Would you do it all again?

I would absolutely do it all over again. I have had my share of struggles and stressful times in my career but I have had great experiences and amazing opportunities to work with some interesting patients and coworkers. I started with my ADN and after graduation suddenly had a career and was no longer financially stressed, just for that I will never regret my path. There are a lot of different avenues in nursing and I have explored a few and will continue to do so. I no longer work in the hospital and probably will never go back to that arena, although I sometimes think about it and miss some things about it.

I wouldn't go about it as I did originally, but yes, I would still end up in nursing. I'd have 1 undergrad degree instead of 3, and my journey towards a CRNA degree would have been almost over by now instead of just starting.

No way, Jose.

Nurses in most of the country are paid way too little for the amount of stress/responsibility we have. I think, in particular, I didn't realize I'd have to be herding all of the ancillary staff to make sure they do their jobs, on top of having to be the best waitress ever, with a side of actually catching a patient crumping before he/she dies thrown in. And let's not forget the ever-evolving, ever-growing amount of documentation we have to do.

I wouldn't go about it as I did originally, but yes, I would still end up in nursing. I'd have 1 undergrad degree instead of 3, and my journey towards a CRNA degree would have been almost over by now instead of just starting.

Agree. I would have gone about if differently. Crammed more school in before my kids.

Nursing all the way. I have seen the other side of the workforce. Nursing gives you options; the only barrier to advancement in this field is your personal decision not to advance, period. I feel fortunate to have become a nurse, work three days a week, help people, make a good/honest living, go on vacation, and go to grad school with employer sponsored tuition reimbursement. Heck, I don't even regret my student loan burden when I have dinner with my friends and they complain about the cubicle induced comas they are about to go into working with MBAs at huge companies. Nursing isn't my "calling" but its a darn good job, and I am grateful to have this craft.

I love nursing, and I will always be a nurse. But I am going back to school to become a doctor. Why? Because I know I can do it, and because I want to continue advocating for my patients in that role. No complaints, just ambition.

Hard to say. This career has changed me for the better and for the worse.

No I would not! The crap we put up with is unbelievable and then the bs from the PCA's I would rather work alone. I'm doing there job on top of mine already. This job just wrecks your health emotional and physical it is not worth it! I regret it every day!

No way, Jose.

Nurses in most of the country are paid way too little for the amount of stress/responsibility we have. I think, in particular, I didn't realize I'd have to be herding all of the ancillary staff to make sure they do their jobs, on top of having to be the best waitress ever, with a side of actually catching a patient crumping before he/she dies thrown in. And let's not forget the ever-evolving, ever-growing amount of documentation we have to do.

Don't you mean do their job for them so they can take it easy and socialize!

I love my current job so much, and I know the only way to get here was by becoming a nurse. So yes, I would choose nursing again.

I would do it again. I didn't have my act together right after high school then life just got busy - marriage & raising kids - I didn't return to school to my late 30's. If I could turn back time I would have buckled down and did what I was supposed to do after high school - finish college and even go on to be a Nurse Practitioner or PA.