, early mornings suck, and it will take over your life if you let it at the detriment to all other things. But you will find great satisfaction and joy in learning and taking care of people.

Was it worth it financially? Yes, I like the fact I can support my household singlehandedly if need be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here are my thoughts:

It was worth it for financial reasons. If I could turn back time, make different financial decisions, and negate the need that drove me to nursing, then, no, I wouldn't do it again.

I would actually stay a CNA if I could afford it. I love the hands-on care.

I hate, hate, hate, trying to help people in today's nursing climate.

I feel that all I do is keep people alive for my shift. I have to do so much defensive charting, defensive medicating, defensive politicking, and general CYA activities, that I don't have time to actually be a nurse.

I don't believe in telling people what they should do with their lives. I point out the pros and cons and let them make their own decisions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, HH, and Case Mangement.

I think it was worth it. I am happy with my career choice. I wouldn't necessarily tell people to run, but if they are considering a nurse career, then they need to shadow them. Not just one, but lots in different areas to see how it is in one place vs another. If I could go back I would've done this 10 years sooner. My preceptor that I had during the last term of my program was at least 9 or 10 years younger than me and already has her BSN. I am like ugh I will only have my ADN. But I always wanted to be a vet. As I was taking classes for it, I realized it's not what I wanted. I became a medical assistant, then got my LPN, and now have my ADN. I should be an RN next week as I take boards on 9-28. I don't regret my MA experience, but wish I had gone to nursing school instead. I am just happy to have a stable career :snurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

I was also accepted to the nutrition degree program. Canada doesn't have nursing diploma programs anymore, so I would have completed four years either way. If I knew then what I know now, I would have opted for a nutrition degree instead of nursing and either become a dietician or worked for public health.

The reason that I chose nursing was for the diversity that nursing offers. However, since all the cuts have continued it's not easy to move and I don't want to work as a case manager or an administrator for the next 20 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got my BSN as a traditional college age student. I would say yes. I went to a "fancy" private college but when you consider guaranteed enrollment, guaranteed a seat in all classes I needed if I kept my grades up and WAY more financial aid - significantly cheaper than going to a state college/university for 1-2 more years with less aid.

I went to an appointment last week and the person I was meeting with was flabbergasted to realize my age. They thought (based on how I acted and such) that I was about 10 years older than I am. I was pretty mature for my age - but I think it's more obvious now. I was serious about school (and now am learning to embrace and enjoy my life outside of work/school).

It pays well enough. In my hospital, my specialty of nurses (OR) are the highest paid nurses in the hospital without being in an advanced practice role. It's a really nice income for me considering many friends (especially the non-nursing ones) make thousands less (statistically and anecdotally).

That said, while the figure for pay is nice, you have to look at the whole situation. I may get paid a "nice" hourly figure, but I may also face mandatory overtime (by being called in and it is NO fun to work 11 hours, go home, sleep for 2-3 hours and come back to work for another 9 hours overnight), or I may not get a break or lunch until a critical part of a procedure is over. I may get told I can leave early, but before I can actually leave, have to stay for an emergency case. I may want to make plans with friends, but am on call when they're free.

I think my point is if someone is looking at it for the money, it might not be what they think it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion