What is Nursing really like?

Golden_RN, MSN · Nov 13, 2019

There are a lot of questions in this post, so I will get to the last one re: the BAD part of nursing. As a new nurse I was upset because:

1. Guilt of not getting to every little thing patients want/need.

2. The fear of making a mistake or missing subtle changes in patient condition.

3. Inability to take a lunch break.

4. Being yelled at/cussed at/harassed when it is not warranted (by a physician or visitor). This was the WORST part for me.

5. Blind leading the blind, i.e. having mostly new grads on a given shift, including the charge nurse.

There are many GOOD things about nursing, too. Many of my above complaints were eliminated/decreased when I found a unit to work that fit better w/ my strengths.

Kcometh · Nov 14, 2019

Thank you for your response

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2019

The worst part of nursing is the expectation of perfection from everyone from management to the patients and their families. I had PTSD dreams for about two years after leaving the bedside.

Yes, you clean up a lot of poop. And pee and vomit and unmentionable other fluids. Sick people smell bad - this was a doozy for me, as I have a very keen nose.

You always have more than can humanly get done in 14 hours, but are required to get it done in 12. This is not an exaggeration. It is normal.

Depending on your specialty, you see people sick or hurt due to their own stupidity or stubbornness or bad habits or all of the above. You also see people who should not be near death die.

Getting a decent pay raise once you are hired is next to impossible. It is well known in nursing the only way to get a significant raise is to change employers. Generally this is very true.

You are held responsible for things that you don't actually have authority, license or influence to make happen.

And it smells. Did I mention that? It does. A lot.

All that being said, I am very proud of being a nurse and very in love with my profession. There are far more good things about nursing than bad. Let us know when you are ready to hear those too.

Kcometh · Nov 14, 2019

4 hours ago, Nurse SMS said:
The worst part of nursing is the expectation of perfection from everyone from management to the patients and their families. I had PTSD dreams for about two years after leaving the bedside.
Yes, you clean up a lot of poop. And pee and vomit and unmentionable other fluids. Sick people smell bad - this was a doozy for me, as I have a very keen nose.
You always have more than can humanly get done in 14 hours, but are required to get it done in 12. This is not an exaggeration. It is normal.
Depending on your specialty, you see people sick or hurt due to their own stupidity or stubbornness or bad habits or all of the above. You also see people who should not be near death die.
Getting a decent pay raise once you are hired is next to impossible. It is well known in nursing the only way to get a significant raise is to change employers. Generally this is very true.
You are held responsible for things that you don't actually have authority, license or influence to make happen.
And it smells. Did I mention that? It does. A lot.
All that being said, I am very proud of being a nurse and very in love with my profession. There are far more good things about nursing than bad. Let us know when you are ready to hear those too.

thanks for responding. I just wanted to hear the worst of it while I'm taking prerequisites so I know what I'm getting into.

What was the reason why you left the bedside?