2 answers
Kaitlyn
Student
Spangle, Washington
1
Question
Asked
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What would you say the most difficult part of nursing is and the most rewarding part is?
what are the pros and cons to working in a hospital setting verse a clinical setting?
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2 answers
La Tonya Johnson MSN, RN, CMSRN, CSSGB
RN
1
Answer
Houston, Texas
Updated
La Tonya Johnson’s Answer
The hardest part of being a nurse is staying fair and not judging people based on past experiences, as each patient and situation is unique. Healthcare is not clear-cut; it involves understanding different details and individual needs. For example, two people can fall from the same height and end up with different injuries. Their overall health also affects how they cope with the trauma, both physically and mentally.
The best part of nursing is making a real difference. Something you do could save a life or make someone's life better, not just physically but also mentally. Sometimes, you might be the only friendly face a person sees.
Working in a hospital versus a clinic has its pros and cons, depending on the specific place, but here are some general points:
Clinic Pros:
- Schedule: Typically, you work five 8-hour shifts from Monday to Friday, with nights, weekends, and holidays off.
- Skills: There's less patient care like bathing and managing incontinence since patients are there only for short appointments.
Clinic Cons:
- Schedule: You only get two days off each week.
- Skills: There's less independence, as you follow doctor's orders more closely. Clinics focus more on doctor-patient interactions, while hospitals focus more on nurse-patient interactions.
Hospital Pros:
- Schedule: You usually get 3-4 days off each week. Many hospitals allow self-scheduling, so you can plan around your personal life without needing to take time off.
- Skills: You have more independence in patient care, managing their health within the doctor's guidelines.
Hospital Cons:
- Schedule: Shifts are longer, typically 12 hours, 3 days a week. You must work some weekends and holidays. Night shifts, mid-shifts, and rotating shifts are common.
- Skills: You need to do more hands-on care like bathing, managing incontinence, and feeding patients.
No type of nursing is better or smarter than another. Each has its own specialty and expertise. You need to choose the specialty and setting that suit you and your goals best.
The best part of nursing is making a real difference. Something you do could save a life or make someone's life better, not just physically but also mentally. Sometimes, you might be the only friendly face a person sees.
Working in a hospital versus a clinic has its pros and cons, depending on the specific place, but here are some general points:
Clinic Pros:
- Schedule: Typically, you work five 8-hour shifts from Monday to Friday, with nights, weekends, and holidays off.
- Skills: There's less patient care like bathing and managing incontinence since patients are there only for short appointments.
Clinic Cons:
- Schedule: You only get two days off each week.
- Skills: There's less independence, as you follow doctor's orders more closely. Clinics focus more on doctor-patient interactions, while hospitals focus more on nurse-patient interactions.
Hospital Pros:
- Schedule: You usually get 3-4 days off each week. Many hospitals allow self-scheduling, so you can plan around your personal life without needing to take time off.
- Skills: You have more independence in patient care, managing their health within the doctor's guidelines.
Hospital Cons:
- Schedule: Shifts are longer, typically 12 hours, 3 days a week. You must work some weekends and holidays. Night shifts, mid-shifts, and rotating shifts are common.
- Skills: You need to do more hands-on care like bathing, managing incontinence, and feeding patients.
No type of nursing is better or smarter than another. Each has its own specialty and expertise. You need to choose the specialty and setting that suit you and your goals best.
Susana Abena Appiah
MIDWIFE
70
Answers
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Updated
Susana Abena’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn! Thank you for the questions.
Here is a breakdown for you:
Most Difficult Part of Nursing
Emotional toll: Witnessing suffering, death, or delivering difficult news can be emotionally exhausting.
Burnout and stress: Long hours, understaffing, and high patient loads—especially in hospitals—can lead to burnout.
Physical demands: Constantly being on your feet, lifting patients, and fast-paced shifts can wear you down.
Dealing with difficult patients/families: Not everyone understands the limits of what nurses can do, which can create tension.
Most Rewarding Part of Nursing
Making a real difference: Helping someone heal, regain independence, or even just find comfort is deeply fulfilling.
Patient connections: Many nurses say the relationships they form with patients and families are priceless.
Constant learning: Medicine is always evolving, so there’s always something new to learn.
Respect and job security: Nurses are highly respected and always in demand.
Hospital verses Clinical Setting: Pros & Cons
Hospital Setting
PROS
- More diverse patient cases
- Higher pay potential
- Opportunities for specialization (ICU, ER, etc.)
- 24/7 shifts (good if you prefer nights) - Regular hours (M–F, 9–5)
CONS
- Long, irregular hours
- Higher stress and faster pace
- More physically demanding
- More exposure to acute/emergency cases
Clinical/Outpatients Setting
PROS
- Less physically demanding
- Lower stress environment
- Often better work-life balance
CONS
- Lower pay
- More routine cases (can feel repetitive)
- Fewer advancement opportunities
- Less team-based, more independent
Here is a breakdown for you:
Most Difficult Part of Nursing
Emotional toll: Witnessing suffering, death, or delivering difficult news can be emotionally exhausting.
Burnout and stress: Long hours, understaffing, and high patient loads—especially in hospitals—can lead to burnout.
Physical demands: Constantly being on your feet, lifting patients, and fast-paced shifts can wear you down.
Dealing with difficult patients/families: Not everyone understands the limits of what nurses can do, which can create tension.
Most Rewarding Part of Nursing
Making a real difference: Helping someone heal, regain independence, or even just find comfort is deeply fulfilling.
Patient connections: Many nurses say the relationships they form with patients and families are priceless.
Constant learning: Medicine is always evolving, so there’s always something new to learn.
Respect and job security: Nurses are highly respected and always in demand.
Hospital verses Clinical Setting: Pros & Cons
Hospital Setting
PROS
- More diverse patient cases
- Higher pay potential
- Opportunities for specialization (ICU, ER, etc.)
- 24/7 shifts (good if you prefer nights) - Regular hours (M–F, 9–5)
CONS
- Long, irregular hours
- Higher stress and faster pace
- More physically demanding
- More exposure to acute/emergency cases
Clinical/Outpatients Setting
PROS
- Less physically demanding
- Lower stress environment
- Often better work-life balance
CONS
- Lower pay
- More routine cases (can feel repetitive)
- Fewer advancement opportunities
- Less team-based, more independent