Do you like being a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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For everyone out there, do you like what you do? Especially for all those people out there who dreamed of being a nurse, is it what you expected? I'm trying to get into nursing and sometimes I wonder can I really do it. And if I can will I like it like I've always thought I would. I've always felt like nursing was the career path for me. I also really want to know, how stressful is your job? After nursing school do you feel adequate enough to take care of your patients safely? Do you like going to work? I guess I'm trying to get a grasp of what life is like as a nurse. I really want to be in a career helping people and no I am not trying to have an easy job, I am a very hard worker. Basically I am spending a lot of time stressed with school trying to stay on top of things while trying to work and I have at least another two years of being stressed with school. When I finally get done with school I don't want to have to worry about being stressed at work all the time. I would love to hear your guy's experiences.

is it what you expected? - I never really had any expectations I guess, I think that is good, otherwise I think I would be disappointed.

how stressful is your job? At times I want to hide in the bathroom in the fetal position hoping it would all go away, but it’s not always like that. It depends where you work too. Your coworkers can make or break it.

After nursing school do you feel adequate enough to take care of your patients safely? Yes, I did not feel like I’d go around killing people or anything. However the skills you need to make you a GOOD nurse are learned on the job (anticipating problems, getting your sixth sense about things, health teaching, answering questions, helping your coworkers ect)

Do you like going to work? Yes, again, it depends on who I’m working with that day, and what’s going on at home. Hard to go into work while you’re missing out on something at home.

I am happy that I went into nursing, however it is still early in my career. I worry about what my back will look like in 20 years. For now though I am happy. I like that fact that I can try new things, meet new people. I would go nuts sitting at a desk, or dealing with 20 snot nose, screaming kindergartens (my original plan). And I really do feel like I am helping people, as lame as it may sound, that’s what keeps me going back, well that and the gossip :laugh:

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I absolutely love being a nurse! In school I thought I could never work with elderly due to the nursing homes I experienced but I currently am working in an assisted living/memory care and I take care of the two floors of memory care. Yes I have days of being totally overwhelmed and even heartbroken. Dementia is a terrible disease to watch. And like another poster I've been hit, cursed at, blamed by family for behaviors when they are in denial of progression. One day when I was completely tipped over, I had a family member stop me at the end of one of my 13 hr shifts just to say "your the best thing that has ever happened to my dad and you are an amazing nurse". Then I tipped right back up. The rewarding feeling you get from being a nurse outweighs any of the bad to me. And I don't know what greater compliment you could receive at any other job that you'll remember the rest of your life like I will. And when your a good nurse, you receive more compliments like that and its an amazing feeling to go home with at the end of ever day knowing you made a difference in someone's life. For me, a lot of my residents don't remember when I help them, but ill do it over and over just to see the appreciation in that single moment from them. Wouldn't change my career path for anything. I will say it takes a special person to not only be a nurse, but to be a good successful one. You have to be hardworking, compassionate, empathetic and understanding. Sorry such a long message. I really get going when I start talking about my passion!:)

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

Do I like being a nurse? Eh, yes and no. If I could work with animals making the same money I would quit nursing in heartbeat. I enjoy home health nursing, being out in the field, being responsible for myself with no one up my butt. I enjoy my home health pts, some more than others. I can say you couldnt pay me enough to work at the hospital, unless, perhaps in OB/LD. I have been spoiled with my M-F 8-4 no weekends no holidays. I am only working 2 days a week now, and that is perfect. The rest of the time I can be with my son and anticipate my August arrival.

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I do love being a nurse, however it is the most stressful just I've ever had... I do not like being on call, or having to work over almost every day... but yet, when a patient looks up at me, as sick as they are, after just having surgery and dialysis in the same day, and tells me, "Thank you so very much..." How could I possibly do anything else?:yes:

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Nope! If I could go back a few years and start over I would choose something else in a second. I loved being a nurses aid. I loved getting to know the patients and I am no stranger to hard work. I LOATHE being a nurse. Everything is dumped onto the nurse. The blame, the responsibility, the liability, the doctors mistakes, the short staffing. You spend most of your shift trying to chart to CYA and CYA of the hospital and have little time to see the patients. Just chuck meds at them and run. God forbid they ask you a question or want to chat, aint nobody got time for that! It is very physically and emotionally draining. I no longer work out, my sleep patterns are a mess. I am sore a lot. I do get to meet some wonderful people, and I also work with some wonderful people. But that is not enough to overcome the mountain of shortcomings. If I do not get out of bedside nursing in the next year or two, I am leaving the field entirely. It just is not worth the toll on my health, physically and emotionally.

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Specializes in ICU.

After 15 years ... I'm done. It doesn't define who I am and won't miss it when I leave (in 3 weeks!). It's been an eye opener and I guess I'm glad I did, it but it's time for the next generation to take my place. Next!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

For the most part, I like being a nurse - though I wouldn't do it if I weren't being paid pretty darn well for my time. It is demanding - physically, mentally, and emotionally. It can also be very rewarding on occasion and it's pretty lucrative compared to the time investment required for entry.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
The director of my department said, "No matter what happens, I always believe the nurse first." You will never hear that in a hospital. Actually, you will never be believed in the hospital. Everything will be your fault and you will always be wrong.
I have had a similar experience to the done DaniannaRN describes but I've now experienced quite the contrary.

The hospital I work for now is not at all like this. The docs are respectful and understanding and most of the department bosses are pretty good.

I don't know if it's because we have a strong union or if it's because we're an academic facility or if it's because of our California ratios or what but what you describe has not been my experience at this job.

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i hate it. it's not the loving hand holding job i'd hoped. it's a lot of computer-paperwork and throwing pills or IV meds around and trying not to pi$$ people off. hey maybe if you're the super nurse for a famous plastic surgeon it would be great.

it's like asking if you like being a Fashion Model; if you're a super model you love it, if you're hocking cheap clothes for the Cheap Store catalog=you don't love it. Not everyone can be a super model...

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I can relate

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Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

I like my job a lot. Of course there are days where I feel frazzled or just run around the whole time, but it's not every single day. I really think it depends on the environment as well as the individual. I work with several nurses who just can't seem to get out of their own way and get SO stressed out. Everyone handles stress differently. Just FWIW I'm a floor nurse. It's my second career, and I enjoy the stability, benefits, and schedule.

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I am one of those who never dreamed of being a nurse but decided to go to nursing school after my first child was born. My original plan was to go on to be a nurse midwife. My first job was on a post surgical floor. I had always planned on getting a job in LD but I just never did. I worked med/surg for 18 years! It was hard at times. The first year is always the scariest. You really do learn on the job. I am now working on the inpatient psych unit while I work toward my FNP. I believe my years in med/Surg have prepared me for this next part of my career. There were times when I dreaded going to work. There were times when I sat in the restroom crying because it was all just too much. There were times when I just wanted to quit. I didn't and I have to say I love being a nurse. My body would not tolerate floor nursing any more and I'm looking forward to my new career in nursing. I think med/Surg is a great place to learn a lot. Just don't stay there as long as I did!

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