3 answers
Madison
Student
Dorchester, NE
1
Question
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What is a disadvantage of being a nurse?
I am very interested in going into the medical field so I can help people in need and save lives.
#nursing
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3 answers
Iris L
Registered Nurse
9
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Iris’s Answer
A disadvantage of being a nurse - in a hospital - are the 12-hour shifts. They are physically hard on the body and could wear you out mentally. Often you can be pulled in many different directions. However, nursing jobs aren't always in hospitals, and some places you might even get to work 8-hour shifts. You will have the risk of coming into contact with many body fluids depending on where you work. If you work in a hospital, you may have to deal with doctors and other healthcare providers who are not always nice to you, even though you're the patient advocate and the one with the patient all day.
Those are the top disadvantages I can think of.
Those are the top disadvantages I can think of.
Lisa Lynch
1
Answer
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons on most days. There are so many avenues you can pursue within the Nursing profession once you have some solid clinical experience. I would agree with most of the "Cons" Michael mentioned. Mental/Physical/Emotional burnout are extremely common and everyone will experience these things from time to time. If you find good mentors, they can provide you with a lot of good tips and tools for managing burnout when it happens. Over time, you will become less sensitive to rude behavior because you will understand human nature and behavior on a much deeper level. Nursing is a profession that grows your heart and your capacity for empathy and compassion. Other "cons" include irregular scheduling (nights/weekends/holidays), physical injuries, stress, and difficulty creating a good work/life balance. Best of luck to you with your future career path.
Get licensed as a CNA and work as an aide for awhile BEFORE you go to nursing school. Most nurses who have worked as an aide know what they are getting into and are much more likely to stay the course for their entire career.
Contact a local hospital and let them know you are interested in shadowing a nurse for several shifts.
Lisa recommends the following next steps:
Carmen Choumont
1
Answer
Updated
Carmen’s Answer
Hi Madison,
Nursing is a wonderful career to have. I have been one for 30 years now. I did start out as a certified nursing aide in high school which helped me confirm my decision to become a nurse. Depending on what field of nursing you end up in will determine the pro's and con's of it. I have done med-surg, case management with an insurance company, psychiatric, home health, hospice, and now operations with a 3rd party vendor that does case management for insurance companies.
Cons are the wear and tear on your body from transferring patients, being on your feet most of the day, and long hours sometimes. Emotionally the specific job can drain you. Hospice was a wonderful job and I had to allow myself mental and physical breaks, watching someone die on a routine basis will wear you down. Most nursing jobs are weekends and holidays included. This causes you to miss family functions, kid's school events, your best friend's birthday party. Not until I was further along in my career, did I have a weekday 8-5 job. You also have to have thick skin, not take things personally yet not let anyone run over you or talk down to you. You must be open to change, change in your job duties, change of staff, change of process, change of patients, change of how you do your job. Medicine is always improving and changing; as a nurse, you must always be engaged and reading, ensuring you are educated on latest nursing changes and evidence based practices. You also have to set boundaries. If you are the nurse in the family, you will get asked 10,000 questions about everything. Refer them to their doctor or the emergency room. I have been in leadership positions for the past 10 years and while I may not do direct patient care or work weekends/holidays, this is a different type of stress.
Anyone can learn to be a nurse, can learn the procedures, the science behind the tasks but most nurses will tell you that it is truly a calling. They were meant to be a nurse. Best wishes to you!!!
talk to a nurse in person, ask them their career history
become a nursing aide or volunteer in a hospital or nursing home
Nursing is a wonderful career to have. I have been one for 30 years now. I did start out as a certified nursing aide in high school which helped me confirm my decision to become a nurse. Depending on what field of nursing you end up in will determine the pro's and con's of it. I have done med-surg, case management with an insurance company, psychiatric, home health, hospice, and now operations with a 3rd party vendor that does case management for insurance companies.
Cons are the wear and tear on your body from transferring patients, being on your feet most of the day, and long hours sometimes. Emotionally the specific job can drain you. Hospice was a wonderful job and I had to allow myself mental and physical breaks, watching someone die on a routine basis will wear you down. Most nursing jobs are weekends and holidays included. This causes you to miss family functions, kid's school events, your best friend's birthday party. Not until I was further along in my career, did I have a weekday 8-5 job. You also have to have thick skin, not take things personally yet not let anyone run over you or talk down to you. You must be open to change, change in your job duties, change of staff, change of process, change of patients, change of how you do your job. Medicine is always improving and changing; as a nurse, you must always be engaged and reading, ensuring you are educated on latest nursing changes and evidence based practices. You also have to set boundaries. If you are the nurse in the family, you will get asked 10,000 questions about everything. Refer them to their doctor or the emergency room. I have been in leadership positions for the past 10 years and while I may not do direct patient care or work weekends/holidays, this is a different type of stress.
Anyone can learn to be a nurse, can learn the procedures, the science behind the tasks but most nurses will tell you that it is truly a calling. They were meant to be a nurse. Best wishes to you!!!
Carmen recommends the following next steps: