How has nursing changed you?

Nurses General Nursing

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I definitely don't feel like the same person I was, years ago, before I started going to nursing school and working in healthcare. How has nursing changed you?

Yes, I now have an intense dislike for people with a string of initials after their name........

So, IrishCMSRN, is this self hate...? 'Cuz you have five initials after your name... :D :D :D Just kidding!! Your post made me laugh.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I now have an intense dislike for people with a string of initials after their name........

I know, IrishCMSRN! And they should be disliked!

People with a string of initials after their name are immoral, unethical, do illegal things, and are definitely not fun on a date.

*shudder* Blasted people with a string of initials really singe my shorts!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
...oh and the whole "lifesaver" attitude.....kills me.

Yeah! Don't get me started on Life Savers!

They bring back terrible childhood memories!

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*shudder* Blasted people with a string of initials really singe my shorts!

:D :D :D [rolling around laughing] Oh man... Thanks! I'm in the throes of Semester 4 BSN homework, with way too many serious ideas bouncing around in my head, and really needed a laugh!

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It has made me into a tough old broad. ;)

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

It's made me cynical, tired, jaded, and afraid to get old. I sure as heck don't want to be covered in pressure ulcers, have a peg tube with osmolyte, and constantly be re-admitted for aspiration pneumonia or sepsis secondary to a uti.

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Becoming a nurse has changed me in a lot of ways. I had no idea how sick, as human beings, that we can become. Working in the ICU opened my eyes to a lot of things that nurses have to do. In the ICU we serve in multiple roles. We are the nurse, the nurse assistant, transportation, lab, and sometimes the secretary as well. I have enjoyed taking care of patients and then one day, I decided to try something else in nursing.

I became a nurse educator. I really enjoy it. the pay cut is hard to deal with sometimes but overall my life is so much better. I still have to deal with stress. However, no ones life is in danger of being lost. I would have never imagined not being at the bedside but I'm loving the education side. However, I do plan on working at the bedside PRN. Nursing has made me a better person and a stronger person. It opened a world to me that I never knew existed. Just bringing a smile to someone's face because you did something for them that they could not do is very rewarding. Teaching patients to take better care of themselves when they will accept that information is also extremely rewarding.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

As a nurse, I've watched those with upbeat attitudes become so defeated they look like a stiff wind would blow them over, and they wish it to end.

I've watched others expect nothing and watch their loved one get better.

I've seen the scream of a mother who loses her child. It's the scariest sound in the world.

I've watched denial work in an absolute art form, slicing across reality to some fantasy world that will never exist.

I've seen people improve

I've watched people decline, and denial from the surgeon keeps them from living

I see humanity; in all the glory, pain, victories, unexpected loss, unrecoverable loss, and the wasting.

If you have no idea how nursing changes someone, you're not a nurse. I hope you never understand, but if your shoulders can carry that weight, then you will understand it someday.

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When I first got into nursing I was that ooey gooey rose colored glasses sort of chick. Nursing has made me pessimistic, jaded and cynical. However it's made me thicker skinned and taught me how to handle bad situations.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

Nursing has changed me. I admit, my spirit and body are tired, and when someone I care for dies, a piece of me goes with them. But nursing has taught me to listen, really listen, reflect and ponder much more than I would have had I not gone into this profession.

Yes, there are times when I feel like throwing in the towel. Maybe some day I will, but not yet...

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
After working in trauma it's made me more careful especially when driving. I'm more vigilant at intersections no matter if I have the right of way or not, I look harder for pedestrians crossing the street. I'm more careful when I'm performing tasks at home with ladders or anything with heights, always thinking about how I could smash my brain bucket.

I think we need a Davey Do meme about doing housework in full protective gear to prevent injury due to falls etc......Just this week I had to wait for my son to be home so I could clean a high shelf. Gravity is not my friend.

Hppy

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I could see someone walking down the road completely naked and not think anything was out of the normal...

Ha ha... truly... Shrug and walk on...

Honestly, in all seriousness, I think that nursing gave me a sense of confidence that just couldn't be found anywhere else. As nurses, we become strong, assured leaders who can handle just about anything thrown at us – which honestly, I probably never would have otherwise been.

It also gives you a bit paranoia about your spouse's lifestyle choices... but at least you know exactly what to do when those choices do eventually creep up to bite them in their butt...

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