Worried Nursing & NP Students In The Pandemic, This is for You | Would I Choose Nursing Again?

[@beverlyshook5740]

I’ve been a RN for 30 years, currently in NP school. It’s been rough, but it’s been joyful too. This is the worst I’ve seen it though. I’m working in nursing education now and it’s incredibly difficult on this side of it as well. I can’t imagine not being a nurse though. It’s not a career, it’s who I AM.

[@sincerelyyours225]

This totally made me cry, but filled my heart at the same time. You are an amazing human. Thank you for your honest insight ❤

[@nicolesawyer7117]

I was gonna say this but you took the words out of my mouth ❤️

[@RayBoomBoomRoom]

Only a nurse can truly understand what you saying!

[@UlianaBoldyreva]

From the perspective of someone who's starting nursing school literally in a week - thank you. I made the decision to pursue nursing when COVID was already in full swing and am SO excited to learn and become a nurse, but I still get my fair share of fear and stress seeing all the current nurses speaking out right now, knowing that I'll be there in 2 years.

[@debcomly2481]

As a retired Respiratory Therapist I feel for all Healthcare workers. I hear all the time about how miserable people are and how they didn't sign up for this mess. Many are leaving Healthcare. With no end in sight they can't handle it anymore. Depression vs Burnout is getting harder to differentiate for people. Such a sad time. Hugs ♥️

[@AAaron-zw3ev]

Just started my BSN program and I'm already super intimidated, but I keep coming back to your videos because they're always so, so encouraging and informative!! This one especially helped me put into perspective exactly what I'm getting myself into. Thank you so much for everything you do Liz :D

[@pattirodzewich7081]

Thank you Thank you Thank you 🙏🏻 🙏🏻🙏🏻 for sharing your uplifting and caring memories. I am on my 41st year in direct patient care. I started in 1981. A couple years later AIDS was announced to the world. I have seen many changes in those 41 years. Most of those years as a PICU/NICU and now a PACU RN at CHOC. I wasn’t able to have my own children so all the children I cared for as a nurse I considered as my own. As I set myself to retire in 4 years at 70 my most useful lesson to learn as a nurse and human being was developing my own inner self confidence. I am a slow learner in this area of my life. I always looked to others for any clue verbal and nonverbal that I was good enough. Today I am enough in every way. My advice is always be true to yourself. My wish for nursing is to hold each other up. For as we stand together we are our mightiest. Best wishes to you all ❤️ PS I would definitely choose a career in nursing if I had a do over.

[@eleanorbassett5536]

I started crying at the point of you saying about the sound of parents when their children pass..... that sound is unforgettable

[@Followmybliss777]

I can’t imagine a worse pain a human could go through. 😭😭😭

[@timothyalmeter]

I cried as well. We're all in this together. The future will be better.

[@Nashly77]

As a nurse for several years, this made me emotional. 😌

[@marijo1013]

As an Oncology NP I can relate to what you are saying. What an immense privilege to be part of someone’s journey through very awful diagnosis like cancer. Walking with them and their families through that journey is difficult but rewarding at the same time. Don’t get me started on cancer treatment and scans not covered by insurances😡😡😡

[@TheRNgrl]

I’m in NP school and I’m seriously reconsidering my decision. I feel so unmotivated, especially knowing all the hurdles we have to jump through to just try to treat our patients. I honestly don’t know if I want to deal with that. I’m feeling so defeated.

[@joshward484]

I found myself as a medsurg nurse technician last year feeling burnt out and discouraged about my future nursing career. Your point of view is very insightful and unapologetically honest and I believe that is the best method of explaining the nursing profession. Thankful for your insight! Thank you Liz!

[@oliviaharding6188]

I'm a Elementary/SPED teacher, trying to get kids access to healthcare. Kids who ruptured ear drums in my class, I just have to give them a hug and hope parents can find a way to afford the doc's bill and justify the loss of income to bring their kid in. I'm trying to become a nurse or doc to change things. IMO we live in terribly broken systems, but we can advocate for those who can't do it for themselves. We will change things

[@loafi9900]

Exactly! We should fight for our rights

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

Lol “Anger” is my middle name. My solution for myself, I quit my nursing job, start my travel assignment in 2 weeks and plan to work for 2-3 years and changed my BSN to Accounting-I’m leaving, got a 2-3 year plan. After Covid Crap, I’m DONE! Like nursing but HATE Healthcare 😡 Thank you for your videos and your insight 🥰

[@marianag8043]

Are you going for CPA?

