Frightened to Become a Nurse

I'm about to begin my 3rd year of nursing school to recieve my BSN. I've browsed through the forums here every so often and it's making me extremely anxious about going into nursing as a career. I initially wanted to become a nurse because I was interested in working in the health field and as of now I like the job security. However, it seems like a lot of the users on these forums are very unhappy with being nurses, and now I'm worried that I will be miserable as a nurse as well. Why all the negativity? Is the nursing field really that terrible? I'm hoping that maybe the unhappy nurses are just more outspoken than the happy ones.
Quote from ChlometovI'm about to begin my 3rd year of nursing school to recieve my BSN. I've browsed through the forums here every so often and it's making me extremely anxious about going into nursing as a career. I initially wanted to become a nurse because I was interested in working in the health field and as of now I like the job security. However, it seems like a lot of the users on these forums are very unhappy with being nurses, and now I'm worried that I will be miserable as a nurse as well. Why all the negativity? Is the nursing field really that terrible? I'm hoping that maybe the unhappy nurses are just more outspoken than the happy ones.

I was just like you and had doubts even before i started nursing school. Maybe you will end up miserable, maybe not. even under the same conditions people react differently. I rarley come here to discuss a tolerable shift but have posted many times about the terrible ones.

Most of us come here to vent. You can't vent to your pts and you shouldn't vent to your family. Ultimately, you will decide if you are happy or miserable. I love being a nurse!

I feel like it is the same as bad reviews on restaurants. Rarely do you go online to review a restaurant you loved...but you definitely go online to bad mouth one you hate.

Hey, I totally felt the same way as you in nursing school. Some of the threads on these boards can be terrifying reads! I just graduated and haven't found a job yet so who knows what my attitude will be like once I start floor nursing....but one of the things I really held onto while I was doing clincials was the number of stories I heard from RNs who loved their jobs. My clinical instructor said it was "the best decision I ever made in my life" despite the high-stress times, she still finds other moments deeply rewarding. Some RNs don't like their jobs outright, some have a crummy shift and need to vent, but I've also spoken to many who seriously LOVE their work and their career. These are the nurses I tried to really engage with during nursing school 'cause I felt their enthusiasm was a positive influence to be around, and they were often eager to share with us nursing students.I'm sure your personality, the quality of the floor your on, the dynamics of your co-workers, and a whole host of other factors go into whether you like your job or not...but it's like that in every field. I worked an office job that I hated for years. My friend then took that same job over the LOVES it. It takes all kinds. You were drawn to nursing for a reason -- don't avoid the bad stuff, but maybe seek out some RNs who enjoy their jobs and find out: why?Good luck!

Quote from chlometovi initially wanted to become a nurse because i was interested in working in the health field and as of now i like the job security.

The first time you save a life or assist in saving a life.. OR the first time you assist in delivering a little bundle of joy.. OR the first time you have a patient that tells you, U have made their day easier by being such a great nurse.. U should have a feeling that tells you.. U made the right choice.. Nursing isnt for everyone! It is definately 4 me.. I can tell you that with 100% honesty. Besides being a parent, NURSING is the hardest job I have ever loved. Nursing is stressful ..some days more than others.. Hopefully, U find a job with great administration and great co-workers... that doesnt always happen either.. or should I say it rarely does happen BUT.. It is what U make it... Good Luck!

Quote from ChlometovI'm about to begin my 3rd year of nursing school to recieve my BSN. I've browsed through the forums here every so often and it's making me extremely anxious about going into nursing as a career. I initially wanted to become a nurse because I was interested in working in the health field and as of now I like the job security. However, it seems like a lot of the users on these forums are very unhappy with being nurses, and now I'm worried that I will be miserable as a nurse as well. Why all the negativity? Is the nursing field really that terrible? I'm hoping that maybe the unhappy nurses are just more outspoken than the happy ones.

let me put it this way:I love nursing, but there are things about nursing that pi$$ me off.I love my fiance, but there are things about my fiance that pi$$ me off.Get it??

Its the toughest job you'll ever love.

Remember, most nurses LOVE their work, but HATE their JOB. This means we love to take care of people, love to learn our craft, are excited when our patients improve and take real satisfaction in the part we take to help someone regain their health, or even, to die in comfort and peace. But mostly we like to be there for the patient, and we don't mind-and even agree with- much of the documentation and policies we must comply with. But sometimes we get kind of grouchy about the amount of paperwork that is required. Also we are usually very compassionate with our patients but sometimes nurses get edgy with each other. I don't know why. That's why we talk to each other on these posts.

There isn't a job out there in which you will find only happy people busy being happy 100% of the time.There comes a time with any major life decision when you get out of the infatuation phase and into the phase that represents commitment and hard work. It doesn't mean there are never sunshine and rainbows anymore - just that you can't expect nursing to embody only that for the rest of your life, amen. It is hard work. And hard work means sometimes you are more weary than others. And for some, the hard is heavier than the good and they want out.What you are experiencing can be likened to having cold feet just prior to walking down the aisle. The weight of what you are committing to is sinking in. And that is probably a good thing. Only you can decide if you really want to go through with it. You are seeing all the things you fear it could be and are adjusting your expectations from the infatuation stage where it was all love and roses and can't-get-enough and recession-proof and spend-my-life-helping-others and change-the-world-wearing-cute-scrubs hearts and flowers and rainbows. And like most major commitments, you come to realize that is only one very pretty part of the picture and that other parts aren't so pretty. Your view is maturing into something more accurate. Just realize there IS a balance. It is not all bad. Nor is it all hearts and flowers.