What are the worst reasons to get into nursing?

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I'm considering a career change to nursing, and would like to know some of what you think are mistaken reasons people might get into the field.

I guess the strongest motivators for me to enter would be because I think the medical field is interesting, and also because I need something I may be able to move around with, as my spouse's positions are such.

Oh, also, because I'm not good at sitting still, I want a career that involves movement, as opposed to office, for ex.

So am I wrong to think it could be a match for these reasons? Or am I a fool...

Thanks.

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caring for people is a big part you didn't mention? what do you think? go for it if its in your heart to do. Depending on where you work, you might not sit down for 8-12 hours, except for breaks-that you must make yourself take! :thnkg:

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Specializes in ED, Critical Care, Peds & Nursery.

mayana,

[color=#483d8b]i can appreciate your interest in nursing and think that some of your personality traits would be 'positives' for beginning a nursing career. having said that i think it is wise to really explore nursing before you begin studying and preparing to be a nurse. please know that i am a self-appointed spokesperson/recruiter for nursing....we need more nurses! :) nursing school takes committment and time; it is not merely taking classes - its tough. but when you get finished and pass the nclex it is worth the hard work.

[color=#483d8b]nursing itself is a challenging career but can be very rewarding. be prepared to do things you never thought you would do and see things you never could imagine. long shifts, short breaks, physical work and mentally challenging at times....but it can be the best thing you ever do. one patient can change your life. a family can push you and test your patience more than you know. ushering a new life in or watching another life die. there is so much more to nursing that i could not possibly write it all here.

[color=#483d8b]my best advice to you would be to shadow a nurse. volunteer at a hospital. do something that puts you in a position to see for yourself what nursing is about. then ask yourself am i cut out for this? yes you can travel, you can work almost anywhere, doing many kinds of nursing. the nursing shortage is national. you'll know if it is for you...i promise you'll know.

[color=#483d8b]i hope this helps...

[color=#483d8b]~kelrn24

[color=#483d8b]life is better at the beach!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Nurses who don't like to deal with people and are in it for the money are my least favorite to work with. Fortunately, they are few and far between.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

You didn't say what career you are in at the moment. The biggest drawback in nursing as a career (for me) is an almost total lack of respect- from patients, doctors, administrators, and even my family. This mos. alone I have had poop thrown at me, been bit, kicked, and griped out by one of the medical staff. (just the griped out part came from the medical staff). If you are a person who depends on your career for a big chunk of your self esteem nursing isn't for you. On the other hand; the job security is great, you can change jobs 4 times a year and never miss a paycheck, and every now and then you do feel you accomplished something special with a patient. Keep in mind most nurses- especially new grads work nights and weekends. You can expect to work every other Christmas, 4th of July, Thanksgiving... There are branches of nursing without the nights, weekends, hoildays issue but they usualy require a bit if experience to get. If I had to do it over I would think twice before going into nursing.

Let us know what you decide!

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.
This mos. alone I have had poop thrown at me, been bit, kicked, and griped out by one of the medical staff. (just the griped out part came from the medical staff).

LOL - sorry suanna, but I had to laugh out loud at your remark in parenthesis!! I believe it's figurative poop being thrown at us on a normal basis, but when the poop becomes literal and thrown by the medical staff, then I'm definitely out of there!!!!

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This mos. alone I have had poop thrown at me, been bit, kicked, and griped out by one of the medical staff. (just the griped out part came from the medical staff).
:lol2:

I was gonna say ...

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I'm considering a career change to nursing, and would like to know some of what you think are mistaken reasons people might get into the field.

I guess the strongest motivators for me to enter would be because I think the medical field is interesting, and also because I need something I may be able to move around with, as my spouse's positions are such.

Oh, also, because I'm not good at sitting still, I want a career that involves movement, as opposed to office, for ex.

So am I wrong to think it could be a match for these reasons? Or am I a fool...

Thanks.

Not at all, those are very good reasons to go into nursing. Once you've had a bit of experience, you could even work for a travel company and move around where your husband goes (and the company pays for your apartment and utilities :w00t:)

And if you like to be on the move... well, strap on the roller skates :) (I'm with you; as much as my feet and back scream after a shift, I'd go nuts sitting at a desk all day)

Good advice on shadowing a nurse, too.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In my humble opinion, the worst reason for anyone possibly wanting to enter the nursing profession is the desire to have a low stress, fairly easy job.

Under most circumstances, nursing is difficult and tremendously stressful. However, I silently chuckle when I read some of the posts in the pre-nursing forum made by individuals who indicate that they want to become nurses because it seems simpler and less stressful than their current jobs.

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In my humble opinion, the worst reason for anyone possibly wanting to enter the nursing profession is the desire to have a low stress, fairly easy job.
And don't forget 'glamourous'. LOL

Or anyone whose expectations run along the lines of anything they've seen portrayed in the media.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
lol - sorry suanna, but i had to laugh out loud at your remark in parenthesis!! i believe it's figurative poop being thrown at us on a normal basis, but when the poop becomes literal and thrown by the medical staff, then i'm definitely out of there!!!!

years ago, i had a world famous surgeon chase me down the hall with a bedpan full of stool, attempting to throw it at me because i didn't know who he was. i didn't know who anyone was -- i was new!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

don't be a nurse because you think you'll have great hours -- unless you want to work nights, weekends and holidays. (i do -- monday - friday has never appealed to me!)

don't be a nurse because, as my mother told me, "all nurses do all day is sit at the nurse's station and drink coffee." she still doesn't believe i run my fanny off all day most days!

don't be a nurse because you anticipate dealing with the public will be so much fun -- read some of the threads on "dumbest reason to come to the er," "things my patients have taught me" and anything about open visitation in the icu. in the past 30 years i've been verbally abused, hit, kicked, punched, spit upon, pooped on, threatened with knives, set upon by dogs and narrowly missed being decapitated with a machete. two of my friends were shot -- one accidently -- the guy was aiming for his wife, and the other on purpose. i've taken a gun away from a family member.

don't be a nurse because you want to marry a doctor. surely there must be easier ways to marry a doctor!

don't be a nurse to get rich. although i do know a couple of nurse who are millionaires, one got it by marrying money and the other bought his first house at age 18, fixed it up and sold it, bought another, etc.

that said, i'm happy as a nurse. i have an interesting job, nice lifestyle and lots of time off during the week when everyone else is working!

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