Would you recommend nursing to your daughter?

insightful · Mar 20, 2007

Never!!!

When I studied to be a nurse (back in the dark ages) women had very limited choices for careers. Yes, I "settled" for nursing because back then it was an acceptable career choice for a woman. The work is hard and nurses do not command the respect we deserve because nursing is still viewed as a "woman's job". We are largely overworked, unappreciated, and underpayed. Now the world is open with so many interesting careers to choose from for women.

Toddbe · Mar 20, 2007

I would encourage my daughter and/or son in any profession they were evaluating! I would assist them getting the information they needed to make an informed decision so that decision they make is based on facts instead of misinformation.

That being said, now my personal ranting! Look at the negative comments regarding this posting! If this is how you truly feel you need to look for a new profession and/or a new place to practice your profession – and yes it is a profession – are you viewing it in that ‘light’ or is it just a job to you?

I would welcome the opportunity for somebody to tell me about a profession that has more opportunities than this profession. Bedside nursing, school nurse, hospice, occupational health, physician office, and the list goes on and that is with just an ASN! Of course with a BSN the opportunities increase, and more door open with an advanced degree.

I would encourage anybody to review the opportunities of nursing, take advantage of these opportunities knowing full well the next opportunity is what they make of the profession.

cdmadere · Mar 20, 2007

I feel there are more job opportunities for someone w/an RN than any other degree on this planet.
Name any other degree that has the variety of jobs open to someone, she would not have to work the bedside.
please don't make me list the possibilities........they are almost endless.

Doesn't matter how many opportunities there are, nursing is a profession that I would NEVER recommend to my daughters. It's something that very few have the personality for, and the energy for...

that being said, I respect my profession immensely, and think there is no profession out there that should be respected more.

bmh-lpn · Mar 20, 2007

Let me think a minute?....No...Absolutely Not! However....If it' s what any my daughters wants to do I will support her in her decision. My oldest one did start out at college as a nurse but changed a year later and decided what she really wanted to do was get a Social Degree and work with the Mentally Handicap. I supported her in any decision she made.

Jeanine · Mar 20, 2007

My mother is an RN, and tried to discourage me from going into Nursing. That was 30 years ago! She did a good job, because I got my BA in Psychology. After working in that field for 4 years, and getting married, I went back to school to become, of all things, a NURSE! I got my RN license, and have been working in many different fields of nursing ever since. I have a daughter in college now, and I tried, and tried to convince her that nursing was the way to go! Where else can you continue to work in your field, and still be a "stay-at-home mom"? No day-care costs, you can work only weekends or nights, you can work as much or a little as you wish, and the benefits and rewards go on and on.

If your daughter or son wants to go into nursing, they will eventually, whether you think they should, or not. Please support them in their decision so they don't spend time and money unnecessarily.

marybethm · Mar 20, 2007

In my 24 years as a nurse I have worked overseas, I've worked in the hospital setting (ER, med surg and CCU) it was great when my kids were little and I could work nights or pm's, as a school nurse, been a camp nurse (where I got to take my kids for free) and agency nurse. I don't know any other career that offers this kind of diversity. I have learned so much from nursing. I would absolutely recommend nursing to my daughter....there's NOTHING like a good nurse.

TXNurseBSN · Mar 20, 2007

NO, as a caring parent....I want something better for my daughters!

glenwood · Mar 20, 2007

Your daughter has just paid you a serious compliment. You have been a real role model to her. Recognise it. Don't discourage her but tell her to keep her options open. If she studies hard and takes the classes in college to get into nursing she will have a lot of choices to purse other fields.

Children often change as they grow up and in ten years it is very likely nursing will have evolved into a better job. There are so many different areas of nursing that even a shy person can find a nitch. Plus nursing education may help her become less shy and right now she may be aspiring to get over her shyness.I recenly precepted a painfully shy nursing student and we hard on getting him comfortable interacting with our pathient population. He decided he wanted to go into OR or recovery room which doesn't require as much pathient interaction but he started to enjoy being more sociable and outgoing.

jollyjenny · Mar 20, 2007

OMG! I'm in tears right now! I have worked my but off to finish my prerequisites and I'm SUPPOSED to start nursing school in the fall! I am extremely upset and scared after reading this thread!! Yes, I've heard all of the "burn out" stories and the famous "nurses eat their young" stories, but this thread is just downright awful! I actually changed my major from radiologic technology with my main goal to become a sonographer-to nursing! I thought that since nursing offers way more hands-on patient care than sonography does, it would be more appealing to me. But now? Most of you say there is no way you would encourage your children to go into nursing. GREAT! I honestly feel like I could be making a huge mistake now by pursuing nursing. Should I change my major back to radiology? :idea:

lllliv · Mar 20, 2007

OMG! I'm in tears right now! I have worked my but off to finish my prerequisites and I'm SUPPOSED to start nursing school in the fall! I am extremely upset and scared after reading this thread!! Yes, I've heard all of the "burn out" stories and the famous "nurses eat their young" stories, but this thread is just downright awful! I actually changed my major from radiologic technology with my main goal to become a sonographer-to nursing! I thought that since nursing offers way more hands-on patient care than sonography does, it would be more appealing to me. But now? Most of you say there is no way you would encourage your children to go into nursing. GREAT! I honestly feel like I could be making a huge mistake now by pursuing nursing. Should I change my major back to radiology?

sorry to say...but i would if i were you. i'm an lpn that recently quit nursing but i have worked with many rns as well and all that work the floor feel the same way. too much crap is dumped on nursing.

musicalnursynurse · Mar 20, 2007

Ideally I would encourage her to do what she likes. She obveously will see the toll nursing has had on your life ie shift work, OT, and she would have more support going into it as you know what nursing is like. Nursing isn't the only pression where one can be eaten alive you can find it anywhere, but if she is secure in who she is and where she wants to go she'll be fine, and if she has support from you no matter which way she goes the path will be a whole lot easier.

withasmilelpn · Mar 20, 2007

OMG! I'm in tears right now! I have worked my but off to finish my prerequisites and I'm SUPPOSED to start nursing school in the fall! I am extremely upset and scared after reading this thread!! Yes, I've heard all of the "burn out" stories and the famous "nurses eat their young" stories, but this thread is just downright awful! I actually changed my major from radiologic technology with my main goal to become a sonographer-to nursing! I thought that since nursing offers way more hands-on patient care than sonography does, it would be more appealing to me. But now? Most of you say there is no way you would encourage your children to go into nursing. GREAT! I honestly feel like I could be making a huge mistake now by pursuing nursing. Should I change my major back to radiology?

No. There are alot of rewards in the profession, and many areas to choose from. Earlier, I wrote saying no, but I added not now because I am not happy where I am at. A few years ago I said I loved being a nurse. The place I worked at was very 'nurse-friendly' and had support staff and a pharmacy and other things in place that really saved you time. Slowly over time and under a new management, they have done away with those things and people to save money. (Also benefits). My schedule works well for me and my family and there are not alot of similar positions available out there right now- I've looked. So I'm stuck- for now. I am going to change units in April when a position becomes available, because I think it may help. And keep looking. I have been and know I could be happy again, though, because I love taking care of my patients and know I give them the best I can. If you are someone like me who really enjoys helping other people and trying to make a mark on your little corner of the world, nursing can be very satisfying.