Would you want your children to go into nursing?

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I have a child that will soon graduate from HS. The topic of carrer choices came up at work...most of my co-workers were suprised that I would not encourage nursing for my child. I will support them 100% if that is what they really want to do. What will you do?

Specializes in ED/Psych.

Hi:

I am not a nurse..yet! :) However, I do have several friends who are nurses, and I think it all may depend on where you work, and if you specialize in a certain field of nursing that you find to be fulfilling, etc.

The nurses I know all love their jobs.......one works for a private group home agency, another two for hospitals, and another at a clinic. I think that if that is really what my child wanted to do, I would be supportive because even if she/he decided that working in a hospital was not what he/she wanted to do, there are so many options available, whereas, with other degrees, you have more limitations on what you can end up doing.

My brother graduated with a Master's in Education, and is now working with developmentally delayed adults after seeing what "teaching" would really entail, my fiance is a lawyer who wishes he went to school to be a doctor, and my other brother who also has a bachelor's in education, is not working in that field either.

No matter what occupation/job, your child seeks to do, it is their life ahead of them and he/she may change their mind at some point anyway........if she/he really feels strongly about nursing, then it may be best to be supportive; after all, he/she could change their mind at some point anyway, and at least with a degree in nursing, there are so many options available that he/she might not end up wanting to be a hospital nurse but find another niche in the profession somewhere.

Prior to nursing school, I worked as a paralegal and made the same, if not more, money than I will upon graduating and working in nursing; however, I have found that since nursing is what I really want to do, I regret not having done it sooner. The only other jobs that I am qualified for outside of law, which I have no interest in any more, are secretarial/clerical. If I had a degree in Nursing, I would be able to do many more things, even if it didn't deal with patient care directly.

Perhaps you could encourage your child to go for a Masters or Doctorate which would also allow for much more autonomy and also increase options for the future.

Just my 2 cents...

Carla

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Yes, I would (and do) encourage my children to be whatever they want, and if that includes nursing, then so be it!

I have one who was a singer, dancer, theatre...you name it, anything like that, she was in it...now she's in the Army in communications.

Then, another who wants the MArines, and that's great too!

Another with the Police Academy in mind, and the youngest girl wants to be a nurse like Mommy...

Yep, I would encourage. IN a heartbeat.

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Would I want my children to go into nursing?

yes.

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Definitely not, for all the reasons given already. I worked long and hard to get out of nursing, and as far as I can see, the situation is worsening and not getting better. I don't have any kids, but I certainly would never encourage either my niece or nephew to go into nursing. In fact, I would actively discourage them if they showed the slightest inkling towards it. But neither has the slightest interest in healthcare, so no need to worry. Plus they know that their aunt Roxanne is far happier away from nursing.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

LOL, Oh I am just terrible, but I told both my kids heck no! I want my kids to explore a different avenue according to their aspirations, dreams, and personalities. Where nursing is a good one for learning compassion and many great skills (not to mention flexible for specializing), it is not really in accordance to their dreams or personalities

In fact, the only reason they told me they would do it is strictly for the money! OUCH...not a good reason!!!!

I have a son who wants to design aircraft or avionic technology...right on!!! I have a daugher who wishes to become a vet, and since that was the dream I had and gave up on...I encouraged her to follow her dreams towards that instead of settling on something that may not have the motivation she desires in her heart. Both said, however, they would pick nursing because of the money...which is far from the reason for becoming one...so I told them no way, and come back to me when you figure out that the money isn't the deal! I think that pretty much scared them out of it! LOL!

Well, it doesn't help that my hubby teases me all day calling me a 'highly paid posterior wiping technition!" LOL!!!! I think my kids kinda gross out when he says that! LOL!!!! (that's okay, I just call him an 'ambulance driver' and that ticks him off!!!!! LOL!).

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Specializes in PMHNP.

I told my daughter - NO WAY- never want her to be as miserable as me.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Absolutely... interesting field, many opportunities.

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I would not recommend my children go into the nursing profession.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I never thought I would encourage my kids to go into nursing but even though my daughter would NEVER be a nurse, my son is considering it. He's only 13, so I'm encouraging him to explore different fields related to medicine/healthcare like pharmacist, physical therapy,etc. but if it's nursing he wants, I'm all for it. Quite honestly, if he wants a wife and kids, I think he'd do better as a nurse than a physician. Less money but more time at home.

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Specializes in surgical, emergency.

Sure, why not!!???

As a matter of fact, my oldest daughter is a RN. She grew up watching me come and go at all hours of the night and day. She saw me at my highest highes and my lowest lows when I came home from work.

When she was old enough, and wanted to, I let her come to work with me a few times, she was in my hospital's medical explorer post, etc.

Actually she went took business classes in college, and just before her last quarter, decided she would rather be a nurse.

I told her that it was her choice, we discussed it, the only thing I put my foot down on was that she finish and get her AD in business before going on to nursing.

After passing her boards, and working for a short while in our small rural hospital, she moved to the "big city" and is now working at one of the premier med centers in the country. She's seen things in the past year, that I've not seen in 20, her career advancement opportunities are better, she has the advantages of off duty time in a big city, etc.

All in all....I think it's a good thing for my daughter. However, that's not the path for everyone. My other daughter won't even touch raw chicken or hamburger!!

By the way, not trying to start trouble, but if some of you are so upset about nursing.....why not bail out??

Mike

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Not only would I want my daughter to go into nursing, I pushed her to go! She wasn't even thinking of being a nurse, but I talked her into taking the course. My reasons being: She will always have a decent paying job, and never be dependent on anyone. She can travel the world, or stay at home. She wanted to do something along the criminal justice field, well now she can make bucco bucks as a forensic nurse.

She took my advise, and just graduated nursing school. She is also taking my advise before she contiues her studies and is going to work on a med-surg floor for a year. Her dreams now? To get a CRNA, or maybe the Forensic Nursing, or her Masters to teach. There are so many opputunities in nursing, that she won't have to floor nurse forever. She fought me at first while attending her first year of nursing, and almost quit, now she is happy she didn't. I'm still waiting for the "thank you Mom." :)

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I don't have kids but I'd like to think I would be the kind of mother who would support her kids no matter what (now prostitution is another story or any other illegal activity). If I felt my child was not suited for nursing I'm not sure I'd tell him or her. Sometimes you got to screw up before you find you're true calling. And you have to figure it out on your own.

I'd imagine my kids would have the same caring attitude that was instilled in me by my mother. Always give a hand to those who need it no matter if they are black, red, white, muslim, etc. She always told me that people are people and deep down we all want the same thing: pure happiness. If my child is truly happy being a mime, then I'm happy.

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