7 answers
Melissa
Student
Portland, Oregon
2
Questions
Asked
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Do you have any regrets choosing to go into the medical field? Why or why not?
This question can be for anyone in the medical field but I'm specifically curious about nurse midwives.
#medicine #nursing #nurse #nurse-midwife
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7 answers
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Only have regrets during my twice yearly week of graveyard shift. Providing 24/7 coverage to the radiology department is important and I am glad my group provides the service. But working 10-hour shifts from 9pm to 7 am for 7 days in a row wreaks havoc on my sleep schedule and makes me unpleasant to be around. My family just tries to leave me alone for that week because they know I am sleep-deprived and grumpy.
Sarah Reck
Anesthesiologist
8
Answers
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
There are pros and cons of any field.
I am a physician (Anesthesiologist).
I love what I do for a living. Being able to interact with people all day and take care of them.whrn they are vulnerable is amazing. I love being able to provide quick and lasting pain relief to patients as well. And my field is very hands in and procedure oriented, which I love.
The downside of my job is the hours and the politics. Training to be a physician is ling and tiring. There is a perception that once you complete training it gets better but many physicians still work very long hours and many weekends. This is different depending on the area of medicine you choose, though. Family medicine is an office schedule (8-4 or 9-5) and call may be non existent or home call. As an anesthesiologist, my hours are early and erratic and intake a great deal of in house call and work at least 1 weekend a month.
Do I regret going into a medical field? No. There is great reward in doing this. But are there times I get down about the hours and time away from family? Yes. Again, my field of medicine is unique and a lot of it comes down to what you choose, where you work (hospital based vs. Office based) and other factors.
For more information on being in the medical field,.my website www.sarahreckmd.com has information.
I am a physician (Anesthesiologist).
I love what I do for a living. Being able to interact with people all day and take care of them.whrn they are vulnerable is amazing. I love being able to provide quick and lasting pain relief to patients as well. And my field is very hands in and procedure oriented, which I love.
The downside of my job is the hours and the politics. Training to be a physician is ling and tiring. There is a perception that once you complete training it gets better but many physicians still work very long hours and many weekends. This is different depending on the area of medicine you choose, though. Family medicine is an office schedule (8-4 or 9-5) and call may be non existent or home call. As an anesthesiologist, my hours are early and erratic and intake a great deal of in house call and work at least 1 weekend a month.
Do I regret going into a medical field? No. There is great reward in doing this. But are there times I get down about the hours and time away from family? Yes. Again, my field of medicine is unique and a lot of it comes down to what you choose, where you work (hospital based vs. Office based) and other factors.
Sarah recommends the following next steps:
Rosie Bouterie
Clinical Nurse Manager Infusion
12
Answers
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Updated
Rosie’s Answer
I have no regrets. I wake up every morning thankful to do my lifes purpose. Everyone is given a gift. My gift happens to be the ability to help heal. I love what I do and knew what I wanted to be a 5 yrs old. I'm lucky God gave me this ability. I specifically got into my specialty in 2008 and since then i can honestly say i haven't woken up stating I didn't want to go to wk today. Nursing is a special field not everyone is cut out to do and that's ok but if you are then give it all you got bc at the end of the day u can be proud that u may have touched someone's life and changed them forever. Good luck to you. Hope you too find your purpose.
Kerrie Chambers, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNS-CP, CLNC
Registered Nurse
59
Answers
Aurora, Colorado
Updated
Kerrie’s Answer
Never! I have had an amazing career as a nurse and know that I was meant to be a nurse since I was a little girl! I truly believe that you have to love what you do to be happy and I absolutely love what I do!
That doesn't mean that I have not had my share of bad days at times, but I have never once regretted going into the medical field. I feel that there are so many ways to help people and that in the medical field, as a nurse, this was my way. I have been very fortunate in my career to work in Medical-Surgical nursing, Pediatrics nurse, Legal Nurse consulting, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Health Coach, Nurse Educator, Preceptor, Instructor, Clinical Editor, Perioperative Practice Specialist, and my love of all-time- the Operating Room for over 25 years! I love that with nursing, I can actually work anywhere, any place and change my shift times. This is one career that is so versatile that you can switch specialties, travel to a variety of locations (including international), work FT, PT, or as needed. You can work directly at the bedside, as a manager, educator, instructor, in a hospital, clinic, office, school, at home, laboratory, etc...
