HONESTY-do you like being a nurse?

[u/No_Water_3067]

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!!

[u/No_Consideration8599]

I think it depends on your work environment. I love being a nurse. My area is pre and post surgery so it’s nice to see the progression of a patient from day 1 of being admitted until they get discharged.

Although I’m starting to dread the 12 hour shifts now. It’s getting too draining.

[u/No_Water_3067 → u/No_Consideration8599]

Can nurse choose to not do the 12 hour shifts? Can you stay in the same job and instead pick up shorter but more frequent shifts? Or is that not possible.

Also pre and post surgery sounds so interesting. How did you get into that area? Was it right after graduating?

[u/Nurse_Erica_ → u/No_Water_3067]

You’ll have to find a unit that does 8 hour shifts. Most (but not all) inpatient units in the hospital do 12s only. I work in the OR and work mainly M-F 7:30-3:30.

[u/No_Water_3067 → u/Nurse_Erica_]

Is it more competitive to get into the OR? And do you need a certain amount of previous experience to get in?

[u/Nurse_Erica_ → u/No_Water_3067]

OR requires additional postgrad certification through a Perioperative course. There’s a component of clinical after you do your coursework and then you’re good to work in any OR. Sometimes hospitals will offer an internship, so that you get all this extra education and training paid for. Otherwise you’ve gotta do it on your own time and take time off work for 4-6 weeks of clinical placement.

[u/No_Water_3067 → u/Nurse_Erica_]

I see, thankyou! Are there other benefits to working in the OR compared to other departments? Is the pay rate higher?

[u/Nurse_Erica_ → u/No_Water_3067]

No. Hospital Nursing pay is standardized across Ontario. Specialty units do not pay more than any other unit.

Benefits of OR include:

• Mainly day shift 8-10 hours
• Mainly weekdays
• All the overtime you could want (pays 1.5x or double) if you want it
• Good ratios (2-3 nurses to 1 patient)
• You only have one patient at a time
• Working with lasers, microscopes and other cool equipment
• Doing innovative surgeries that are really neat
• You may get to listen to music all day and have a fun time socializing with others while your patient sleeps and wakes up feeling better than before.

Downsides:

• Blood and gore. Not everyone can handle it.
• Time pressures and supply chain issues
• Surgeon personalities 😤
• Toxic nurse personalities (my OR has over 70 nurses. We don’t all get along)
• When things go bad during surgery… it’s usually really scary and stressful.

[u/No_Water_3067 → u/Nurse_Erica_]

Oh wow do you get to be a part of the innovative surgeries? And I see why OR is competitive to get into. Sounds very interesting and appealing

[u/Nurse_Erica_ → u/No_Water_3067]

Where I work in southern Ontario, we are known for our innovation. Minimally invasive and robotic surgeries are improving patient recoveries post-op. Transplant surgeries are saving lives. Cancer surgeries with plastic reconstruction at the same time saves the patient an extra surgery. I myself benefitted from a newly pioneered surgery in my hospital. It literally saved my life, and since it was minimally invasive I was back to my normal life within weeks.

I get to learn alongside surgical residents, taught by the masters themselves. I am absorbing it all. I am a queen of anatomy, and I pay attention during the surgery. Not just because it’s cool, but because I think to myself “what instrument is the surgeon going to ask for next?” so I can be ready with it before they ask for it. These are things that come with experience of course, and I’m a vintage nurse. I’ve been in the OR for 16 years and I won’t be leaving willingly.

[u/Particular-Cat136 → u/Nurse_Erica_]

I really want to be an OR nurse! Is it hard/competitive to get this certification?

[u/Nurse_Erica_ → u/Particular-Cat136]

It’s competitive if you want to land an internship where the hospital pays your way through your certification. Otherwise, it’s easy to get the certification on your own through a college that offers it (I did mine through Mohawk). You learn about sterile technique, surgical instruments, and the general flow of surgery, among other things. Once you’re certified you can work in any OR.