What HARD truth have you learned once you became a nurse and/or CNA?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ICU; Telephone Triage Nurse.
Coworkers are not your friends.

Don't trust anyone on the job with any information, regardless the nature.

#1 and clear winner!!!!

Beatlefan, BSN

63 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac, Transplant, Intermediate Care.

People are generally lazy, and selfish. There are a lot of know-it-alls in nursing, and nursing is a game. Who can come up with excuses or reasoning not to take high-acuity patients, new admissions, or even answer call lights. Co-workers, support staff, sometimes patients' families and less than sometimes patients themselves can suck the life out of you.

missprnqday

14 Posts

Here are some of things I have learned/realized as a CNA/student nurse:

1) I have learned that nobody has my back like I do

2) I am not going (nor should I) to be loyal to an employer that is not loyal to me.

3) Your place of work only looks out for themselves, and willing to toss you under the bus in a hot second, if need be.

4.) I work to live, not live to work.

5.) The higher you go in education, the more common sense you lose; this is very apparent with some instructors at my school and admin at my job.

6.) Finally, there are people out here who are truly hurting, therefore a small hello and smile really does go a long way because you never know what battles that person is fighting which leads me to my last point.

7.) There will be haters, regardless, especially when one is trying to further themselves in any aspect of their life.

8.) You are NOT at work to make friends. Your coworkers are not your friends, so do not be quick to put your business on blast (especially if you're new) being that it's messy and you end up being the topic of conversation.

9.) STAY FAR FAR AWAY FROM the drama, BS, and negativity. It's easy to get caught up in it, but hard to get away from.

10.) This your career, so sky's the limit. Do what makes you happy.

11.) Lastly (for real this time lol) always bring and keep a good vibe, even if you're not feeling it because no one wants to deal with a negative nancy.

DoeRN

941 Posts

That I don't like being a nurse.

Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Wound Care.

That working with women can present challenges I never expected. Think "mean girls".

MissourigalRN

18 Posts

I have learned that you can never truly be yourself in the workplace. You have to take the role of being a knowledgeable professional and to be accountable for your actions. Outside of work I am generally an easy-going light hearted individual who likes to have fun and laugh a little. In the workplace I feel more uptight and pressure to act as a professional often times not allowing my positive attributes to shine.

Specializes in Hospice.

Cute, sweet, 90 year old 100 lb little ladies can turn into the Incredible Hulk around 9pm.

As a psych nurse, I've learned that mental illness is still so widely misunderstood. I've had patients with severe schizophrenia and have had their family members say, "There's nothing wrong with him/her, can't you just give them a pill?". A young female teenager had attempted suicide three times, her mom says, "She's just spoiled.. no, she doesn't need counseling." You'd think in 2017 that people would realize that mental health is just as important as physical health, but it's amazing how many people remain ignorant, esp when it comes to love ones. I've seen a lot of denial and it's heartbreaking. So many patients don't have a support system and that makes the process much harder.

Cute, sweet, 90 year old 100 lb little ladies can turn into the Incredible Hulk around 9pm.

Just don't feed them after midnight!

MJ48

50 Posts

After working for a few years as a nurse I have come to realize a few things.

- Not all nurses are kind, friendly or have your back

- Nurses can be mean and will at times throw you under the bus

- Nurses are undervalued and underappreciated

- When there are talks of budget cuts/layoffs nurses are the first to go

- You start off nursing all positive then become jaded or burnt out sometimes quick

- Someone saying thank you can cheer you up/brighten up your crappy day

- Seeing someone getting better validates your reason(s) for becoming a nurse and doesn't make you think that becoming a nurse was a waste of time and money

TNnurse01

5 Posts

Hahaha that is great I love those stories

Irving

19 Posts

My truth also. We like to think we know why something happened......... say a person with oral CA got it because they dipped tobacco but I see just as many tragic events that happen to nice decent undeserving people.

Truth 2: Always wear eye protection when using tools.

Truth 3: I'm not as smart as I thought.

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