Give me the Positive....

[TonyFl]

Hi Guys,

I have been reading quite a few post's the nursing field...and many of them are very negative. I understand that it can be very stressful to work in a field that revolves around caring for the sic and dying. In addition, i also understand that management wants to make their hospital a profitable enterprise (which i believe is is a tall order given the emotion and circumstances of dealing with health issue of human beings).

That being said....What are the positive's about being a nurse?

Can anyone Give me some positive weight (input) to justify working as a nurse and balance the scales?

Many Thanks in advance!

[JBudd, MSN]

I once had a lady with a very ill family member in my ER, who looked at me and said how horrible it must be to see and deal with so much pain and suffering all the time. I just looked at her in surprise and blurted out, "But I do something about it!"

That pretty much sums it up, I DO something about people's pain, I am there when people really need help, and when I go home, I've made a difference in my part of the world.

[llg, PhD, RN]

1. At the end of the day, you can say you actually helped someone and made the world a better place.

2. If you are competent and can be a flexible, you will be able to support yourself and your family.

3. You will use a variety of skills -- scientific, humanistic, interpersonal, moral, intellectual, physical, etc. You won't be bored unless you want to be.

4. If you are the type of person who can learn from your experiences, you will have the opportunity to become a very wise person as you will see both the worst and the best of the human condition.

Nursing is at the "front lines" of personhood.

[Miss Mab]

It's really easy to decide what to wear to work everyday.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Check out these threads, too, for positive responses:

Please Share Something GOOD that Happened at Work!

What's Your Story? Why Did You Become a Nurse?

What I Love about Nursing Is...

[EmmaG, RN]

Hi Guys,

I have been reading quite a few post's the nursing field...and many of them are very negative.

If you read between the lines, I think you'll see much of the negativity arises from our frustration of having too many obstacles in the way of giving our patients the care we believe they deserve.

Compound that with nurses being required to perform under conditions that most people wouldn't tolerate, ignoring (or at least being expected to ignore) their own physical, mental and emotional well-being while being viewed as a disposable commodity, and it's easy to see why so many are angry and frustrated in their jobs. I'll repeat what I've said here before. It isn't nursing we hate.

Today, I listened while a nurse with over two decades of clinical experience and a bunch of letters behind her name discussed 'customer satisfaction'. Yes, it's important. Kind, compassionate care is a hallmark of nursing. But these days, it's meaning has been bastardized to the point just hearing the phrase makes me cringe.

She asked for examples of providing 'excellent' customer service. One young nurse raised her hand and exclaimed, "Spending your time taking care of your patients instead of going on a break when you want one..."

The lecturer applauded. "Perfect example!"

I just sat there thinking, "No. No. NO. NONONONONONONO."

Most nurses I know tend to be meticulous and at times very critical--- especially of themselves. Now, I'm not saying one shouldn't strive to do their best, but as a group I think we have a really bad habit of beating ourselves up over the least little thing regardless if it were our fault or not. I see that alot in the posts here, especially from new nurses.

One last thought. Much like any other group, we all know what we have to put up with on a daily basis. It sometimes feels like we are getting beaten down on all sides from every direction. Yet we plug along, trying to do the best we can without going postal lol. People who are not nurses just don't get it. So it is great to be able to come here and simply say "press ganey" and everyone immediately understands your frustrations.

Now that said, when it comes to nursing, away from all the extraneous crap that makes me want to pull my hair out, I can't imagine myself doing anything else. I know I'm helping people through probably the toughest time of their lives. I'm there to help them cheat death, or face it head on. Either way, as much as I've done for them over the years, they've given me back so much more.

[Ms Kylee]

We all love nursing..we just hate the politics of nursing....

I love it because I know I've made a difference in someone's life whether it is the patient or the patient's family... If I can do something to make someone feel better, then I've done my job and I've left my mark on my little corner of the world.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

my pay check....ok not just that, but i really feel like you have an opportunity to make someone else feel better, even if they are terminally ill or just not feeling well for whatever reason. there are more positives but i can't think right now.

[dbihl, BSN, RN]

you have the opportunity daily to serve those that often are at their most vulnerable and weakest point in their lives.

[bill4745, RN]

1. The satisfaction of making people better, and saving lives.

2. The pride of doing a job that very few people can do.

3. Very flexible hours. I do my shopping and banking on nice, quite weekday mornings. I rarely miss events in my children's lives. No unemployment worries for many years to come.

4. With overtime, a six-figure income.

5.As Ms. Mab said, it's easy to pick out clothes everyday.

As far as the negatives, remember that unhappy people are more verbal than those of us who like our jobss.

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

For me the biggest draw was being able to be financially independent without having to rely on others - Nursing gets my shy self out into the world and interacting with people - Nursing challenges me every day that I am here. Sure I get frustrated from time to time, but there is a lot of variety, interest and challenge to this career. I am glad that I became a nurse.

[DDRN4me]

Now that said, when it comes to nursing, away from all the extraneous crap that makes me want to pull my hair out, I can't imagine myself doing anything else. I know I'm helping people through probably the toughest time of their lives. I'm there to help them cheat death, or face it head on. Either way, as much as I've done for them over the years, they've given me back so much more.

:yeahthat: I have been a nurse for many years; and the smile on the face of a child I have just helped get well; or the gratitude from a parent for helping their child; or watching a critically ill child get better; or helping ease someone's pain with my skills and intervention; mentoring other nurses to acheive all of this... all of those are reasons that I love my profession