Scared Pre-Nursing Student: Is Nursing as Bad as I Hear?

1 Hello to all the nurses out there ---


I am a pre-nursing student (BSN) and I am very excited about the prospect of nursing. So far, I have a 4.0 GPA (in my pre-req's) and I have decided that women's health will be my focus. I am a feminist and an avid supporter of women's rights in healthcare. I would also like to educate young women (preferably minorities and low-income families) about sexual health and ultimately be a PP, L&D or a LAc RN. Discovering this dream has given me NEW LIFE and restored my passion for healthcare. However, after visiting allnurses.com, I am becoming a little worried. It seems like no nurses love their job. All I read about are arrogant doctors, backstabbing co-workers, high-exposure rates, mean and violent patients, abuse, staff bullying, harrassment, burnout, dissatisfaction, anxiety, sleeplessness and regret for ever entering the nursing profession at all.


Over the past 5 years as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant, I have worked with nurses, psychologists, PH.d's, MD's, counselors, and psychiatry professors in the clinic, graduate school, ICU and general hospital setting. Over all, I have found all of them to be informative, nurturing and easy to work with (although usually absent-minded for one reason or another). I have never disliked any of the physicians I have assisted and they all give me good references and encouragement moving forward. I am very shocked... and honestly, a little terrified by some of the things I read here. I want to be a nurse educator and assist the less fortunate (teen-girls, single moms, orphaned babies etc.) but it gets quite confusing when there are people who act as though $25.00-$50.00/hr. salaries aren't enough to compensate for the "hell" they deal with on the day to day.


I would like to go far with my RN, incorporating my personal talents for writing, teaching and speaking. Articles, seminars... I am ready for the challenge. I want to bring "me" to nursing, not just work a 9am-5pm. I don't know if any of these nurses who complain have goals to go along side their RN or if they are just bedside nurses who are in it more for the money. There are so many facets of nursing (legal, hospital, teaching, psychiatric, executive, administrative, school, traveling etc.). There must be some where they can find a decent position. As far as the internet is concerned, nursing seems to get a very, very, very, very bad rap!


Is the bad rap legitimate? Would you recommend nursing? What's good about nursing? Is nursing the right profession for someone with my goal sets? And, for a new grad, would you recommend the clinic or hospital environment?

Thank you,

Ivy Bee. :heartbeat Last edit by Ivy Black on Mar 29, '11 : Reason: typo
Personally i believe that nursing is the worlds most rewarding career. Nursing is a lot like life itself. It is challenging, and at times very sad and difficult. But then in an instant, it is beautiful again. a lot of people would describe it as being a "roller coaster", i don't like roller coasters so i call nursing an "adventure." I doubt you will regret nursing, you seem to be in it for all the right reasons.

Quote from LPNweezyPersonally i believe that nursing is the worlds most rewarding career. Nursing is a lot like life itself. It is challenging, and at times very sad and difficult. But then in an instant, it is beautiful again. a lot of people would describe it as being a "roller coaster", i don't like roller coasters so i call nursing an "adventure." I doubt you will regret nursing, you seem to be in it for all the right reasons.

Nursing is fun, and it has its ups and downs just like eeeeeverything else. The thing that happens to nurses is that they spend so much time caring for others that they forget to nurture themselves. Remember to separate work from home, but always be a nurse at heart. Always stand up for yourself, know when to say 'no', etc. see its just like life?

"Scared Pre-Nursing Student: Is Nursing as Bad as I Hear?"Yes.

Nothing in my life has been as rewarding as nursing. I spent several years working jobs that meant nothing. Beyond the obvious benefits( pay, portability, security, etc), few things are as great as saving a life or even helping someone do something that they cannot do for themselves

Quote from Five&Two Will DoNothing in my life has been as rewarding as nursing. I spent several years working jobs that meant nothing. Beyond the obvious benefits( pay, portability, security, etc), few things are as great as saving a life or even helping someone do something that they cannot do for themselves

I admit that I might be one of the people who sometimes says "I hate my job" but I would never trade being a nurse for anything. I am an RN in a hospital. I have an associate degree. Like you I have goals, but life has given me lemons and so it's just taking more time then planned to reach those goals. Does having an ADN vs a BSN make me un-educated or mean I don't have goals? No. Nurses tend to come to this website to vent emotions they can't express elsewhere. Who else understands what you go through as a nurse? One day, no matter what field of nursing you end up in, you'll know what I'm talking about.Good luck on your journey.

Well I think those ae good questions, and probably you are right. I am a hospital nurse and I dont feel that way I worked on the floor for a year and a half and now have been working in MICU since then. I love it. I have encountered those bitter old crows everywhere especially when I was a CNA and floated. They have been burned out for years, but bright new happy nurses can change the perception of the old battle axe stereotype! Thats where you come in!

Quote from Five&Two Will DoWell I think those ae good questions, and probably you are right. I am a hospital nurse and I dont feel that way I worked on the floor for a year and a half and now have been working in MICU since then. I love it. I have encountered those bitter old crows everywhere especially when I was a CNA and floated. They have been burned out for years, but bright new happy nurses can change the perception of the old battle axe stereotype! Thats where you come in!

I know all about "lemons". Were it not for those, maybe I would have a graduation date at 22 years old instead of 32 years old. Life is what happens while we are making plans I guess. :~)

Well I will say that as a man in nursing, aka murse, I do not have to put up with the territorial catty nature of women no offense It is tough but just keep a positive outlook and you will get through whatever comes your way

"reality shock number one once you become a nurse" :While your original intent for becoming a nurse may have been admirable and as pure as the driven snow, there is a very high chance that while working as a nurse you will not have time to be even remotely close to being as personable and intimate as you originally planned to be. Sidenote: reality shock number one is also interchangable with: " #1 disappointment as a new nurse" and incidentally makes the list of " **** they don't tell you in nursing school"