I come here for support and sharing and I like being able to see how everyone else is living their lives as nurses.
But I can't help but wonder...am I the only nurse who is happy with her job and glad she chose to be a nurse?
I have always liked what I do. I have worked in a variety of different settings, from ICU/ER, transplantation, research, outpatient care, management and now telenursing. I haven't always found everything in my job to be wonderful but when it wasn't I either worked to find a solution to the problems or I moved on...there are too many different areas of nursing to choose from to have one person or one institution ruin me, my career or my happiness.
I feel like I make good money, I have always been able to find a job to match my family's needs and I have worked a lot of different schedules...8 hour days, 12 hour nights, 4-10 hour days, weekend option-32/40, 3-10 hour days Q week, and even some varieties of these combinations... yes, I have been a nurse for a long time.
I hate that we are our own worst enemy. We don't seem to encourage the young to seek nursing as a career, instead we disparage it and demean it and in the process show our own selves such disrespect that I can understand why people do not want to seek nursing as a career.
So my question to all of you is: How can we become more positive toward our career choice and how can we begin to reflect a positive message that would make others want to join us?
...Or am I really the only one around who is glad to be a nurse?
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
Oooh nooo, definitely NOT! I just loooove being a nurse. It's such a satisfying feeling to know that you have the knowledge, the compassion and mercy to want to help make a difference in someone's life. I've been linked with healthcare since 1962 in many different facets.
Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.
I, too, love being a nurse. Like so many others, I am frustrated by administration...the "politics" of healthcare. But I can't see myself doing anything else. It's part of who I am...my definition of myself....
I really do think it's the NEXT important thing in my life after my children/family. And I don't mean as a career, I mean BEING a nurse...connecting with and caring for my patients. I love it. It is what I was meant to do.
I soooo admire nurses that can work at the bedside for 20 years, we need more nurses like them!! My preceptor at my new job has been an ICU nurse for 15 years at the same hospital, I have no idea how she does it. She still likes her job and isn't burnt out, I admire her so much for that. Since I am a new nurse, I would really like some tips on how to stay fresh/enjoy my job/not get burnt out. Do any of you experienced nurses have any suggestions for me? My job is so stressful and I wonder if I could do my job for more then a few years and keep the same positive attitude.
I've been in the same ICU for almost 12 years now, some of my co workers have been there close to 25. We have a staff of 110 nurses with a core of us that have been there over 10 years. We know stress but we also know a great sense of humor can save your day. Yes we get some wierd looks from docs when we say something off the wall (possibly a little inappropriate at some times but some things just have to be said :rotfl: ) but for the most part the docs come to expect that from us.
Leave work at work. Sometimes a sad patient story does make it home with you-talk about it with a husband/wife/co worker, cry or hug your kids/dog/cat then let it go. You will grieve over many patients, you can't let the grief pile up. Take care of yourself, keep your hobbies, get a massage monthly or more. Pray or meditate, read a good book. Learn to say no when they ask if you can work an extra shift (caller id is a good thing)
Look for the little things in your nursing care that remind you why you became a nurse, that you really do make a difference in someone elses life. Quite honestly sometimes that is hard to do.
Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.
Hi Shotzie,
I have been a nurse for more then 37 yrs. I still LOVE being a nurse.
I have not always liked some of the things that go on in hospitals, but I am still here and still love it.
It has been a rewarding career choice for me. I wouldn't change anything. I get paid very well at this time, work the shift that I like, get every other week end off; How can I complain?
I am at the bedside--have been there for many of my years. As long as I can work with patients I will do so! I just love working with patients in Hospital or out.
You have all restored my faith in the nursing profession and nurses in general!
Thank you for responding.
We all talk a lot about the trials and tribulations of nursing as a career. I wonder whether a more positive presentation from most of us would make an impact in the nursing shortage?
This year, I challenge all of you to take a moment to encourage a young person to choose nursing as a career.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
Shotzie, You bet! Any and every chance I get! It's a part of who we are, as others have said, and I do believe that it is one of our God-given talents, and they draw us to it in many different ways. But I do think that most if not all of us can say we love what we do. It definitely is more blessed to give than to receive.
what a wonderful thread..... i am so relieved that there are nurses that like their jobs. i knew you were out there! please take care of your new grads...show us the way. we need your support. we cant depend on administration, but we can depend on each other :)
I am attending a university and plan on applying for the nursing school there in Fall 06. Could you tell me some of the realities of nursing.
I love my career, my hospital, MOST of my co-workers, and my patients. Of course, like everyone else, I get frustrated at times. I like to go to this BB at those times. I personally would encourage anyone who understands what nursing is and still wants to be a part of it to join us. In fact, I talk to high school students about the realities of nursing. Being honest allows students to see that this is a challenging and rewarding career. I have had a few tell me that they are considering nursing after hearing me speak, and I've had others tell me that they are no longer interested once they hear about some of the problems (and what it takes to try and rectify these problems). I think helping people make an INFORMED decision about becoming a nurse is the best way to help our profession gain comitted individuals.
I am a prenursing student. I plan on entering the nursing school at my university in fall 06. Could you tell me what some of the realitites of nursing are? I have always heard such great things about it. I have an aunt and a cousin who are nurses and they both love it. Thanks
this has already been said but hey, it's worth restating - not every moment of every day is awesome...but not every moment awful, either. i love nursing and i am glad to have found such a limitless, nurturing and evolving career path!
I am new here, but I have been reading the boards a few days now. I see more positive so far than negative. Believe me, I left the mortgage business behind and if you think this message board is negative you would sink if you saw the one I used to frequent when posting a question or comment. It was awful and mean spirited. They would run down nearly everyones post. I find this message board to be heavenly compared.
Friendly, helpful, open, I love it. That's just my opinion. It makes you appreciate this board a lot more.
FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I
3,619 Posts
Oooh nooo, definitely NOT!
I just loooove being a nurse. 
It's such a satisfying feeling to know that you have the knowledge, the compassion and mercy to want to help make a difference in someone's life. I've been linked with healthcare since 1962 in many different facets. 