Sometimes you hear people say things like “oh, I’ve always wanted to be a nurse…” or “I’m thinking of doing nursing”. Nursing is a bit like teaching in that it’s hard to know what it’s like until you actually do the job… Unfortunately, you can’t try the job until you have completed your training time.
So I guess it’s good to have some idea of what the job consists of before you throw your money into 3 or 4 years of study.
Basically, you really don’t want to waste several years of your life studying, only to find out you hate nursing! (it’s happened before)
Incidentally, while I was half way through my course I met a couple at a dinner function one night. After we introduced ourselves, and I said I was studying nursing, the girl said to me “DON’T! – Drop your course right now! I’ve finished my nursing, and after working 2 months it was so bad that I’m never nursing again!” What an interesting introduction to nursing! Thanks to this lady, I questioned my decision to study nursing quite a few times! (Anyway, I’m pleased to say the girl didn’t deter me from finishing my study, and I found I got into nursing a bit more than she did when I finished!)
What sort of things do nurses do?
Day to day tasks vary a lot depending on where you work, but there are general skills that basically all nurses have:
- Nurses have to have very good social and people skills, time management skills, be good at thinking on their feet and be good with handling pressure and problems when they arise
- Nurses have to be good at teamwork and working with other allied health groups such as peers, doctors, physios, social workers, chaplains, radiographers, wardsmen, admin staff, meal crews and others
- Nurses have to have good organisation skills in order to formulate plans of care
- Nurses have to have a disposition which allows them to work in sometimes stressful, frantic or problematic environments without freaking out or losing their heads!
- Nurses have to have good analytical, problem solving and drug calculation skills
- Nurses have to cope with working all hours of the day/night, back to back or double shifts at times, or late/early situations where you survive on 3 or 4 hours sleep
- Nurses have to be good patient advocates and keep the ‘good of the patient’ in mind
- Nurses have to be able to take (and later give!) constructive criticism without falling to pieces or bursting into tears (actually this goes for all forms of criticism – you have to have a tough outer shell and be able to cop a bit of flack without letting it get you down)
- Nurses have to deal with things like blood, mucous, faeces, vomit and pus, as well as drunks, losers, creeps, verbally abuse people, physically abusive people (one time in my first year of nursing an old lady SLAPPED the GUTS out of my face after I walked into her room, got up close and said “good morning Mrs Sil… ” *WHACK!*) Also sometimes you have to face things like needle stick injuries, blood or body fluid splashes, and coming in contact with people who have communicable diseases.
I’m not trying to paint a bleak picture, the reality is that you have to have a certain personality to be good at the job and to enjoy it! So if you think you are a bit intrigued by it all, jump in and give it a go! What are you waiting for?!
I seem to have all the qualities you mention – especially about keeping calm when people are not, but I’m not sure about “drug calculation skills” – I’m not very good with numbers!
I guess you can never know until you’re in the course?
@Elizabeth – sounds like you have most things covered. I guess regarding drug calculations, it’s fairly important you get doses etc. right. Most serious stuff is checked with two RN’s, so there’s a safeguard there, but you certainly need to be able to do some basic formula’s on your own. You’ll definitely be taught this kind of thing & have heeeeaps of opportunity to practice when you train, so you’ll discover it’s a lot less daunting in reality!
I am interested still to be a nurse but am I late already? I am 37 years old and by the time I finished schooling and have experience I may be 45 already.
Any comment Ross? What is the average age that nurses retire in Australia or should we say the age they burnout?
I’m interested in being a nurse. I think I have the right personality but I still worry. Everything about nursing interests me but yeah I still worry about certain aspects. I guess I will just have to try and see.
@Ronald – just noticed I didn’t reply back here, sorry bout that – No I don’t think you’re too old, there’s plenty of different types of nursing that suites people of this age… You only live once, go for it!
@Sarah – Hi, thanks for visiting. Worry is really normal when it comes to nursing, particularly for trainee nurses and nursing students. You don’t really feel comfortable in the profession until you’ve been out for a while & gain some experience. Familiarity = confidence! Good luck.
Thanks Ross. I will be applying at three different unis come August so fingers crossed I will get in. Two by correspondence and one accelerated course in Tasmania, mature age student and all (only 25) but hopefully I will get in
Hi Ross,
I have just applied for a nursing degree but have finished a double degree in journalism and science. My main concern with nursing is in regards to bullying in the work place particularly when women of all ages are involved. From what i can gather is that high up nurses who have been in the industry for years have had to develop a very tough skin in a male dominated environment (doctors surgeons- ratio wise men to women) and from personal experience women are often tougher on other women. I guess my question is have you experienced this first hand or am i barking up the wrong tree?
Can I be a nurse? Probably not. I’ve aways been a firm believer in letting people make their own informed decisions and making their own mistakes. This is anathema to most nurses and doctors who expect docility and obedience from their patients.
hey, i’m currently a year 12 student looking into nursing… I do have most of the things covered from what you’ve said above, but theres still a few things im not clear on, especially since i’ve only been with nurses at the doctors
With your statement “Nurses have to have a disposition which allows them to work in sometimes stressful, frantic or problematic environments without freaking out or losing their heads!” I just wanted to know if you found it easy to distance yourself and do what was needed when you began nursing? or does it just get easier with experience?
Also, do you know if any hospitals or Doctors would take in a high school student for work experience for a short period of time? I would like to experience it before I applied for Uni
Thank you!
im studyin nursin at uni and i really enjoy it
i love learnin about anatomy and physiology and the human body
only problem when i meet people and tell them im studyin nursin
alot of guys say “why?” or “ahhhk” or my favroute on “why? you’re a guy!”
Hello,
I am an Australian citizen. My college study is major in graphics design. If I pass the IELTS exam and study a nursing degree in an Australian University, my age will be 48. Can I still work as a nurse in Australia?
I just want to help people who need help.
Thanks.
Hey guys,
Just thought I’d put my 2 cents in! I’m a registered nurse and have been in the profession for 5 years…as for drug calculations don’t worry!! I thought the same thing I’m not good at maths but the calculations are easy once you know how (there are formulas to learn) occasionally you come across a difficult calculation such as mls per kg but you always check with another nurse! If this is the only thing holding you back I say go for it! The average
Ronald the average nurse is 42! 60% of graduates leave after 3 years…I think it’s the shift work it can be very tough at times and make you feel run down..,but nursing is a rewarding career and you learn so much about yourself and others and giving to people is a positive way of living your life…it’s not for everyone but I recommend it! The best thing is that there is so many avenues and excellent job security! For all the people who have blogged on here…do what your HEART tells you to do! You never know if you will like it unless you try for yourselves! Good luck!!! From RN Erin!!
Hello to all experience Nurses out there!
I am 43 1/2 age women who is contemplating on becoming a nurse. I am currently apply for Diploma in Nursing to start off with as I am so daunted by university studies and become I am hands on and visual kind of girl. Later I wish to do continue with Bachelor or a Vocational Graduate studies. Please advise is it too late to start in early fourties? Scared to make the move as I am single and need to support myself finacially and with a house mortgage to boot.
There are lots of pros of nursing from having the flexibility of hours, diversity of many specialities, a good solid career as there is always work available, recognition in the community, personal contact with patients and knowing you are making a difference in their lives. The pros are and not sure if I am cut out with becoming a nurse as I know it involves high attention to detail, dealing with stressful and confronting situations, juggling many tasks at once, dealing with arrogant Doctors/Specialists that don’t have the time of day to explain instructions clearly and patiently, bully amongst nursing peers that have been in the field and making you feel incompetent and inadequate, all the paperwork and administration, aggressive patients that are demanding because they are sick and want things done instantly, public liability and the huge responsibility of any mishaps and accidents by a pracitising nurse (enrolled/registered) so no room for error.
I believe with my personality and character I would be suited for more low key environments and roles and very interested in community care nursing, school nurse, assistant nurse in medical/specialist centres and even mental health. No really keen on working in hospitals because of the high pressure, and internal politics. Although I know during training (both enrolled and registered) that placement in the hospital is compulsory.
What are your thoughts? Greatly appreciate your feedback. Patricia
If you are not interested in nursing, then there is no point in pursuing a career in that…only go for nursing, if you have the real desire and enthusiasm from your inner heart..