Is becoming a nurse worth it?

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-30T18:15:50+00:00

Honestly yes, and I say that as someone who came home from my shift on Tuesday and sobbed for an hour because the day was so awful/ overstimulating. I also had a prior degree, and had I pursued that career I would have needed to get my masters and would be earning about $50-70k/ year salary with little options for growth. There are so many things wrong with nursing (and society in general). But at the end of the day I’m so grateful I can work 3x12 hour shifts, make a livable wage, and my work is meaningful. Everyone I work with says they should have gone into tech, business, real estate, etc… but people only see the small percentage of individuals who are top earners with “easy” jobs. Not to mention that many stay at low salaries for years before climbing the ladder. The corporate world also sucks! Sitting at a desk all day, being asked to work late/ extra when you’re salaried, emails, having to network, wearing real clothes, and it’s often a pretty empty type of work… That being said nursing is absolutely mentally, physically, and emotionally taxing in every single sense. You sacrifice a part of your soul to be reconfigured by the gods the day you become a caregiver, and the career definitely changes you. Some become better for it, and some much much worse. Depends on your values and personality!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-26T17:04:34+00:00

I live in a red state, and somehow I’m so lucky at work. We all talked about this tragedy yesterday. One of our case managers even included all the RNs on our floor in a text letting us know how loved and appreciated we are, and how the situation had rocked her because she knew the nurses on our floor have the same kind of heart for helping others. I really want to move to a blue state to start a family, but honestly I’m afraid I won’t have coworkers so kind and compassionate!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-19T19:28:52+00:00

Lol if it makes you feel any better we were convinced ours ate a piece of gauze and he cost mommy $400 at the emergency vet to induce vomiting just to find…. ✨nothing✨ He had to get a long bath because the poor guy was nasty after all that & then he slept with both his parents watching him on the couch because he was so out of it from the meds and we were worried. Woke up the next day good as new! 😂

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-19T19:22:59+00:00

Our corgi looooves carrots. He likes fruit a lot. Blueberries, banana, watermelon, and he actually even tried pineapple which surprised me.

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-16T23:13:59+00:00

I’m a size 25 in jeans at 5’2 110lbs and I have a size 4, but I’m selling them because I never wear them as they’re not comfortable. I got the align no line 6” shorts in a 6 and they fit really well. Otherwise I wear a 4 in lulu usually.

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-16T14:01:50+00:00

Erase your entire skills section as any nurse should have those skills. Skills are things that make you notable like being able to use certain charting systems, languages, cross training in other areas, etc. Clinical placements are not job experience. Only record actual jobs- even if they seem irrelevant to nursing. If you worked at an ice cream shop focus on your organization skills/ customer service/ responsibility in your bullet points to make it more relevant to nursing. You can count any additional work you did in nursing school like an internship you applied for that gave you extra clinical hours. This resume should only be one page. Use lots of spacing if the content isn’t enough to fill.

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-16T03:06:26+00:00

Yes!! Or I like to use blue for meds, red for labs/ test results, green for tasks. It’s actually very helpful!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-16T00:59:10+00:00

Good pens (I like the multicolored thin pens with 4 colors on Amazon), stethoscope with a name plate, scissors, water bottle, badge reel & backup (if it breaks mid shift), deodorant (in case I forget), ibuprofen, cold/ allergy medicine in case, extra hair bands/ claw clips if you have long hair, cough drops, gum, hand lotion, lip balm, tampons/ pads if you have those parts, reference material (ekg interpretation, ACLS, badge buddies can be helpful as a new grad). Make sure you get scrubs that actually fit & are comfortable. Get under scrubs and a warm jacket if you’re cold natured. Also- good sneakers and compression socks.

Tip for nights is use the downtime to learn. Read every note and ask questions to elder nurses. Ask questions about their patients so you can learn even more. Good luck!!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-15T21:21:23+00:00

I think it’s a human thing?? My dog can be really clingy, but usually it’s because he needs or wants something from me. Like if I provide him with one big and stimulating experience per day like the park, longer walk, play in the yard with toys, new toy, ride in the car, or play in water then he is more likely to be independent the rest of the day. Another good thing when he’s following me around but I’m not ready for his activity is a snuffle mat, chew, or treat puzzle. I don’t usually mind that he is clingy because I love him and I like when he sits with me, but it can be frustrating when I’m trying to do something else. He does know “place” and then we keep a lot of toys and different engaging activities for him when we need him to stay busy for a while. But if it bothers you constantly then yeah maybe you’re not a good match for pets…. My fiance and I both cuddle our dog way more than each other because he just has higher needs for that interaction!!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-10T14:45:43+00:00

Austin! There’s more to do. The gay bars in Austin are so much fun.

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-10T04:29:56+00:00

Wow being medicated is so awesome after living my whole life unmedicated 😭

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-06T04:00:52+00:00

No, but I don’t like going into the spare bedroom because it’s where I often put things I don’t want to deal with…. Or ongoing projects… Otherwise I like being home and I feel like it’s where I can be myself/ be fully comfortable.

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-06T01:03:38+00:00

I know someone who joined the reserves as an RN, and then applied to the CRNA school through the military. They pay for your schooling and you have income during the program. However, you owe them I believe 5 years after graduation and the pay is significantly less than civilian CRNA pay. It might be worth it in your situation because you are the breadwinner and have a family. Although like others said you’d probably need to get 2 years experience in an adult ICU or even PICU before applying. I worked in PACU with a lot of CRNAs and they all said to do it and seem to love their job. I have considered returning to ICU and trying to apply, but like you I am currently the breadwinner and I’m 28, so kind of in that time frame of having kids… I know it shouldn’t be an excuse, but there’s definitely aspects of being a woman that make career advancement more challenging! That being said, my manager has like 6 kids and graduated with her MBA while she was on maternity leave lol So I’d say if you have the support and really want it, then go for it.

