Any FUN nursing Jobs?

Published

Okay, maybe this is asking a bit much...but I want to know if anyone is having any fun doing their job? Does anyone love to go to work? I don't mean they like it more than anything else in the world. :) Just tell me what you are doing or have done that is enjoyable, fun, funny... etc.

Thanks,

still searching for my nitch, Bessie

Specializes in Hospice, Critical Care.

I, too, love ICU nursing. It is hard work but I really ENJOY taking care of a critically ill patient who really needs ICU care and makes you use all that knowledge and skill you've accumulated over the years. Things that force you into high gear--pt. requiring immediate intubation, cardiac arrests, rapid falling BP, etc.--that you are able to jump into and make things happen--that's fun! Heck, I love a good code (more so when it's someone else's patient, mind you :)). Adrenaline junkie? Maybe. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Critical Care.

I, too, love ICU nursing. It is hard work but I really ENJOY taking care of a critically ill patient who really needs ICU care and makes you use all that knowledge and skill you've accumulated over the years. Things that force you into high gear--pt. requiring immediate intubation, cardiac arrests, rapid falling BP, etc.--that you are able to jump into and make things happen--that's fun! Heck, I love a good code (more so when it's someone else's patient, mind you :)). Adrenaline junkie? Maybe. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Molly J

What a thoughtful response. That had to take you a while to type! :) I really appreciate the indepth information. You pointed out some good key points. I am young, 32 with 2 kids (5&3) and a wonderful husband. I have seen some yicky stuff in my own life...incest,physical abuse, abandonment, foster care, family members on drugs and the list does continue. Even though I have survived this "stuff" I am not hardened and am still quite sensitive. I want to help everyone...I know, I know I need to get over it! Helping everyone is impossible. I just feel so much for the people I meet in the hospital. Like the double bka, end stage renal failure with no family; or the 18 month near drowing x's 2 who is now a vegetable; or the Mom who has had 4 PROM resulting in delivery and death and who desparately wants children.

I think I just need to jump in, do what I can and enjoy the people that I do have something to offer too. Where ever I work is going to have to been fun because I am a FUN person!

Perhaps I gave you all too much info. Sorry!

Thanks for the positive responses!

Bessie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Molly J

What a thoughtful response. That had to take you a while to type! :) I really appreciate the indepth information. You pointed out some good key points. I am young, 32 with 2 kids (5&3) and a wonderful husband. I have seen some yicky stuff in my own life...incest,physical abuse, abandonment, foster care, family members on drugs and the list does continue. Even though I have survived this "stuff" I am not hardened and am still quite sensitive. I want to help everyone...I know, I know I need to get over it! Helping everyone is impossible. I just feel so much for the people I meet in the hospital. Like the double bka, end stage renal failure with no family; or the 18 month near drowing x's 2 who is now a vegetable; or the Mom who has had 4 PROM resulting in delivery and death and who desparately wants children.

I think I just need to jump in, do what I can and enjoy the people that I do have something to offer too. Where ever I work is going to have to been fun because I am a FUN person!

Perhaps I gave you all too much info. Sorry!

Thanks for the positive responses!

Bessie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Infusion.

Bessie,

When I began nursing school, I knew I wanted to be an OB nurse. BUT when I did my OB clinicals, I HATED IT! Don't get me wrong, I loved the babies and new parents, but I just didn't "click" with that type of nursing. I really felt lost because that was what I thought I wanted to do for most of my adult life (I got my RN at age 35). By my last semester, I was feeling pretty anxious about nursing and if I was going to like it, when I started rotations through the critical care areas of a huge hospital. The first time I saw a patient just out of open-heart surgery -- I mean chest tubes, balloon-pump, every kind of drip pouring into this man, bells and whistles -- and one nurse alone was taking care of this man, I knew this was where I belonged!!! It was so awesome. After I passed my boards, I worked for a few months on a busy med-surg unit (where I learned so-o-o much) and then was able to transfer into the SICU and have worked critical care ever since. I am a code junkie, I admit it. There is nothing as fun as getting a AAA repair fresh from surgery (patients bypass the recovery room if they are on a vent at my hosp and go straight from surgery to the SICU)! All those tubes and drips!!! Sure, there are sad things that happen and many times I left wishing I could have done more, but we also had a funny (and wicked) and very, close group of great nurses who knew when it was fun time and when it was "haulin' *ss" time. In fact, and I think everyone will agree with me, your co-workers have a very huge part in whether or not you like your job.

