Does Anyone Actually LIKE Being a Nurse? (Slight Venting)

[j_tay1981]

I ask this because I seem to have some sort of intolerance to professional nursing. It's my second degree, and I was one of those odd people that actually enjoyed nursing school (not the piddly projects or reflection papers, but rather the exploration, putting the pieces of the puzzle together - everything seemed new and exciting).

Then I became a nurse over a year ago on a neuro floor.

I'm doing well there, and have had patients write the manager positive comments about me. But I absolutely hate it. Neuro patients are difficult, and many don't want to help themselves. I find it angering to be held accountable for outcomes when the patient couldn't care less about his/her safety or health.

I work nights, and I try to nap prior to a shift but I generally get very nervous before work (this has improved, but its still palpable).

I recently floated to an ortho floor and although I realize they gave me cake patients that night, I enjoyed the atmosphere. The floor had an opening that I was going to apply for, but it has since been taken off the HR site. I thought perhaps I should try another unit because maybe its just my neuro floor (the people on ortho said they pitied me for having to work on neuro so likely its not just me who hates neuro).

I got into nursing to avoid a soul-crushing job, but I seem to have found just that. I just feel 12 hours of constant stress, being on edge, emotional fatigue. My physical fatigue is non existent on the job (strangely), but I feel worn down, anxious and depressed.

Because the hospital is short staffed, management has allowed for bonus shifts where we can make an extra $15 an hour. With any other job I've worked (including as a care tech in the same hospital) I'd be all over that. But not as an RN. It simply isn't worth it to me. Neither is getting involved in UBC or extra curricular activities. I get crazy-bored on my nights off sometimes, but anything beats the feel I get going to work.

So I guess that's it. Sorry for the melodrama - But not only am I frustrated, anxious and depressed, but I'm also confused. Everything fell into place for me when I started nursing until I became a nurse. Now I fantasize about leaving the field. And that truly saddens me.

I've considered trying to become an NP to make more money and get into a clinic setting, but I don't really want to go back to school.

Any thoughts or advice? Am I alone in this? Should I try another unit, or is this common across the board?

[Kipahni, RN]

Do not fret! Most first year nurses do not stay for longer than a year in their first job. They have done studies on this

"New nurses report that low job satisfaction is primarily related to heavy workloads and an inability to ensure patient safety. In addition, new nurses express disillusionment about scheduling, lack of autonomous practice, and the lack of intrinsic and extrinsic workplace rewards. Lastly, new nurses report dissatisfying relationships with peers, managers, and interprofessional colleagues and insufficient time with patients."-http://www.americannursetoday.com/article.aspx?id=9168

So you are not alone!

If you get a chance try another specialty. Also look to see what the "culture" of your facility is- that can make or break your experience as a nurse.

[Kipahni, RN]

And to answer your question. Yes I LOVE NURSING. I Love NURSING tasks, educating, empowering, and assisting patients and families. what I HATE is the rest of the bull crap we have to put up with 40-80% of the time. I'm talking about hospitals that cut corners and care only about the bottom dollar. The insane amount of charting and double charting. The sometimes apparent lack of respect from peers, superiors and patients. The new nursing fad of scripting for patient satisfaction scores. HCAPS. Call lights, interrupting telephone calls...I could go on and on but I say all of this because you know you have found a good job when it keeps the bull crap to a minimum and allows you to be a NURSE.

Ok stepping off of soap box....

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I like being a nurse, but I don't like most of the nurses or managers that I have met on the job. Most of them make me despise my JOB, though I still love the CAREER and love taking care of my neonates and their families. I guess you could say I like my job DESPITE the people I have to work with.

If I didn't like being a nurse, I would quit. Life is way too damned short to be miserable in your career.

[Concerto_in_C, BSN, RN]

I like being a night shift RN in a med-surg unit but I didn't like working in long-term care. I work in a hospital that is relatively high tech, modern, wired (electronic order entry, electronic charting, Internet, etc.) and has good supporting services that make our jobs easier. Management is OK, I think they know what they are doing and staff is very good.