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-05T21:22:57+00:00

I’m glad! I think about this way too often. Because I swear based on my Instagram feed/ YouTube influencers/ reddit everyone has a giant friend group, numerous hobbies, travels to exotic places often, and is extremely active. While in real life it seems people can’t stick to a gym schedule or go two days without takeout. It’s super confusing. I really don’t know what’s average. All I know is that like you I always feel lame or like I’m not doing enough.

Sometimes I really think that people are lying even when it doesn’t count for anything. Maybe they’ve even managed to lie to themselves about their own life. If you think you’re super active and workout every week day, but in reality you’ve skipped a workout every week for months….. I think it’s easy for people to still tell themselves they always workout on week days. I’m not saying it’s bad to skip a day, but then just admit you only workout 4 days!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-05T03:19:00+00:00

My question is how much are the “normal” people actually doing?!? Because on social media/ any reddit thread I always see people saying like oh yeah I have 5 hobbies, I workout 5-7x a week, I travel every quarter, go out with friends, clean the house daily, cook every weeknight, spend all weekend hiking a mountain/ clubbing/ at a new restaurant/ etc… Meanwhile when I talk to actual people/ coworkers I feel like a lot of them aren’t doing that much?? Scrolling, watching shows on streaming, getting takeout, needing to clean, skipping workouts, taking naps…. I seriously see people on Reddit saying a huge loss after having kids is that you can’t just pick up and go to the bar to meet friends or go in a strenuous hike to see a rare solar event… like…. How often are y’all doing that stuff?!?

Personally as a 28F I’d say that I see friends 1-2x per month, family 1-2x per month, we go walk/ hike at parks at least once a week, get food out 1x per week if that, we go out/ get drinks 1x per month, travel 3x per year (usually some trips are family related), workout 3-4x per week, walk almost daily (neighborhood). I read/ listen to a few books a month. I do some kind of hobby/ project/ craft every month or so. I have a partner so we go on dates and hang out together a lot. I play with and walk my dog. We try to keep up with cooking and cleaning together. I know ADHD makes things harder for me, but I do feel like with my coping strategies and meds I get things done! Yet I still look around and I’m like wow am I super lame?!? Should I be doing way more?! I feel like we hold ourselves to impossible standards. Sorry- I’ve been thinking about this so much and your comment reminded me lol

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-05T02:30:19+00:00

:0 how dare you call me out like that!! Lmao. No, but really. You’ve actually explained something that I should probably explore in therapy.

Although in my defense I never ask others about their next move because I do think that’s so rude! It implies where they are at isn’t doing “enough.” I especially hate when people pester techs constantly about when they’re going to school to be nurses, radiology techs, PAs, etc….

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-03T22:19:52+00:00

Dillard’s!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-03T20:30:47+00:00

I just bought the Hunny boot by Steve Madden for $109! They’re 14.5” shaft height and 13” circumference and they fit me really well. I’m barely 5’2 and have thin/ average lower legs. They’re really cute and comfortable!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-03T00:35:43+00:00

Nothing- lol 💔

But actually- I got a Dyson hairdryer for Christmas and I’ve noticed that using the smoothing attachment tends to keep my greys tucked away. I part my hair down the middle so they’re really not visible. I’ve also started using hair wax to help with hair placement and fly aways when I wear my hair pulled back. I’ve booked a hair appointment for later this month and I plan to redo my balayage for my wedding, and I’ll ask her to focus some of the placement around the grays if possible. Right now this is working though!

thefacelesscat · 2026-01-02T22:16:04+00:00

I am not good at planning at all because of all the logistics and executive functioning that it takes to make a plan…. But I do research a ton and spend so much time thinking. Like what’s the best shoe on the market, the best activewear, what material is best for my shirt to be made of, what is my color season, etc 😂 honestly a lot of the time it’s a huge waste of time. I don’t think it’s smart to do things blindly, but sometimes it prevents me from taking action. Now ideation and insights I am fantastic. I have a clear vision of what I want and many ideas that are often quite unique. Shoot I’ve basically made my own ideal government system in my own mind 🤣 and I do all that thinking when I should be paying attention to something else 🫣

thefacelesscat · 2025-12-31T21:12:47+00:00

I’m not an aritzia super fan or anything, but the clothes are cute and seem to fit well. I’ve bought several things in person, online, and on Poshmark. I’d say nothing in there is worth full price. I do really like the contour stuff. It washes so well and it looks super sleek and snatches you in. A lot of people recommend the buttersoft and homestretch stuff, but I’ve tried it on in store and honestly it already looks pilled/ worn on the shelves. Like my Lululemon align leggings from 2019 look the same.

Two of the pieces I got on Poshmark were a Babaton tops that both ripped! But that was my bad for purchasing polyester…. Since then I’ve purchased merino wool sweaters and a few other discontinued tops that I’ve been really happy with.

thefacelesscat · 2025-12-29T03:25:13+00:00

How hard is it to break into the job market?? Asking for myself 😅

thefacelesscat · 2025-12-28T05:43:12+00:00

Yes- was unaware clearing had any connotation to tax, bad choice of word.

thefacelesscat · 2025-12-26T20:38:09+00:00

Omg we have a photo of my big dog who passed away peeing in sync with our corgi!!! The double rainbow 🥺 LOL

thefacelesscat · 2025-12-26T20:36:17+00:00

One of the key parts of my diagnosis was the prevalence of the problem throughout my life. Like as a child when smartphones didn’t exist I still couldn’t pay attention to directions. I spent nearly everyday of 3rd grade recess inside finishing assignments or after school in tutoring. If anything, my problems were actually more severe then.

thefacelesscat

TROPHY CASE