A career as an RN, or registered nurse, offers a good salary, strong career outlook and the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts have an immediate and positive effect on the lives of others. Like any profession, however, it also has its challenges
A career as an RN, or registered nurse, offers a good salary, strong career outlook and the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts have an immediate and positive effect on the lives of others. Like any profession, however, it also has its challenges. It's essential to understand these challenges to determine if a nursing career is a good match for your skills, interests and aptitudes.
Many RNs spend most of the day on their feet and may have to frequently lift or carry heavy loads. They must also be physically strong enough to help patients out of bed, move them from their bed to a gurney, turn them or help them change positions. They frequently work long hours and may have irregular work schedules, including overnight shifts, weekends and holidays. They must sometimes be on-call to respond back to work on short notice. The physical challenges, accompanied by an erratic work schedule, can strain their personal lives and cause burnout.
Nurses work in a frequently high-stress environment, especially if they work in an emergency room or intensive care unit or as a surgical nurse. They must stay calm under pressure and be able to respond quickly in emergency situations. Working in such a high-pressure environment can take an emotional toll, as can seeing the illness of patients and distress of their family members. Nurses must also prepare themselves for the trauma of losing a patient. In addition, the chronic nursing shortage can place a strain on nurses, requiring them to care for so many patients they don't have sufficient time to devote to each of them.
A significant part of a nurse's job involves communicating with nurses, doctors and other health care professionals, and with patients and their families. Communication challenges arise frequently, especially when interacting with patients and family members from other cultures, or with very young patients or those with psychological or emotional problems, cognitive issues such as dementia, or developmental problems. If a patient has Alzheimer's, for example, he may be confused and afraid, making it difficult for the nurse to explain why she's giving him an injection.
Nurses interact closely with seriously ill and contagious patients every day, and must follow strict safety procedures to avoid infection. In addition to encountering airborne illnesses and those spread by direct contact, nurses may also come in contact with blood, urine or other bodily fluids that could carry infection or other disease. If nurses don't wear gloves or other protective clothing, or don't wash their hands as frequently as they should, they risk becoming infected and potentially infecting others. Nurses also frequently use syringes and needles, in addition to administering sometimes potent medication. They must use caution when handling these items to avoid injury.
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