The Happiness in your job thread

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

We read a lot of desperate stories of our fellow RN's, LPN's and student nurses on here-I want to start a thread where we share our happy success stories so that we can give some comfort to those who struggle.

I have been a nurse for over 20 years and I have had good and bad experiences like the rest of you all.

I learnt from the bad and patted myself on the back with the good.

Once you do get experience under your belt it is so much easier to move and change jobs when things don't work out.

If I have been unhappy in a job-I looked for something else. There is no reason to work somewhere you are so unhappy in that it makes you physically sick to your stomach.

I love being a nurse, I am happy and I wouldn't have chosen any other career

I feel fulfilled and I know I do the best work I can do every day-I have a great manager and that is the key to success for me

[kungpoopanda]

As an undergrad, I was on a "never to graduate" list. I graduated that time and three times since.

[tarotale]

happiest time being a RN for 1 yr... really never had a single moment when I was happy doing this, but I am new, so I'm sure my luck will come when I find the right niche for me. but still considering, we get paid pretty well relatively speaking, so can't complain too much for now

[RunBabyRN]

I'm a new grad, and I'm SO lucky to have an offer where I do. It's in the area where I want to spend my career, in a hospital I like (with a good culture- SOOOO important!), with a manager I (and the other nurses) really respect. I feel SOOOOO fortunate!!! I precepted on that unit, so I know what to expect (and I know what per diem means there), so I know how lucky I am!! :) Now just to pass the NCLEX so I can get started!!

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I love being a nurse, and my favorite part is education. I feel satisfied when they have the information they need to participate in their own care and make decisions that are the best for them. It provides them a sense of control which can often be lost when hospitalized, and they often are more satisfied with their care.

I had a patient recently that was very frightened of going home with a PICC line to receive long term antibiotics. I sat with him to explain that we nurses would train his partner and that he would get a home health nurse to visit. His partner was worried because he is often required to go on business trips with short notice. I suggested that the patient also bring in a friend to be trained in addition to the partner. In his anxiety, he didn't realize he could have more than one person trained. I provided him written information in home PICC line care, so that he could read up and ask more specific questions after reading it. When I left for the day, he thanked me and said that he felt better about the plan.

It made my shift. It really did. Education is the most important part of our jobs as floor nurses, and I love that part the most.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

"If I have been unhappy in a job-I looked for something else. There is no reason to work somewhere you are so unhappy in that it makes you physically sick to your stomach."

Great post! I have far too many coworkers who complain bitterly about how much they hate their job, but they wouldn't leave if you put a gun to their heads.

I have had many other coworkers who got their coveted med surg job after graduation, worked it for a less than a year and said, "Thanks, but no thanks" and left for other opportunities.

[Nola009]

As an undergrad, I was on a "never to graduate" list. I graduated that time and three times since.

Excuse me, do schools really make "never to graduate" lists?!

[Caffeine_IV]

I enjoy being a nurse especially now that I work PRN. Both jobs have plentiful hours.

I recently landed an outpatient job where I basically start IVs all day! The pay is less but the lower stress is awesome. There really are a lot of options out there for nurses..you just have to keep looking. Don't be afraid of change and don't get stuck in a rut.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

I'm a new grad working on an inpatient surgical oncology unit...I absolutely love my job. I feel like I am stretched and challenged to learn more every day. I love caring for my patients and I work with a really great team.

I look forward to going to work.

[kungpoopanda]

Excuse me, do schools really make "never to graduate" lists?!

This one did, and most people on the list did in fact not graduate.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I will never be truly happy with any type of job in existence due to personality issues.

I am a creative, daydreaming, thoughtful, lazy person with an artistic flair who does not enjoy the world of working or following a rigid schedule, whether on my own timetable or an employer's time frame. I crave unlimited, unstructured free time. Employment cuts into my unstructured free time, and for that reason alone, I will never have the 'heart' for any type of work in existence.

I'd much rather receive a multimillion dollar lottery jackpot and spend my unstructured free time traveling, writing a great American novel, attending school as a professional student, critiquing food, learning how to play new musical instruments, or relishing in leisurely pursuits. However, my chances of receiving huge lottery winnings are slim, so I stay employed to stay afloat while pretending to have my 'heart' in it.

By the way, I became a nurse due to the relatively easy entry, steady income, flexible scheduling, and other practical reasons unrelated to some higher calling from above.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I enjoy investigating, teaching, and thinking outside of the box, as well as writing; nursing has been the perfect fit for my attributes; my documentation has been complemented; so my technical writing skills have been excellent!

I also love to paint; in some of the positions I held as a pedi nurse, I have had the opportunity to exercise my artistic side.

My journey in this business has helped fit my personality and will continue to do so...I have always seemed to find a niche, and plan on continuing to do so.