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

@@marianag8043 Yes, I’m still working as a traveler paying out of pocket-I think it’s time to look into other skills. Healthcare has become a beast 😞

[@sunshinepurple1043]

I'm not a student but I did work with adults with intellectual disabilities for six years so I can relate. I lost so much sleep, got yelled at by family members, been pooped and peed on, etc. Yet it was one of the most rewarding jobs I will ever have.

[@89blarocco]

I'm in the same predicament a lot of your viewers are; starting nursing school in a few days and horrified! But I always come back to your videos though because they're so honest and I trust them. I don't leave feeling like I can't do this. Thank you for being honest but also not crushing my dreams of being a nurse like so many other nurses on social media telling us to quit and not do this.

[@NursingWithBenomi]

Covid isn’t going to last forever, and even if it does, people still need great nurses to take care of them. You can touch so many lives in so many ways.

[@nicholeknight1893]

Her motivation video I watch all the time lol. I've watched it over and over again. Good luck you got this.

[@jessambrose2403]

Omg I needed this so bad! I’m a second year RN student and have never felt sooooo terrified but also overwhelmed. It makes it harder to get excited about this career but I still am so excited to help people ♥️

[@CatnipKate]

Graduating my LPN program in 2 months and I appreciate your honesty! I’ve been feeling the frustration with health care (and especially with long term care facilities and staffing) since my first clinical rotation. My goal has always been a physician’s office but I’ve toyed with the idea of working in long term care or acute rehab after feedback from my professors. But I see how angry and overwhelmed the nursing staff is and I don’t want that to be me. Thank you again for being honest and sharing your perspective/experience. 💚

[@LT-vs2mc]

I’m an RN pursuing FNP, start clinical in January. Thanks so much for this video. You’re totally right, it’s a terrible time to be doing graduate school and when I started this process I had no idea about the pandemic or it’s effects, and am not slightly terrified of the outcome of my schooling, finding a job, praying I don’t hate it or get burned out before I even start. I am overwhelmed by all that we need to know, and I still feel like I know nothing, or at least not nearly enough to actually diagnose and treat people. Terrified of making mistakes. Terrified of patients demanding what they want vs what is best or what is recommended. Terrified of not being able to make recommendations because healthcare doesn’t agree. All the things you said and more. Thanks for understanding even if you can’t fix it. ❤️

[@toadcommander3707]

Thank you so much Liz! Your comment about your husband being in IT and wondering "what am I doing?", resonates so much with me. I have been in tech for 10 years now and absolutely hate it for this reason, and I am considering going back to school and pursuing Nursing. I am learning it's difficult to have fulfillment and purpose in life when you don't have kids and are single. If you have a child, your purpose in life changes and they give you motivation to provide a better life than you had. If you have a partner, I feel like providing and uplifting your partners life can also give you motivation (obviously, your mileage may vary, but that's just what I have observed). If you have neither of these things, then your fulfillment generally comes through your work. I love helping people, I thrive in high stress/high adrenaline environments, working with my hands, etc. I just feel like I would be happier in this career, despite all the negatively surrounding our system. Rant over! Thanks again Liz for your insightful videos!

[@theglassgoth4324]

Thank you so much for sharing these highlights and low points regarding the healthcare field. Your videos are extremely inspirational and as someone who works in the lower level of healthcare as a pharmacy technician and aspires to become a nurse, your messages are truly treasured. I wish you peace and far more restful nights knowing that you have given most than some people ever could. Thank you for staying in the fight for patient advocacy, accessible healthcare, and patient empowerment. I wish you and yours all the absolute best!

[@NurseLiz]

🥰🥰

[@_.soymilk]

As a high school senior deciding what to apply for this year, I’ve had a hard time wondering if nursing is something I really want to get myself into. I still don’t have my mind made up at all yet but hearing you say that you can always change paths later on was relieving, thank you :)

[@nurse3165]

Thank you for posting. These 2 years have been so stressful. I am currently in NP school and working full time as a RN. I am beyond tired. Prior to watching your video I was considering giving up on the profession so thank you.

