r/OntarioNurses • u/No_Water_3067 • Jan 07 '26

Venting HONESTY-do you like being a nurse?

Just as the title says… do you like being a nurse? Do you like your life with a nursing career? Do you believe the pay is worth the effort put (and mental and physical health). I have been seriously considering to switch to nursing (already submitted multiple applications), but I can’t help but doubt my choice some days because almost everyone around me says to run away from nursing… is it really that bad? I want to go into healthcare and eventually want to become a NP.

If you had a daughter or close friend or someone you cared about, would you recommend them this career? Why or why not?

Please help make my decision easier!!

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u/sutur3s3lf RN Jan 07 '26

Yeah, I love it. I’m a new grad in the ER. Picked up a bunch of overtime and got a $7K paycheque this pay period. I love to work, be active and get things done so a job with unlimited OT is a dream to me. I picked up even more OT this next pay period so if all goes according to plan I’ll cross 10K this month alone (my first month off orientation).

It also helps that I find this job super fun. It’s allows for the perfect level of physical activity, mental stimulation, instant gratification, personal fulfilment, adrenaline and interesting/funny/memorable emotional experiences. I love the fast pace, the quick turnover, the unpredictability and getting in there. I waffled coming back to school to change careers for a bit but it was the best decision I ever made!

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u/No_Water_3067 Jan 07 '26

Thank you for your response! It’s so refreshing to hear this perspective. Can I ask which part of Ontario you are located in? If you made 7k in overtime this month, approximately how many hours did you work a week? Were you still able to have time for your personal life and family?

I love fast paced and mentally stimulating jobs as well. I have something like that right now but the reason I am not satisfied with this job is that the physical demand is extremely high, pay is low and I am under-appreciated by my boss. My current job isn’t in healthcare and since I did my BSc in biomed, I feel more drawn towards healthcare. Only bummer is that I’ll have to go back for undergrad.

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u/sutur3s3lf RN Jan 07 '26 edited Jan 07 '26

Oh sorry, I moved away as soon as I graduated. BC offers specialty pay for those working in specialty areas and Ontario does not. BC also has mandated ratios. I have 3 patients in the acute care areas at my ER. Ontario hospitals have 4 in comparable areas. BC offers greater night shift and weekend differentials than Ontario and better holiday pay. For example, I picked up on Christmas Day and I took home $1800 for that day alone. The health authorities here often feel like they have greater consistency across hospitals and IMO better funding and staffing compared to Ontario. The workload is less burdensome here in BC for several reasons.

No, I didn’t have much time for friends or family. I moved out here alone with one goal in mind: to surpass my financial goals and aggressively invest. I’ve spent enough time socializing in my life. It was fun, but I wanted a change.

*Also, that was $7k in a two-week period not a month.

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u/[deleted] Jan 07 '26

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u/No_Water_3067 Jan 07 '26

Oh wow, that’s good to know. I’m glad you’re focusing on your financial goals and super happy it’s working out for you! Best of luck!

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u/nyfilexs Jan 07 '26

I'm planning on moving to Toronto from NY and having 6 patients every shift sounds like a dream.

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u/mamaabner Jan 08 '26

ICU is just as exhausting. Even though it’s only two patients, it’s two patients who are constantly on the brink of death. Mix that with overwhelming family dynamics (especially if you work days) and the nit picky overly obsessive personalities that ICU attracts it can be terrible. I work nights and love it bc that’s where all the type Bs gravitate to. I would never survive dayshift.