What is the most difficult aspect about being an RN?

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Hello I will be soon going to school to study to be a RN.

I was wondering what was (in your opinion) the most difficult aspect about being an RN?

Also is there anything that you can't stand?

Any reply will be helpful , as I am trying to get a realistic look at the life of an RN.

sincerely

-scott

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Specializes in CVICU, Obs/Gyn, Derm, NICU.

Two negative aspects do bother me more than others.

I can handle the heavy work load and rotating shifts...and all the paperwork. Take that all in my stride.

However, the two that are starting to get me are:

1. Poor behaviour by significant minority of coworkers

2. Poor behaviour by increasing minority of p'ts and families

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The burden of responsibility is huge.

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Specializes in PACU, ED.

I think you'll find different people have different hot buttons. Mine is lazy coworkers. One thing you might do is volunteer for a few hours a week in a hospital. That will give you an up front look at what goes on and you can figure out if blood, sputum, feces, anxious patients, anxious families, etc. is difficult for you.

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Specializes in General Surgery, Orthopaedics, ICU, ER.

I love my job, being a nurse is one of the greatest jobs out there I think because you can do so much for people and really make a difference. But some things that really irritate me are:

1. Family members being demanding and rude and always in the way

2. Management always up your a**...everything comes down the the almighty $$$ even when it compromises patient care and that really gets me!

Enjoy nursing...there are tons more positive aspects than negative! :D Good luck!

-Chris

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

Being all things to all people. First and foremost we are the front line and overall coordinater of care for our patients. Yes, I know- the MD orders it- but we see that it gets done. ALL of it from the meds to the labs to the Social Worker, the pastoral visits, the Palliative Care consult...if the kitchen sent up the wrong soup, it's on us, if the trash needs to be emptied or the toilet was left messy, it's up to us to fix it. And we are expected to remain in good humor, and patiently listen to pt and families personal troubles, which is a big part of nursing in my book but sometimes difficult to do if you have another new admit or someone is having chest pain...

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The other posters have already listed what I was going to say.

Anyway, I would definitely suggest shadowing an RN, if possible in different settings (different hospital units and even LTCs).

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Specializes in MDS/Office.

Politics.....

Demanding Patients.....

Demanding Families.....

Politics..... :rolleyes:

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
The burden of responsibility is huge.

The responsibility and the judgement calls. Some days there are no right decisions.

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Specializes in Corrections,Med/Surg, Infectious Disease.

I would say for me they are:

1. Huge amount of politics with upper mgt.....meaning they want more for less and want more with less. That can

include more work for less $$, or more work with less staff, however you want to see it.

2. Teamwork, that can a part of any job but in Nursing I think it is very important, which isn't what other nurses

may view as important so it can make for a difficult shift too.

3. Constant demands without the resources to allow you to fulfill those demands.....which can also be tied in with

# 1.

4. Would I choose Nursing again.....sadly probably not because it's more about the $$ to administration now, then

allowing those Nurses who love caring for others to be able to do their jobs safely and compassionately.

Good luck, I agree with the other reply in shadowing a RN in different specialties so you can see if you would even like it and see the different areas of Nursing so you can see how each one may operate. Sadly, they all still boil down to budget cuts, saving money which in the long run affects the most important 2 things.....patients and the staff.

Good luck!! :)

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

There is always "just one more" form to fill out. Admission trifold, flu screen, pneumo screen, DVT screen, bedsore screen, wound screen, TB screen, suicide risk screen, fall risk screen, education level screen, home med sheet... :uhoh3:

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
There is always "just one more" form to fill out. Admission trifold, flu screen, pneumo screen, DVT screen, bedsore screen, wound screen, TB screen, suicide risk screen, fall risk screen, education level screen, home med sheet... :uhoh3:

You got most of them covered....you don't do the MRSA screen yet?

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