what is the most beautiful thing in being a nurse?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

Generally, what gives me the most joy in nursing is when I can make a difference that helps someone have a better life...

hsienko · Jun 13, 2011

The best part of nursing is observing other nurses. I've seen the best and the worst of health care, and lost friends and family to the worst. It helps me push forward as a patient advocate and always put the patient first -- so that when I do get a card (oh the one in a thousand patient) or a hug, or a handshake....It's just awesome! I know that I'm always striving to be as good as the best nurses that comforted me during some of the worst times in my life (when dealing with the loss/decline of said friends and family) I always remember how the best ones comforted me when i was hysterical and crying over the previous decade(s) and keep that near and dear when I feel burnt out or hopeless. Plus, I enjoy being told I have more personality than the tin-can who last came to the bed side. Patients get pretty darn creative in the ways they complement a good nurse =) Put them first and it's fun to feed on it every now and then when your energy is waning!

Bruin's Mom · Jun 13, 2011

What a great question! Right now I am in my own little valley in the journey of nursing; however, I would say one of the most beautiful things about being a nurse is when a patient simply says, "Thank You."

KayRN910 · Jun 13, 2011

The most beautiful thing for me? My bed at the end of the day! :-D

No, really, for me its having a hand in saving a life, if it's working a code or that little instinct that something just isn't right, and it ends up being something terrible but caught early.

Irishpsychintern · Jun 13, 2011

For me the best thing in nursing is being in a position whereby you can help people and make a difference. I work as a psych nurse and often see people in all states of distress. Its one of the best feelings when they walk out the door, their condition under control and feeling that their hope has been restored and they feel equiped to take a hold back on their life. Being a part of this is amazing.

As a nurse, we're the person in contact most with people and this is great. While it is a hard job and when youre tired youre really tired but at the end of the day, you cant beat helping people. One of the first things I noticed when I started nursing was that I came home I would think "I actually never knew what they meant when they said being satisfied by your job until now". For me, its the best job in the world.

orthonurse55 · Jun 13, 2011

Seeing a big, toothless smile! It always makes my day - whether it is from an infant or an elderly patient. That's all it takes to bring tears to my eyes!

iPink, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

I'm on my nursing journey as well. After giving one of my patients PM care in clinical, he said I was the best nursing student to take care of him and wished me great success in my career. I don't get many thank yous, but glad to be pursuing this profession nontheless.

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

There are many things that are beautiful in nursing:

1. Seeing a very sick patient get well enough to go home and be with his family again.

2. Seeing the peace in an MS patient's eyes when you get them finally "comfortable".

3. Watching a confused patient sleep soundly.

4. Seeing the smile on a patient's face and hearing "I am glad to see you" when you come back to work the next day.

5. Getting the pain/nausea under control when someone is suffering.

6. Connecting a patient to resources they desperately needed (i.e. affordable medications).

Recently I had a patient with a stroke who couldn't communicate. She was definitely very lucid at times but got very overwhelmed. Two techs and her husband were attempting to corral her back to bed and she was getting very aggitated. She keep looking at them and yelling "na na na na na na!". I walked up, took her hand and told her everything was going to be ok. She looked to me, put her head down and inched over to my side. There she gently put her head on my shoulder and let me walk her back to her room. Everyone teased me because she drooled down the front of my scrubs, but I thought it was a beautiful moment, and her husband told me "I was just the right medicine for her."

It is all how you look at it, what you appreciate, and what you can accept as human nature.

Best of luck!

Tait

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

When pt's families still remember you as the nurse that took care of a dying family member months later. They tell you that it was your caring and concern that got them through the moment and then they give you a big hug in the middle of the grocery store.

It's times like this that make missing lunch bearable, and make me get out of bed the next day and do it all again.

It is a job with purpose and meaning.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

The most beautiful thing I see while practicing is seeing my patients smile and knowing I had something to do with that.

StrwbryblndRN · Jun 14, 2011

I love when a pt request me again the following night. Or wants to know when I will be back. Not only does it confirm appreciation but the pt feels secure with my nursing judgement.