Would you do it all again?

Nurses General Nursing

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Nurses, experienced and new grads, would you do it all again?

Considering the current economic climate, the "churning" out of new grads, limited job opportunities (at least compared to the past) and simply knowing all you do now, would you go to school for nursing again? If you answer YES, do you regret your decision to ever enter in the first place OR do you just think that considering all the challenges faced by nurses today you would probably choose a different career path? Why?

What frustrates you most about the profession?

What do you love the most--in other words, what keeps you going?

What is ONE thing, the most important thing, you would tell someone who is considering entering the nursing profession?

I know you can find responses to these types of questions all over the board, but I really wanted to get a good sampling considering today's climate.

Not sure I would do it again. Seriously considering going back to my previous life.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
Nurses, experienced and new grads, would you do it all again?

Considering the current economic climate, the "churning" out of new grads, limited job opportunities (at least compared to the past) and simply knowing all you do now, would you go to school for nursing again? If you answer YES, do you regret your decision to ever enter in the first place OR do you just think that considering all the challenges faced by nurses today you would probably choose a different career path? Why?

What frustrates you most about the profession? ****The lack of respect nurses get from Md, bean counter and families.

What do you love the most--in other words, what keeps you going? ***Knowing I made an impact in a life. You don't do that in retail.

What is ONE thing, the most important thing, you would tell someone who is considering entering the nursing profession? *** Be prepared for call off's, busy days, no breaks. Whining to your co workers gets you nowhere.

I have to say, if I answered this post 6 yrs ago, it would have been different. I HATED my job. Hated..hated...hated.:lol2:

It was a busy med/surg 50 bed floor that was insane and dangerously understaffed. They hire and fire management at the drop of the hat. I should say this is a for profit dump..er..I mean hospital. I used to PRAY before I walked into a room because I was afraid one of my patients might be dead. Going 2 hrs and not laying eyes on them was scary.

Staffing was 7 pt's, not including total end of shift with dc's and admits. By then you could have laid your hands on 8 plus patients in an 8 hr shift.

Anyway, I had total burn out and quit. Kept my license current but stayed home.

Now I'm back and have been for 2 yrs and realize it wasn't nursing I hated, it was my job. Big difference. Now I can't wait to go to work. Is it busy? Yeah, of course. That is what keeps the lights on and a paycheck in my pocket. It's not insane or unsafe and that is the difference. I love my new hospital.:yeah:

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

Would absolutely do it again. Best career decision I ever made in my life.

The one thing I would tell someone considering a nursing career? I would make sure they're not one of the many who still think there's a nursing "shortage", and would explain what the nursing job market looks like right now.

I would also tell them that if they really want to go into nursing because they think it's something they'd love doing, that I would recommend going for it anyway, but expect it might take a while to find a job. If they were considering nursing only because they were hoping for a secure job with good pay, I would suggest they consider other fields.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

Yes I would do it again. I would just advise anyone to move around. I am a hospice nurse and I love it. I am also a LTC nurse on the weekends and I hate it. I am working on my RN I dont ever want to see LTC again!. Its not the patients so much as the doctors that you have to fight with over orders and sending patients out to the ER, the unit managers writing you up about something 3 months later, short staffing, sending nursing staff home early, weekend admissions, dining room duty. I could go on and on. But like I said I would do it again in a heartbeat and i was told to jump around in the different specialty areas until you find the one that works for you :)

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Not sure if I would do it again or go to PA school. Nursing is a second degree for me and it would have taken me the same amount of time to complete PA school so...who knows. I guess I could have ended up in the OR either way.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

No. The costs to me physically and emotionally, by far outweigh any benefits.

I don't hate it, I don't love it. I guess I'm the same as millions of people who go to work for a paycheck.

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Specializes in medical surgical.

No, I made 18/hour for 3 years in the southeast with no raises due to the "economic climate". I am officially broke! I just started a travel position which pays much better and I am much happier. Of course, my husband is about to leave me because I am gone all the time and he thinks I should be happy to make 18/hour, but that is another story.

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Specializes in Home Health.

No, I wouldn't do it again. I should have stayed in the business field, where respect for people exists.

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Specializes in Health insurance nursing/ Cardiac nursing.

NO, I wouldnt. The stress. long hours and lack of respect from management, doctors, co workers, and at times patients is not worth it.

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The stress, the exhaustion, the incredibly rude doctors and family members (and patients!), the understaffing, the neglect of myself while I am at work -- can't pee, can't drink, can't eat -- the frustration of having to be in ten places at once...

YES!:redbeathe I would do it all again in a heartbeat! I am never bored. I learn something new every day. I never know what is going to happen next. I can't imagine doing anything else.

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You are all awesome for answering these questions with such honesty. This is so similar to when I started in the teaching profession . . . minus all the medical stuff. But, the respect issues, politics, long hours, YET, loving what you do or at least at one time loving it.

I am like so many of you . . . late 30s, starting OVER, AGAIN. I have a degree, but live in an area just like so many others--limited job opportunities. If it was just about the passion and desire, I'd be fine. No questions. But, with being older, having a mortgage, children, husband . . . it isn't about me anymore.

Your responses give anyone already in or considering applying to nursing school a reality check. Thank you and please don't stop sharing . . .

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YES! I'd do it again!

All the headache, all the heartache, I love being a nurse.

The most important advice I could give: if you're not going into nursing because you love it, you will soon grow to hate it. If you love it, you have something that will drive you forward and carry you past the headache and heartache.

Nursing truly isn't for everyone, but if it's for you, you'll find a way thru the ugly bits.

(also, there really is not a nursing shortage, and there is no shortage of unhappy unemployed nurses)

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