What are the worst reasons to get into nursing?

[mayana]

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.

[mayana]

Someone asked what I do now. I am in teaching. Most nurses think right away - oh, good vacations, less stress...

Teaching is very stressful, oh yes, we get things thrown at us, attacked, weapons is nothing new, and if you don't like entertaining a crowd, it's nasty work. I dare anyone to try it out if you think it's a paradise of holidays.

[stkittprincess]

The worse reasons for going to nursing school:

You want to look cute in a white cap.........

You want to make the big bucks

You love working week-ends and short staffed

Free flu shots.................

Just kidding. Do it because you care about people and love working with medicine. It becomes a part of who you are. If you find out it is not a good fit, please give yourself permission to change your mind.

Respectfully

Kitt

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

A surprizingly large amount of nursing is teaching. You'll fit right in. I've never regretted becoming a nurse and I've been accepted for every job I've ever applied for. Being able to find employment wherever you go is a real plus.

[3rdcareerRN]

A common but bad reason to become a nurse: "I can always find a job as a nurse."

That is probably true, but it is also true for admin assistants, salespersons, retail workers, temp workers, construction laborers, substitute teachers, and many other positions. (Before and between my careers, I've done all these jobs.) Many such positions paid 75% of what I made as a new grad nurse, so they were easily "living wages". These positions are common in urban/suburban areas.

These positions do not require 2+ years of school plus 1-2 years of mandatory experience, do not require working with extremely ill persons, and often have clean, quiet working conditions.

One does not have to become a nurse to have a portable method of supporting oneself.

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

i used to work with a nurse who said she became a nurse because she had a gen-ed degree with all the nursing pre-reqs included and it just was "easy school" to make "quick money". as someone who waited years on the ADN waiting list, this didnt make me very happy.

i am in class with a girl right now whose only aspiration is to become a LNC, which is fine with me, but she hates people. at clinicals, she won't touch patients and even looks at them with this kinda disgusted look on her face. she says all the time "once i graduate, i will never touch another patient again. i hate dealing with sick people." alllllrighty then...

your personality sounds like you would be a good match for nursing. but you need to make sure your heart is in it... you need to truly have a love for the profession. i would recommend working as a CNA or PCT before diving in head first to get a feel of the nursing world and make the choice if it is what you really want to do... because like the pp's said, nursing is very rewarding, but can also be very mentally and physically draining.

good luck to you!!! :)

[EmmaG, RN]

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!

years ago, i would have run too.

now, i'd catch it and immediately fling it back into his face.

wouldn't be the first time i got poo on me.

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

A common but bad reason to become a nurse: "I can always find a job as a nurse."

That was actually my original reason for going to nursing school.

25 years later, that's not what kept me in it.

[chibear55]

Good Money- Haha Thats Funny

[allaboutthefamily]

As long as you are commited to being good at what you do, that means being a good patient advocate, putting the patients needs first, etc. I do not think there are any bad reasons for wanting to become a nurse. The good part of nursing is that there are so many careers in nursing. Contrary to what people are telling you, you can find all of these things in nursing..just probably not all at once.

1) If you want steady work become a staff nurse (or similar) because anywhere you want to go in the US you will have work, which is not true with most professions.

2) If you want big bucks become a traveller/registry/corrections/etc.

3) If you want a 9-5 day job there are many outpatient surgery centers, clinics, and urgent care clinics where you can find work. Many of these are not even open on weekends or evenings.

4) Hate dealing with patients? I know people who work for insurance companies as nurses and all they do is go thru patient files all day, never even speak to a patient.

5) Want to make a real difference? Well you can do this most anywhere in nursing, but some real "feel good" jobs include (IMO) working with the homeless who happen to have mental disorders, volunteer work, camps/etc. for sick children and adults.

6) Love the desert? Become a army nurse, you can shoot someone and then patch them up.

7) Always wanted to work in legal? Legal nurse consultant may be a good career path, granted you need experience and more often than not an advanced practice degree.

8) Fancy CSI? Nursing research is your magic ticket!

9) Nursing theory.....Eh....dont do it.

There are many jobs nurses can do that people dont normally associate with nurses, and there are many degrees you can get after your BSN if you feel a career change is in need.