Registered Nurses: Do you like your jobs?

mamba24 · Jul 3, 2013

First off - thanks so much for the responses. It seems like the majority of you don't like what you do though, which isn't too encouraging, lol but I sort of expected that..

Looks like a few of you really love it though and that's great!

In any case though, I really appreciated the feedback and I hope that your situations get better.

Zebulon9 · Jul 3, 2013

As a person who was just accepted into nursing school and have my own questions about what it feels like to get past the honeymoon phase, and into the everyday, I can't honestly believe you think you are being helpful here. What is worse is that I read through many responses after and most people said they do it to pay their mortgage. This makes OP's questions completely valid.

OP, the best thing to do would be to shadow a nurse and see what they do from day to day and see how real life people like it. That was how I came to my decision. Also, realize that there are a serious array of ways to go here. You can specialize, continue education, etc. You aren't stuck, getting your RN is just the beginning.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2013

No. I am not remotely glad I went into nursing.

Yes. I still feel compassion for people. Probably more so than ever.

I still like people though I feel I understand them better than people who don't work with the public or with the huge variety of people we nurses see.

I go back because it pays me though again it wasn't the money I thought it was gonna be and it definitely underpaid for the slave labor management demands from us.

cabgnurse · Jul 3, 2013

My perspective is a little different. I am a career-changer. I was a successful banker for 12 years before going to nursing school. So I *WANTED* a change and became an RN. I worked in customer service, front line work, Lending, Info Tech jobs, and lastly, as a Bank Trainer. I dealt with all types of people in that environment, too. People lose their minds over money AND death/dying. (with the same level of craziness, lol) I found people are the exact same in the hospital environment; just a different data set. Since I didn't hate people in banking, I don't in nursing. Because I chose my new career, I love it. (95% of the time.)

Has your opinion of people changed at all, do you still have faith in humanity so to speak after dealing with so many types of people?

There are isolated crazy family members who will report you to Administration for encouraging the family that mom's not dying. (seriously!) Having said that, yes, faith in humanity intact.

Do you still maintain your compassion for others?

Yes, intact. I have a lot of dark humor now, but you can't get through the ICU without some. You de-personalize at times to get through a nasty code, or a painful procedure. But when the procedure is done, I'm the nurse holding that patient's hand, hugging them, or wiping their tears. Handing out boxes of kleenex to the family members left behind when Mamaw doesn't make it through the code. Praying with one of the Sisters (nuns) with the family. It's all part of what I do.

Do you get depressed at all from the circumstances?

Rarely. I was depressed on the floor because I always had 7 patients and I didn't feel like I got to spend enough time with them to "make a difference." Too high of a ratio. Now I work ICU with a max of 2 patients. Still crazy-busy but I feel like I get to be *with* them more. Emotionally, as well as their physical needs. And I have a great director in the ICU that respects my input for small purchases (like cables and other needs) and necessary changes.

Why do you keep going back?

I chose to be a nurse. It is (now) who I am. Also, I don't get bored. After working in the ICU as a generalist, I specialized to take hearts. (heart surgeries right out of OR) I'm always learning more about that. I'm studying for my CCRN. And then, in addition, I began working with our Infectious Disease doc this year. I round on hospital patients and do our new consults. Works and entirely different part of my brain. So I keep going back because there are so many different things you can do as a nurse, that it's your own fault if you get bored. Be really good at what you do, be positive and professional, and opportunities will open for you to try different things if you wish. I have a standing invitation to become a clinical educator, but I have passed on it 3 times because I'm having too much fun on the clinical side of things.

YES, I have terrible days. YES, I have some catty co-workers that I can't stand and just choose to stay away from. YES, I have mean doctors and mean families sometimes. I had all the same things at the bank. It's just people. The good far, far outweighs the bad, though.

Good luck. You'll make the right decision.

Caffeine_IV · Jul 3, 2013

No I do not like my current job. I'm hoping to transfer within the system to find my niche. It is very hard to get a job without knowing someone.

I do like most of my coworkers.

I have compassion but I doubt it shows because we are busy with other menial tasks and checking boxes on a computer. I didn't go into nursing because of a calling however I am still a good nurse.

I like science/biology. I did not want to be a doctor.

I go to work for my paycheck. I would not do this job for free.

Mom2boysRN · Jul 4, 2013

I am a home health RN, most days I like my job. Other days, meh. To answer your questions:

Has your opinion of people changed at all, do you still have faith in humanity so to speak after dealing with so many types of people?

Yes, both for good and bad. Some days I'm amazed at the strength, courage, and resiliance my patient's have. Other patient's make me think the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Do you still maintain your compassion for others?

Yes. I have also learned how to have empathy for my patient's without giving them a free pass. Yes you are sick, yes your situation sucks, but are things you can do to improve it. Yes, many have it worse than you, but that doesn't make your health crisis any less important than someone elses. I lose empathy for those that just want me to fix them and take no responsibility for their own health. Like a diabetic that I took care of that insisted 250 is a normal blood sugar for him, because his diabetes is different than everyone else.

Do you get depressed at all from the circumstances?

Yes, I had an ALS patient that every time I left his house I cried. You learn how to put up some walls, because it doesn't do you or your patients any good if you let what they are going through affect you personally.

Why do you keep going back?

I believe what I do is important. I love that sometimes I feel that I have REALLY helped and made a difference that has improved someone else's life. There are people that are alive still today because I made the right call. One of my patient's recently thanked me and told me how much I'm helping him then said, "but don't get a big head about it" lol.

Is every day meaningful? Heck no! Some days I feel like a punching bag. Those days you just put one foot in front of the other to get through the day.

Elle23 · Jul 4, 2013

I used to tell prospective nurses that nursing is great because 1. You can always find a job (not true anymore) and 2. If you don't like your specialty, you can always switch to something else (learned the hard way this is not the case. Seems employers from other specialties require experience IN those specialties. I have had minimal success transitioning out of my specialty. I feel stuck.

One great thing about nursing is the flexibilty in hours. This is great for moms with kids. You can do days or nights, weekends , part time, etc.

A big downside is having to work holidays (working Christmas when you have kids is miserable...)

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2013

I am a very, very new nurse but I absolutely love my job so far. I know that doesn't say much about the question you're asking but I will say all the nurses I work with seem very happy and also love what they do. The turnover in my department is very low. I hope to work there for many years, if not my whole career. The nurses I work are wonderful with their patients too. There is a downside, it is very hard work. Long hours, sore feet, and a lot of responsibility. I guess I would say, and again I'm a new RN, but I am happy with my career choice. I also noticed most of my classmates that graduated and are working where their heart is are the ones that appear the happiest, I think it makes the hard stuff more tolerable.

radovci · Jul 4, 2013

to the people who have answered, where are you from? is this a prevalent issue for nurses everywhere? (i'm interested in canadian schools)

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 5, 2013

to the people who have answered where are you from? is this a prevalent issue for nurses everywhere? (i'm interested in canadian schools)[/quote']
I am in the Northeastern US...are you a resident of Canada or the US???

Katie71275 · Jul 5, 2013

I'm a brand new nurse on an L&D unit and so far I LOVE it. I love everything about being a nurse and hope that never changes.

benegesserit · Jul 5, 2013

Has your opinion of people changed at all, do you still have faith in humanity so to speak after dealing with so many types of people? No, my opinion of people has not changed in a negative manner. Sure, some people do really messed up stuff, and I have a little more firsthand exposure to it now, but I knew it existed. If anything, I have a lot more understanding of why people make choices that might appear "wrong".

Do you still maintain your compassion for others? Sure. This is tempered by practicality, which may make me appear dispassionate at times - I cannot meet the needs of all the patients if I'm taking the one demanding it to the bathroom every 5 minutes, for example. Or I may recognize that someone's wants and needs aren't necessarily compatible, and go with their needs over their wants. That's not lack of compassion - it's looking out for their overall well-being rather than one particular aspect.

Do you get depressed at all from the circumstances? At times, yes. It generally passes within a few days.

Why do you keep going back? Because, overall, the good outweighs the bad.