I'm certain that this has been done before, and gets done quite a bit on this forum itself, but what do ya'all tell people who ask you about becoming a RN?
Firstly -- do you get asked this? (I do, both IRL and on different internet forums.)
Do you feel that your employment status or lack thereof has any relationship to the advice that you give?
Would you give different advice to, say, a highschool student who wanted to become a RN vs. an established second-career type?
Does the economy play any part in the advice that you give?
Would you give different advice to someone who approached you in real life versus someone who posted something on AN?
I tell folks the truth: that I am already on stress leave 8 months out of school (I've since quit), that there is way more going on behind the scenes (i.e., transcribing orders, following up on lab results, making sure everything is done), that it is a thankless and emotionally grueling field, that you can have the best or the Worst coworkers in the world but you still need to relly on each other, that there are definitely days you'll drive home crying and others laughing when you're done crying, that if you make mistakes your career is over quickly, that I don't ever get breaks and therefore no I can't ever just "leave and meet you for lunch". I usually conclude with, "I can go on?"
I lie.....I tell them how much I love my job, how much it means to me, and how I couldn't image doing anything else.
I lie because I'm hoping one day I will start be believe my lies.
I lie because my husband is so happy to finally have the extra income coming in. We paid for school out of pocket, he has given his all in everything. In nursing school he took on so many extra roles without one complaint. He got up with the baby at night.
Not only is nursing just like manual labor it is also emotionally draining. I would rather give birth to 200 babies without pain meds than be a nurse.
I tell people that the most important thing to do before fully committing to nursing school is to get in the field to see if they like it. Start with shadowing a nurse to see if they like the pace of things. Next, try to get a job as a PCT in the hospital while in nursing school (or before enrolling, depending on financial situations). As a tech I got to watch and work with nurses first hand. Being a student made me a better tech, and being a tech made me a better nurse. If you hate being a tech, then you will probably hate being a nurse. Not to mention the fact that I got way more experience as a tech than I did in school clinicals.
I make sure to tell them that as a nurse they will be wiping butts, cleaning poop of the bed/floor/walls, and that they will serve enough ice water to save a third world country. But don't worry, I go over the good things too Before I started nursing school I was that sickly sweet push over who avoided confrontation at all cost. I am surprised I have made it, but nursing has actually given me extreme personal growth. I really think that nursing can make you or break you, it just depends on how stubborn/resilient you are as a person. If someone goes into nursing well informed and determined to make it, then I am supportive. If they think that nursing will be full of hearts, rainbows, and butterflies, then I will give a little reality check.
If the conversation continues (IOW if the person hasn't found an excuse to wander off) I tell them the best thing they can do is work as a CNA. You learn to be comfortable invading other peoples' space and you can see some of what goes on behind the scenes, if you make the effort.
Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
needless to say, i don't coat anything with sugar, i listen the reasons why they want to become a nurse and take it from there. one must be honest and suggest them to start from the lowest level, if they haven't been exposed to the medical field, in this manner they could find out if it's right for them; without investing 4yrs. in school and later realize that nursing was not what they envisioned. therefore, don't crush anyone's dream on becoming a nurse, because a wise man once said, and i quote "you could be living someone else dream":cool:
I say, if you're hearts not in it, don't do it, because the money will ever be enough to make you happy (or to like it).I tell them get the best grades possible, because competition for slots in school is rough.And I tell them go work as a CNA, if you can sling poo, work like a dog, and still be deticated and interested....GO FOR IT!
Specializes in Wilderness Medicine, ICU, Adult Ed..
I suggest that they find a volunteer position in a local hospital and see what a nurse's work really is. People have no clue! If they like what they see, becoming a CNA is a very good idea before deciding whether to start sending in applications to nursing schools.
As for money, I am astounded that most people think we make tons of money, have our pick of jobs, and are lay-off proof. Wrong on all counts! With a lot of hard work a nurse can live a comfortable working-class lifestyle. However, if big paydays are what you are looking for, do NOT become a nurse. There are better paying, less demanding options in business, retail, and the skilled trades.
In all honesty, if my daughter wanted to become a nurse, I would strongly discourage it. I am currently an elementary school nurse, and I LOVE it. I plan to stay at my job for the long haul. However, hospital nursing is brutal, and it is a necessary evil in order to get most other types of nursing positions.
Nursing is NOT the job it used to be years ago. Hospital nursing is completely out of control. There is a lot of abuse (from coworkers, doctors, patients, patient families, etc). There is a ton of responsibility. It is emotionally and physically draining. You must constantly cover your own tush, plus everyone else's tushes as well. Afterall, everything (and I mean everything) comes down to the nurse. The pay is good, but IMO, it is not nearly enough for the amount of responsibility and abuse you have to take.
I don't regret becoming a nurse, and I did enjoy my time doing bedside care. But, again, it is not the same as it used to be. To go to work and literally bust your back to try and take good care of your patients, not stopping to eat/drink/sit/pee the entire shift, only to be berated by the oncoming shift or management for not doing enough, is just too much to take. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
I give everyone the same advise, nursing is difficult but can be very rewarding if its for you. If you go in just for the money, you will burn out! Also, other nurses can make your life a living nightmare. I tell people they need to develop a backbone as a nurse because some nurses will intentionally try to run you over. Have you heard of the saying "nurses eat their young"? Yep, some of them will try to eat you alive so you have to be strong but I love it!
Before I started nursing school I was that sickly sweet push over who avoided confrontation at all cost. I am surprised I have made it, but nursing has actually given me extreme personal growth. I really think that nursing can make you or break you, it just depends on how stubborn/resilient you are as a person. If someone goes into nursing well informed and determined to make it, then I am supportive. If they think that nursing will be full of hearts, rainbows, and butterflies, then I will give a little reality check.
giveface
77 Posts
I tell folks the truth: that I am already on stress leave 8 months out of school (I've since quit), that there is way more going on behind the scenes (i.e., transcribing orders, following up on lab results, making sure everything is done), that it is a thankless and emotionally grueling field, that you can have the best or the Worst coworkers in the world but you still need to relly on each other, that there are definitely days you'll drive home crying and others laughing when you're done crying, that if you make mistakes your career is over quickly, that I don't ever get breaks and therefore no I can't ever just "leave and meet you for lunch". I usually conclude with, "I can go on?"