If you love being a nurse, and have good things to say,give some hope to the newbies!

[gottagetmyrn]

Hello everyone! I have been lurking around this site for a while now. I am not a nurse, but hoping to go into nursing school next year. I am sure there are other threads like this one out there, but I just wondered if the people who love their career might take a minute to post something positive. I have been reading sooo many posts on here lately where people hate nursing all together. They want to get out of the field and quickly!! Whether it be because of stress, staffing issues, problems with management, working conditions etc, etc, just so many people are complaining about "nursing" in general. ( I realize this board is an excellent place for venting, so I completely understand the posts :) Every post I read like this, makes perfect sense, though. I seem to always sympathize with the people who don't like it, because, well....who would in their situation?? I am not naive, and I certainly understand that it can be a tough career. I realize that one needs to consider these things before pursuing a career in nursing, however, I know there has to be another side to this. I believe that you will find people who complain about their career, anywhere. Maybe it is not the same stress level as nursing, but I am sure if there were a "venting board" for teachers, lawyers, doctors, police officers, etc....they would all have something to complain about. It is life. I do not believe there is a perfect job out there! I realize that bedside nursing from what I understand, is very difficult for some. but I think there have to be other areas that you can be employed in, and still enjoy your job if Bedside nursing isn't for you. Right? It seems to me that it is certainly a process. Maybe a very long process, but that it is possible to love your job as a nurse (somewhere), you just have to find whats right for you.. Anyway, as I read so many of the recent posts about how bad nursing is, it began to scare the heck out of me and I was questioning my decision to go back to school. And I saw many other people who were planning on nursing school say the same thing. SO, if you have something bad to say about nursing, do not post it here. please:) But if you had a good start to your career, or left a crappy job and found a better one that you love, found your niche, or just love your career in nursing, tell us about it!!!! Anything positive! Give us some hope that we will find our way and be ok! I just know there are people out there who have a good story to tell:)

[jpw4200]

Gottagetmyrn-

Thank you so much for starting this thread! And thank you to all of the nurses who posted their heart-felt and realistic comments. Obviously, every career or life situation has its pros and cons; nursing is no different in that regard than anything else. I am about to start an ABSN program, and it is nice to read some positives along with the vents. Both are so important because both are reality. This will be a second career for me...I've done many other things, from an 15-18 hour per day business career to being a stay at home mom...pretty big spectrum! I'm so happy that I am going into the nursing field; it is my time in life to be a care taker and give back to people. I'm not expecting it to be a cake walk or glamorous...just a chance to bring some comfort, peace and healing to patients and their families. I'm hoping that I have some co-workers who enjoy their jobs as much as some of you do. One day at a time.....

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

After 33 years. There have been days I've been angry and days I've been sad. There have been days that I thought I would go crazy with the insanity of it all. But at the end of a day after a few glasses of wine (or stronger) I realize that I love being a nurse, I love the insanity and I thrive on the humanity of it all. I care about my patients and the little part of their lives that they allow me to share.

That I love the humanity of it all and all it's messy splendor.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

needless to say, my passion for nursing began many moons ago, and never regret for a second becoming a nurse. admittedly, after my motorcycle accident, and the exposure of nursing by several compassionate nurses; i realized there wasn't any other career that i cared to pursue. unquestionably, nursing is a career that has so many branches, in which offers a multitude of options and broaden ones horizons; while expanding our education. therefore, nursing is a profession that has brought me a vast satisfaction performing my duties as a nurse, while serving my fellowman in their time of need. lastly, nursing is a way of life to me, with it's pros & cons i wouldn't consider any other profession; in which i feel honor to be a part of.

[Epic_RN]

So I had a COPD'er who had coughing fits where the sats would drop down into the mid to low 80s, getting O2 via nonrebreather. Her family was there with her constantly and I was running around like crazy trying to take care of all of my patients. I pop my head in the COPD'ers room and she's tripodding, looks frantic, family is wringing their hands because they don't know how to help. I stopped myself, walked to her side and put my hand on her shoulder. I spoke to her calmly and quietly, let her know that I was there and that if she could just relax a little that the breaths would come easier. I was unsure if my touch was unwelcome, so I started to move my hand. This scared little lady grabbed my hand so quick and held on for dear life. In that instant, all of the stress and insanity of this job was gone and all that remained was my passion for helping and healing others in their time of need.

I hold on to that when I have a bad day and it helps remind me why I do what I do -- because I love being a NURSE!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I have bad days of course, and frustrating experiences, but...overall I love nursing. I love that I am gaining this skillset that is important and that directly impacts people's lives. I love that I can tell when I've made a difference with patients even when patients don't thank me directly. I love teaching- patients, nursing students, residents, etc. I love always learning new things- not a day goes by that I don't learn something new. I love my coworkers. I love wearing scrubs every day instead of having to do business casual. I love my paycheck. I love the constant shifting priorities, being busy, the balance between being self directed and having to figure out what is the most important thing to get done for a patient. I love doing IVs and caths and figuring out what's going on with the patient. I love when more experienced nurses say "just so you know, you never do X with this type of patient" or "this is the priority with Y type of patient." I love those moments when I realize I made a good "save" or picked up something important in the patient that others missed. I love being able to reassure patients and their families and support them when it's a challenging situation for them.

I feel challenged and stimulated and empowered in a way I've never been before. I do feel like an integral component of the care team- I feel respected by the doctors I work with when I express concerns about my patients, like we're part of the same team. I know this is not the career for everyone, but it is most certainly the career for me.

[orthonurse55]

This is my 39th year as a nurse, and I worked 2 years before that as a nurses aide. Yes, there have been a few days in this time period that I have entertained the thought of what it would have been like if I were in a different career. But I have never regretted my choice. I LOVE going to work! In the past 30 years I worked 20 as a nurse for an Ortho surgeon, did some home health, worked in LTC, and now I am teaching CNA's. I have no plans to retire until I can't walk anymore!

Good luck in your career - I hope you find it as rewarding as I have!

[icutobee]

"It is not how smart you are, but how smart you want

to be. You can do anything you want; you just have to

be persistent. Always set goals and look to the future.

Looking toward the future must include refl ecting upon the

past, synthesis of perceptions, and connecting with what

is known. Explore all possibilities; accept challenges, both

professionally and personally."

Pamela l. Alderman, RN, MSN

From book Words of Wisdom: Nursing

[gottagetmyrn]

icutobee, that is such a wonderful quote!! It is definitely one I will remember! Thank you. I am loving all of the positive feedback here. I can't wait for the day I will be able to say the same as you all. The world is sure lucky to have good, caring, nurses such as yourselves!!!

[icutobee]

Sure thing! My pleasure. Prof.Alderman is very smart! My friend at the hospital published a book of these quotes...so I thought that quote fit well with the question presented :)

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I absolutely LOVE my job and I LOVE being a Nurse. I love that I get paid well to do something I enjoy and 9 out of 10 days I look forward to going to work. Some days I get frustrated, some patients annoy me to pieces, some days I get my rear end kicked and feel like I could just collapse, but most days I enjoy my patients, and love it and have a good time at work. I love my unit.