Will nursing allow me to have a life?

AprilRNhere · Jul 14, 2007

The field of nursing is so incredibly broad it's hard to answer those questions. Every facility is going to be different. Also...there are so many things you can do with a nursing degree. You can work office, clinic, hospital, long term care. You can work full time, part time, on call etc...

Basically..if you're young...the possibilities are endless. I'm a new grad, but I've worked in healthcare for 5 years. From what I've seen and been told, once you put in your first 2 years you can pretty much go anywhere. You can travel, or you can be home with a family. I know nurses who work 3 twelve hour shifts a week and are home the rest of the time.

Yes, nursing is a stressful job, but extremely rewarding as well.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

hello, im a high school graduate interested in a career in nursing:nurse: but i need some help finding out if nursing is the right career for me. im a out going person that wants to have a good paying career and that will also allow me in the future to have a family and be able to work at the same time. if you could please answer some of these questions they would really help me make my final desicion.
how many days do you work a week and how many hours?
is your work schedule flexible?
are you always on call?/how many days are you on call?
do you still have time to take care of your husband and kids when coming home from work?
is nurisng a stressful job?
whats the least thing you like about nursing?
whats encourages you to continue to be a nurse?
whats your most favorite thing about nursing?
can you live your life with out your job interfering?
do you enjoy being a nurse?
thank you for your help!

1. i work 2 days per week (a 16 hour shift on saturday, and a 16 hour shift on sunday). i have monday through friday off, and am paid for 40 hours per week.

2. i would say that my work schedule is flexible.

3. i am never on call.

4. i don't have a husband/boyfriend or children. however, i attend college full-time during the week, and my grade point average is good.

5. nursing is very stressful.

6. the least attractive aspects of nursing include the lack of respect, the rude doctors, abusive family members, and demanding patients.

7. i have a mortgage and car payments, so my bills encourage me to continue nursing.

8. my most favorite thing about nursing is the steady paycheck.

9. i am able to live my life without job interference.

10. i sometimes enjoy being a nurse, and sometimes i despise nursing.

Christie RN2006 · Jul 14, 2007

1. I was hired to work 3 12 hours shifts per week, but I try to pick up an extra 8 every week.

2. No... I have a set schedule, but they are willing to let you take days off, and trade with other nurses.

3. I am never on-call

4. I don't have a husband or kids, but I work with plenty of nurses that do and they seem to do a fine job of handling working and family.

5. Yes, nursing is a very stressful job.

6. Rude doctors, patients, and families.

7. I like what I do, and the majority of patients that I take care of...and the money isn't so bad either :)

8. My favorite thing is knowing that what I do makes a difference.

9. Is there such a things as your job not interfering with your life?

10. Depends on the day, but 9 times out of 10, yes :)