What is Your Biggest Challenge as a Nurse or a Nursing Student?

Nurses General Nursing

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Take a brief survey here : What is your biggest nursing challenge?

We've had several articles and threads recently dealing with many problems and challenges that nurses are facing today. We get so caught up in caring for others that many times we forget about taking care of ourselves. So many issues nurses face on a daily basis can lead to emotional and physical burnout, job dissatisfaction, anxiety, illness, and more, unless we learn how to cope with the stresses that won't go away. Although the root of many of these challenges seem unsurmountable, there are things that can be done for how we react under the stresses many of you are experiencing.

This got me to thinking…...what can we do about this? I know many of you come here to vent about the challenges you are facing. And that is good. But how can allnurses be more supportive to you than just offering a sounding board?

I'd like to know: What is your biggest personal challenge as a nurse or nursing student? What's keeping you from enjoying your job or your preparations to be a nurse? What is taking the joy out of your life?

I'm really curious and I want to know. In order to help, we need to know more about those stresses you are facing at work or in school. So please take a few minutes to answer some questions.

Click here to answer a few questions.

Your feedback by participating in this short survey will be instrumental in helping us as we develop things that we hope will help you with your challenges....before you reach the state of burnout. This is your chance to have an impact on our plans for future developments and offerings through allnurses.

To express our appreciation for you taking time to answer a few questions, we will be having a random drawing of (4) $50 gift cards to those who complete the questionnaire.

I look forward to hearing from you!

After taking the survey, please feel free to share your feedback in this thread. Go ahead and vent. Sometimes talking about it is very therapeutic.

Thanks

Specializes in ICU, urgent care, family practice.

Keep your head up and dont give up. I have a 3.28 nursing core GPA (science classes) and an overall 3.4 and recently just got accepted to nursing school. My Teas was a score of 82.7% ... Maybe you cant change your gpa in a short amount of time but you still have control of scoring high on the Teas. Get the practice book.. Study and drill yourself hard on the practice exams. Keep reminding yourself of what you want and go get it. Dont let yourself get down.

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Specializes in PACU, presurgical testing.

I have 2 challenges right now after about 3 years as an RN.

1. Worry and anxiety. Vigilance is necessary; worry is destructive and exhausting.

2. Feeling like a cog in the wheel sometimes. I came from a very project/deadline-oriented work background, and the day-in, day-out nature of what we do is a little stultifying. Working on a few ideas for EBP projects to be able to help on a larger scale.

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Overcoming my own depression, and past failures. my cumulative GPA was 3.28 last semester its about the same after earning two Bs last semester. I am in a good position to get an A in a prerequisite, but it will only bring my GPA up to about 3.3/3.4. After hearing how crazy competitive nursing school can be I am beginning to wonder if I am cut out for this. I am dedicated, and I love school. It just seems like it might not be meant to be. Getting up to the 3.5 range is feasible before I apply getting up to that 3.75 range would take years, and tuition I simply cannot afford to waste. I have yet to take the tease test. I am not giving up though I intend to pursue this until I have exhausted every option in the state! Keeping my mouth shut, and not telling every one how excited I am to pursue nursing. ITS ALL I THINK AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME! That, and my classes which I absolutely love.

I want to encourage you. The nursing program is competitive, that's true. However a person can go nuts trying to accomplish the myth of straight A's. I did at least. Finally I decided that there has to be more people that are not perfect Than those who are. That was really comforting for me! I started asking around and my suspicions were right. Only three of the applicants had a 4.0, in fact the majority had a 3.0-3.4. No one is going to tell you that though. They are weeding out the weak. They are knocking out the people that are not going to be a good investment in the limited program spots. Don't give up! Once you have the prerequisites and have passed the classes, apply. The most they can say is no. If that happens only retake science classes. Those are the classes most reviewed.

In regards to the TEAS test, don't stress,that either. Your school will require a minimum score and then give additional points for higher scores. Get the study guide, read it and do the practice problems and do not take the TEAS twice. Its a waste of money and the majority of people retake it don't change their score. That's right, the usually have within one-4 point of their first try.

I hope this lifted your spirits! Hang in there, God needs people to be His hands and feet and care for the least of these.

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One other thing that can really intimidate me if I'm not on my toes is that I'm 5' 1/4" short and that, along with being a woman, makes some of the nurses treat me like I'm 10 y/o when I'm really over 18. Granted, I'm smaller than all my 5th grade students, but do you really think a manager would've hired me because I smiled at her? Do your job and let me do mine and this'll be a lot easier.

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The biggest challenge for me is standing on my feet for the duration of my shift. I am in practicum now, and after working 8-9 hours a day, 4 days a week, I can really feel it :/ I probably need new/better shoes, or I just need to get used to it. I can barely drag my feet at home in between shifts. My bf thinks is hilarious :(

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Biggest challenge for me would be keeping everyone happy. Yes, I work 12 hr shifts dear, you might have to feed the dogs and the kids. Yes, I do need some sleep tonight and yes I'm off tomorrow.

Other challenges is the medicare guidelines that steers the medical fields for there reimbursement and rules and regs that effect patients and staff. I want my pt to have the best, but medicare doesn't really care that you don't have running water to wash up.

Trying to get adult protective services to help some of my patients is hard. As long as the pt has some type of food and fluids available to them and they can do there business in a pot or can, they are ok. Can they dial 911? Then nothing they can do.

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One other thing that can really intimidate me if I'm not on my toes is that I'm 5' 1/4" short and that, along with being a woman, makes some of the nurses treat me like I'm 10 y/o when I'm really over 18. Granted, I'm smaller than all my 5th grade students, but do you really think a manager would've hired me because I smiled at her? Do your job and let me do mine and this'll be a lot easier.

Honey, it's the short, women nurses that call the shots on the floors. Trust me. You will be fine.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
The biggest challenge for me is standing on my feet for the duration of my shift. I am in practicum now, and after working 8-9 hours a day, 4 days a week, I can really feel it :/ I probably need new/better shoes, or I just need to get used to it. I can barely drag my feet at home in between shifts. My bf thinks is hilarious :(

As someone who has worn high heels on tile and/or cement for 8+ hours, 5 days a week for nearly 10 years, you do get over the discomfort quickly. Before you know it, you'll be just like you were in your pre-practicum days. ;)

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Hello gavin

Let me tell you that I got into nursing school with a gpa of 3.1

If you cannot get into the school that you want try other alternatives. There are many ways to become a RN. you first apply for the one you want. then for the ones that you think will take you. Diploma programs some times are less demanding and you will get the same RN credentials. Do not give up!!!

As a last resourse I was planning to go to another country and then transfer my license here to USA.

I graduated on april this year and planning to do my bachelor now. A lot of people did not believe that with a GPA of 3.1 I could be a nurse and I am now, is nursing is what you want to do follow your heart and your passion, if you get and interview with the program director, you must convinces that you are a real deal.I hope that this help you!!!

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My biggest challenge is the computer system. I think that should be an easier way to do the nursing charting it is too much!!!!

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My biggest challenge as a nursing student is the amount of work that has to be done within a short period of time. It's very overwhelming but also a challenge that has great benefits in the end. Also as a lpn student I am faced with whether or not to continue onto RN or not.

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

Going on medication saved my life. It makes it possible to live life and be in the world. It's not a bad thing. If you had heart trouble you wouldn't think twice about taking medication. Depression is an error in your body's chemistry. If you need the medication, take it. It's worth it.

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