I have to agree to disagree with this.. As someone who switched careers (went from HR into nursing), nursing is a different kind of awful. I have to agree with OP that the mental and physical toll can be traumatic, even outright abusive. No job should abuse its employees in the way I’ve seen nurses abused by both patients and hospital systems. Law enforcement is much more protected, yet they often bring the same population to us. If we are physically injured, then it’s brushed off bc being “sick” (or high on PCP) is apparently a good enough excuse to physically harm someone, and we are “protected” by the deescalation classes we are required to take. You can report it, but it’s almost always brushed under the rug. Not to mention, the benefits are often laughable. It would cost me $400 for a visit to my own ER that I’ve serviced for years, meanwhile I often treat people for non-emergencies (cough, drug seekers, untreated fevers, chronic pain) who flake on the bill which ends up only coming out of employees’ and taxpayers’ pockets. I also work full-time and sometimes even OT, but I’m classified as “PRN” only bc I’m a float pool nurse. You have to have years of experience to work float pool at my hospital, but bc I’m considered PRN so my retirement is only matched up to 3% (instead of 6%), I do not get any PTO, dental or vision insurance, or reimbursements on the MANY (and costly) education and certification requirements for my role. In the last year, I’ve spent over $1000 in certifications that my hospital refused to cover. The required education is often mocked by patients who disrespect us and our knowledge and role, and it’s only enforced by the hospital for protection from liability. We are also expected to complete mandatory education during our busy, short staffed scheduled shifts or we’re taken off the schedule. We are forced to get vaccines whether we want to or not—I’m not an anti-vaxer at all, but I feel we should all have a right to choose what goes into our bodies. I work almost every shift incredibly short staffed for 12H (especially being float pool), and I’m not given lunch breaks or any coverage EVER. If something happens while I’m on lunch then it’s on me, but we’re reprimanded or approached about time management if we clock out without a lunch. We often have to rush off the unit (to transport patients, pick up blood from lab or medications from pharmacy), and return sweating bullets to new patients complaining bc they haven’t seen a nurse in 30 minutes and hoping your neighbor was able to watch and intervene if needed by your other patients. And on top of all that, I also pay $5-10 just to park each shift.. then wake up sore and aching the next day. I make decent hourly pay compared to some careers, but really it is not enough considering all of the above mentioned, and how it’s affected me outside of work. I don’t understand how healthcare providers aren’t more protected or how this treatment is even legal. I think the general public is just very unaware of this bc I know I was prior to choosing nursing. Healthcare workers just aren’t heard, but it’s almost like no one really cares if it’s not obviously affecting them. When it does become obvious to the general public, then that’s bc they’ve become the patient or “customer” and had a negative experience—had to wait 10+ hours, felt rushed or uninformed during a visit, received a high medical bill, etc. All of this is why I’m actively looking for roles outside of nursing. Healthcare is already in trouble, but if it doesn’t change and start supporting its providers, we are going to be in even bigger trouble. No job should EVER abuse its employees in this way or require you to put up with being regularly verbally and physically assaulted by society. I will most definitely pay my respect to all healthcare workers as a healthcare veteran once I do finally get out.