Wow.. You people must really hate nursing!!

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I posted a thread a few days ago asking some advice on getting into nursing. I got three negative responses all recomending I try to find something in my feild first, the third was esspecially negative stating everythng that is horrible about being a nurse. i work at a daycare where my hours are 6:30-5:00, occasionally I get sent home early, I also work a second job, I've delt with everything from buliding fires, to witnessing child abuse, and I work in an accreditted center, I make 8.20 an hour and pay 180 a month in health insurance, and you know what I LOVE MY JOB. But I oew it to myslef, after 15 thousand dollars in student loans, a better future. i HAD a serious heart condition as a child, and spent much of my childhood in a hospital, I know the work is never easy, but life is so precsious to me that i want something that will make a differnce. I have since talked to some nursing schools and nurses and while I'm not making any moves right away, pursing nursing in an accelerated degree program is an option I will consider. I guess I just want people who come on this board and are thinking about nursing to not expect a good response, yes I value the opinion that people should consider how difficult nursing can be, and its not a decsions to be taken lightly, but life is so short, and at the end I want to say i made a difference.

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Believe it or not, I've found that reading the negative stuff is just as helpful to me as reading the positive. I would hate to hear all about how rewarding it is to be a nurse, but never hear about the hours, stress, etc. I feel like I'm going in to this knowing full well the drawbacks of the profession.

After reading all the negativity, I still leave the board feeling truly excited to begin.

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"Wow..You people must really hate nursing!!"

Unsafe staffing, higher acuity patients, inadequate time for patient education along with a general disregard for safe nursing care by adminstrators/insurance companies has contributed to the mass exodus of nurses in this country. Those who remain are only trying to cope with a difficult situation. I think you'll find many nurses here actually care a great deal about nursing and are very frustrated by the way the profession is controlled by those who refuse to allow nurses to practice nursing.

Don't be discouraged by some negative comments; every job has its fair share of disgruntled workers. Just keep in mind that no one is sugar coating their experiences and you can't say you weren't warned.

But remember this, if all of us really hated nursing, we wouldn't be here would we?

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Specializes in ICU.

But remember this, if all of us really hated nursing, we wouldn't be here would we? [/b]

:smokin: ^5

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

I find the honesty refreshing as well. With my first major, the professors put a big veil over our eyes and made us think that we were going to make big money when we got out (this is graphic design)...they failed to mention that the only way to make money in that profession is to freelance or put in 5-10 years at the same company. Not to mention there were no jobs! And we were told that we would be in demand at graduation. I'm not down with that struggle :nono: I would much rather work hard for the money and be guaranteed a job and a pay check.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

If you can handle working in a daycare, I don't see any reason at all to think you couldn't handle nursing (or anything else for that matter)! ;)

Nursing has been very good to me. It is usually what you make it. And yes, sometimes it does really suck, but if it's what you want to do, go for it!

Personally, I do have days where I regret my career choice, but those are way outnumbered by the ones where I am glad and proud to be a nurse. Do what you feel is right for you and your family. You don't have to defend your reasons for wanting to be a nurse to anyone else.

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Love it actually, however there is a lot of bad stuff going on in the medical world and nursing is perfectly placed to catch the worst of it. That is what I HATE!

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Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

There are a lot of negative aspects of nursing that people in the "real world" don't have to worry about. After all, no matter what nursing area we're in, we all are dealing with peoples lives. Weekend shifts, mandatory overtime, paperwork, understaffing, working holidays...it's just a fact of life to nurses. I did some work in an insurance company for a short while. I thought it would be great....no weekends, no holidays.....normal hours....but even that had it's downfalls.

No matter what you do, there are going to be pros and cons.

I couldn't imagine doing anything else but nursing. Even if I didn't have to work, I couldn't be away from my residents. I work in LTC, and the connection you feel with your residents is something that can't be relplaced.

It's good to hear all the good and bad before making your final decision. Nursing is a calling, and if you are meant to be a nurse, you will become one, despite all the negative things we have to deal with every day.

Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in NICU.

I love my job, but I can be totally exhausted when I get home (and a couple of hours late). I can't imagine doing anything else. It's my second career, and much less boring than sitting at a desk. I love the hands on, hate the paperwork, which goes on for ever.

If you have done day care, you would enjoy being a peds nurse. It takes special people to work with kids.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Patti -- Please don't forget that everyone's situation, sensitivity, personality, social skills, background, upbringing, perspective, etc., are all different.

Also, for whatever the reason, perhaps the more "up" folks here weren't around or missed your original post.

What can be more worthy than helping another human. Of course, that idealogy has to interface with the realities of the workplace. But the end result of the clash is totally dependent on the above and other factors.

Please stay open.

All the best!

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

What Larry says is so true, Patti.

I, for one, LOVE what I do and wouldn't consider doing anything else, for it is where I "belong" !

That said, there ARE many situations and circumstances that do hurt us as nurses... after all, we do give so much of our own SELVES, that it hits hard when management and the "powers that be" take our plight so lighlty.

But ATTITUDE... confidence in who you are as a person as well as a nurse, knowing your limits as to how much abuse you will tolerate on the job, and weeding out the important issues from the trivial all make up your overall personality... and how you perceive yourself, your place in the world of nursing, as well as your contentment with your chosen career. ;)

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Ditto to what LarryG and jnette said. If you believe nursing is what you feel strongly about pursuing, go for it with zesto! Wish you all the best in your endeavors to become a top notch nurse one day. :nurse:

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