Are there any nurses who actually enjoy their jobs?

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Ok I'm a relatively new nurse. Graduated last May and have worked in a LTAC for going on 3 months. I worked med surg last yr and failed miserably. I then went to LTC which in reality compared to my now job wasn't too bad but wanted more experience in acute care. LTAC are facilities that take care of patients with multiple medical issues. They can be very sick at times. I thought I was doing well working 12 hrs nights until recently. Last night was absolutely terrible. I usually get 8 to 9 patients who can be quite unstable. I hit the floor at 730p after report and didn't even have time to assess and medicate my patients. Told I have a admission that is being admitted with multiple wounds and cardiac issues. This can be a long process with verifying physican orders and also staging and photographing wounds, etc. I work in a non computerized charting system and so I am buried in a sea of paperwork which is overwhelming. 24 chart checks, head to toe assessments, Mar checks, lab draws, and never mind you catching up on new admits. Daylight has no idea how bad it gets at night. If a patient goes bad like my last night you better forget about getting out on time. I feel like I suck as a nurse in this facility. Several people have trained and left quickly-wonder why? I'm about to cut out the 12 hrs night shifts to save my sanity or just to leave. Believe me those 12 hrs nights can become 13 or 14 hr. nights if you don't catch up.:(:( I want this to work but I feel I put myself at risk for losing my license. Does it really get any better? I want to be a good nurse who enjoys going to work but environments like this make this so impossible. I want so much to succeed as a nurse. Is the grass greener on the other side? Is there any such thing as nursing utopia? I don't want to be a job hopper but I can only handle so much. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

I worked in an elder care hospital while I was studying (rego exam in JULY!!!!!!) and I loved my job.

It was the peopel I had to work with who I couldn't stand. Some of them had a real chip on their shoulder, and treated us students like crap, and the practice of some of those Caregivers didn't do a lot to make me see them as having a place in the nursing field.

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Specializes in OB.

With all it's frustrations, stressful situations and nights where I want to bang my head against the wall, I really do enjoy my work in OB. I really can't envision myself doing anything else. I work as a traveler now, so I don't have to deal with any of the extraneous stuff that can add aggravation to a job.

Keep looking until you find the place you fit. Just make sure when you see a place where "the grass looks greener" it's not because of all the bull manure they spread on it!

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

i currently have 2 jobs and i enjoy them both. i work 60 hours a week because my husband is out of work and he has $16,000 worth of medical bills that are not covered by insurance. 60 hours won't cover everything but it's what i have to do. luckily i have two jobs that i enjoy.

i work in medical imaging at the hospital and i find it very enjoyable. i take care of one patient at a time. from brief history, starting the iv, checking labs, giving contrast, conscious sedation, im sedations, iv lopressor and iv hydrations and an occasional tilt table. when i'm done with one patient i move onto the next. :wink2:

the other days i work home health. i enjoy visiting the patients in their homes. i enjoy the freedom to drive around, stop when i need to stop, run an errand, use the phone while driving (not on the interstate however) eat when i'm hungry, use the bathroom when i need to, etc.... :wink2:

allnurses is my relaxing down time. time for me...

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Specializes in med surg, LTC, ER , OB, PSYCH.

Yep, its not a job to me, its part of who I am!Even in the worst of times, there is a sense of purpose and fulfillment!:redbeathe

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Specializes in subacute/ltc.

Hi HollyJolly,

I have a question. To me LTAC would translate to Long Term Acute Care. Is this correct? Cause it sounds to me from your post very much like a med surg unit given the acuity.

As to your question I work per diem subacute/ltc/alf....have been an LPN for almost four years. I work high acuity units with a ratio of 1:30 with CNA's. When in ALF on 3-11 its me, 3 awesome med techs/aides and 125 residents whose "rating" ranges from 0 to 6 in terms of needs related to aging in place.

In a subacute setting I get halos, vents, trachs, peritoneal dialysis, tpn, gtubes, tons of IVs and of course the ever popular wound vac.

(I'm IV certified. Still there are limits to my scope.) See lots of cardiac, ortho, respiratory and neuro.

I love being a nurse but am "burnt out" on the subacute/ltc/alf scene.

So I thought about what I really love about nursing. Turns out its the critical thinking process. Putting the puzzle together to prevent a potentially emergent situation, or to intervene and work toward creating a better outcome. I so "get off" on reconciling labs, patho, and pharm combined with assessment......love it.

Several of the doctors offered me positions in their respective offices. I think at this point even though it means a significant pay cut...I am going to accept the one physician's offer. I am working on line toward my RN and he enjoys teaching. Their are also experienced nurses in his office from whom I can learn.

My point is......what makes your heart race?.....what increases your respirations?......what gets your blood singing?....what in nursing puts a big ol smile on your face? Then what niche or specialty of nursing fits "your happy nursing place"?

I'm convinced there is some "happy nursing place" somewhere for all of us given the diversity of the profession.

hugs and good luck!

Tres

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

I must say that I do enjoy my job. Sure, it has its days, but I honestly can say that I enjoy nursing.

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In June I will have been a nurse for 20 years. Sometimes I hate it , but overall I love my job and there isn't anything I'd rather do. You have to learn to relax at work and be calm. If you are stressed your patients will pick up on that vibe and they will be stressed too which will make your night worse. When things get bad- I sing "I love my job, it makes me so happy-every one around me laughs(my singing is horrid) and it breaks the tension.

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Specializes in peds med surg,.

Sounds like a tough place to work. I have been a nurse for 14 yrs. 6yrs of med-surg/oncology/telemetry. 8yrs of inpatient pediatrics. I recently left the inpatient peds unit to work at a pediatric office. I remember saying I would never work in an office, it would be boring,etc. I am so glad I made the change! :nuke:

I was getting burned out with the 12 hr, or as you said sometimes 13-14hr shifts, lots of problems with my foot, and management that was less than understanding. The acuity of the children we cared for was higher and the stress level was out the roof! Nobody seemed happy anymore and there was a lot of negativity:madface:.

To get to the point of my story, there are a lot of options out there for you. YOu can work anywhere. Change is scary, but when it gets to the point where you fear losing your license or just feel anxious/sad about going to work, it is time for a change/

I can honestly say that I now love my job! :D I am enjoying seeing healthy children rather than only sick ones. It is also a less stressful envirnoment.

I wish you the best! Remember, that nothing is permanent and there are so many options out there! I hope you find a happier place!:rolleyes:

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