Would you do it all over again?

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If you had it to do all over, would you become a nurse again? Why or why not?

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yes, but would have done the BSN right from the getgo.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I don't think so. I do like nursing, but I am really glad I don't have to work FT for financial reasons. I would burn out FAST. If nurses were more respected and there were better ratio's, and nurses weren't put in the middle of bad/dangerous situations, everything wasn't the nurses fault, etc. I would do it again. I also don't find it very child family friendly. I am breastfeeding, and it sucks when you can't count on a lunch break. What other professions (other than health care) don't guarantee a 15 minute break once a shift?

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Thank you all for your honest replies. I appreciate it.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

Hmmm....that's a tough question for me to answer. I would say yes because it has currently given me the opportunity to go on and get my MSN to become an NP (I will graduate this summer). However, if I had to stay as a bedside nurse for the rest of my career, I would probably have to answer no. There was maybe only one job I have held where the nurse/patient ratio wasn't bad, the hours were great, and I didn't go home after every shift worrying if I had done the best I could because I was so swamped with critical patients with very little help (I had to leave that position because we relocated to a different state). I am an ER nurse at heart but unfortunately have suffered through such bad staffing for too long that the distress it has caused me just isn't worth it anymore.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would probably not. Funny, because I can't imagine what I would actually do, either. I think I would have put more concentration into making serious goals for myself when I was a bit younger. The way I feel now, I don't think I would like to work in ANYTHING, and that is not realistic. But, for sure, if I can repeat this life again, I would be working in the medical field, but not as a nurse.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
I would probably not. Funny, because I can't imagine what I would actually do, either. I think I would have put more concentration into making serious goals for myself when I was a bit younger. The way I feel now, I don't think I would like to work in ANYTHING, and that is not realistic. But, for sure, if I can repeat this life again, I would be working in the medical field, but not as a nurse.

I don't really know what I would do, either, but I would still want to work in the medical field as well.

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This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone

stelle

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

Yes, I'd do it again.....but, given the opportunity to go back in time....I would go into Air Force Nursing (which I very nearly did).

I could be retired military now (like...5 years ago)!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Hindsight is 20/20, but I have to say no. If I had it to do all over again, I would have stuck with my initial major of Pre-vet and aimed for vet school. Hospital nursing is not for me, but I do love school nursing, so I am not miserable, but I do think I missed my "calling", if you want to call it that. If I ever get my student loans from NS paid out, there is a good chance I will try for vet school anyway!

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Specializes in Emergency, Nursing Management, Auditing.

Heck no.

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Specializes in emergency/medical surgical nursing.

no way!!!!! i soo regret my decision but am trapped for right now due to the economy...

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Specializes in LTC, home health, addiction, hospice.

I definitely would. Although I would have started sooner.

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