What do you love most about nursing?

[ToxicShock]

What with all the hate and complaining there has been lately, I figured I'd start up a thread that's completely opposite of what a lot of us have been reading. Problems with co-workers, anger and confusion over the nursing shortage, etc, etc... when does it end?

Now!

So let's turn our frowns upside down(s), and answer me this: what's that one thing that you love most about nursing? What makes you happiest about this profession? What keeps you going every day? What keeps you smiling and positive?

There is no room for Debbie Downer's in here - all positive comments please!

[d!gger]

Yeah! Thanks for starting this thread.

I get to have a direct immediate impact on people's lives every time I punch in. My patients teach me as much as I teach them. Even after years, it's still profound... even when it's not.

channeling Yogi Berra,

dig

[andeam]

That no matter how rough it gets, I can always put a smile on someone's face and make what may be the hardest part of their life yet a look a little brighter!

[sleepyRN2]

i love it when some one say that i've been great to them...and actually ask me to come back the next day and be her (student) nurse once more. :)

[nyrn5125]

Good Thread, we all get stressed but we know the real reason we put up with it.

I had a pt with an obstructed biliary duct. Bilirubin 7.0 extreme jaundice and a doctor who came in and said "I'm really scared" and of course I was too. She also was a chemo patient. Anyway she was in rapid afib, and on heparin cardizem drips. We gave Lopressor iv still didnt help. She had complete change in mental status, had no idea what was happening couldnt remember who we were. She was made a DNR by the family who were hysterical and GI wanted to treat her by monitoring labs and meds to treat the blokage. We were scared that there just wasnt time. I had to transfer her to the stepdown unit. Well 10 days later I get her on the floor and she had a complete turnaround and was looking great. She actually did remember part of the day she was made a DNR and remembered me. I was lucky to have been the one to D/C her home. that was an awesome feeling

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

Being part of the healing and recovery process. Watching someone who had been teetering on the edge being discharged home. Seeing a stroke victim getting up and walking to the car when they couldn't have done any of that on admission. Seeing someone who was on a G-tube being able to eat a full mechanical soft meal. Seeing a horrific wound heal up with healthy tissue. All of that and more.

[MoopleRN]

I love that we have the privilege of being able to offer care... and not just physical care. I love being able to connect with my patients on a level that lets them know that I really, truly do care about how they feel/how they're doing and I will do my utmost to help them be comfortable/heal.

I think nurses are an elite bunch of people and I love being in the ranks.

[moosha1]

My favorite part of nursing is advocating for a patient or family of patient, learning that what I did made a difference and the cherry on top is the occasional, heartfelt "thank you". It makes me want to come back tomorrow.

[LHH1996]

When my residents say cute things:

ex: I was talking to one one of my favorite residents, a gentleman with dementia who has really really blue eyes. One day i said, " why ____ i love your blue eyes...!! he said, "why thanks dear, i have had them all my life!!"

He is so sweet!!!!!!

[Sonjailana]

Just this week...

I had a pt stop in the hallway and tell other people..that one there..that's my guardian angel!

I was on the phone giving report about a pt going to the unit (CCU) and the attending who was coming to see another one of my pts who I had actually kept OUT of the unit (by the sheer grace of God) comes and pats my back (in a non-creepy way) and says, thank you for ALL of your hard work today.

[regularRN]

One thing I love about nursing is working with an awesome bunch of nurses - thanks guys! :heartbeat