[dream8]

Its kinda of scary reading a lot of the posts on here. It seems as if, so many nurses are not satisfied with their careers. So many people are so tired, aggrevated or stressed. This is so discouraging because, nursing has been a dream that I have felt for so long now. Im currently in my second semester and so far loving it, but is that all going to change once I graduate? Does everyone hate it, is any one happy??? PLEASE SHARE SOME POSITIVE STORIES IF THERE ARE ANY?????

[begalli]

I LOVE my job.

I've been an RN for about 4 years now. It's my 3rd career actually.

I work in an ICU that promotes education, advancement, and automony. I'm part of a healthcare team that works like a finely tuned machine. I feel that my work, knowledge and the fact that I'm forever learning is valued and respected. My job comes with excellent pay, great benefits and I'm actually required to take all of my breaks during my 12 hour shift unless there's a crisis on the unit of course (which is rarely an occurance).

I'm tired. I get stressed. Sometimes I don't feel like I want to go to work, but that doesn't mean I don't love what I do.

Choose an area of nursing that really interests you and ask around before accepting a job as to what it's actually like to work in a particular place. Pursue the type of nursing practice that drives your desire to learn more about that area and then go for it.

Keep going dream8...it's not all bad and we really really need you!

[paris2]

my job is like a "choclate" i love it so much that i want to be in it.

[Nitengale326]

I have been a nurse for 25 years and yes, I have had my periods of burnout or frustration but I step back and even pull away for a bit but I always come back. I am now back in hospital after a 17 year abscence... in long term care those years... I have never been away for more than 3 mos and it is a totally different job (video store one summer, poochie parlor another summer). Just needed time to refuel. Nursing is grueling and it pulls alot out of you but you do get alot back. Its up to you on what you take away everyday. The best advice I can give you is to stay focused on your patients and avoid the politics. Thats when and where it gets hairy. You get caught up in the rat race and lose focus and thats when you feel the burn. Keep learning, avoid getting jaded and you should be fine. Good luck!

[Mimi2RN]

I love my job, too. I tried other areas, mostly with kids, and now I've been here 12 years or so. I'm still learning, and will as long as I work here. I'm in a level II nursery, some very sick babies at times. It's wonderful to see these little ones turn around, grow, and go home. We do have some sad, frustrating times, when nothing works, but I have no desire to work anywhere else.

The good thing about being a nurse is the ability to change jobs, to try something new. I have worked in other areas, but this suits me best.

[mattsmom81]

Some days I love it...others I hate it...but I've been doing it for 27 yrs so its doable.

Its a tough job and definitely not for everybody, but a caring profession is like that. Definitely takes a lot out of a person, and I sure do agree with Nitengale 326 about the politics!! I do agency for that reason.

I know many nurses who have taken time off and do something totally different for awhile to 'recharge their batteries'.

Try not to get too overwhelmed by our whining posts...we come here for a safe place to vent with other folks who understand...nurses!

[JBudd]

Been a nurse 23 years, aide before that, candystriper before that. Love my job. Done medsurg, camp nursing, overseas volunteering, oncology, more medsurg, step down unit, now ER for 8 years. Even been on strike.

Been there, done that, got the Tshirt.
:hatparty: It says, "starve with diginity, be a nurse"

[traumaRUs]

Yes, I can honestly say that I love my job. My ability to really care for people has definitely been hone by this job - ER case manager. I love the ER and know that this is my niche but I needed more education to change jobs so off to school I went. I add an echo to above poster that please take our posts at face value. We all have bad days and sometimes come here to whine, please don't think that this is a chronic condition.

[TexasPoodleMix]

You will find an excess of complaining and dissatisfaction on any career board. Good luck !

[Tweety]

To quote mattsmom, some days I love it, some days I don't, but it's doable.

I'm extremely happy right now being a floor nurse after 10 years of being in charge all the time. I work on a busy med-surg trauma unit, get floated a lot and enjoy the patient care tremendously. I definately feel I'm making a difference.

No, I can't do it the way I learned in school, or even the protocols on our unit, most of the time I'm flying by the seat of my pants, but I do make a difference. Woot!