What do you think about negative comments from exp nurses about nursing?

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2003

change agents?

Can you please explain this to me? Are you asking who needs to change it?

If so I think every nurse that works today needs to look in the mirror. Change come from within. If you take a look at other professionals what is the one thing they all have in common? Strength. Inner strenghth and the will to see that whatever needs to be done gets done. Strenght gives you the ability to say no. A simple but effective word. No to mandatory over-time. No to poor working conditions, no to long hours, no to excessive demands. Everytime you say no you say yes to freedom, yes to time with your family and finally yes to being an effective health care provider. Once strong voice can lead many weaker voices. Find the one strong voice that is willing to speak out for a cause and back that voice up with the presence of thousands and you will get change.

agent · Aug 18, 2003

So what about a father working as a nurse??

Would it be as bad on the kids if they had a stay home mom?

Nurse1956 · Aug 18, 2003

I am ready for a change..My company has been laying off like crazy...I am a LPN and going for my RN..Hope to be an RN by 50 years old!

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2003

Nurse1956

AWESOME!!! Good for you.

hbscott · Aug 18, 2003

RN2be said:

"Change agents? Can you please explain this to me? Are you asking who needs to change it?"

See Link Below for thread discussion on your question.

https://allnurses.com/t42311.html

agent · Aug 18, 2003

Originally posted by agent
So what about a father working as a nurse??

Would it be as bad on the kids if they had a stay home mom?

anyone?

MandyInMS · Aug 18, 2003

Ok...I'll bite :)

Guess it wouldn't matter male or female in the home being a nurse..that person would still miss out on so many important family events..My Dad was a Vet (doggie doc)..he missed a LOT of our childhood stuff that he regrets now..just as I, as a nurse have missed out on many things with my son working such crazy hours/holidays,ect. There is good and bad in all professions..I TRY to make the good outweigh the bad if at all possible...I may have missed b-ball games, football games, plays,Christmas's..but I was able to support my son and provide a good life for him..best schools growing up..just started college for PT today :)..got him a new vehicle this weekend that will last him through school...and we talk openly...he KNOWS I love him now and always...If I hadn't become a nurse I wouldn't have been able to provide for him as well as I have...and that makes me feel good.....yes, I've wanted to quit many times...but he has kept me on track....best of luck future nurses...just listen to both sides..because there are always 2 sides...and weigh the options for yourself :)

agent · Aug 18, 2003

I definitely want to be able to be there for my kids.. thats why I dropped out of pre-med..

my aunt has been an RN for 30 yrs im sure she has insight..

TMS2121 · Aug 19, 2003

Honestly, it makes me want to be a nurse even more. There is so much to look forward to if you love caring for patients. I think some of these nurses that talk like this are either on the verge of burnout or are ready to retire and call it quits. I work as a student nurse tech on a medical unit and I've had some experienced nurses say to me, " Are you sure you want to be a nurse?...... there's still time you know?", and the funny thing is they are saying this when they have to do something they don't like doing such as cleaning up someone that is incontinent or dealing with a patient who is non-compliant w/ or w/o dementia. I feel sad for them when I hear them say this but it only makes me want to be a nurse even more!!!

babs_rn · Sep 1, 2003

Verge of burnout? No, though I have been - many times. Ready to retire and call it quits? THAT, my friend, is a no-brainer. For all the the reasons previously given. It is not a personal flaw, nor is it a personality defect. It is a reaction to what is constantly demanded of us. I used to be just as idealistic as you seem to be...we all were, or we wouldn't have become nurses. I'd like to hear you come back in 5-10 yrs, even 5-10 MONTHS after graduation....and see if your ideas have hit the wall .....

fulwood · Sep 1, 2003

I personally am glad for the commentary on this board - whether it be positive or negative. I would rather hear from nurses in the trenches both ther pros and cons and from thence I make my decision whether this is a career to pursue. This board is also for nurses to vent about a profession many of them love but can't abide the burearcracy etc. that prvents them from doing their job - i.e. spending time with patient which I think is why people decide to go into nursing - there is little time for it anymore with paperwork, short staffed, economics etc. etc.

kimmicoobug · Sep 2, 2003

I have been a nurse for almost two months. I like my job because I find it fun and on most days, (not all days, like last night) I use my brain. Nursing has taught me to become organized and to be most efficient with my time. My normal patient load is 5-7 on nights and for the most part, I can do it with little stress. BUT, now I know what the experienced nurses meant by sore backs! I came home and my back was so sore, I was in tears. I had spasms and nothing seemed to ease the pain. Sad thing is, it wasn't from patient care (since I work nights and most of them slept all night) it was from bending over to write in the charts and to do 24 h checks. I am also finding that I am beginning to miss my kids. I sleep great during the day, but I am having trouble adjusting my sleep schedule on my nights off. I stay awake all night and sleep all day, regardless of work. I get kind of lonely. Fortunately, my kids's dad is a stay at home, so at least they are getting some quality parent time.