Anyone want to share why nursing has been a POSITIVE career choice for you?

Town & Country · Jan 30, 2005

I think it's fulfilling.

I mean, they can't take THAT away from you - no matter what craziness has gone on, it's nice to know that you've helped somebody.

I am glad in alot of ways that I'm a nurse, because that nursing degree gives me alot of options I wouldn't ordinarily have.

You can basically move anywhere in the country right now if you are an RN, because nurses are needed everywhere.

So it gives you alot of options.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 30, 2005

Because it allows me to manifest my true nature unabashedly, unapologetically. It brings out the best in me, which then benefits those I care for and about.

Nursing rocks .. it's not "NURSING" we get so frustrated with.. rather it is the policies and administrative/corporate greed which chisels away at what we are so capable and proud of.. our ability to give compassionate and competent care.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I enjoy my job. The main thing for me though is good pay and flexible scheduling.

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

Nursing is rewarding. The policies, administration, and politics of it all is what we get fed up with.

You are right on the money with everything that you listed as being attracted to the profession.

We come here and vent and share our thoughts and feelings about things that are happening, or have happened. We all get burnt out, discouraged, stressed, and angry in some cases. The day can be going downhill fast, but the smile from the patient, or a simple thank you, makes it all worthwhile.

bellehill, RN · Jan 30, 2005

Because every now and then you have a patient who says,"Thanks for helping me and making this hospital stay bearable". The money is better than the office job I had. I love working all night with the doctors to help a patient and then see the end result is a positive one...I can leave knowing I did a very good thing.

Mystery5 · Jan 30, 2005

It suits my personality. I fit in well into the workplace dynamics. I get a real kick out of the panorama of human beings that I encounter. I've worked myself into a great position in a great little hospital that is a positive force in the community. It is a well paid job that is highly respected. People love nurses! My patients like me and laugh at my jokes. They appreciate me. There are a lot of very funny things that happen in nursing!...

(like the confused guy last night who was an escape artist, and got halfway out of his tray table, we changed his attends while we had a chance, then realized that there was no way we could get him either to stand, or to pull back up in the chair, so we rolled the chair over to the bed and three nurses heaved him on the bed, feet first, and miraculously he never pulled out his IV all night, but finally after 3 calls to the Doc, and repeated doses of ativan and haldol, fell asleep at the end of the shift! LOL, I actually peed in my pants at the sight of that guy and our predicament)

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I keep hearing (and reading on this forum and elswhere) some pretty negative things about nursing as a profession in general. As a prospective nursing student as a second-career, I am attracted to it as a career because of the interesting subject matter, importance of the role in other people's lives, job availability and flexibility (among other things). But I sometimes wonder if I'm making a crazy choice.
Anyone care to share if nursing has been a good life choice with you? If you find it personally fulfilling, or better than other jobs you've had in your life, I'd love to hear. Thanks!

I have often thought about starting a post like this....reasons to become a nurse, to talk about the joys of nursing. It seems that there are more negative post than positive ones about the career, which I am trying not to let them discourage me. :nono:

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 30, 2005

I have often thought about starting a post like this....reasons to become a nurse, to talk about the joys of nursing. It seems that there are more negative post than positive ones about the career, which I am trying not to let them discourage me.

There ARE and HAVE BEEN several good threads on this topic.. they come and go.

Would have to do a search and bring them up, but there have been some very positive and encouraging ones in the past. :)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 30, 2005

Because it allows me to manifest my true nature unabashedly, unapologetically. It brings out the best in me, which then benefits those I care for and about.
Nursing rocks .. it's not "NURSING" we get so frustrated with.. rather it is the policies and administrative/corporate greed which chisels away at what we are so capable and proud of.. our ability to give compassionate and competent care.

You said it, jnette!! :yelclap: Thank you for saying so eloquently what I too feel about nursing, and "NURSING" both. :)

Yeah, and the $$ ain't bad either.

Chaya, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I love working with the pts; seeing a majority of them get better and go home. There is enough intellectual challenge that I am never bored; each assessment of a new patient is a puzzle I can solve. Finally; this may change in the future but there aren't a lot of jobs where a potential applicant over forty doesn't get the run-around.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 30, 2005

Hey Marla ! I just LOVE the new avitar !!! Tooo funny ! That's EXACTLY what I do at work WHEN I get an opportunity to sit for a minute, and I feel like I'm about to lose it.. I get a case of the "about to lose it sillies", and start spinning a mile a minute !

My patients sit there in stunned silence... :uhoh21: