Why so much Negativity in Nursing?

KeepinitrealCCRN · Nov 18, 2017

i LOVE being a nurse but i think there are better choices in healthcare. if you have the brain and are willing to put in the work i would recommend being a dentist, physical therapist or pharmacist. also, respiratory therapist is a great job where you make a decent living and you don't have to deal with a lot of the bs that comes with being a nurse. as someone else mentioned nursing is very different depending on what unit you work in and what hospital, you may love one area and hate another. good luck!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 18, 2017

"if it is even worth busting my ass " :) ask it like it is. Three years , trying to even get in.. means you have lost the battle.

For me, I would not do it again . Your mileage may vary. It would be what you make of it.

Best wishes.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Nov 18, 2017

I don't recommend nursing. Better choices would be find a good govt job, preferably federal govt as they have the best benefits such as pension and health insurance. If you get a state or city govt job make sure their pension is well funded and they are in the black. Stay away from Illinois and California and Chicago and Detroit as they are underfunded wrecks!

If you really want to work in healthcare I would recommend ultrasound tech. There is probably a local public community tech college offering it, pays as well as nursing with less stress and way less wear and tear on your body. Personally, I think this is the hidden gem in healthcare!

Sour Lemon · Nov 18, 2017

Over all, I'd say it's worth it to me. What I dislike above all else is "forcing" people to stay alive who would be better off if they were allowed to leave this earth.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2017

New nurse here.

There is so much about nursing that is very difficult. For most of us, at least one of the aspects of the job are hard to swallow. For some of us, all of it is hard to swallow. For some of us, too much of it is hard to swallow. That's why so many people leave. Even those of us that love it, also hate it because it s intense.

For me: I love being there for people in crisis. I love handling a wide variety of problems, juggling, prioritizing, diffusing stressful situations, calming people.

What I hate is how few people understand and respect what I do. Only other nurses really understand what I do.

It's a very intense job. You need to really like working hard. (I do.) There are a few cushy nursing jobs, but there's no way around spending at least part of your career working hard.

You need to care very deeply about your work. And if you do, you are going to get very upset, feel overwhelmed sometimes, etc.

Don't know if you are a mom or not, but it's kind of like motherhood that way. Very rewarding, very challenging, sometimes you want to crawl into bed and just not get out. Calgon, take me away!

anewsns · Nov 18, 2017

New nurse here.
There is so much about nursing that is very difficult. For most of us, at least one of the aspects of the job are hard to swallow. For some of us, all of it is hard to swallow. For some of us, too much of it is hard to swallow. That's why so many people leave. Even those of us that love it, also hate it because it s intense.
For me: I love being there for people in crisis. I love handling a wide variety of problems, juggling, prioritizing, diffusing stressful situations, calming people.
What I hate is how few people understand and respect what I do. Only other nurses really understand what I do.
It's a very intense job. You need to really like working hard. (I do.) There are a few cushy nursing jobs, but there's no way around spending at least part of your career working hard.
You need to care very deeply about your work. And if you do, you are going to get very upset, feel overwhelmed sometimes, etc.
Don't know if you are a mom or not, but it's kind of like motherhood that way. Very rewarding, very challenging, sometimes you want to crawl into bed and just not get out. Calgon, take me away!

It's true, there's often no way around some of these beside jobs, though I've seen a few of my classmates like go into offices , one was an LMT and started her own business to help post surgical patients heal with natural remedies, stuff like that but she had other backgrounds. If you get through the acute clinical part often many other doors can open up. So you can have routines, normal shifts, crazy wild high Adrenaline jobs, sitting in front of computers, teaching, sales.. possibilities are endless. Hospital bedside nursing can be uncomfortable and most of us aren't true naturals at it, but there's even so many aspects of that job that there will be SOMETHING you like about it. Many/ most of us are lifelong learners too so that's something to be aware of. To be on the safe and realistic side , I would expect 5 years of hell (including school) that will bring you a lifetime of satisfaction. The numbers will vary according to Your attitude , life experience , and personality. I definitely wouldn't totally advise against it though.

Just try to be clear about who you are and what the goal is for yourself going in.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2017

Everyone's journey is different.

I would have chosen a different career path at the start of my adult years if I had been more cognizant of what was out there instead of being focused narrowly.

Nursing has been a good employment path for me over the years for flexibility, mobility and earnings.

If I was starting out in this day and climate as a nurse, I wouldn't do it. I would choose pharmacist, health information or SLP. I say this because of the way the health care industry is today.

