4 answers
Fiona
Student
Milton, Georgia
5
Questions
Asked
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What is the most difficult part about being a nurse?
Is it more emotionally or physically draining within the hard parts of this career?
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4 answers
Elyse Van Dyke, BSN, RN
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
1
Answer
Oakley, California
Updated
Elyse’s Answer
Hello!
For reference, I work in a VERY busy ER and love it. Physically, I am beat after my day (especially if we were short staffed and couldn’t get our breaks, which is happening more frequently). You are on your feet for 12 hours, pushing, pulling, bending over and so much more. But I think, for me, the emotional brutality can be harder. You see a lot of death and tragedy. I especially have a very hard time when the kids are involved in tragic accidents or die. You also see a lot of abuse, which is emotionally hard. I love what I do but it can weigh on you. Don’t forget to take care of yourself physically by working out and taking care of yourself emotionally (whatever that entails). It is easy to stress eat or stress drink when your a nurse, so try and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Good luck!
For reference, I work in a VERY busy ER and love it. Physically, I am beat after my day (especially if we were short staffed and couldn’t get our breaks, which is happening more frequently). You are on your feet for 12 hours, pushing, pulling, bending over and so much more. But I think, for me, the emotional brutality can be harder. You see a lot of death and tragedy. I especially have a very hard time when the kids are involved in tragic accidents or die. You also see a lot of abuse, which is emotionally hard. I love what I do but it can weigh on you. Don’t forget to take care of yourself physically by working out and taking care of yourself emotionally (whatever that entails). It is easy to stress eat or stress drink when your a nurse, so try and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Good luck!
Oscar Alejandro Cortez
Travel Nurse
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Oscar Alejandro’s Answer
Hi Fiona,
That is a very good question. I have been a nurse for over 10 years and worked mostly in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I can answer this question based on the working conditions of a typical ICU nurse. The job can be very hard physically, emotionally and even spiritually. It is physically hard because you are on your feet for most of the 12- hour shift. You will also find yourself having to push, pull, bend and lift very often. This will be due to patients being very heavy and often in a sedated state. The job can also be emotionally hard because you will see people die very often. After caring for the same patients for days at a time and getting to know the families, the deterioration of there health will eventually surpass our medical abilities. Lastly, the job also takes a toll spiritually because after years of seeing the same disease processes, over and over again, you will begin to lose the ability to feel compassion. It the medical research community this is known as "compassion fatigue".
If you are interesting in becoming a nurse, I personally would encourage you to do it! The profession is noble because its foundation is based on caring for others. Nurses are compensated very well, especially in states like California and New York and in big cities as well. Most nurses work 3 days a week for twelve hours each shift, which leave you 4 days off to rest spend time with family or cultivate other hobbies. Nursing will also afford you the opportunity to travel and relocate anywhere in the U.S, since the nursing shortage is still a very serious problem. The people you will work with including other nurses, doctors, technicians and therapist are also people who value being a good, caring person so the likelihood of making friends with good quality people is high. Overall, the nursing field is a great career opportunity and although it is very hard at times it is also very rewarding and has a diverse spectrum of duties such as ICU, Emergency room, Operating Room, Clinics, Pediatrics, Research, Clinics and Teaching.
Self reflect to determine if you care about helping others
Explore other fields of nursing such as Emergency, Pediatrics, Labor and Delivery, Operating Room, Research, Public Health, Day Clinics, and Teaching
Get good grades especially in Math and Sciences
Go to a college with a Nursing program available.
That is a very good question. I have been a nurse for over 10 years and worked mostly in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I can answer this question based on the working conditions of a typical ICU nurse. The job can be very hard physically, emotionally and even spiritually. It is physically hard because you are on your feet for most of the 12- hour shift. You will also find yourself having to push, pull, bend and lift very often. This will be due to patients being very heavy and often in a sedated state. The job can also be emotionally hard because you will see people die very often. After caring for the same patients for days at a time and getting to know the families, the deterioration of there health will eventually surpass our medical abilities. Lastly, the job also takes a toll spiritually because after years of seeing the same disease processes, over and over again, you will begin to lose the ability to feel compassion. It the medical research community this is known as "compassion fatigue".
If you are interesting in becoming a nurse, I personally would encourage you to do it! The profession is noble because its foundation is based on caring for others. Nurses are compensated very well, especially in states like California and New York and in big cities as well. Most nurses work 3 days a week for twelve hours each shift, which leave you 4 days off to rest spend time with family or cultivate other hobbies. Nursing will also afford you the opportunity to travel and relocate anywhere in the U.S, since the nursing shortage is still a very serious problem. The people you will work with including other nurses, doctors, technicians and therapist are also people who value being a good, caring person so the likelihood of making friends with good quality people is high. Overall, the nursing field is a great career opportunity and although it is very hard at times it is also very rewarding and has a diverse spectrum of duties such as ICU, Emergency room, Operating Room, Clinics, Pediatrics, Research, Clinics and Teaching.
Oscar Alejandro recommends the following next steps:
Liz Anderson RN, BSN, PHN
Find what you LOVE!
33
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Liz’s Answer
Ms Fiona,
This is a great question!
First and foremost, the physical vs emotional impact it has on fellow healthcare varies between individuals.
Prior to the pandemic, personally for me it was an emotional challenge.
Post Pandemic, I would say its both physical and emotional.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Best of luck!
Liz
This is a great question!
First and foremost, the physical vs emotional impact it has on fellow healthcare varies between individuals.
Prior to the pandemic, personally for me it was an emotional challenge.
Post Pandemic, I would say its both physical and emotional.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Best of luck!
Liz
Janie Rodriguez
Registered Nurse
5
Answers
Amarillo, Texas
Updated
Janie’s Answer
The hardest part for me has been seeing the way nurses are not valued. We nurses are forced to do more with less. We were heroes during the pandemic and then viewed as the villains afterwards and why? Because we want to exercise the right to decide to be vaccinated or not. A nurse from Vanderbilt hospital just sent a nurse to prison for making a med error. The family forgave her and did not want to pursue the case the hospital administration did and why? So the hospital wouldn't be held liable for the mistake.
The hospital did not want to be sued so they had to control the narrative and throw the nurse under the bus and ruin her life.
Nursing is not what I would recommend to my kids. The changes that are here and the ones coming are scary.
The hospital did not want to be sued so they had to control the narrative and throw the nurse under the bus and ruin her life.
Nursing is not what I would recommend to my kids. The changes that are here and the ones coming are scary.