[@maryberrystudio]

Thank you for making this video, it was so honest and real. Even though you said it probably won't be helpful for nursing students, really it immensely helpful. Nursing school makes nursing sound perfect in every way and that every patient experience will go exactly like the textbook says it will but it doesn't. I think more people need to hear your message to see the reality of healthcare in its beauty and in its dark side. I was feeling really depressed about nursing after seeing so many frustrated on tiktok, but like you said I hope that people speaking out is what leads to change. In nursing school they taught us that it took big world changes to cause revolutions in nursing and I hope that this pandemic one of them because we desperately need change.

[@rynd9974]

You did a wonderful job of laying out pros and cons. I do not have as much experience as you, but I’ve experienced quite a bit of it. I quit in my head every other day as I drove home, almost never had lunch uninterrupted, screamed internally during appointments and various phone calls where I’m doing my best to get resources for people and getting the run around. how they can’t make above poverty level without losing the few insurance benefits they get. I could go on, but as you said so many rich and rewarding moments that for the most part, made all those negative experiences worth it. Finding the right workplace in terms of work life balance, environment, and the kind of staff make a HUGE difference. Things are still difficult, but it will aid you.

[@ronaldc7372]

This really hit home for me, I'm starting my NP schooling soon in Canada. Thank you for what you do, I've been following you for a few years now but have never commented. The crying of families as their loved ones dying will never stop being a painful experience.

[@nidaagoboo]

Thank you so much for posting this. I majored in nursing twice in my first few years of college, but changed to teaching when the classes got too hard. Fast forward to now, I realized after 3 years of teaching, I still wanted to be a nurse, but was so scared to go back to school again at 28. After a year of debating on what to do, I decided to try and actually got an A in anatomy! I definitely watched your video on how to pass that class! But now that I'm starting to see the nursing world, I'm getting nervous after hearing all the negative stuff, but listening to you talk about the things you love about nursing is exactly the reason I want to do Thank you for the honesty!

[@ceceperks16]

Thank you for this video! I'm a student working thru a TOUGH decision but this helped me remember why I want to go into healthcare. I'm no closer to making a decision but I do have more motivation and determination because you reminded me of why healthcare. Amazing video as usual!

[@Nurse_Hannah]

I’m a senior in nursing school right now. Almost my entire nursing-student career has been during the pandemic. Our education has been majorly hindered and our clinicals have been mostly virtual. I’ve had hardly any hands on experience. I’m terrified. It’s been an awful experience. Thank you for this!

[@mandystory4275]

Sending love to all the nurses out there. ❤

[@lisabradley2505]

I start my first primary care nurse practitioner job in October. You were spot on.

[@RebeccaDziwulski416]

I'm in NP school. My clinical rotation that had just started didn't work out. I am defeated, and I'm sad. This video, thank you for this. I keep reminding myself why I am doing this.

[@robinlaribee5946]

Liz, that was the video I needed to see and the message I needed to hear tonight. Thank you for always speaking from your heart and being brave enough to discuss the difficult topics and be vulnerable.

[@lisaschreiber2893]

to be honest i started nursing school to work in free clinics to help those who truly needed help that couldn’t get it, but i quit nursing school because of this pandemic. after the classes i took i understood how deadly it truly is from reading the medical studies around the world. you are an inspiration to me. thanks for your school advice when i needed it, and your courage to stand and help when you were called.

[@rubyleerobinson2189]

This was so beautifully spoken, I feel like each little story rolled together and wholistically covered such a wide range of emotion.

[@chardengler5682]

I literally cried watching this because I can relate to many things you spoke of in this video. As a beside nurse of almost 20 years and witnessing firsthand the struggles that have evolved over the years affecting quality of care, safety, and the sanctity of the nursing profession as a whole...I have had episodes of burnout. Then add the dynamics of this never ending pandemic, it is hard to not be discouraged. However, the wonderful moments, the ability to make a positive impact in a person's life, the opportunity to teach and advocate, and the honor of being included in a person's life when they are most vulnerable, and so much more...make those other struggles worth it. This may be cliche, but the struggles really DO make you stronger! They also give insight to where growth is needed and where there may be knowledge gaps. In the face of adversity is where we are called to step up and shine our brightest! Us nurses need to lean on one another for strength and guidance. I'm tired, you're tired we are ALL tired...but, we've got this! I believe this so much that I have returned to school to advance my degree and have just started my second year working towards my DNP (I am going part-time). Please keep making your videos, I have benefited mentally, academically, and professionally from the ones I have viewed! Thank you!

