Does anyone love their job?

TennNurse · Nov 28, 2005

A year ago I was in the most horrible job imaginable. (See "Bait & Switch" thread from last year) I took a leap of faith, and Lord, did it pay off.

I am back in the ER where I belong, and I love, love, love this job! I work with the most awesome people, the ER is big enough to stay busy and varied and never boring, but rarely overwhelming. Most of my pts are pleasant and grateful, if not out and out emergencies. 90% of my work is very rewarding, and rarely do I have a day when I do not learn something.

By far the best part of my job is the staff. We have wonderful supervisors and ultra cool doctors. Many of the nurses have been there for more than 20 years, and most have been there for at least 10. The atmosphere there is one of teamwork and support, and we all help each other out regularly. We have a couple of odd ducks whose personalities don't encourage much comraderie, but the vast majority of us get along really well. There is, naturally, some gossip, but truly less than at any other job I've ever had. We're all too busy.

Through my job I met another horsey nurse, who introduced me to the woman who is now probably my closest friend. Seven weeks ago I married the sweetest, sexiest man in the world, and it was friends from work who made my wedding truly unforgettable. Two friends from work did my wedding photography for free, one of the male techs sang, and two more friends came to the wedding early to decorate my tables with flowers. A total of 17 people made the hour+ drive to come to this wedding, and I have been here only since January.

Even on days I do NOT feel like working, I can honestly say that I love my job, it is the best one I've ever had, and I want to retire from here. Every day I try to remember to say a prayer of thanks for this job that I am so lucky to have. :yelclap:

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2005

I agree with whoever said "ask me again when I have more than a few months experience!" (I am sorry I did not write down your name). It's hard to be a new nurse but I am guessing it's hard to be new in any field or at anything. Lots to remember and in nursing, major consequences if you don't, a lot of the time. Some days I like nursing and some days I really don't. And no, I'm not just confusing my job and nursing (although it WOULD sure be nice to have less of that stupid politics/gossip/oneupmanship junk.) Just not sure nursing is for me- don't think it's really my personality, any more. But enough of me, hijacking this wonderful, positive thread... it is so awesome to hear the people who really, truly love nursing. I admire you. I will never be you, though I never ever thought I'd hear myself say that. But I salute and admire and cherish you so much... you are amazing. Please, please keep doing what you do!!!

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 28, 2005

I love mine, despite the downsides, there are a lot of "ups"!

Q. · Nov 28, 2005

I was just telling my husband how I love what I'm doing!

I like the nursing profession, but am disappointed in it and it's fragmented and immature presence. I wish nursing would get it together and adequately represent itself.

But, I LOVE my job. I haven't been able to say that for a while.

I am responsible for managing the patient education process for a large health care system. I am salaried day shift and work in a office setting. It's predictable and I finallly feel as though I'm paid what I'm worth.

My role is to build and facilitate a system-wide patient education program, from ensuring our materials meet standards (that I set), are culturally appropriate, literate appropriate and represent our ogranization well. I act basically as an internal consultant to units for their patient education materials. I'm considered the "resident expert" in this area.

I work primarily alone in that I'm the only person in this role, but get to work with a variety of people from staff nurses, educators to directors and senior executives.

I was finally able to land here after 7 years of clinical experience and 4 years of graduate school. :)

Clinically, I also LOVE labor and delivery.

not now, RN · Nov 28, 2005

I love what I do. I never wake up thinking "Damn, I have to go to work today." I get aggrivated by other nurses but in any job you have the potential to bang heads with staff.

sandy62 · Dec 2, 2005

It's been " a long, strange trip", but no where else would I have rather been these last 21 years than doing what I do; it's part of who I am. Through the good, the bad and the ugly, I have no regrets. And by the way, I LOVE my present job!

Sandy

Orlando:p

JohnBearPA · Dec 2, 2005

I was a CNA for 22 years before moving up the food chain, so to speak, and going to nursing school. Do I love my job? YES! I work at a great facility with nurses that really care, and CNA's that know how to do their job effectively. Do I love my work? Again, YES! I couldn't imagine doing anything else but nursing. I feel a bit selfish tho, as I really enjoy going home with the feeling that I've helped make someone's life better today. I think you get out of life what you put into it, and a positive attitude always helps. I'm happy that I work in health care, and can't imagine ever feeling differently about it.

hidesert · Dec 2, 2005

cop 20 years, loved it
nurse 10 years and love it too, :)[/quote
After dealing blackjack/roulette for many years and raising two kids all by myself, I finally got to nursing school. Maybe I love it so much because I took one class every semester until it was the right time to go into the nursing program, so I was on the twenty-year plan! I am an oncology nurse and completely love it- even on the nights that are sort of hairy. And from all the other jobs I have had, I learned that every workplace has scheduling issues, teamwork issues, staffing issues, mgmt issues, company issues, etc. Nursing is no different. There are cliques and different personalities everywhere, and I am glad to say that these problems are very minimal in our dept. So it is a great place to work, almost all of the time.

sandiixx · Dec 2, 2005

I have heard so many stories about how hard nursing is and all there is to complain about, but does anyone enjoy their work? Please let's hear from someone who is glad they got into nursing and wouldn't change their choice for anything.

I LOVE my career AND my job:) I have had 2 days where I thought I may be a bit crazy doing what i do because it is so hard sometimes but thats only two in years:) I work in med surg (previously ED, loved that too) I love where i work, the people i work with, my boss and I love to take care of my patients. My co workers say i am manic, but I love how i love it all!!! :rotfl:

Thankyou God for giving me the chance to do what i love!! :balloons:

sandiixx · Dec 2, 2005

I JUST LOVE THIS THREAD!!! IT JUST RECONFIRMS THAT WE ARE NURSES FOR A REASON, COS WE ARE GOOD AT IT AND WE LOVE IT!!

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!! YEEEEHHAAAAAA!!

:chuckle

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2005

I have this. It is entirely possible and the norm in some areas. I work neuroscience in Kansas City.

I sort of have this, too. I'm harried and flustered and still charting an hour past my shift fairly often, but I'm just coming up on 6 mos. as a nurse. I fully expect to get more efficient as I gain experience--it hasn't been long since what now seems difficult seemed overwhelming.

I love my job, and I love nursing. Getting into this has been one of the smartest things I've done. It is tough, but it's also fun, and there have been a few moments where I've felt I was making a difference. I'm impatient for the time to come when I feel confident I'm really good at this--when starting an IV doesn't take half an hour--if I even get it--and I don't have a new med or two to look up with each pass, and I can remember to take all the supplies I need instead of running back for some, and I'm really confident of my assessments and what's going on with each patient--but I'm also aware that what makes each gain feel like an accomplishment is the fact that it is tough. I've joked that the next time I feel the need for a new challenge, I'm going to look for an easy one, but really, this job rocks. Also, I'm very grateful to have had lots of support from co-workers and management.

My only real problem is that I don't have enough to complain about--but I'm working on that.

luvbug · Dec 2, 2005

I work in a small clinic and I love everything about it!! My co-workers, the hours, my patients, EVERYTHING! Ok, I do have a few pts. that drive me bananas, but who doesn't? I really have nothing to complain about at all!

:) :) :)