Would you do it all again?

[wooten3955]

I am just curious to know how many of you would still choose a career in nursing--knowing what you know now--if you had the chance to travel back in time and perhaps pick a different path.

[bell1962]

I would do it again. But I think I would have gone on to school to obtain my FNP. School nursing just doesn't give me the financial security I want. Also I love working as a RN in a family practice office, and zI think being a FNP would have been great for me.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I would definitely do it again. I love my career and all it's opportunities.

[birdwhisperer]

I would definitely get a higher degree earlier on . There is NO respect at an ADN level, especially when the hospital is shooting for magnet status.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Even though my career ended rather badly, I'd still have chosen nursing. All together, I had 21 years in healthcare and 15 out of my 17 years as an RN were good. I would, however, have started way earlier in life (graduated at 38 with four kids) and wish I'd gone on to get a BSN or even an MSN so I could teach.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I would go to medical school and then do anesthesia

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

I would still choose nursing, but I would have done it years earlier.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I would do it again. What else would I do? I have met so many amazing people in this career and have seen people at their best and their worst. Don't get me wrong, it isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it beats my previous job in retail.

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

Honestly, all said and done,...I'd do something else...but still in the healthcare field (most likely). Maybe RT or PT.

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

That's always a tough one for me. I don't think I would choose another career though. What I SHOULD have done differently is....get my BSN right off the bat instead of waiting 3 yrs then go ahead and get my Masters before my first kid. Now I'm wondering how on earth will I ever go back to school?! I've got a baby and want at least one more child. I guess I'll have to wait till they're both grown bc I want to devote my time to my kids and not to schooling. That's just me

[kungpoopanda]

I would definitely choose something different, hate nursing.

[sugarwahine10]

I would choose differently--maybe like a veterinarian--always loved all types of animals. I think, for the most part, that would've made my heart explode with happiness. This field is so stressful and toxic--nurses are mean to other nurses; doctors belittle nurses on a regular basis; administration/management blames nurses for EVERYTHING bad; patients are mean to nurses; patients' families are mean/ disrespectful to nurses and treat us like their personal waitresses; patient satisfaction scores are one of the DUMBEST things (if you are better or alive then the patient should be satisfied--not that you are unhappy because of the hospital food,you didn't get to sleep through the night because the nurse kept coming in the room to do vitals, you didn't get the narcotic you requested, or the right amount of ice in your drink); hardly ever having time to take a lunch; chart..chart...chart until your fingers fall off and keep adding stuff we have to chart on because we don't have enough to chart on now; getting rammed into your head everyday that this should be a hotel experience not a hospital one for the patient--WHAT?!!? (the first thing I would think of when I start vomiting blood would be I hope there are 300 thread count sheets on the bed, a whirlpool bath, and my own personal "yes man") ... I could write a book, but I will stop here.

[BellionRN]

I would choose differently. Likely in healthcare but definitely not Nursing.