[@bootsmade4walking]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@mimiosu302]

I'm a final year nursing student and this made me feel so proud of what I do and what I'm about to do. Thank you so much for this

[@yourmedicarenursenavigator]

Nursing was eloquently described in this video, Liz. Thank you for sharing your insights and encouraging words to those who needed it. I'm hopeful for my 2 daughters that nursing would provide a wonderful life, career and stories to share. I am in the process of helping mlm our youngest crush social media so that she can highlight what wonderful things nurses can achieve in such a short period of time in her 20s.

[@kimberlydavis8613]

Ok. Made me cry. Definitely don’t watch while eating because you won’t enjoy your food because how can you eat when this shit is happening. Thank you so much for being honest. I have all of these thoughts all of the time! I’m an LPN, in school for my BSN. I feel like I will definitely be working on something other than bedside. I definitely needed to hear this. I want to say that nursing school is really hard during the pandemic. I have a year left of BSN program and we haven’t once been in person. Thankfully I have experience as an LPN, however, some of my classmates learned how to place an IV at home on a cardboard box.

[@Followmybliss777]

I want to do homecare so I don’t feel too overwhelmed and I’d like to do maybe lactation consulting so I have cute patients. 💖 starting nursing school 🏫 in January. Thank you Liz!

[@karinowens7750]

This was so beautiful and so good to hear both sides! I’m halfway through nursing school and am so excited to enter the field. But I am so thankful for people like you that are honestly sharing pros and cons so at least if we do go into the medical field, we do so with our eyes open knowing it isn’t perfect and needs much change and improvement. Thank you! ❤️

[@audreygarcia1187]

In FNP school right now and I feel you!

[@rajgabbynatt5915]

Our healthcare system is so broken. We as a country pay so much for healthcare yet have the worst life expectancy. The insulin story is one of the many things many Americans struggle with healthcare despite paying crazy monthly payments to only have to deal with the outrageous cost associated with actually having to use the healthcare insurance plan. How are we supposed to help patients when we have to fight with insurance companies for a treatment we know will work, but they won't approve. Millions of Americans struggle with basic things that could have been solved with health prevention and promotion, but it's like we don't have the tools in our belt to help anyone and our hands are tied.

[@jillianmcintyre3323]

I cried so much watching this. I love you.

[@nancyher9356]

First semester nursing student and I've been following you for a few months and you are so amazing!!!! Thank you for all of your videos. You are so helpful and so friendly.

[@mikeh2129]

I completely agree. I watch her videos all the time. Liz is literally an angel on earth. Just incredible in every way :)

[@literallyallicouldthinkof]

This is what we need right now. Thank you. Your honesty and openness speaks volumes.

[@NursingWithBenomi]

Healthcare is one of the few professions where it’s “okay” for patients to abuse the people trying to care for them. But it’s not as common as those who are thankful for your care.

[@grigql]

As a nursing student. This pandemic makes me want to help out more than ever before. I went into the career with the mindset of rolling up my sleeves and help those in need. On the other hand, I have friends and family that died due to covid. It terrifies me because I can't afford medical insurance right now, if I get sick, it would be a huge downfall economically and for my studies. I got vaccinated thankfully, but you know, with how demanding nursing school is, there are no days off or sick days.

[@bratnana2u]

This was perfectly spoken Liz. I mean I'm in awe...thank you, thank you for this video!!!!!

[@rajgabbynatt5915]

She has a way with words :) Very well articulated.

[@NurseLiz]

Thanks, you're too sweet!😊

[@poodledaddles1091]

Your experiences make you a valuable source of information.....hope that you can change the system for the better!

[@leroyjrpierre]

God bless you Liz. You are a true inspiration for the profession. Thank you for all you do!!