I like having 4 days per week off, i wouldn't like sitting in some cubicle 6 days/week like your average American in corporate America.

The thing to keep in mind is there may be many job openings out there, but the companies you would want to work for are relatively few, and generally require above average nursing education (at least a Bachelor's degree).

You may have to keep on searching for a company you click with. I just met an ICU nurse who told me she's already worked in 5 ICU units and that girl looks like 25 years old. A lot of people have several companies on their resume before they find a decent place.

[doppelganger2]

I like being a nurse.I've definitely hit my stride on my med-surg floor.

If you're not enjoying neuro anymore, before you completely jump to another floor, pick up some extra shifts on other floors that are equivalent in skill sets to yours.(kind of a paid test drive) I'm sure your hospital has needs on other floors than your own. When I worked part time I regularly picked up on neuro/uro/ortho(essentially a broader picture of med-surg) floors to mix it up if I was feeling bored.

Put it to your manager like this: I'm thinking about picking up some extra time. If there aren't any openings on neuro, when I'm available, what other floors can I sign up for that I don't need any orientation to?

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

I enjoyed nursing school, too. I was finally learning the application of all that A/P and micro I learned. I found the medically-oriented, problem solving aspect to be the most rewarding.

But-- much like the engineering field-- as a "Floor Hag" (my pet-term for my stints as a floor RN), you are paid to be an expert, and also be a diligent worker- bee. This is not necessarily a bad thing, because it's the worker bees that make or break the hive.

Real working life, however, is different than the expectations we hold in nursing school.

That said, it took a few years before I found my "real love" in nursing. Even then, it took a couple of years to feel proficient... and a couple more before I felt I could rule the world. :)

[RNlove17]

try another unit or type of nursing!! I hated my first nursing job (lol - ortho) but love my job now. Seriously, I think it's just where you work and the type of nursing you do, start looking hardcore for a new position!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

You're definitely not alone. The continued cuts in nursing result in many nurses leaving the floors. Before you decide to leave the bedside, try going PRN somewhere or try another area. We all have our preferred areas. Consider what your values are and go from there. What type of environment would you enjoy?

[HeatherGurl84]

I quickly learned in nursing school during clinical that bedside nursing was NOT for me. I adore medical office nursing.....pediatrics & public health. Being able to teach patients excites me! Find what excites you......

[loriangel14, RN]

I absolutely LOVE my job.I love bedside care.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

I must add to my prior post that I am another nurse that loves his profession. It is my 2nd career and I am proud of having left my first career for nursing. My first career I really really hated (except going to school for it, which was interesting, but working in the field was boring!). I agree with a prior post that states that life is too short to be in a career you hate. You spend almost half or more of your waking hours invested in a career for money, you might as well enjoy what you do. I never liked dreading going to work, and now I dont, I look forward to going, even if I am sick (meaning a mild headache does not keep me from work, but if I am infectious, of course I will call out). I love having all the time off from work that I have, I consider it a bonus. 12 hours for me fly by much quicker than 8 hours behind a desk. I love not having to countdown to a weekend, because I dictate when my days off are. Sometimes I have 2 days work and 4 days off after. It is great. But my point is, find what you love to do, and pursue it. No excuses, ANYONE can do it if you really want it.

[j_tay1981]

Thanks to all who replied to my post! I find that the part of my job that I really do like is talking to the patients (I don't always get to do this since I work nights and I have so many other things to do). I had a patient who had a terrible time with anxiety (a secondary problem from the one he was admitted with), and since I have a personal history of anxiety, I spoke to him and his wife about things I do to work through it. He was readmitted a couple weeks later and I followed up with him. He told me that the stuff I told him to do really worked and to keep on doing what I'm doing. I felt more satisfaction from making that connection with him than I derive from doing more technical things (like starting IV's) that I had initially loved in nursing school.