Motivating the Nurse in All of Us

[Joe V]

We were just thinking of the different types of members we have and what motivates them to do what they do.

We have retired nurses, veteran nurses, first-time nurses, nursing students, those who are interested in 'nursing', those who love to spread the joy of nursing, young, old, ... the list goes on and on.

What motivates you?

Do you have any short motivational quotes, inspirational words, or saying that you live by?

Share your favorite short quote(s) and maybe we can turn it into an art piece that can motivate nurses, nursing student, and all those who support nursing.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I actually got this in a fortune cookie and so it goes... "you can either follow your fears or be lead by your passions"

[arte_suave]

One of my favorite is a Cherokee Indian saying....

When you were born, the world rejoiced and you cried. Live your life so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.

[HmarieD]

simonemyheart said:

Praying that I can leave bedside nursing as soon as possible. I hate it, it's depressing, it make me want to crawl up in a bed and die.

I cry on my way to work, at work, and leaving work.

I am motived by the Lord and pray for His strength everyday.

I am so sorry you are going through this, and I totally get it... I felt the same way. I thought I had made the worst mistake of my life by becoming a nurse. Luckily, I was able to move to a specialty area that I love. I started in Home Health and it was like the clouds parted for me, I've been doing this for 12 years and never looked back. You should look around at other opportunities, there are so many things you can do as a nurse that one of them is bound to be just the thing for you. Good luck.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

You did what you knew how to do. And when you knew better, you did better. - Maya Angelou

There can be no defense like elaborate courtesy. -E.V. Lucas

Happiness in life is largely a matter of choice. - anonymous

[Pat2012]

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife,

Who judgment upon you must pass;

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,

Is the one starring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.

For he's with you clear up to the end,

And you've passed the most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,

And think you're a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years.

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

Dale Wimbrow © 19341895-1954

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. it is twice blest:

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

The merchant of venice act 4, scene 1, 180-187

I think of it often. it reminds me to have "mercy" for my own frailties as I attempt to dig deep and delay the impending freak-out for a while. "

I saw that used in an essay in a case management magazine a few years ago.

As for my favorite, it goes along with the other maritime-themed bits ("ships were not made to stay in port") and is my family's favorite aphorism:

"If you're not making waves you're not moving forward."

[Joe V]

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one. - Elbert Hubbard

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? - Vincent van Gogh

Failure teaches success. - Japanese Saying

One who fears failure limits his activities. Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again. - Henry Ford

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

"There is no such thing as a failed experiment. What did you learn from it?" My high school science teacher, Marion Connell.

[amygarside]

Love the quote. I don't know why but of all the brand commercials, NIke commercials are the ones that really motivate to work harder.

[rosi1009]

I love it, too! Thank you for this!

[Sinman]

Three things will last forever- faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." - Audrey Hepburn

[jadedzombienurse]

" ...Run for the hills, Run for your lives...." - Iron Maiden