Who actually likes nursing??

Nurses General Nursing

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Here is my question to new and experienced nurses....

I am just starting my nursing program and 99% of the topics on this forum are nurses venting how much they hate their job

So i just want to see the flip side, make me not regret doing two years of pre reqs and a 3 year masters program for nursing if it is going to be hell like most topics say it will be.

I would just like some insight on people who like their job, or just some stories that make the job worth it. What area of nursing do you like, which floor, or type of nursing etc and any advice you have to a nursing student.

Thanks and happy holidays!

Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

I started nursing before many nurses here on line were born...! I started out in (Ireland ) in the early 80's in Peds and the Nursery. (Fun field to start out in ). I nursed here in the USA from late 80's on beginning ,like many in med surg (provides a nice solid base. Here you learn organization and how to handle stress .This is challenging at 1st. It took me 6mths to get out of my own way expecting perfection of myself and annoyance that real life was not what nursing school had prepared me for ) )

While on med surg I also per diemed everywhere in the hospital . I liked the variety,getting to know everyone in the hospital and getting a glance at fields I might like to try. It also provided a way for me to be seen by other managers so that when I wanted to transfer they knew me and how I worked. I did per diems because nursing excited me, I wanted to know everything but I didn't know at the time how much it would spring board my career.

I did a spattering of research,pain management and helped get holistic care started in an era where some people thought I was a witch doing reiki. (now it's main stream ) I rotated through the ICU's and settled in CVRU for several yrs. This was higher stress, a huge learning curve, an incredible experience (like nowhere else in the hospital ) ,it provided great autonomy and after that nothing scares you. Also after working there everything was easy with the exception of the OR. I loved the inside of the body,that was pretty spectacular however standing all day, heavy aprons , little pt contact and having little say in care was not for me. ASU was one of the most fun places I worked,lighter acuity,on the whole well "walkie talkie " pts. Its a good place to go if your feeling burn out as the atmosphere is quite upbeat and stress is considerably less.

I only per diemed in psych and detox which I also thoroughly enjoyed. I worked in a homeless shelter for a yr prior to nursing so already knew that results can be very slow in the psychiatric world. For me then ,I felt I could do more in pychosocial outside of psych where I felt I might burn out there too quickly.

Now I am in cardiac rehab,I do teaching in the hospital with pts,run stress management classes ,for both pts and hospital staff, teach meditation and provide reiki .In addition I do admissions to rehab and and run tele classes. This has been the job with the most flexibilty and I get to mentor students which I absolutely love.I'd like to see us nurture more new nurses as I believe that is the only way we will change the culture of nursing.

I have learned "picking " the right boss is as valuable as the specialty you choose. (I learned this the hard way ) Today (after a 20yr wait ) I have what is for me the ideal boss ,She welcomes growth, new projects and imput. I need to feel I can grow and express myself . Rehab is hands down for me the least stressful nursing (but you do have to be able to function alone,with no back up,if a pt crashes ) We do quite alot of research here on depression.

For me now, I just finished publishing (I am only a contributor ) in a book on soul midwifery a branch of care that deals with helping the spiritual needs of dying pt . In my career where I have served the best is being there for the dying and it is where I plan to both go next and finish my career in nursing. I would like to introduce more gentle dying that address spirit /soul. Through reiki I have learned that souls too can be nursed during the stages of dying .

There is so much to do in nursing you could live a 100 yrs and not get bored.. It is work to keep learning but it also keeps the fire burning inside. I am still proud to be a nurse even amidst change. When I started I had 17 pt in my district.Now those days are gone but scrutiny is higher. Every generation has its struggle and as nurses we find a way to make it work.

No question nursing is stressful I started meditating 25yrs ago and for me thats been key. It has taught me to take life 1 second at a time, nothing is personal and if I stand back for a moment there is no crisis that can't be faced 1 moment at a time .It has not all been easy nursing has a way of exposing all your own flaws which can be challenging. The key for me has been being open to change,keep learning and develop a little dark humor.

Remember, Nursing school is purely a template,be mindful of that. Scores in nursing school are not an accurate indicator on the type of nurse you will be. Every nurse gets to decide that them self.

Without ill intent I do encourage people to examine their motives for choosing nursing. Nursing requires a lot emotionally,if you do not have an interest in service the job is doeable but may be more challenging or obtusely difficult. I have said before if anyone chooses nursing for the money they learn quickly you will work for every penny of it. Choose it if you feel it will bring you happiness.

Nurses are not unlike their pts if everything is great you seldom hear it but if its a complaint.....then...there is a lot to say.Goodluck . Hope this is helpful.Goodluck

I think you should try to find a job as an aide while you're are in school. Many hospitals will hire nursing students as non-certified aides as long as they have completed their nursing fundamentals course. I did this and got hired at a smaller hospital within a large system where I live. My hospital is small enough that I get to work with some variety. Usually I'm on a Med-Surg/Tele floor but some days they send me to help out in ICU. Once I got to work in the ED, the coolest was when I went up to the roof to meet an patient brought in by chopper. I don't tell you this to brag, but to highlight the benefit of exposure. You need to look at this from a buffet point of view. Take the good that you see and that you can make work to your benefit in your own practice. When you see people make mistakes or do things they shouldn't learn from it. My job has also made me a MUCH better nursing student. I remember in my first semester I was okay but my confidence level wasn't that high. But after working over that first summer I was way more confident. Bottom line you need to like being around, and helping people. You can't fake that.

