ARE THERE ANY NURSES OUT THERE THAT ACTUALLY "ENJOY" or HAPPY WITH THEIR JOB.

[dream8]

Its kinda of scary reading a lot of the posts on here. It seems as if, so many nurses are not satisfied with their careers. So many people are so tired, aggrevated or stressed. This is so discouraging because, nursing has been a dream that I have felt for so long now. Im currently in my second semester and so far loving it, but is that all going to change once I graduate? Does everyone hate it, is any one happy??? PLEASE SHARE SOME POSITIVE STORIES IF THERE ARE ANY?????

[warrior woman]

Oh Renee. I'm so sorry for your travails. Have you considered LTC? The profession is truly losing a dedicated nurse.

[live4today, RN]

Oh Renee. I'm so sorry for your travails. Have you considered LTC? The profession is truly losing a dedicated nurse.

Actually I have thought about LTC. I've had many patients tell me NOT to do LTC because of their personal "horror" stories with nursing homes, etc. I'm sick and sick and sick and sick....did I say sick.....of the way healthcare has twisted itself into a dangerous knot, and guess who is "the eye of that storm"? Nurses! We're caught right smack in the middle with no way out but to ride out the storm and hope we come out untouched when it's over. That's way too much stress for my taste! I don't think the nurses today really know how bad they have it compared to the way I remember nursing being between 1987 and 1997. It's scary to know "the before" and now witnessing "the present" activity of hospital nursing.

[warrior woman]

Cheerful I told you about the job I have, and it is great!! It probably helps that I work 11p to 7a, but I also know that they'd be KILLING each other trying to get you on the team with your experience. Think about it K?

[live4today, RN]

"k".......

[fluffwad]

Actually I have thought about LTC. I've had many patients tell me NOT to do LTC because of their personal "horror" stories with nursing homes, etc.

I'm not trying to be a smartass (really), but we in LTC get the horror stories about what happened to these folks in the hospital. There are good and bad hospitals / good & bad LTC facilities.

IMHO, If someone can't be a real nurse where he/she is at, whatever kind of facility, they never were a real nurse.

But I absolutely agree that nursing is NOT what it used to be............. the paperwork is like an out of control malignancy.

[beckymcrn]

yes I can honestly say I love what I do. I do not always love my job it can be stressfull at times but I love the people I work with and I love my patients. I couldn't imagine doing anything else

[LuvMyFireman]

I honestly do not enjoy my job anymore and am actively looking for an alternate career.

[miphillli]

:balloons: Hang in there dream8,nursing can be very stressful,I have been an aide,LPN,now RN for the last 33years and have worked in just about every area in the hospital and Long Term. Some days are good and some not so good but nursing itself is always great,keep your nose down and learn all you can,be supportive of others and you will be happy....most of the time.:)

[marylhyatt]

This is my second career and I love it. I work on a floor that has wide variety and good team support. I may have a 2 month old, 8 year old, 30 year old and 90 year old as my assignments for the day. I have 5-6 patients on average. They may be surgical or have a system related problem. This is well suited to me. At one time I was on a floor that did not have that variety and it seemed that 90% of my patients were in the same age group with the same problems. I like the challenge of not knowing exactly what I will encounter on my floor. It keeps me on my toes and makes me think continually about "age related" care and incorporating education into my daily caregiving for such diverse groups. My director is "into" her job and makes great effort to listen to the staff and find ways to help us be time efficient and enjoy what we are doing. The doctors are friendly and most are teachers at heart, always willing to stop for just a minute and explain some aspect of care. I feel very fortunate to be blessed with such wonderful co-workers. If you aren't happy, find a place that you can be happy. If you don't enjoy being at work, your patients will know it. Plus you worked incredibly hard to become a nurse and you deserve . .yes DESERVE . .a workplace that lets you practice your nursing care in a meaningful way. Everyone wins then.

Mary Lou Hyatt

[mhull]

I love my job to, although I have days I ask "why do I do this?" It is hard at imes, especially going to school to get my RN, but it is all worth it in the end. Good luck. You will do fine.

[ldkrn]

I've been a nurse for 17 years, and no, I haven't loved every minute of it. I do love the flexibility and self-reliance one gets by being a nurse. I started out in the CCU, moved to home care (my favorite position, although after 10 years I got bored with it), did disability case management for a little while, and now am working as a nursing instructor in an ADN program. Even medicine doesn't offer the same level of flexibility. I really feel that you have no reason to hate your job as a nurse-at least not for long!!-because there are ALWAYS opportunities to do something else!

[botch92]

I wanted to respond also - yes i love my career. Where else can you make a difference in some elses lives either by bringing a new baby in the world or saying good bye to a parent or family member or a friend. Sure people get frustrated & worn out with getting pulled in several different ways at one time, but hang on you will never regret it I dont - I upgraded from stna about 4 yrs ago to lpn. in long term care facility where I had worked for 9 before that. When a daughter comes up & gives you a hug for helping her father breathe easier it makes it all worth it....:)