I now work in a cardiac cath lab (had to get better hours because of my kids) which can get pretty hairy at times (but not enough for me -- isn't that sick?)

You sound as though it is hard for you to keep the sad stuff at work and not take it home. Have you ever thought about outpatient surgery, occupational medicine, cardiac/pulmonary rehab, a physician's office -- areas where the patients are not as sick? Anyway, the point of this post is everyone has a niche, -- you just need to find yours! :D Good luck! Peace!

Sherri

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Infusion.

Bessie,

When I began nursing school, I knew I wanted to be an OB nurse. BUT when I did my OB clinicals, I HATED IT! Don't get me wrong, I loved the babies and new parents, but I just didn't "click" with that type of nursing. I really felt lost because that was what I thought I wanted to do for most of my adult life (I got my RN at age 35). By my last semester, I was feeling pretty anxious about nursing and if I was going to like it, when I started rotations through the critical care areas of a huge hospital. The first time I saw a patient just out of open-heart surgery -- I mean chest tubes, balloon-pump, every kind of drip pouring into this man, bells and whistles -- and one nurse alone was taking care of this man, I knew this was where I belonged!!! It was so awesome. After I passed my boards, I worked for a few months on a busy med-surg unit (where I learned so-o-o much) and then was able to transfer into the SICU and have worked critical care ever since. I am a code junkie, I admit it. There is nothing as fun as getting a AAA repair fresh from surgery (patients bypass the recovery room if they are on a vent at my hosp and go straight from surgery to the SICU)! All those tubes and drips!!! Sure, there are sad things that happen and many times I left wishing I could have done more, but we also had a funny (and wicked) and very, close group of great nurses who knew when it was fun time and when it was "haulin' *ss" time. In fact, and I think everyone will agree with me, your co-workers have a very huge part in whether or not you like your job.

I now work in a cardiac cath lab (had to get better hours because of my kids) which can get pretty hairy at times (but not enough for me -- isn't that sick?)

You sound as though it is hard for you to keep the sad stuff at work and not take it home. Have you ever thought about outpatient surgery, occupational medicine, cardiac/pulmonary rehab, a physician's office -- areas where the patients are not as sick? Anyway, the point of this post is everyone has a niche, -- you just need to find yours! :D Good luck! Peace!

Sherri

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello, I know you posted a few days ago, but I just wanted to let you know that I have been working in a Psychiatry unit for the past 8 months and in the beginning I had some fun, but then I realized that many of the people that I work with have picked up some of the traits from our patients ie: OCD. I have come across problems with delegation and our Psych Techs and Nursing leadership has stunk. I am currently going back for my NP in Mental Health Nursing and I cannot wait to go part time. I know that this doesn't help you to find something fun, but I am with you on that idea that Nursing is not always fun, sorry this sounds so depressing...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello, I know you posted a few days ago, but I just wanted to let you know that I have been working in a Psychiatry unit for the past 8 months and in the beginning I had some fun, but then I realized that many of the people that I work with have picked up some of the traits from our patients ie: OCD. I have come across problems with delegation and our Psych Techs and Nursing leadership has stunk. I am currently going back for my NP in Mental Health Nursing and I cannot wait to go part time. I know that this doesn't help you to find something fun, but I am with you on that idea that Nursing is not always fun, sorry this sounds so depressing...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work the unit and I really enjoy it. The pace and feel is totally different than the regular floors. But as was stated above it is not so much the floor you work on it is the people.

I work with a very supportive group and that makes going to work a little easier. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work the unit and I really enjoy it. The pace and feel is totally different than the regular floors. But as was stated above it is not so much the floor you work on it is the people.

I work with a very supportive group and that makes going to work a little easier. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I used to be mostly unhappy as a nurse working in a hospital. My time management skills werent the best.I had lots of frustrations. Tho I did love working with the more emotionally difficult patients. Then I found home care. I do pediatric visits around Chicagoland. Very interesting job. Boy, has my Spanish improved! Lots of flexibility. Lots more time to play on the job. I love having the kids help set up their IV antibiotics and making jokes about being a vampire, geting the siblings involved in the care also is fun. It is the perfect place for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I used to be mostly unhappy as a nurse working in a hospital. My time management skills werent the best.I had lots of frustrations. Tho I did love working with the more emotionally difficult patients. Then I found home care. I do pediatric visits around Chicagoland. Very interesting job. Boy, has my Spanish improved! Lots of flexibility. Lots more time to play on the job. I love having the kids help set up their IV antibiotics and making jokes about being a vampire, geting the siblings involved in the care also is fun. It is the perfect place for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion