Do I Love Nursing? What Day Is It?

There have been many threads recently on AN along the lines of nursing: love it or hate it. I think about this often and have realized that my responses to these threads are colored by the events of the day. So, here is a true account of how I feel about nursing, for anyone who is interested. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

There are days when nothing seems to go right. Every teacher is mad because I won't send a kid home that, in their "medical" opinion, needs not to be in their class. Every parent is mad because I am asking for a doctor's note to re-admit their child who has symptoms of strep, or pink eye, or whatever contagious disease du jour. Every administrator wants my help with Project A or wants me to babysit student X, and I have two reports due this week and one that is already late. These are the days that every frequent flyer to the nurse's office decides, as if in unison, that he or she is "sick". These are the days that the Pre-K teacher discovers lice crawling on the heads of at least two of her students. These are the days I fantasize about a boring, low paying, and low responsibility office job like the ones of my past. Or about changing professions altogether (you know, Vet school is not really all THAT much money, is it?)

These are also the days that I reflect on the problems that the profession of nursing faces, and wonder if they will ever be solved. I remember vividly why I left the hospital setting for school nursing, and I think about my brothers and sisters in the struggle who are still there. I think about the impossible paperwork, the impossible staffing ratios, and the impossible goal of perfection. I remember the loneliness of working nights while the rest of the world sleeps, and the sadness I felt when I would arrive home ready to drop just as my husband was leaving for work. Two ships passing in the night.

Then I think about some of the poignant stories I read on All Nurses. I remember the new grads who feel they are being served for dinner to the more experienced nurses, and I remember feeling just like them. I think about the new grads who cannot find jobs in this economy, while the rest of the country still seems to think there is a nursing shortage. I think about those nurses who have been scapegoated by co-workers or administrations. I remember the nurses who are devastated because of an error they made, which in reality is more of a system error than an individual weakness. Regardless, the nurse takes the blame. All these stories and more color my perception nursing on these such days.

Then, there are the days that are good. Something a child says touches my heart or tickles my funny bone. A teacher, parent, or administrator tells me to thank you, and I know they mean it. The student who I have been trying to get an eye exam for months dances into my office to show off her cute new glasses. I get a hug. I get a smile. I leave work knowing that I made a difference in the life of at least one child.

On these days, I remember vividly why I left the ho-hum world of office work, and I cannot imagine ever returning to that. In all honesty, I still feel the faint tug of Vet school, but it is suppressed (for now at least ;) ). I feel uplifted on these days, thankful for my blessings and loving my work and my career.

I still think about the stories I read on AN even on these good days. However, on the good days, I think about empowering nurses to do something to improve our collective situation. No one who accepts the status quo can change it. I am encouraged by stories of nurses standing up for one another. I think of the stories of leadership and I am proud to be in the same ranks as these phenomenal nurses. I think about the funny stories and marvel at how we can keep our collective sense of humor in the most trying of times. I am optimistic about where nursing is headed and I can't wait to be a part of the revolution.

So, how do I feel about nursing? Well, today is Friday, that always helps!

Specializes in School Nursing.

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Somehow writing is therapeutic and since expressing these feelings, I have been having many more good days than bad, even Mondays!

Veeh, there were several people in my nursing class in their mid-forties (it was an accelerated program for people with a non-nursing bachelor's already). There is lots of information on this forum, and you will see the good and bad of nursing if you browse around the general and student forums. Keep in mind that this is a place where people feel safe to vent, so don't let all the negative posts get you down on nursing. There are definitely struggles, but it is a great field to be in! Good luck!

As many have said, very well written article. I'm not a school nurse, but many of the issues you wrote about apply to my line of work as well. (clinic nurse). Thanks for sharing!:up:

Have to agree to everything especially with KY RN about getting up in the morning - hate getting up especially when its cold and I haven't had much sleep. But by knock off time ( thats right I also haven't had a chance to pee ) but its such a good feeling when you go home knowing you've made a difference to someones life. Theres nothing better:nurse:

Hey there!

I'm brand new to Allnurses. I'm 47 years old, and yesterday, on my birthday, I got my letter saying I had been accepted to nursing school. I cried. There is no better gift than to have someone hand you your dream on your birthday. That letter looks great sitting on my table next to the roses my boyfriend got for me! :loveya:

I decided to go out for nursing a year ago. I already 2 BS degrees, one in Microbiology and one in Biochemistry. I got them 20 years ago. At that time, there was really nothing you could do with them. I worked various jobs, and settled into the import/export business for the last 14 years. When my mom and my aunt were diagnosed with breast cancer, and I could see the confusion and bewilderment in the their eyes as they tried to understand the doctors, I thought to myself, "I want to be that person. You know the one...the one that helps to relieve the fear by explaining things in easy to understand terms. The one that tries to keep cool and comforts a parent as their little boy slips away. And yeah, the one that gives the doctors someone to scream at when inside I know they really want to crawl into a dark corner and bawl."

It's never too late. Everyone has their reasons. Everyone has their goals and dreams. I found mine. Yours are out there, too. What you choose to do with them is entirely up to you.

Specializes in ER, PACU, TELE, M/S, ICU..

Oh I love it...I feel the same. Mine is Alarm at 0500...I HATE this job. Coffee and clocking in...0644..it's ok. 0700...getting patient "report" from Kardex - PMH 3 lines long ( morbid obesity and chronic pain) and allergic to every pain med but Dilaudid...I hate my job. Walk in smiling for introductions to this same patient...to see her up in bed putting on lipstick. Educate POC and ask "Are you in pain." and she says, "Oh yeah honey but none of those meds work with me so I just live with it. I'm 79...something is gonna get me." I love my job. There are so many ups and downs. But overall...I'm happy. I like it when I make a difference. That makes it worthwhile.

Specializes in clinical area....

wow!that was a long-great-cool-story about your life struggle of NURSING..the only difference between us is that im still a junior-(confused-uninterested )student nurse...:coollook:

The thread hijacking has to end, if you aren't yet a nurse or considering it, can you discuss getting into it/is it for you where appropriate? I read this site daily and it's almost every other thread hijacked with the same thing.

I'm an extern and so far the bad days outweigh the good. It usually is never the patient, but their family that makes life miserable for work on the floor. Concern and outright unjustified hostility are completely different. I can however name 2 instances that were "ah-hah!" moments.

Thank you for this article, your so right, you have to pick your poison and deal with it. No matter where you go you are over worked and underpaid. If you are getting the big bucks you have no life and small amount of happiness. If you are working for less pay to get the time off it alway's feels like your not doing enough to feel like a Nurse. You need to do what's best for you. Thank you.

This is a very good article. I love it!

You have a great post but I have to say I HATE nursing. Yes, I have been an RN for 20 years and only liked it the first few years. I got into it in my early 20s as a single mom. I had to make a decent living and get a degree fast. I obtained my RN and AA degree. Management at hospitals is what is making seasoned nurses leave in droves. I left the hospital a few years ago, NEVER to return. I still work as an RN....I also have my BSN (returned to school in 2000). I work in psychiatric nursing and drive around with the police department putting mentally ill into hospitals. It is NOT like nursing at all. Do not even need a CPR card. (Many at the hospital I worked at BOUGHT their CPR card without doing the class). I see about 2 clients in a 10 hour period. NO medications to give, NO IV's, NO bedpans, NO overtime, NO harrassing behaviours from managment, NO long report writings, NO worry about having to deal with way too many patients. I make 6 figures, see ONE patient at a time, do a psychiatric assessment that takes about 1 hour and then figure out if the client fits criteria for a 5150 hold. If so, I write a hold and the police transport to the hospital I have found...(depending on their insurance). What a job. I NEVER want to be a TRUE nurse again. If I can be an RN at this job...OK...I will do it. My daughter is in nursing school now. I have tried to get her to follow me into psychiatric nursing OUTSIDE of the hospitals. I know she will have to pay her dues for a year or so...but then she will also leave the hospital setting. KUDOS to those who stay. I have to add here that I DO enjoy working with the patients. It is the ONLY joy I get out of nursing. Plus, I am good at what I do and feel I help some of them, especially ones feeling suicidal or getting ready to jump off bridges or buildings. This job is all in communication.

Castymiss - so glad you found your niche! You illustrate what I love about the medical field - a person may hold a certain license or certification, yet work in a unrelated position. I am a EMT and a nursing student. Yes, it was fun riding hot down the highway & saving lives - but it got to the point where the suicide runs weren't worth the $9 an hour pay. (Never understood why people would blow their brains out on a beautiful Spring day.) I now work in a school as a nurse wanna-be as I'm going to school.

I'm new and it was awesome!