Would you be a nurse if you knew then, what you know now?

realist · Oct 7, 2009

After what I have seen and been exposed to- ABSOLUTELY, UNEQUIVOCALLY- NOOOOOO. Trust Me, Nursing was a second career for me so I have been exposed to other professions/professionals and have not observed what I've seen in Nursing. For me Nursing was a big mistake !!! :down: :banghead:

silmas RN · Oct 7, 2009

My Mom was a nurse who tried to talk me out of going into nursing. Well, after 38 years, I could not imagine doing anything else. I've had a diverse career, working everything from ICU to ER to research to Sports Medicine. Now that I'm older with physical limitations, I work as a Nurse Paralegal for a plaintiff's law firm. I am still a patient advocate and that's what counts.

metowe · Oct 7, 2009

What is being said over and over again in different ways. Is.......you have to at least have a BSN to get out of the Mosh Pitt of back breaking work and mental fatigue. All our new graduate Nurses (BSN and Associate degree) are being thrown into the Mosh Pit that so many of us are happy we have climbed out of. Let me state again the only way to survive as a Nurse is to get the promotion away from the bedside. The shortage is where? At the bedside. We have a problem here. Kellyann Curnayn

realist · Oct 7, 2009

I forgot to mention that I have two Bachelor degrees with one being the BSN as well as I am working on my Master's degree and my answer remains the same- NOOOOOOOOOOOO.

metowe · Oct 7, 2009

Why is no one documenting how bad it is on the fronline? You being a consumate realist obviously sees the truth behind this situation. Once people have alleviated the stress from their own life (ie. changing positions) they no longer view the problem as being so bad yet........would NEVER go back to being at the bedside. Ya know to help in a pinch, admit a patient, give a bath, do an accucheck. That is not their job anymore and those at the frontline are getting beat up. Caring to much will KILL you.

RNnoelle · Oct 7, 2009

I've been working for 4 months now on a med/surg floor after getting my BSN this past May, and I really hate my life. I DREAD going into work!! I have night-mares about work. I've lost 10 lbs. since I've started because I never have time for dinner when I'm there. And I'm sick of being manipulated by patient's families, and dealing with people who expect everything to be instantaneous. I don't know if I've made my opinion too soon, but for now my answer is no, if I knew what it would be like, I would never have become a nurse. I'm currently looking into going back to school to be a pharmacist...

njsc · Oct 7, 2009

My gut response is NO!! BUT, my heart differs, Yes I guess I would have but gotten a degree immediately or chose a college program over a hospital., Today I wish I had gone into teaching. Especially when I see teachers my age retiring, with pensions & insurance coverage, something I won't be able to do for 15 + years! Physically I don't know if I can do that!

jrbl77, RN · Oct 7, 2009

I find this a very interesting topic. 4-5 months ago, I would have said no!. I have been a nurse for 32 yrs and feel it in my back everday now. I was so burned out ealier this year that I took off 7 weeks without pay- at a new job- realized I might not have a job when I did feel better and got treatment for depression. My DON welcomed me back with open arms, she siad that she could tell that I was a really good nurse, but needed a little help. I have now been back at work since mid Aug. I feel the way is used to feel when I cared for patients. Yes the 12 hr plus days are long. My pay is not that great, but the patients are almost always grateful for waht you provide them. Do I wish I did something else, sometimes. Do I want to work as hard as I am until I am 65- No way. Hoping I can hang on for 4-5 more years. I read either here or on amother post about their being more staff at McDonalds on nights than in a surgical step down- really sad- another example of priorties in the wrong place. Tahnks for listening.:redpinkhe

RNKatrinaK · Oct 7, 2009

Not a chance!!! I feel so discouraged, frustrated and down right angry at times about this profession. We are over loaded with paper work, unable to provide pt care without being rushed through it due to the numbers on our case load, difficulties finding new jobs (still looking for that nursing shortage area - it is not where I am), have dis-engaged management that are either completely out of touch with reality or they really just do not give a crap about their employees and the patients. I could go on for hours...... I feel like I have wasted a huge amount of energy and time in my life by pursuing a career that I would love to get out of.

noreenl · Oct 7, 2009

No kidding, my dream is to be a Park Ranger. In my perfect world, I would be stationed at Yellowstone or Grand Tetons National Park. Or Olympic National Park. when my 16yo daughter graduates HS, we may move out to West Yellowstone for the summer. Lots of retirees work there part time in the little town doing retail, tours, nails(a hot commodity, believe it or not!), waiting tables, working in the grocery or hotels. They move in around the end of May and move out the middle to end of September.
My motto is, have RV will travel--to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Alamo, Zion, Bryce....ahhhh....:loveya:

I thought I wasd the only one who wanted to do this!! My husband wants to be a Park Ranger (retired pistol instructor) and I would stay a school nurse. We were looking in Montana!!! :yeah: :chuckle:loveya:

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

I like nursing. I don't like unreasonable family members or unreasonable demands from management. No I wouldn't do it again and would have gone into PT. Ever notice how the same unreasonable people are respectful towards other disciplines?

metowe · Oct 7, 2009

Ok guys. Does anyone ever consider who mandates all the charting and locks on every door and drawer imaginable. Morse Falls, Braden and Insulin Administration. The Joint Commission does. No one challenges their mandates or question their authority. (Even though they haven't touched a patient in eons)I'm accountable to everyone, the patient, my peers, the pharmacy, the laboratory, the radiology department, administration and the environmental service who wants the room emptied before it is cleaned.

http://www.centerforajustsociety.com/press/forum.asp?cjsForumID=1134&nav=publications

http://www.centerforajustsociety.com/press/forum.asp?cjsForumID=1167&nav=publications

Until Nurses challenge the policies that keep us from 'caring' for our patients we will never obtain some level of job satisfaction. Nurses are frustrated and tired and see no hope in changing our environment.