Oh one more thing. Wait until after you graduate to have children. My wife had our twins during my second semester. My third nearly killed me. Bring it fourth semester!

Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

I love nursing. I hate the "job" that is "nurse". Do you see the distinction?[/quote

I went into nursing expecting nothing. I knew from the very beginning that nursing is one of the hardest profession out there. I expect nurses to be crusty irritated and angry and the same from the MD's. I expect patients to be fearful irritated, and angry. I expect horrible hours difficult and dangerous working conditions and an absolutely unaccommodating management. I expect chaos at every turn, changing situations going from bad to worse and what could be worse, death which also happens. None of these mentioned however are worst than the greedy money obsessed groups who has no regards for the community who now run our hospitals. I have no respect for these CEO's of these profit corporations who take advantage of their "not for profit status" and stuff their pockets with money when the community of nurses and other health care workers suffer horribly. I have no respect for these individuals who only think of themselves and use health care as if their were running a car factory. They have no place in this community and I will love the day when we can run them out of town.

Specializes in NICU.

I love nursing and I love my job. Sure, there's some bureaucratic BS, but for the most part, I go to work, I take care of babies & their families, and I go home. I LOOOOOOVE it.

As previous posters have said, there are a LOT of choices and tracks in nursing. If you find yourself on one that you don't like, I encourage you (anyone, not just you OP) to explore other nursing jobs. Many are vastly different from others.

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
I am perfectly fine with cleaning a rear end, but don't make me kiss it!

Love this - which I could get a cute little framed sign saying this for my office. (And yes, just because I'm the DON in LTC, I still clean a fair share of butts).

To the OP - I love nursing. I really couldn't imagine doing anything else and I can't imagine finding anything more satisfying. Here is my example from just today: We discharged a resident home yesterday. Today her daughter (high maintenance family) calls me to say there is a problem with the home health and they haven't been out to see resident yet. Our local HH company is pretty big. I called the HH service, introduce myself by name and name of facility and go on to explain the problem. Got the right person, got the issue resolved and was prepared to hang up. The home health person stops me and says, "I know just who you are Nascar even tho we have never met because everyone that comes from your place just adores you and brags about the care your facility provides. Have a Merry Christmas". This unexpected compliment, from a 3rd party no less, absolutely made my day. It's moments like these - even tho they seem rare - makes me glad I made the decision to become a nurse many years ago.

Specializes in OB/GYN,PHN, Family Planning.

I also love nursing but NOT acute hospital nursing. I work in public health and cannot imagine doing anything else. I am currently finishing my masters and specializing in global public health. Love the fact that my job makes a difference in the world.

Specializes in TELEMETRY.

I think I still like nursing. One of my favorite things to do is feeding the patient, I like opening their food setting up their tray and if they need to be spoonfed I like to do that too. It's one of my favorite things of nursing. I also enjoy hanging blood, hanging TPN looking at their labs and making sure their electrolytes are not imbalance and then if they are, calling the doctor to get them replaced. I like combing and washing a patient hair who haven't been washed in weeks. I particularly like shaving and cutting people's hair that needs to it. So what do I hate about nursing? Demanding patients, demanding supervisors, rude people, and attitude problems. If we didn't have to deal with all the attitude of extra paperwork I think we'd all be a lot happier. I almost forgot, I also enjoy giving people their PRN medications and seeing them feel more comfortable after I have alternated medications to make them feel better than the previous shift that hasn't been able to get them more comfortable. Just a couple things I still love about my job.

Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.

I really like nursing.

I just looked at my last paycheck of the year....now I freaking love nursing!

I have been a nurse 6 going on 7 years and I love being a NURSE. it has its and it has its down but at the end of the day you are the person that has helped that patient or resident to the best of your abilities. doing it with a smile and always have a smile in your heart will make a big difference for you and for your patient!

Specializes in NICU.

I loved nursing. I worked at a pediatric hospital for 34½ years. I specialized in NICU nursing, and worked in that field for 30 years. :dummy1:

Yes, I have posted on this website, and several of my posts were not positive.I was going through a rough time personally. My health declining, and ultimately I ended up losing my job because of it. I am now receiving SSDI.

My writing was my way of venting about my situation, and grieving over the fact that my nursing career ended unexpectedly, years before I was ready to stop working. I miss nursing. I miss the babies and families I cared for. I do not miss the politics surrounding the hospital I worked at.

If I had it to do all over again, I would happily go back into the field of nursing. It was where I found fulfillment, contentment, a sense of belonging, and the certainty that how I did my job made a lasting impression on every one that I came into contat with.

Statistics will tell you that roughly 75% of nurses will not be bedside nursing in 10 years....so the question is...what's next for you? Because 3 out of 4 times, its not nursing.

3 out of 4 times, it's not bedside nursing. Nurses can take on countless roles that extend beyond direct patient care in a hospital setting (teaching, research, public health, etc.). That's what is meant by that statistic, not nurses leaving the profession of nursing altogther.

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

I love my job.

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