Would you become a nurse again

Published

If you had it to do it over again would you become a nurse? Would you rather persue another occupation?

I am getting scared by all of these negative replies about nursing.

Something needs to change, it just has to. This kind of work atmosphere you all talk about is incredibly depressing. How can it be changed?

That must be the question of the century.

I am so terribly sorry that the majority of nurses are so unbelievably unhappy.

It just goes to show how little people know about this profession when they get into it... All nurses want to do is care for people and then they get pooped on!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
I am getting scared by all of these negative replies about nursing.

Something needs to change, it just has to. This kind of work atmosphere you all talk about is incredibly depressing. How can it be changed?

That must be the question of the century.

I am so terribly sorry that the majority of nurses are so unbelievably unhappy.

It just goes to show how little people know about this profession when they get into it... All nurses want to do is care for people and then they get pooped on!

Please don't forget that this is a message board. We come here to VENT, get advice, find support, and see what everyone else is doing. So this group of nurses here doesn't necessarily represent the entire nursing population.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't trade it for the world.....:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I definitely love it, I am still a student, graduating next June... I am also scared to death to work on my own, but in general I love nursing~!:rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I can't see myself doing bedside/hospital nursing for more than a few more years.

I agree 100%. The one thing that is great about nursing is that there are so many different opportunities and choices. I have only been a nurse for 5 months in the Surgical ICU, and I am already ready to go back for my Master's in Anesthesia or NP. But at least it is good for the experience. I sure have learned a great deal in just 5 months. BTW we also do open hearts, it can get crazy to say the least.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

They need to give fair warning before you get in so deep you can't get back out. :uhoh21:

Exactly the reason why nursing training should have remained HOSPITAL based!!!

"Back when", we knew fairly quickly whether or not nursing was for us!

You were exposed to the REAL world of what being a nurse really was all about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

I'm retired now. THANK heavens for small mercies! :-)

I turn 55 next week. I couldn't hack the pressure, the hours, the nonsense, the physical demands, anymore. I was 17 years old when I started my training. Retired three years ago. Reckon I did my bit for humanity. Served my time. While I'm grateful for all that nursing afforded me, I doubt, knowing what I now know, that I'd ever do it over again.

I initially intended to become Australia's first famous, (female), movie star.

But Nicole Kidman beat me to it!!! LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, I would definetly do it again. At first I felt overwhelmed and didn't know if i would ever enjoy it, then one day I just decided to pray before every shift, and just go in to work and be happy. All it took was just setting my mind that I was going to be happy and positive, and now I am. I think people like to work with me because the people's attitude you are working with seems to rub off on you. My motto is if I have to suck it up and smile then so do you. Don't get me wrong, I get irritated at some of the decisions that managment makes, and some patients and familys get on my nerves, but when I think of any other jobs I feel that each would have it's own set of complaints with half of the pay and a fraction of the job security. There is probably a forum at this moment where someone else is typing about bieng a teacher or cook and hate it and wish they would have become a nurse. I have found that in a profession of women there is always somone who is complaining and when you are feeling stressed at work it doesn't take much for a negative personality to rub off on you. For some reason we have a tendancy to eat our young. Yes I think that health care and managment needs to make many changes, but I think that will start when we as nurses stop complaining so much that noone listens anymore. sorry this got so long but as you can probably figure out it hits a personal note with me. The hospital I work at is going through a lot of changes and I think life would be easier for everyone if we all just decided to work together. Sometimes when I hear one or two people whining about nursing I think "well just quit then and maybey your replacement would be better to work with."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

After 5 years in nursing (1yr CNA, 2yrs LPN, 2yrs RN) I say no. Not because I don't like being a nurse, but due to working conditions. Even the "good" nursing jobs aren't that great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/Ortho/Psych.

This actually makes me very sad to say, but the answer is No. I have fought sooooo hard #1( to get my license #2 to keep it after becoming addicted to narcotics and almost loosing it. I was in TPAPN, which is a 2yr program for nurses that are mentally ill and/or drug addicted. #3 Now, I'm under a board investigation for simply helping a coworker do something that I did not know the rule for.

I hate it that I feel this way and am a little embarrassed as I fought so hard for nursing. Every once in a while I feel it has been worth it as I see the appreciation on the look on an elderly patient's face, but with all the red tape and the sue happy families, it has not been worth it. The patients are sicker, the families are demanding and unhappy. A compliment or appreciation is rarely ever expressed. There is so much unethical behavior and practice, addicted nurses and doctors.

Believe it or not, I do my best to be positve about my situation. It just is so hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a nursing student right now and all I can say is that I've been having serious doubts about sticking with this. I'm so stressed out from the program and all my clinical instructors are miserable as well. I worked so hard to get here and now I feel like I wasted my time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm a nursing student right now and all I can say is that I've been having serious doubts about sticking with this. I'm so stressed out from the program and all my clinical instructors are miserable as well. I worked so hard to get here and now I feel like I wasted my time.

Please spend some time following an RN in the field you want to work in. Shadow him/her for multiple shifts, if you can. Find out for sure!

Although I know I won't be doing this forever, I DON'T regret becoming a nurse, or any of the course work that came with it. It's a great stepping-stone to other careers. I can go on to get a Master's in a variety of health-based or science-based areas. Acupuncture, for example, has been on my mind for the last year or so. Or I could take my license and work in a clinic, work with research studies, go into legal nursing, forensic nursing, etc. There are many possibilities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion