Hello everyone,This is my first time on this website. I am 26 years old and have a BA in Spanish. I have worked in advertising and the nonprofit sector for a few years. I have been searching for my "calling". I know a few things:-I don't want a desk job-I want to help people-I want job security-I want to be financially stable-I like working with peopleI was all set to apply to Occupational Therapy school, but Nursing keeps popping up in my head. Honestly, I know that there are more opportunities in Nursing and better pay, but I wonder if I would like it. Rather, I wonder if I can handle the stress. Can anyone out there shed some light on what would make a good nurse?What are the best things about being a nurse?What are the worst things?If you had to do it all over, would you still be a nurse? If not, why?I appreciate your help and value what you do!Thanks!
EmilyUSFRN, RN 69 Posts Specializes in Pediatrics. Feb 18, 2008 if you have the time to read it, i highly recommend "Nursing Against the Odds" by Suzanne Gordon. I read it and I think it gives a pretty good picture into the life of nursing, not so much the sugarcoated things we're fed. As far as your questions go: Can anyone out there shed some light on what would make a good nurse?A good nurse,I think, needs to be knowledgeable about his/her patient conditions, pathophysiology, medications, as well as the technical skills you learn. A good nurse can organize and prioritize well, should be pretty flexible, and keep their patient's best interest in mind. They should not be afraid to advocate for their patient, as well as be able to treat the patient w dignity. What are the best things about being a nurse?Job security, working three days a week with a decent pay, days when you leave and know that you did what you could to genuinely help someone. What are the worst things?This is where the book comes in.... for me, having higher-ups not always backing the nurse, staffing issues sometimes--although rarely where i work thank goodness, nasty attitudes of the patients, and i mentioned decent pay, butttttt it could definitely be better!Good luck to you
Mobeeb, RN 46 Posts Feb 18, 2008 I've been a nurse for over 20 years and these years have all been in the Emergency Department of a Level 1 Trauma Center. Over the years, I've had good times and bad times...too many patients, not enough staff, management difficulties,etc., etc.. and after reading a multitude of posts on these forums, it is plain to see that the challenges of nursing are universal. As for me, I still love what I do. To me, it's a higher calling. I know that I have made a difference in many lives over the years. I have the following poem on my locker at work. It pretty much describes the way things are in nursing. Good luck! Being a Nurse Means ...You will never be bored.You will always be frustrated.You will be surrounded by challenges.So much to do and so little time.You will carry immense responsibilityand very little authority.You will step into people's livesand you will make a difference.Some will bless you.Some will curse you.You will see people at their worst -and at their best.You will never cease to be amazedat people's capacity forlove, courage, and endurance.You will see life begin - and end.You will experience resounding triumphsand devastating failures.You will cry a lot.You will laugh a lot.You will know what it is to be humanand to be humane.By Melodie Chenevert, RN
TazziRN, RN 6,487 Posts Feb 18, 2008 Being a Nurse Means ...You will never be bored.You will always be frustrated.You will be surrounded by challenges.So much to do and so little time.You will carry immense responsibilityand very little authority.You will step into people's livesand you will make a difference.Some will bless you.Some will curse you.You will see people at their worst -and at their best.You will never cease to be amazedat people's capacity forlove, courage, and endurance.You will see life begin - and end.You will experience resounding triumphsand devastating failures.You will cry a lot.You will laugh a lot.You will know what it is to be humanand to be humane.By Melodie Chenevert, RN:yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat:
rita359 437 Posts Feb 18, 2008 The good: Decent salary, can work shifts that meet demands of your real life, many opportunities for advancement, many specialties to work with the same license, always learning something new no matter how many years you practice. With further more specilized education you can make really good money.The bad: understaffing, too much to do with to little time, its always feast or famine( not enough nurses to go around or to many, to many patients or to few)The ugly: Patients going bad, dying. The old thing of nurses eating their young( older nurses giving new nurses a hard way to go)
WindyhillBSN 383 Posts Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac Floor. Feb 18, 2008 How about Nursing School? Nursing School is and has been a hellish experience for me.:angryfire
RN007 541 Posts Has 5 years experience. Feb 18, 2008 Yes, there are lots of opportunities, but not necessarily opportunities people want. There are hospital jobs available most places, but that requires working weekends, holidays, sometimes nights. I am very fortunate and have the rare no WE/no holiday job (occupational therapy) but miss the hospital and am seeking a prn clinical position. Are you sure about the pay? I am looking for a pediatric OT for my son and they're a rare commodity. And with a mandatory master's degree now, I would think you would make more money as an OT, and not have to worry about WE/holidays, etc. Also, with the geriatric population continuing to grow, there are many rehab opportunities. (Not to mention pediatrics, which I already brought up.) I swear, if there were an OT school around here, I'd go back and become one, LOL!
RNcDreams 202 Posts Specializes in Tele, ED/Pediatrics, CCU/MICU. Has 4 years experience. Feb 18, 2008 Can anyone out there shed some light on what would make a good nurse?A good nurse must be willing to learn, open to constructive criticism, and be comfortable with advocating for their patient. Good nurses have solid physiology knowledge, but balance it with plain old kindness and respect. They might not know every single detail about the medical condition, but they know enough to explain to the patient and provide care safely. Good nurses also know how to communicate well, with everyone--patients, families, doctors, ancillary staff, techs, CNA's, EMTs, etc. What are the best things about being a nurse?This is more of a rare occasion now, but it's wonderful to know you gave someone your best care, your full attention, you met their needs, and you spent time getting to know them. Acuity levels and high patient loads often prevent this... but, in general, it's just great to know that you were at work for 8 hrs today, just like the rest of the world.... but in that time you may alleviated some pain, helped treat an infection with some antibiotics, got rid of some nausea, helped someone cope with their family member's disease, and maybe you even participate in the start of a new life (in labor and delivery), or perhaps you usher someone out of this life (hospice, care & comfort only patients in the hospital). You can work with babies and moms, kids, adults.... every single day is different and challenging.You can always get another degree, certification, etc.... it's encouraged, not frowned upon, for one to develop their knowledge and change specialties within nursing. What are the worst things?The pay is good but could REALLY be better, 12 hour shifts don't work for everyone.... you have to work nights, weekends & holidays when your family is at home relaxing without you. Management doesn't always see eye to eye with the staff... many nurses feel that their managers are far more focused on improving Patient satisfaction scores than they are on their nurses.If you had to do it all over, would you still be a nurse? If not, why?Yes, I would. I'm about 8 months in, and I know that despite my exhaustion, anxiety, and uncertainty/lack of confidence, every day I learn something new, make decent money, and leave knowing I spent my day doing something that matters.Life wouldn't be so smooth if lawyers, bankers, chef's, secretaries, etc didn't exist.... but they're not crucial, vital, like a nurse is. The world would keep on spinning without them.If nurses didn't exist, healthcare itself would not be. We're literally in a position to allow life to progress..... Can you imagine a world without nurses?