[@barblm21]

No, I would have gone to a tech position. I left after 17 years, I miss my patients but it is NOT the perceived notion of what it used to be. New nurses, PLEASE have a plan B.

[@mayram4662]

I’m a new nurse on a medsurg floor and today was my first day with 4 patients. I am sooooo overwhelmed and feel confused all the time! My shift was 7-7:30 and was able to go home at 10pm 😣

[@MyMalachi2010]

It does get better. I went through the same thing. I felt like quitting many times. If anything, stay for a year. You will get a TON of experience. Decide if you want to stick with it afterwards. Being new and having less experience is NORMAL! you'll be fine 🙂

[@NurseLiz]

Ugh I'm so sorry you had such a rough day! Medsurg can be a beast. Sending you all the vibes!!

[@NursingWithBenomi]

Take your time, be patient with yourself and know that there are soooo many different avenues of nursing you can go to if you find that you need a change 💜

[@perlacardiel2525]

Our healthcare system really sucks though. We just wanna help!

[@shaneeriksen4412]

Though I am only in my pre reqs, I understand the teaching aspect of it. This is vital information that not everyone knows and understands and it’s so cool to know that I’m working towards being someone who can teach and help patients understand

[@delano7564]

Absolutely needed this. Thank you so much. ❤️

[@mnbrantley68]

Liz..... why you gonna make me cry like that

[@ilovejmac47]

I’m a nursing assistant in the maternity unit and see how burnt out the nurse are as we are always understaffed and the nurses a lot of times end up having 4 couplets so they have 8 patients instead of the 3 or 4 most nurses on other units have. And now a lot of times we are short unit secretaries and nursing assistants so they end up having to help out with that too and since I’m an NA of I’m the only one I have to see all the patients on the floor and we have been completely booked with overflow sometimes and I would have to go see all the patients which on our floor is between 22-23. I love my job I love helping the new moms with their babies that were just born I just worry as I see the burnout from the nurses and I haven’t started nursing school yet but I’m definitely still interested in doing it I just always wish I could help the nurses more but as an NA I can only do so much.

[@kurt1338]

Thank you for all you do as a nurse.

[@anurseinthekitchen6442]

As a fellow NP, this video cut me to the core :(

[@poodledaddles1091]

Wow that was a potent picture....

[@AlexiaM]

Whew this made me cry 🥲

[@NurseLiz]

Kind of made want to cry filming to, not gonna lie

[@tomg.1309]

Well, you're obviously a very knowledgable superb nurse and I wish I was as knowledgable. It would be a shame to lose you from our profession. Maybe take a break for a while?

[@NurseLiz]

That's so sweet! And that's sort of what I'm doing with my new position at Lecturio. I'm just taking it a step at a time.

[@anaadventures7669]

the sound a parent makes when they lose a child 💔💔💔

[@NurseLiz]

I know...

[@cindykirk225]

Thank you! Well said.

[@adavanlandingham4124]

So I moved to a different state and postponed starting a job after graduation bc I have to apply to get another license once I pass the NCLEX. During this time I have realized I just won’t get to be the nurse I wanted to be just like you described in your video. I think I will find a way to make a difference in a volunteer setting and as far as a career goes…idk. I have til January 😂 really good video though. It’s really was a great explanation of the root issue and important for us newbies to go in with eyes wide open.

[@BridgetKF]

Nurses are spit on, beaten, punched, kicked, sworn at, physically and verbally assaulted every damn day. And not JUST by the patients, but by the families of the patients as well! They're overworked, often not even allowed their legal lunch breaks, often not having time to even go to the bathroom. If they attempt to pull back even a tiny bit in order to take care of themselves, the hospital ITSELF, or more the CEO's and owners of the hospitals, and sometimes the head nurses, penalize and abuse them for it further. And the pay is often atrocious with some nurses actually having to consider second jobs JUST TO PAY THEIR BILLS! And it's not just in hospitals. It's even WORSE in long-term nursing care facilities. Those places chew nursing staff up and spit them out. The turnover rate for those places in IMMENSE and has caused more burnout and more nurses leaving the field. People are screaming that "This wasn't a problem before the mandates, the mandates are doing this to them!" WRONG!!!! This has been a massive problem LONG before Covid started. This pandemic has simply accelerated and exacerbated the problem, and dragged it out of the shadows of "it's only a few disgruntled individuals" to shine a glaring spotlight on just how BAD it is for nursing staff. Between the low pay, the physical and psychological abuse, and yes even multiple instances of sexual assault from patients as well, unfortunately this is also NOT uncommon, especially in long-term health care facilities, it's no wonder nurses are burning out, fast. Couple that with the massive rise in death, and the fact the ICU's are now overwhelmed? Things have gotten to a breaking point, and these poor men and women are saying "No More". This problem has been festering for several decades, and it's now erupted into a massive spot that no one can ignore, not anymore.

