WHY do so many people hate nursing? Sigh.

[RachealAnne]

I feel like everywhere I go people are expressing their hate for nursing rather than their love. I want to go into nursing, and I want to love it. WHY does everyone (almost) hate it so much? Is it really that bad? Can someone express their love for it? I would really enjoy hearing why you love your nursing job.

Personally I could never work in a nursing home, but my goal is to work in the OB/NICU or the ER.

Thanks!

- Super desperate pre-nursing student venting

[Tommy5677]

I was a nurse for 35 years and loathed every second. I have no idea why I lasted that long. If you have to ask why you haven't been in it long enough. Here's one reason. Low staffing to save money. How about that for starters? Here's another. Nursing managers who care more about their own a** than the good of her charges, siding with management instead of you. Need more?

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I think that all new grads should work for a minimum of one year on a med surg floor. You get familiar with meds, IV therapies, disease processes, etc. by experience. Plus, you learn how to prioritize, how to organize yourself & get your work done, and work with other nurses.

I never understood hiring new grads for ICU, ER, PACU----they just do not have the experience, knowledge or skills to work in those areas. How can a nurse work in an ER when they have never started an IV, know how to read a 12 lead EKG, know what the signs & symptoms of different illnesses are, interpret lab results, etc.? How can a nurse work in an ICU when they have never even laid eyes on a vent or central line or PA catheter? Learn how to insert a Foley cath, start an IV, take ACLS & other certification courses, deal with patients & families, learn the routine---and then venture out into speciality areas.

There is very high potential for burnout in ANY unit---it has nothing to do with whether it is med surg, ICU, NICU, etc. It has to do with patient loads, nurse-patient ratios, facility administration. There is nothing wrong with working med surg---it has gotten a bad rep, but that is where you get your best experience from when you're a new nurse.

Just my opinion.

It is totally possible to go into a specialty as a new grad and be successful. I have seen that in critical care as well as dialysis and OR. They simply need a longer orientation period but, like any new hire with experience, they can attend the classes and be successful.

In my opinion it depends a lot on the personality - some people like to work in med/surg to get some broad experience, some want to go right into a specialty and are happy with it.

Let's face it - in med/surg I see mostly younger, energetic nurses - especially during day /evening shift. The stress and burnout factor is high and there is a reason why nurses do not want to work there.

They now also offer new grad orientations in home care (which is a totally new development).

[Laura821]

I was extremely lucky to land a job in one of the nation's top children's hospital and in the NICU as a GN. I can honestly say I do love my job! I had a previous life as a teacher, and although there are still politics and such crap, I don't regret making this change. You do still have to put in the time and hours as a newbie nurse. No matter what position you land as your first job, it is a stepping stone to where you want to eventually end up as a nurse. I'm fortunate enough to have incredible managers who have worked with me regarding my schedule for when I get married in June, and coworkers who have helped me when I feel overwhelmed and over my head with an assignment.

Nursing isn't for the faint of heart or for those who lack compassion and empathy. It isn't about the paycheck either. For me, it is all about the little ones I care for during the night and who I help get well enough to go home and be with their families. I love my job, even when I didn't sleep during the day before my shift. Yes, we all vent about different problems, but in the end, most nurses love what they do and their patients. :)

[misstrinad]

No matter what field you go into there will be things you dislike, same for others working in the field. I have worked in LTC for 7 yrs now, 3of them as a nurse. I love it in more ways than I can express, and of course there's many things I dislike. Being a nurse is still my passion.

Keep in mind with nursing there are so many specialties that if you find you dislike your job there are many different ways to be a nurse.

A simple chicken soup for the nurses soul might be a good pick me up for you :)

[Laura821]

I agree about new grads going into a specialty. I graduated in August 2015 and work in the NICU. I had a more focused orientation and training for my patient population. I knew I wanted to work with pediatric patients, so it was difficult for me to think of working with adults when I knew I wanted to work with the little ones. But it does depend on the person on how successful they will be in whatever nursing job they get.

[seanpaix]

I have been a RN for 35years and can honestly say that I have loved the experience. I retired early and created and run a Nurse driven First Aide station and foot clinic for the homeless in Portland OR. Practicing nursing has been challenging and rewarding...dealing with the health administrations and management has NEVER been rewarding. But my patient interactions have always been exciting to me. I think entering nursing as a job rather than a calling is where the dissatisfaction arises. All our historic nurse profiles entered because they felt the need to be of service...when it is absent so is the essence of nursing. Add the academics who have forever tried to force higher education to boost the professions recognition and now push everyone to become NPs and you have a denigration of the vocational heart of nursing. When you have the professional nurse who combines both you absolutely know the value of nursing. One of my colleagues is an ICU nurse and starting a new position. She says her colleagues criticize her for practicing caring nursing...she tells them she is practicing compassionate nursing and I praise her for it. Become a nurse and be another caring , knowledgeable member of an extraordinary profession!

[jrbl77, RN]

I wouldn't say that I hate nursing, I just dislike what it has become. I am still passionate about nursing, but do it away from the hospital. With my current job, I feel that I get the best part of nursing without the bad parts. I love to listen to people tell their stories of how they became who they are. To be able to listen to someone talk to you, possibly share their fears and hopes in life, is a great honor. Bedside nurses today can't do that with out being interrupted by the phone or the pager. I am heading toward the end of my nursing career, almost 39 years, with a few more to go. I was at the point beyond burnout, but have fallen in love with nursing again.

[Alex_RN, BSN]

I work for a for-profit hospital and the corporate squeeze makes it impossible for me to be the kind of nurse I want to be. I have too many patients, too few colleagues to share the load, and too much pointless CYA documentation.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I love nursing for its diversity. Nursing has allowed me to do so many things, from taking care of soldiers, civilians, and children in a war zone to making bombs from water bottles and detonating cord and blasting caps. I have thrown grenades and done things outside my stateside scope and I have seen the worst of humanity, but also the best. I have met and admired those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and stood at attention and saluted to honor them as they moved past me to make the final journey home. I would have experienced none of these perspective-altering events without becoming a nurse. I am passionate about what I do, and how it has shaped me. I have learned to never do anything halfway, and that life is short and worthy of reflection and risk-taking to follow your bliss. It's probably PTSD, I know.

What other profession would simultaneously have me considering a job in a burn ICU that would build on my trauma skills vs. an Informatics position that would make use of my MSN? Yes, this is my real dilemma right now and I am torn. Lol.

So there — I love nursing. :)

[hartsockd]

I am a second semester BSN student, and I know several RN's who graduated last semester who definitely were NOT top of the class who work in the NICU/ ER at a MAGNET accredited hospital ... however, that probably varies by location and hospital!! I want to work in hospice or psych and there are only 2-3 other students in my cohort of 64 who would even consider either. I hope that puts me in a good position for job security ;-)

Good luck with school!

[lmgst30]

Just once I'd like to read a thread by some pre-nursing butterfly who's dream job is to be a really good med-surg nurse.

Enough already with the NICU/PICU/OB princesses.

I'm a pre-nursing student who just wants a stimulating job with pleasant co-workers and relatively healthy working conditions. Specialty is a tertiary consideration at best.

To the OP, I agree there could be more positive threads, but the negative ones are useful in that they give me a better idea of what nursing is really like. The good days are all over the TV shows and movies. The REAL days are on here.

[auson16]

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