Does anyone here actually like nursing?

Nurses General 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?

2 hours ago, Blue_Moon said:

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.

So this. I really love being a nurse but there are many nurses roles I really dislike. I've had a few jobs so I'm getting to the point of knowing where I fit. You really need to know your strengths to find a good place in nursing. Plus there is so much flexibility.

Another thing is I feel that many nurses just happen to be the type of people that desire a great deal of fulfillment from their jobs. There are millions of people that just go to work for a paycheck but many of us nurses are a different bunch. I've started looking as my job as less of an identity and I'm a bit happier.

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Specializes in Nursery.

Thank you for posing this question! I am almost set to begin an ABSN and I must be honest, have been feeling so apprehensive after reading a lot of the posts on allnurses. I just said to myself there must be many nurses who enjoy what they do, and these responses have confirmed that. Thank you again!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

I still love what I do. I work pediatrics so our ratios are amazing compared to adult world and that helps a lot. Just like any other job, it’s work so there are days I wish I didn’t have to worry. But overall I wouldn’t change anything.

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55 minutes ago, VRS82 said:

Thank you for posing this question! I am almost set to begin an ABSN and I must be honest, have been feeling so apprehensive after reading a lot of the posts on allnurses. I just said to myself there must be many nurses who enjoy what they do, and these responses have confirmed that. Thank you again!

Exactly why I brought it up! It was difficult to read the many not so peachy posts and still have faith that I am on the right path. These comments have put me at ease though. While I understand that no job is perfect and that nursing will undoubtedly be challenging, like others have stated, I just cant see myself doing much else. Congratulations for your ABSN, I wish you much success and satisfaction as you excel in your program and once you hit the floor as a Nurse!

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Specializes in ARNP.
On 4/27/2019 at 12:50 AM, sevensonnets said:

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.

That’s kind of condescending, bullying is very real, and if a co-worker decides to target another, no degree of “getting along” will change that.

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Specializes in Medical Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant.

I have a “thing” for oncology (and I’m obviously biased here), so I love almost all my onc (especially stem cell transplant) patients. Sometimes our unit has overflow neuro or ortho pts, but it’s not the same tbh ?

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Gotta agree, I love it, too! NICU nursing is my jam, and I would continue to do this job even if I won the lottery and money was no object (granted, probably on a PRN basis in between world travels, lol).

Nursing is such an incredibly versatile field. There are so many opportunities for professional growth and development.

I agree with others that AN is the site where a lot of people come to vent about work and receive input as they try to confront challenges they're facing. However, if you dig around, there are plenty of posts like this, too (i.e. if you search 'what do you love about nursing?')

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Specializes in Community health.

Okay, I’m like four months out of school, so I realize I’m not the best person to weigh in lol! But I love it so far. They pay well (I used to be an elementary school teacher and I now make more than 2x what I made then) and my job isn’t overly stressful— I work in outpatient, not in a hospital. I like most of my coworkers.

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Specializes in ARNP.
6 hours ago, OncologyCat said:

I have a “thing” for oncology (and I’m obviously biased here), so I love almost all my onc (especially stem cell transplant) patients. Sometimes our unit has overflow neuro or ortho pts, but it’s not the same tbh ?

Sidebar, does your facility follow excreta precautions? A friend of mine discovered her facility has policies but doesn’t follow them.

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No matter what happens at the floors..

the drama, the lying or lazy coworkers, etc.

at the end of the day,

I am not a nurse for them but a nurse for the patients.

I wanted to serve, and nursing is a place where one is in constant service for others.

So yes, I like being a nurse.

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I ran into a bunch of toxicity as an RN, but being an NP has been great.

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Specializes in ARNP.
37 minutes ago, Oldmahubbard said:

I ran into a bunch of toxicity as an RN, but being an NP has been great.

Awesome cuz that’s my plan!

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