Any nurses that love nursing and love their job??

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I start nursing school in the fall and have gotten a lot of negative feedback from nurses I work with who are really miserable as a nurse. Some are very encouraging, but most have told me to turn around now while I have the chance. Even the ones that say they like nursing usually only like it for the schedule flexibility and the money they make.

I am just wondering if there is anyone out there that absolutely loves nursing and loves their job? I don't plan on changing my path...I guess I am just looking for some positive reinforcement that I am making the right decision and that there are actually nurses out there than truly enjoy what they do. Thanks in advance!

15 hours ago, brownbook said:

Thank you for your question nets5010. I get the same impression you do from posts on Allnurses...nursing must suck.

I worked as an acute care floor nurse for 21 years, then moved to the wonderful world of out patient surgery for my last 17 years. I never worked full time. It was always 32 hours a week. I wonder if in my "old age" I just forgot how awful it was? Or for some reason was it easier to be a floor nurse in the l980's to 2000?

I loved nursing. Of course I was beyond terrified my first 1 - 2 year. That I do remember and it certainly isn't a fun feeling to have at your job! Once I got the hang of it, (maybe I have a terrible memory), I enjoyed it. The horribly busy nights I remember...but every shift wasn't like that....it was just one of those nights to remember and the feeling of relief when day shift showed up. Maybe proud of myself that I got through it and no patients were harmed. I always felt supported by my co-workers and management. Maybe I tasted bad...no nurse ever tried to eat me ? when I was young.

I learned to love the flexible hours. I realized how working weekends then being off, Monday, Tuesday allowed me to get all the stuff done that can't be done on weekends. I never missed a school play and went on every school field trip when my kids were in elementary school. I learned that Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc, do not have to be held on the official day....the day before or after works just as well, and better for many reasons.

And the pay is great!

Thank you for sharing your experience!

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1 hour ago, not.done.yet said:

Like most things in life, it isn't going to be black and white. The answer is yes, I love being a nurse. I love identifying as a nurse; I love functioning as a nurse; I love the community of nurses I get to be part of and I love who I have become in earning my way into this world of talented and passionate men and women.

There are things that make nursing uniquely difficult and those things have a lot to do with smelly stuff, messy stuff and bureaucratic stuff. It also has to do with fatigue, weariness, a sense of futility at times etc. Those things make it hard to like being a nurse.

I love my current nursing job. A lot. A whole, whole lot. It isn't all sunshine and roses, but it is a good schedule with good pay and a decent level of fulfillment.

The above poster who stated that if you are the kind of person who can cultivate contentment, you will be fine.

I agree. I think some of the people I've talked to are just not happy with their lives in general. I am a pretty positive person, I love helping and caring for people, and I am usually happy. I never really have much to complain about in my current state. I strongly believe that it has to do with that type of person...not the situation they are in. Finding good in everything is possible. Thank you for the feedback! I hope one day I will have a nursing job that I love as much as you love yours ?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I thoroughly enjoy what I do in nursing.

I'm also lucky enough to like my current workplace, where I'm doing what it is that I thoroughly enjoy doing.

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Im a cna, my coworkers and I just spent a good portion of the night trying to restrain a combative patient..it was not fun. There was blood, yelling, punching, kicking, you name it. I still want to be a nurse though. Of course some nights are just terrible. But most are okay, and I just love taking care of people. It makes me super happy just to get a blanket for someone who is cold and in pain or to rub someones back when they feel exhausted. Every job is going to have pros and cons, no job is perfect. Its work. Perspective is all you need :) and I think you have some great perspectives from the replies on this thread! ?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

13 years later of pediatric nursing, and I still absolutely love it. There are some days where I just don't feel like working both mentally and physically, but it has not much to do with the job itself. I can't imagine doing anything else and enjoying it as much as I do.

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If I had to do it over, I would become a Physician’s Assistant.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I like the people of my job, been in my current spot 23 years, so something must be going well......... The politics of modern health care? not so much.

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Specializes in ED, Tele, MedSurg, ADN, Outpatient, LTC, Peds.

30 years this month and absolutely love being a nurse! Read the articles I have written for the why part. I am very humbled to be part of a pt’s life and be a person they trust. Many a time my venting after a hard day sounds like bitc—ing and mourning! I don’t hate my job, I just need to vent! If you work with a good team you are all set and even better if you have a great boss!All luck! It is a hard but satisfying profession . As a Christian. I always say. “Here I am lord! Let me do your will. Let me be your comfort and strength to anyone in need!” He puts me to good use every day and I go in wondering who He will send to me each day, patient, staff or colleagues! This is my ministry of caring , not just a job!

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13 hours ago, MauraRN said:

If I had to do it over, I would become a Physician’s Assistant.

Why PA over NP? I have applied to PA school in the past...got waitlisted but never accepted. I realized it was a blessing in disguise because after reviewing the role of NP vs PA, I felt like NP fit much better with what I was trying to achieve.

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2 hours ago, spotangel said:

30 years this month and absolutely love being a nurse! Read the articles I have written for the why part. I am very humbled to be part of a pt’s life and be a person they trust. Many a time my venting after a hard day sounds like bitc—ing and mourning! I don’t hate my job, I just need to vent! If you work with a good team you are all set and even better if you have a great boss!All luck! It is a hard but satisfying profession . As a Christian. I always say. “Here I am lord! Let me do your will. Let me be your comfort and strength to anyone in need!” He puts me to good use every day and I go in wondering who He will send to me each day, patient, staff or colleagues! This is my ministry of caring , not just a job!

Wow congratulations on 30 years of service! I get the venting part...everyone has to vent...and I think most people are not going to type a post about how much they love nursing, but rather come here to vent when they've had a bad day. So as a whole it looks like nobody enjoys their job.

Serving God through our works is why I don't think I could ever do anything in business and so on. I would not feel like I am making any difference in the world other than earning other people more money. Thanks for sharing your experience ?

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love being a nurse, but hate the job if it makes sense(?)

If I could do it over, I would love to be a teacher... but now I feel too late with all the money and time I invested for nursing school.. plus grass always looks greener... If the Lord made me pass the nursing exam, I'm sure He has purpose for me.. I just need to know what that is...

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Specializes in Cardiology.
1 hour ago, juviasama said:

love being a nurse, but hate the job if it makes sense(?)

If I could do it over, I would love to be a teacher... but now I feel too late with all the money and time I invested for nursing school.. plus grass always looks greener... If the Lord made me pass the nursing exam, I'm sure He has purpose for me.. I just need to know what that is...

Im not sure teaching is the way to go anymore. Alot of young teachers are leaving because of bad parenting and no support from upper administration (some of the kids play a role in this too).

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