DON’T become a NURSE if you hate these things

Many people wonder, “How do I know if I’m not cut out for the nursing profession?” Should I become a nurse or not? Will I like nursing? Or should I avoid nursing like the plague?”

Those are really tough questions because there are so many areas of nursing in which you can work. If you don’t like some of the things I’m about to mention, you could probably still find an area of nursing that you’d like.

Also, I would say that many great nurses have at least one or two things on this list that they don’t like, but they have been able to overcome it to pursue their dream of working as a nurse.

However, if we are talking about traditional bedside-type nursing, I’d say you probably wouldn’t want to become a nurse if you don’t like the majority of these things below.

Don’t Become a Nurse if You Hate These Things

Bodily fluids – Are you easily grossed out by bodily fluids? You are definitely going to be seeing lots of blood, poop, pee, vomit, sputum, and so forth. You not only have to see them, but you will collect them, smell them, clean them up, and more. That’s all a part of the job, and you will do it a lot in bedside nursing. If you are repulsed by those things, bedside nursing might be a struggle.
Caring for others – Nursing is all about helping others and serving them at their weakest. You will be helping patients to the restroom, bathing them, changing their beds, administering medications, explaining things to them, dealing with family members, and so on. If the idea of taking care of people turns you off, then you might struggle doing it on a full-time basis.
Having sympathy and empathy for people – People will find out about a horrible diagnoses. They will not be able to work and can suffer financial devastation. Their entire life can be altered by a medical problem. Family members will be losing loved ones, and you have to also help them navigate through it. As a nurse, you’ve got to show that you care, and try to these help.
Learning about the human body, medicine, or disease processes – You’ll be studying a lot about the anatomy of the human body, how medications work, how diseases affect the body, and so forth in nursing school. As a nurse, you’ll be drawing upon that knowledge base in order to provide safe and effective care for your patients. You’ll even be taking continuing education and/or refresher courses on healthcare topics.
Fast-paced, physical work and multitasking – Some jobs require you to mostly use your brain. Others require you to mostly use your body. In my opinion, nursing really forces you to use both. You’ll be bending, lifting, and moving patients, but you’ll also have to think critically and know a lot about medicines and diseases, all while juggling several tasks at once.
Teamwork – As a nurse, you’ll constantly be collaborating with physicians, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, nursing assistants, and so forth. You’ll constantly be calling them, asking them for help, and helping them, too. Sometimes it takes a village to heal people.

Again, you can still become a nurse if you dislike one or two of those things. I mean, there are great nurses out there who don’t like some of the things I just said, but they are still great nurses.

Also, you can always work to improve on some weaknesses or learn to deal with some things you dislike.

However, if you find that almost everything on that list above turns you off and is not what you want out of your career or calling in life, then the traditional bedside nursing might not be a good fit for you.

Again, there are areas of nursing where you won’t be doing some of those things, but you probably wouldn’t like bedside type of nursing jobs very much.

Even if you decide nursing isn’t for you, there are still many jobs you can find within healthcare that might be a great fit.

Need Help with the Nursing Job Process?

nursing resume templates and job guide by nurse sarah, nurse resume templates

Check out our job guide called “Nursing Resume Templates and Job Guide by Nurse Sarah“. Nurse Sarah’s updated eBook guide & template bundle will walk you step-by-step through the entire job process. You’ll learn how to….

Create a stunning resume and matching cover letter (16 professionally designed templates included with download)
Ace your nursing job interview with the most common job interview questions (includes sample answers)
Getting letters of recommendation & putting together your nurse portfolio
Tips for finding your first nursing job and getting hired fast
Tips to transition from nursing student to new nurse (talking to doctors, common struggles, etc.)
Advancing in your career
And more (see table of contents below)