I have been able to be at the bedside of people who were dying, women giving birth, kinds who were diagnosed with cancer, older adults with no families, with isolated patients because of certain diseases, in the hospital on Christmas day with children who were sick, hand-in-hand with people as they drift off to sleep before surgery, and I am thankful every day that I could be there to comfort them. I have been a nurse for a little over 25 years and I have loved being able to be with people during their times of need. I have been able to just sit with them, hold their hand, listen to their stories, hold a child, and I would not change these interactions for the world.
There are moments you will always remember, whether good or bad, and they may change you, but you have the decision on how you react to a situation and how you move forward after that moment/ interaction. I am always a "glass half full" kind of person so I choose to perceive all moments/interactions as opportunities for learning and growing, without regret.
That doesn't mean that I have not had my share of bad days at times, but I have never once regretted going into the medical field. I feel that there are so many ways to help people and that in the medical field, as a nurse, this was my way. I have been very fortunate in my career to work in Medical-Surgical nursing, Pediatrics nurse, Legal Nurse consulting, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Health Coach, Nurse Educator, Preceptor, Instructor, Clinical Editor, Perioperative Practice Specialist, and my love of all-time- the Operating Room for over 25 years! I love that with nursing, I can actually work anywhere, any place and change my shift times. This is one career that is so versatile that you can switch specialties, travel to a variety of locations (including international), work FT, PT, or as needed. You can work directly at the bedside, as a manager, educator, instructor, in a hospital, clinic, office, school, at home, laboratory, etc...
I have been able to be at the bedside of people who were dying, women giving birth, kinds who were diagnosed with cancer, older adults with no families, with isolated patients because of certain diseases, in the hospital on Christmas day with children who were sick, hand-in-hand with people as they drift off to sleep before surgery, and I am thankful every day that I could be there to comfort them. I have been a nurse for a little over 25 years and I have loved being able to be with people during their times of need. I have been able to just sit with them, hold their hand, listen to their stories, hold a child, and I would not change these interactions for the world.
There are moments you will always remember, whether good or bad, and they may change you, but you have the decision on how you react to a situation and how you move forward after that moment/ interaction. I am always a "glass half full" kind of person so I choose to perceive all moments/interactions as opportunities for learning and growing, without regret.
Tequila Langham
Case Manager, Nurse
44
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Tequila’s Answer
Hi Melissa,
Great question to ask when you thinking about a career. I don't think most people don't have a day or two when they questions their decision to become a nurse or remain a nurse. There are just some hectic days that you wished never occurred. I've never regretting being a nurse, but I have questioned just how long will I be a nurse. I think because I was one seeking different experiences, I just changed the type of nurse I was. That was the reason I chose to be a nurse after I left the military. I enjoy the vast number of types of nursing there is. So when I see a pattern of frustration, I started looking for other experiences and specialties. Some people who are hiring may take exception to this but there are others who like the fact that I am so diverse. It's important to me to learn and grow. Not much growing happens in the same position, doing the same things, except mental stagnation. Overall, my last 25 years in nursing has kept me learning. I've gain a wealth of knowledge along the way. For that, I won't ever regret my choice to become a nurse.
Great question to ask when you thinking about a career. I don't think most people don't have a day or two when they questions their decision to become a nurse or remain a nurse. There are just some hectic days that you wished never occurred. I've never regretting being a nurse, but I have questioned just how long will I be a nurse. I think because I was one seeking different experiences, I just changed the type of nurse I was. That was the reason I chose to be a nurse after I left the military. I enjoy the vast number of types of nursing there is. So when I see a pattern of frustration, I started looking for other experiences and specialties. Some people who are hiring may take exception to this but there are others who like the fact that I am so diverse. It's important to me to learn and grow. Not much growing happens in the same position, doing the same things, except mental stagnation. Overall, my last 25 years in nursing has kept me learning. I've gain a wealth of knowledge along the way. For that, I won't ever regret my choice to become a nurse.
Misty Miller
ISM Rep @ AT&T DirecTV
121
Answers
Huntsville, Alabama
Updated
Misty’s Answer
Hi Melissa,
I have been in the medical field almost 20 years and my only regret is that I did not go straight into nursing first. I started in the Pharmacy as a Tech and then went to nursing some years later. I wish I had gone ahead and went into Nursing first as to me, it is a more fulfilling job.
Sharon Falk
Assistant Professor/Clinical
6
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
I do not have regrets about going into the medical field, but I regret staying in a clinical area a little too long after realizing it was not a good fit for me. There are so many options as a nurse to explore if one area is not working for you!