[@celeste6205]

How can we hold insurance companies /policy makers more accountable? It seems completely inhumane it leave folks seeking health services (including nurses and health care professionals) broken and sick despite options being available only because our American health care system is so exorbitantly expensive (compared to other economically powerful nations). I recently finished a book called "Tightrope". Highly recommend it. It provides a view into the multi-generational breakdown of families and healthcare. And the best part: it provides awesome references to successful community programs across the US as well as a few references to successful examples of non-domestic health care, child care, and social policies. I'm reading it as part of a Social Determinants of Health Seminar I'm blessed to be included in xx

[@NurseLiz]

Right now, I'm not sure how to hold them accountable, but I hope we can find a way. That's one of the reasons I'm doing my health insurance deep dive series! We need to find a way because we need to change the system. And that book sounds awesome! Can you send the book and author information to [e-mail]? It seems like it would be a great resource for our research!

[@mikayladental6102]

thank you for this video. i truly needed to hear this. ❤️

[@reboundingfromnarcissistic5386]

This is so deep, Thank you

[@chinwenduihejirikah8192]

Oh Liz!!!

[@jilladoni]

! Thank you!

[@jilladoni]

Can you be reached by email?

[@uluv2beme83]

I’m a clinical worker and I’m strongly reconsidering becoming a nurse. It’s just terrible right now.

[@NurseLiz]

It's a really stressful situation right now, for sure. I don't want to scare anyone away from the field if it's what they want to do, but I also don't want to lie to anyone about the realities or working in healthcare, especially under the current conditions. Do what is best for you!

[@uluv2beme83]

@@NurseLiz we really appreciate your honesty. believe me I totally I get it but also don’t want to lie to anyone with the realities of healthcare. Some days you need to step back.

[@perlacardiel2525]

Well said….I am scared still lol #newgrad

[@sharonbale3329]

In my 20 years I have seen and been through a lot. I have had so much fun (mostly in the early years) and I always said I don't know what else I would do. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was single digits. However, as I rose through the ranks I enjoyed it less even though I still had direct patient interaction and all the pressure and overtime burnt me out well before COVID. Would I do it again yes but I would stay part time and not pursue progession. Can I go back absolutely not

[@royjohnson9043]

What do you think working as a NP in the perioperative setting?

[@NurseLiz]

I'm honestly not sure. I don't have a lot of experience with that. It's not quite as common, typically it's PAs in the OR. But there certainly are NPs in there too. It can be really helpful to get your RN first assist to help with that and work in an operative setting as a nurse.

[@flauze]

in all honesty, if you get attached to patients you are NOT cut out for healthcare..you need to find a job in the tech field. better pay with zero stress. i dont blame you..im a new nurse and already figuring out an exit strategy

[@lauren3464]

Such a beautiful video ❤️

[@nursegaines3519]

❤....

[@isaborg8353]

♥️

[@royjohnson9043]

Do you ever wish you were working as a RN job instead?

[@bluefamily3937]

After about 30 years at the bedside and now armed with an NP degree, the guiding light I relied on Virginia Henderson, "The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible" (Henderson, 1966)..... I've learned I only have to help one patient at a time. I know what keeps me going, and I know what makes me angry. I may not be able to fix a person horribly unfair healthcare situation, but I can accompany them along the way. You've described to good and bad nicely. Would I do it again? Absolutely.

[@chardengler5682]

Congratulations on your NP! Thank you for sharing Virginia Henderson's philosophy in nursing. It is simple yet, powerful! Take care out there.

[@NurseLiz]

Thank you for sharing that! It's beautiful and an important message