Would you advise anyone to get into nursing?

-RN- · Feb 28, 2011

I'm stating my opinion. You should be able to see from my viewpoint too then.

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

I mean no disrespect, but you will probably still have a rude awakening. I went into nursing with a healthcare background and a realistic view (so I thought) but NOTHING prepares you for actually being a nurse. It can be a hard adjustment even for those with a passion for it.

No disrespect taken. I know enough to know its going to be different and that there is going to be an adjustment period.

0402 · Feb 28, 2011

Aren't you posting in other threads that you can't find a job? I know it's hard out there, but are you saying that you would tell people to run away from nursing because it's hard to get a job or because of the actual job of nursing? Why are you shocked that people are still going into nursing? You are making vague statements without rationale.

Mrs. Sparkle Pants · Feb 28, 2011

Can you list some specific reasons why you feel this way?

GilaRRT · Feb 28, 2011

Meh, every job I've had has been an amalgamation of good and bad. Nursing is no different. There are jobs that are huch more physically demanding and I've been reminded by more than a few people that there are many crap jobs out there, assuming you can get a job. We like to complain about how bad it is and often think our situation is more unique than every body elses. I'm guilty of this as well, but most everything is a mix of this and that.

Would I advise somebody to go into nursing? Who knows, the decision to choose a career is personal and takes into consideration many concepts.

SammiJoRNBSN · Feb 28, 2011

i am a new graduate and i am experiencing the "shock". fact of the matter is that i worked as an stna for 5 years prior to becoming licensed and accepting an rn position. i am still working in the field of geriatrics, but at a totally different level. even though you are around the environment for a long period of time, it in no matter gives you an accurate portrait of what you are really going to be doing as an rn (and nursing school paints a rosy picture by giving you 1-3 patients in your clinical rotations). the roles are completely switched....you go from someone who was the support, to someone who depends on a "job well done" from those support personnel. it is more difficult to transition if you have been in that position for a good amount of time and held yourself to such high standards and then you see that many others do not hold themselves to such a high standard. it turns out that you might look like the bad guy just because you are asking them to "do a better job". would i change my decision to go into nursing? absolutely not, i enjoy it...however, i am still in orientation and not having to completely fend for myself. nursing is something you have to really want to do because it's not something you can flub through....people can read you like a book and if you hate your job and what you do, it's going to come across and provide not only the patients, but your co-workers with negative experiences.

best wishes!!! :nurse:

anotherone, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

err. I hate this kind-of speak as a pre-nursing student (just makes me rethink everything!) So can I ask why some of the posters say they would advise AGAINST nursing?

I am a new nurse who hates it a lot! or at least strongly dislikes and would not re do it. It is a very very very stressful job. I feel like I can never do everything right. And in this job most things if not everything counts. I dread going into work everyday. Knowing that why would I chose to do it again. Although I guess i choose to do it everyday anyway now.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

I just became a nurse a year ago. Don't know why people are complaining. I'm probably older than most here, and I have had many many jobs in my lifetime. Here's the thing no one tells you when you're young....

A career, every career, every job is WORK! Every job can have it's fun moments, it can be rewarding and and it earns you money. BUT---It's not ever going to be all "Florence Nightengale feel good about yourself I'm saving the world" every day. No job is.

I think a lot of people who don't have a lot of work experience have been raised thinking they are going to LOVE their job, they should do something they LIKE. Well folks, here's a reality check...work is work. You can choose to like it, love it or leave it.

In past generations no one thought they were entitled to feel fulfilled by their job. They wanted to support their family and make a decent wage. Not sure when this all changed but it did.

Every job will have it's tough even scary days. You will make huge and small mistakes, you will get in trouble with the higher ups. You will start at the bottom and work your way up. You will get embarrassed, you will do great! You will be under appreciated. Get over it. Go to work, do your 8 hours the best way you know how and go home and live your life.

Nursing is HARD. hard Hard HARD! It's work. You're on your feet, you break your back. You see pain and suffering and extreme sadness. BUT

You hold hands, you give hugs. You teach, you feel like "Wow I really do know my stuff!" You become with time, a resource, a leader someone people look to in their hour of confusion, fear and need. It's powerful and it's awesome, but it's still hard work.

So, yeah, I'd choose it again. I'd recommend it to a young person if they're not afraid of screwing up, working HARD, working late, and being an angel sometimes.

Oh and for someone just out of school, starting pay around 40,000K a year is not bad!

No where else can you take courses in High School and when you graduate be an LPN and make about 35-40 K right out of high school!

IMHO :nurse: :yeah: :redpinkhe :nurse: DO IT IF YOU CAN -

-RN- · Feb 28, 2011

I think it's funny with pre-nursing students or newbie nurses think this field will be better for them.

-RN- · Feb 28, 2011

I also think it's hilarious how nurses in denial are so quick to get defensive. It's just an opinion. If the field is so grand, you won't get bent out of shape.

cabanaboy · Feb 28, 2011

As someone who started nursing mid-life and has other careers to compare it to, I believe nursing is a great choice. There are so many possibilities and opportunities. Much more so then most career fields. I would also tell some one thinking about nursing that there will be very difficult days and things you hate about it, and that your first job may not be the one you will love or even like. If you take and learn from each experience, keep educating yourself (and not necessarily school, but reading, CE, etc), and value what you do find satisfying as a nurse, the opportunities are endless.

The ones who say they hate it are pretty vague. What do you hate? It all depends on the person. Someone who hates med-surg nursing might love being a community health nurse. Or a ICU nurse probably would hate being a school nurse. If you hate what your doing, put yourself in a position to do something else.

shabr26 · Feb 28, 2011

I'm a "newbie" in the nursing world, with a background in the art/ engineering field. I was just accepted to nursing school, after taking prerequisites for 4 years at night and online. I changed careers after 12 years because I was unhappy in my field of work, and I wanted to make a difference and really help people, not just sit in a cubicle on the computer. I think that attitude is everything, and that if you remain positive about all of the different routes your nursing career can go, then you will be happy. The only way to be truly happy is to create your own happiness, not wait for it to find you. I find this site to be helpful at times, but it's really hard to not let the naysayers get to me. Being cynical leads nowhere except to unhappiness, really. I have hope and faith that the market WILL be better when I get out of school, and a career in nursing will be a skill that will help me, my friends, and family for the rest of my life. That kind of training is invaluable.