Does anyone here actually like nursing?

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I feel like most of what I read about nursing and peoples opinions or experiences with the profession are more often than not on the negative side. Based on what I have read, I cant say I blame anyone. Short staffing, Violent patients, mean doctors, bullying coworkers and everything else that seems to drive nurses from the bedside or from nursing entirely within a year being licensed. I just wondered if their were still nurses out there who actually liked being one, and why?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Maybe it's because I've done this job so long, I'm comfortable with it, at an age where I could retire, and I've learned ways to deal with short staffing, mean doctors, and bullying coworkers that I still like being a nurse.

I wanted a job where I felt like I was contributing to society, made good money, and had some job security. On top of that, I wanted to work in a profession where I wouldn't get bored and nursing has fulfilled all of this.

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I'm manager of a CVICU/open heart unit. I'm in my 40th year of nursing and I still love it. I have never encountered bullying coworkers or mean doctors. It's not impossible to get along with others in the workplace.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I loved nursing. No, I didn't love the short-staffing, the power-tripping managers and a lot of other stressors, big and small. But overall, I can't think of anything I'd rather have done.

I look back on my career with a fair bit of satisfaction. And relief that it is behind me.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I did 35 years as a nurse and loved it. It wasn't the patients or the work that made me retire, it was the p**s poor management and the daily aches and pains that did for me, not the job.

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7 hours ago, sevensonnets said:

I have never encountered bullying coworkers or mean doctors. It's not impossible to get along with others in the workplace.

Ditto for me.

People are more likely to come to a place like AN to complain than to talk about how they are content.

But there are nevertheless some big issues that need solving in healthcare today-nurse to patient ratios are at the top of the list for me. Solve that and give nurses the ability to do their best and you would see a totally different attitude here.

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Im glad I asked this question. I suppose I may have been focusing only on the negative aspects of nursing and becoming discouraged as a result. Its comforting to know that some of you still love or loved your profession in spite of all the challenges. Thank you all for your responses, much appreciated. ?

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Yes, I love nursing! The thing I have found is that we have nowhere to vent our frustrations/concerns. Management has their own problems and don't have time to help or listen. The one thing I figured out is that nurses have to find a position where they feel they belong. I tried several nursing settings and found that the setting I'm most comfortable is the one I excel in. So yes we love being nurses, we just need support!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I love it!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

I think a lot of people complain because they actually do like being a nurse but sometimes it’s really hard to be the kind of nurse you WANT to be due to staffing ratios, management, etc. People feel better when they vent and feel not so alone but I agree it sometimes feels like all nurses hate what they do. I think it’s good to be reminded that there are people who like being a nurse so I’m glad you posted this question. I stayed home with my kids for 10 years and did some soul searching and was willing to go back to school if I needed to find a different job I enjoyed more. I realized there was nothing I was willing to start all over for that would give me the flexibility, variety, and satisfaction of making a difference in this world that nursing does. I’ve had a few jobs I didn’t like but I like being a nurse. I’ve been able to work prn, part time with benefits (most part time jobs do not offer benefits) , full time, 8hr shifts, 12 hr shifts, days, nights, evenings, etc. I’ve done it all. No matter what shift or schedule I’ve had, I’ve gotten to help someone and make decent money doing that. Has it all been easy? Not at all but I’ve found that nursing is like a lot of things in life, the harder something is, the greater reward.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

While there are things about nursing I don't enough (e.g. short staffing), overall I enjoy my job. There are good days and bad days, and the good definately outweigh the bad. I think some of the negativity on allnurses (and other media sites) is as another user alluded to - venting. It can be a hard job and sometimes you want to share the sh*t with others who will get it. People are less likely to post the good days and victories online.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I like being a nurse. However, there are aspects that I don’t like.

I enjoy caring for pts. I like it when I have the time to talk with them, listen to them tell me about their lives, educate them on the plan of care, self care, their disease process.

I like being a critical thinker / detective regarding how to best help them.

I like being a pt advocate.

I earn a decent living, have good benefits, etc.

i like many of my coworkers, some of them are my best friends.

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