Why are you REALLY going into nursing? Honest answers please.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 15, 2005

I need a job, and a steady income. Seriously. **Anyone who says different isn't telling the whole truth.

Sure I want a steady income. But that is why I am not going into nursing. I do not think nursing pays well anyway (for what you do and how hard you work). I have been a CCMA-C for over three years now. I went into it so I could see if I liked the medical field without spending 4 or more years getting there to only find out I should have gone with my second choice, law. I love the medical field. I love helping people and making a difference in their lives; even if it is a small one. I knew after working less than a year I wanted to go into nursing. The doctor I was working for was always telling me "you would make a great nurse, don't waste your tallent here" even before I was able to afford to go back to school. When I saw my mother-in-law give birth to her twins, I fell in love. I started reading books on midwifery and birth story books containing midwife deliveries. I did get a "calling". I want it so bad I would do it for free, and plan to do some home birth for simple trade work for Amish and Mennonite women. I want to be able to help women inside and outside the hospital. I am passionate about birth and want to have the goal of helping woman to trust their bodies to know to do what they were designed to do. I do not see how any one can go into nursing for the money and last…or at least be happy.

Sheri257 · Oct 15, 2005

I considered a number of possibilities and ruled them out because:
3) Physician's assistant: You always have to work under a physician, and there's really no place to go with your degree if you want to move up.

And as a nurse you don't work under a physician? :confused:

Even if you're an NP, you often have to practice under an MD's license to some extent in most states.

Not sure I'm following your logic here.

:coollook:

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2005

And as a nurse you don't work under a physician?
Even if you're an NP, you often have to practice under an MD's license to some extent in most states.
Not sure I'm following your logic here.

I hope I'm not working "under" a physician. In the hospital setting, I work with physicians, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, etc. as part of a team. Maybe in a doctor's office a nurse would work for a physician. In Florida, a nurse practitioner practices under his/her own license and no other.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2005

And as a nurse you don't work under a physician?
Even if you're an NP, you often have to practice under an MD's license to some extent in most states.
Not sure I'm following your logic here.

In my state, nurse practitioners can practice independently.

xxlilkacixx · Dec 5, 2005

The whole truth of why I'm becoming a nurse is because I want to help people. Not only that, I am good talking to people and I feel that with patients having to go through some uncomfortable situations I will be able to make it just a little bit easier for them. Of course the salary and job security is a great perk, but it's not a good enough reason to motivate you through 2-4 years of schooling and a life long career. Also, it's unfair to a patient to have a nurse that isn't truly interested 100% in their well being.

shyone2005 · Dec 5, 2005

i was in it for the money of course and also helping the elderly.. now, i;m not even sure if it's all worth it... i wish i took a different path... i just started and i feel like quitting already... is that even a normal feeling?? did anyone in here feel like this too when they just started??? it is a secure job however, but i would rather do something else than this.. but now, i feel like i have no choice because too many people are depending on me... otherwise, i would have called it quits...

jenn_rn_nj · Dec 5, 2005

i have a degree already and worked in child life. while working in that capacity, i found that i wanted to be doing more medically with patients so i decided to go into nursing. my original degree is in psychology and education and i did some graduate work in school psychology. i think that nursing will be the ultimate chance for me to put all my interests together - mental health, teaching and patient care.

i've wanted to do this since 1999, it's just taken me awhile to make the change and go forward with nursing school due to circumstances in my personal life. :)

ctunurse · Dec 5, 2005

This is my honest answer. I never even thought of nursing until I was told this: I wanted to go to other countries and help children and families in need. I was told it was missionary work and I wouldn't be able to make a living that way. So, I looked around and then I thought, Ok I'll become a nurse and then I can do mission work with a purpose and have income to make a living. I've been a nurse for 11 months and wouldn't change it for the world. Mission work, however, still remains my ultimate goal in life.

bethin · Dec 5, 2005

As cliche as it sounds I like to help people. I was a pre-law student before nursing. Even then I wasn't thinking money, money. When I graduated from law school I wanted to work for legal aide. It's set up for those people who cannot afford a lawyer for wills or to fight an unlawful eviction, etc.

Also, I'll admit it...I'm an adrenaline junkie. I like the fast paced, thinking on your feet that nursing provides. I don't like doing the same thing everyday. Everytime I go to work it's something different and I'm always learning something new.

Job security is nice and I would do my job for free. Yes free, I love it that much. Also, when I'm done with nursing school (CNA right now) I would love to volunteer in a third world country providing health services.

There is nothing else I would rather do. When I didn't get into nursing school the first time I briefly changed my major to criminal justice. That didn't last long because it just didn't challenge me like nursing does.

Sheri257 · Dec 5, 2005

i was in it for the money of course and also helping the elderly.. now, i;m not even sure if it's all worth it... i wish i took a different path... i just started and i feel like quitting already... is that even a normal feeling?? did anyone in here feel like this too when they just started??? it is a secure job however, but i would rather do something else than this.. but now, i feel like i have no choice because too many people are depending on me... otherwise, i would have called it quits...

Yeah ... I've felt that way a million times. In all honesty, I often think this is the biggest mistake of my life. But, I've invested too much in it to turn back now.

What made it worse was when I worked as an extern this summer. Granted, this was a horrible hospital to work for with a lousy reputation, and I hope I can find a better place to work when I graduate, but it was the only hospital I could extern with through school.

The most disappointing thing for me though, was the way I was treated by some patients. I would work so hard to give them great care, and they would still complain and treat me horribly. One of them kicked and spit on me. Some of them screamed at me for no apparent reason. And more than one would outright lie and claim I did things that never happened. I couldn't believe the abuse you take as a nurse.

I know sick people are under a lot of stress, and some of them had dementia or were drug addicts, alcoholics, etc. but when you're trying to help them and they treat you so badly ... well ... I found it very depressing. Let's just say I now understand why there's a nursing shortage.

Having said all of that, here's the bright side: If I can't find a facility where there's good management and good patient care right away ... there's dozens of other jobs where, hopefully, I can find the right employer. There's also a 100 different things I can do with an RN degree ... so that's what keeps me going.

But no ... you are not alone in your feelings on this.

:coollook:

studentnurserachel · Dec 5, 2005

Withdrawn, sorry!

BurnBaby06 · Dec 6, 2005

Because I love it!