Nursing: A Broader Perspective

A view into the world of Nursing. We never know fully what benefits or not there are in a thing, in this case, Nursing. But understanding enough to make an informed decision goes a long way. Here goes: Nurses Announcements Archive Article

Nursing: A Broader Perspective

After having come across several reasons as to why there is low morale in nursing, I felt that I should pen this down. Have a pleasant read!

Your expectations?

Some people come into nursing with unhealthy expectations of what the profession can and should do for them. Understand something, nursing like any other is a profession. It would not provide for you what you don't already have (inner peace and fulfillment).

It has neither intrinsic nor extrinsic powers in itself. You should have your intrinsic motivations or failing that some sort of extrinsic motivations- don't fop it all on nursing. That's where the unhealthy expectations begin.

Nursing is a Profession

And with all other professions, expect a downturn or an upturn. Set realistic expectations. Don't believe the hype that you would get out of school and barrel into your desired specialty. By all means, do have a positive outlook but temper it with realism. Show flexibility and willingness to chart a different course to your desired goal.

Altruism?

No, nursing is not all altruistic. Do not feel bad when some try to make it seem so. It is first a profession and you follow those guidelines to the fullest and render the best services that you humanly can within your capacity to do so. Some people are very fortunate to have nursing as their life's calling. Don't feel bad if it's not yours; just do your job pretty darn well.

Nursing is for females?

No. Nursing is a field which just happens to be dominated by females. It is open to both males and females and the strength (and humor!) provided by males is always welcome and can come in pretty handy.

Nursing as a fulfillment?

No. Fulfillment comes from within (introverts, this is your turf!). Not just with nursing alone, but with all other careers/professions, if you do not have fulfillment by self, do not expect nursing to give it to you. Rather, what that might do is compound an already bad situation. Find your inner peace, and then be satisfied with nursing.

Hate nursing now but will like it later?

Your gut feeling is almost always correct. If you hate nursing at the onset, chances are that you might not get to love it. You will learn to tolerate it though and possibly even fake it till you believe it. But a career should not be a shackle; you should have some joy doing what you love. Perhaps nursing might be the stepping stone to what you really want to do... (at least it will help pay the bills till you decide).

Find a Release

"When you stop growing, you start dying" Have a life as much as you reasonably can outside of nursing. The reason some people can tolerate some of the things they do, is because they have an expectation, something they look forward to...a release system. Imagine, three days (or five days) of work and then I get to do what I love! Exhilarating!

Stay Challenged

Whether through nursing or otherwise find ways to constantly learn. Stay on top of things as much as you can and when an opportunity comes and if you can, take it.

Network

Six degrees of separation. Find ways to network, at events at hospital gatherings, with visitors ... A smile and a curious mind go a long way.

Personal Branding

Forget about the hospital branding. What's your personal brand? Every time you step away from people, you leave an impression (your brand). Your brand is what you make of it, it can either build you up or tear you down. You decide.

In conclusion, some are in a very happy place and have nursing as their life's joy, other's are not, but it shouldn't end there- you can take a not-so-pleasant situation and find some good in it. You just have to show up first!

RN

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amoLucia

7,736 Posts

Specializes in retired LTC.

Lots of truth spoken.

vlo10

19 Posts

Very insightful, like any profession do not go in it for the money or thinking you'll learn to love it.

malestunurse

123 Posts

Hate nursing now but will like it later? Your gut feeling is almost always correct. If you hate nursing at the onset, chances are that you might not get to love it. You will learn to tolerate it though and possibly even fake it till you believe it. But a career should not be a shackle; you should have some joy doing what you love. Perhaps nursing might be the stepping stone to what you really want to do... (at least it will help pay the bills till you decide).
On top of that nursing is an extremely diverse profession so while you may not like your current job there are so many different jobs you can do as a nurse. Something I don't quite understand about allnurses is that when people say they have become disillusioned with nursing is people recommend strange jobs like medical retail or insurance consultancy.

There are so many other jobs like public health and health promotion, primary health care in a GPs practice, community mental health nursing which are quite different to inpatient bed-side nursing. In New Zealand I believe the nurses who had the best job satisfaction were those that worked for a service called healthline which is a free 24hour health helpline the government runs.

Summer Days

203 Posts

Your piece reminds me of my med-surg instructor who once told the class that she is afraid some of us will graduate from nursing school, pass nclex then get burnt out within 5 years...thank you for sharing, I am enlightened.

Mijourney

1,301 Posts

After having come across several reasons as to why there is low morale in nursing, I felt that I should pen this down. Have a pleasant read!

Your expectations? Some people come into nursing with unhealthy expectations of what the profession can and should do for them. Understand something, nursing like any other is a profession. It would not provide for you what you don't already have (inner peace and fulfillment).

It has neither intrinsic nor extrinsic powers in itself. You should have your intrinsic motivations or failing that some sort of extrinsic motivations- don't fop it all on nursing. That's where the unhealthy expectations begin.

Nursing is a Profession: And with all other professions, expect a downturn or an upturn. Set realistic expectations. Don't believe the hype that you would get out of school and barrel into your desired specialty. By all means, do have a positive outlook but temper it with realism. Show flexibility and willingness to chart a different course to your desired goal."

Much of the post is sage information for everyone. Nursing is a profession? Despite what it says on my license, I frequently wonder about that after my dealings with some of us nurses.

jimlyle

6 Posts

Hey the post is really great! I liked the first and the fourth points that you mentioned about the expectations and the gendeR. I hope this inspires many more people.

EGVnurse

62 Posts

Thank you so much for sharing! I am in a very low place at work and I'm trying to figure out my plan. This really helped.

Great insight!

guest358111

123 Posts

After having come across several reasons as to why there is low morale in nursing, I felt that I should pen this down. Have a pleasant read!

Your expectations?

Some people come into nursing with unhealthy expectations of what the profession can and should do for them. Understand something, nursing like any other is a profession. It would not provide for you what you don’t already have (inner peace and fulfillment).

This is so right! Thanks for posting!

V-Neck T-Shirt

67 Posts

Specializes in Tele/PCU/MedSurg/Travel.

This article came right when I needed to read it. I finished a travel assignment recently and have yet to find a new job here in my hometown; I'm struggling a bit. I think I've been tying my personal identity too closely to my profession as a nurse. Thanks for sharing!