Would you become an RN again if you had the choice?

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I'll be applying to ABSN (or ELMSN) programs this upcoming year.

I have been getting increasingly frustrated over becoming a nurse which is starting to worry me. The main thing I keep hearing is that nurses are mean and not nice to each other. I've heard this from many different people and I'm getting worried. I don't want to either 1. become one of those people or 2. be treated poorly by my co-workers

My question is, would you still become an RN if you had the choice to do it again? Why or why not?

Would you recommend getting your MSN and NP license? Why or why not?

Thank you! I really hope that the people I am hearing these things from are wrong!

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Specializes in PCCN.

No , no , and no.

Chances are small you might be treated badly by your peers, but you be treated badly and abusively moreso from your"clients" aka patients.

Most of my coworkers who have a year or more are going for NP to get away from floor nursing.

Floor nursing only makes sense if you have a plan of not staying there for too long. Have a plan in place.

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Yes, yes and yes!!

I love being an RN! Of course every place you work is going to have it's issues/politics, which is unfortunate but you have to learn to separate your life from your work life. You are your own person so even if other nurses are "mean and not nice to each other" that does not mean you have to be. You have a opportunity to set an example that maybe others will follow, also this is an adult world so if you are being treated poorly or unfairly then you can do something about it. Maybe I live in a sheltered world but I have worked in several hospitals and of course as I mentioned everywhere will have some issue, but for the most part the women/men that I have worked with are some of the nicest most caring individuals I know. I also am planning on pursuing my MSN or DNP in the near future because I love nursing education and would love a chance to help people in that capacity. Just so you know you will also run into clients/patients that treat you poorly, probably more than you want to, but once in awhile you will run into one that you relate with and help and there is no other feeling like it. I guess I should mention I am primarily an OB nurse now, but still do Med/Surg as well, the beauty of nursing is there are several different areas to go into, so if one is not a good fit for you then some other area might be. You have to do what is best for you, I can assure you in every career you will work with and for people who will treat you poorly just a fact of life. Good luck!

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No, definitely not. Nursing school and the first year of nursing have really aged me. The stress in unreal. The benefits where I work are terrible. But as a new grad you have to take what you can get, even if it is a crappy floor with terrible benefits and low pay. I am really hoping that after I have a year of experience I can get a decent job, on a DAY SHIFT.

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I have worked with some super great nurses throughout my career, and I guess a couple "evil" ones too :( Mostly though, if you treat people like you want to be treated, you'll enjoy your co-workers. When you are under the gun, and they pitch in to help you, I was always so appreciative! I have done the same so many times over the years. As far as being a nurse, I do rather wish I had become a biologist maybe. I guess you can't be everything :)

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All I can say after 27 years of Hospital Nursing............Absolutely not!!! The bad so outweighs the good now. I love Nursing and am so proud to be a Nurse, I just feel no genuine appreciation for all that we do starting from the top, aka, Administration, Directors, Managers....:( I'm looking forward to retiring next year...unfortunately we dont have the ability like teachers to move from school to school, districts within the city/state and retain retirement benefits. Your retirement is whatever you manage to put together. If you have made 4 moves within your career, good luck!!

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

No.

Although, I am happy with my job now I wish I would have majored in something else. I can not see myself to continue nursing for 10 more years. Not sure where I will be but probably won't be in scrubs.

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Yes, but not a strong yes. The work does take a lot out of you.

Co-worker problems are not unique among nurses. That happens everywhere and you need to learn to handle coworker problems.

The stess comes from having a high level of responsibility, the high standards when dealing with human lives, the emotional devastation that can happen if you fail in this, the demands of your patients, your high workload, the patient families and the erratic schedules take their toll.

I might have been better off in a field like x-ray or the lab. These are better for long term professional survival.

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

For me ABSOLUTELY. The longer I am in it the more I love it.

I am glad that I did med/surg then ICU , CVRU etc..and then moved on to positions that were easier physically.I spent about 4-5 yrs in each field. It kept me fresh and cheerful.

I work in cardiac rehab now and do teaching in the hospital also.

Now 20 yrs in I have found a place where I have the time to give the pt the type of teaching that you are taught to do in nursing school

My focus now is different I try to empower pt,family and the younger nurses coming in.

I am saddened that there has become so much paperwork pt are losing out. Yet,it can be done.

Mostly I have learned to accept people as they are.

I have mostly been in cardiac and I believe in the heart.

I love also love to teach as it shows me the gaps in my own learning and for the most part students optimism lifts me.

Dying pt have my deepest love and I look forward to ending my career in hospice.

Nursing provided a forum where I could meet people at the level of heart and I express best my own spirit

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

Make a conscious choice to be there for nurses coming behind you and renew that promise annually.(that has helped me a lot )

Explore all of nursing that way you will remain fresh

When your getting hyper critical its the 1st sign of boredom or burn out. Listen to it,move to the next area and keep learning.

Being an N/P would be fantastic. Go all the way if it speaks to you. Choosing N/P or MSN is more about 'What is your goal? "

Choose not to perpetuate the myth nurses "eat their young" or are mean. Few people are their best self when tired.

Be part of the solution make it a goal that neither of these things will be YOUR story.

The very best of luck to you.

Being resilient is profitable to your practice.:

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Specializes in ER.

No. Can't wait to start my application to grad school. Been nursing two years and change ! Hubby already applied to grad school. Been nursing almost three years

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Specializes in CICU.
The main thing I keep hearing is that nurses are mean and not nice to each other.

First, replace "nurses" with "people". Then, remember that really no group is ALL one way or another. For example, I am a nurse and I am rarely mean.

I do not regret, in the least, becoming a nurse.

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