To the 'Negative Nurses'

I have recently applied to nursing school- and I am very excited.

I come here once in awhile to see what 'real' nurses do, etc. Do you know how disheartening it is to read all of these negative comments? I don't care who you are, or what you do- there will ALWAYS be things about your job that are miserable!

I worked as a preschool teacher with special needs children for 3 years. I loved and hated my job all at the same time. I was constantly cleaning up poo, getting hit, kicked, dealing with huge tantrums, thrown up on, etc. But I also helped a little girl learn to walk at the age of 4. I taught an autistic boy sign language. I helped a little girl with cerebral palsy to learn how to grab on to her toys and get to hold them.

I look at nursing the same way. If there are some of you out there that 'hate' your jobs so much, why are you doing them??

Have you ever been in a hospital for surgery? Needed care by the nurses and relied on them to help you? How did you feel towards them?

Personally, I have always been extremely grateful to my nurses. Sure, my doctor came in once a day or so to see how I was doing- but it was my nurse that helped me get into the shower and get cleaned up. My nurse who brought me pain meds when I was in tears. My nurse who held my hand and let me cry on her shoulder after my son was born and I was terrified of going home to take care of him on my own.

Those people did so much for me. I will never forget it. That is why I want to go into this profession- not for recognition, not for money.. simply to do for at least one other person what was done for me!

It makes me so sad to hear how many nurses hate their jobs. I know after you have been working awhile it is sometimes hard to remember what you like about the job, especially if lately there have been problems.

I guess what I am trying to say is, if you all just thought for a few minutes about what you are truly doing, all the good you are doing, to help people who need your professionalism and love then maybe you can see why you should be proud of what you do.

No one out there has a job they can honestly say is perfect.. but not everybody is in the position that nurses are where they can be sure they are doing all they can for someone who needs them.

People can do nasty things when they aren't feeling well- they can be rude and horrible- even if normally they aren't like that. But you are there to do all you can to help. That is what this job is. No matter what other crap gets in the way.

Hugs to you all- you are all amazing people and I can't wait to join you all someday. You should be so, so proud of what you do. I promise each and every one of you that there is someone out there who thinks of you and all you did for them- and appreciates you for it.