Isn't nirvana just an illusion?

Everything is impermanent. I don't believe that nirvana, a state of utter and pure bliss, can be achieved in this world. I don't think understanding no self or emptiness can help you. Any understanding won't make you protected from illness, rude people on the street, discrimination, job loss and many many other unfortunate things. The way I understand it is that Buddhism is like an algorithm: do this, do that, then do this and do that: finally, BOOM, attain nirvana. This is not the way the world works.

PS. I cannot reply to comments. I am blocked. Why? Can't people question your beliefs?