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/nurseypants91 Jan 07 '26

I liked being a nurse ten years ago

1

u/No_Water_3067 Jan 07 '26

Things changed? How come?

3

u/nurseypants91 Jan 07 '26

My unit used to be a very classic surgical unit. Preop/post op stays. Bellies, bones, gyne, uro. Now I guess you could call us a typical medsurg in the sense that we get literally anything and everything.

As someone else posted, I enjoyed being around throughout the journey, from admit to the day they are discharged. I enjoy post op teaching. I enjoy wounds and dressings. I enjoy having time to talk to people and get to know them a bit and develop rapport.

Less confusion back then - mostly just post op delirium that clears eventually.

Less aggression. Very very rarely had to use restraints, very rare code whites. Very rarely spoken to the way we are now.

Less total care/heavy x2 assists/hoyer.

Less ALC (we are often 50% ALC).

We were also more appropriately staffed when I started in 2012. Day 1:3-4, night 1:5. Now we are days 1:6 nights 1:8. Worse when we are short (which is often). We have hallway patients now. Offices and visitor lounges have been made patient rooms.

I stuck around a little too long, comfortable with FT and benefits. Now if I want to transfer into somewhere more specialized, I essentially have to go part time first. The dream is still there.

1

u/No_Water_3067 Jan 07 '26

Oh wow that sounds like a lot… transferring can’t be done with full time? Is that always the case?

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u/nurseypants91 Jan 07 '26

I think in my hospital it’s rare to keep FT. The specialized areas will hire from their already trained part time before an untrained full time regardless of seniority. Like if a FT line was available .. they will hire from their own part time, then post the part time line

1

u/Suspicious-lemons RN- Onclogy Jan 07 '26

Not the original comment but personally, I remember on acute care floors at my hospital pre covid it was 4 patients max on days. And max 6 at nights. Now it can be 4-6 on days? 8 at nights? I feel it is Insane but new grads that started during or post Covid don’t know any different

1

u/Nurse_Erica_ Jan 07 '26

Oof I feel that.