Would you do it all over again?

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?

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

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.

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 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.

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

stelle

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)!

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!

Heck no.

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

I definitely would. Although I would have started sooner.