Julius Seizure · Nov 18, 2017

If you really want to work in healthcare I would recommend ultrasound tech. There is probably a local public community tech college offering it, pays as well as nursing with less stress and way less wear and tear on your body. Personally, I think this is the hidden gem in healthcare!

Agree!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 18, 2017

I've also noticed that there are an overwhelming amount of negative posts and regretful nurses who wish they had never chosen this profession. I understand that everyone is different, but I do fear that there is truth in what they are saying, and it makes me wonder if it is even worth busting my ass over trying to get accepted, let alone complete the program and pass the NCLEX (I am an excellent student and great tester, by the way, I just had a rocky start to my college education way back in 2010 plus the whole GPA/grading system is crooked and keeps people with potential from ever getting a seat in a program)
Anyway, I am sorry if there has already been a post like this. I am just wondering from nurses who have much more experience than me, is it worth it? Any insight is appreciated!

Some PEOPLE are just negative. Nurses are people, and some of us are negative as well. The folks who are going to write long posts on a forum like this are usually the ones who have something negative to say. Those of us who are happy with our career choice, enjoying our jobs and love our colleagues and managers just aren't going to be as likely to shout it from the rooftops as those who are disgruntled with their jobs, miserable with their career choice or actively hating on their managers and colleagues. That's human nature.

It is absolutely worth it to bust your butt over getting into school, completing the program and passing the NCLEX. Nursing is an interesting and challenging career with stable pay, good benefits and flexible scheduling. Plus, you get to make a really big difference in the lives of people who need it.

Many of the negative posts you're reading are from folks who are having a difficult time in school or their first couple of years of nursing and want to blame their difficulties on someone else. The instructor who is "unfair" or "hates" them, cheating classmates, a "mean" preceptor or "cliquey" colleagues. In the rare case, their assessment of others borders on accurate, but the majority of complaints we see about "bullying" are just shorthand for "my colleagues don't like me and I cannot be bothered to try to be likable in the workplace".

When you read the negative posts, try to take them in context. Were they written by someone just having a bad day? Or by someone who won't be accountable for their errors? By someone who just had her vacation request quite reasonably denied? By someone who is generally pessimistic on ALL threads in which they participate?

I'm happy I chose nursing, and I've enjoyed MOST of my forty years as a nurse. But the first 1-2 years were unhappy ones as I found my footing, learned to create positive workplace relationships and became competent as a nurse. You may find that in most careers.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2017

Take everything we say with a grain a salt, because we are a salty bunch. I love what I do, but there are days and times when I hate the job but that's true in any profession.

If you've been working towards this for 3 years, expand your horizons a bit. I know I couldn't have done this in my 20's, and I respect anyone who has. It took time, confidence, and a need for something more for me to take the science courses for nursing school. Totally aced them because I was so much more confident in my 30's than in my 20's. Now might not be your time. Also, apply to nursing schools everywhere if it is your "passion", but understand that passion doesn't equal nurse. Like I said, we're a salty bunch.

RJ 55 · Nov 19, 2017

I absolutely love my job as a nurse. When I started nursing school, I had a toddler and a newborn at home and I worked full time. It was a struggle and often times I wondered if it would be worth it. I landed a position right out of nursing school in a ER/Trauma. Nursing as a career isn't easy. You have people's lives in your hand. It is a great privilege and honor but also a huge responsibility. I make a good living with good benefits for my family. Nursing is stressful. Even after almost ten years of ER/Trauma experience I am challenged daily. It is an exhilarating experience. No two patients are alike. No situation is the same. One night can be calm and quiet and the next can be a bus crash with multiple casualties that overwhelm an already busy ER. One day we can be fully staffed with everyone able to take their lunch breaks. The next day we can have nurses that call off because illness and we work short and no one is able to take a break. There are many uncertainties in this profession, just like life and you have to be able to adapt. There will be sacrifices that you will be forced to make. For me the reward of caring for patients outweighs the negative. Good luck!

Extra Pickles · Nov 19, 2017

It's all about the patient. If helping someone through the worst/best moments are their life is important to you, then you're on the right track. If you're in it for the money, recognition, or anything else, you're going to be sadly disappointed.

Helping people through the best and worst moments of their lives has been important to me and so has been earning the best income possible. Know this: I would not do this job for less money than I make now. If it were to be announced that nurses with my level of experience or skill set could only be paid say half of what I am being paid, you can bet I would retire the same day. I have never been disappointed in working as a nurse for the money. I think it is a little elitist to suggest that money is not a proper motivator. No disappointment here :-)

Why so much Negativity in Nursing?

Is nursing worth it?