Enjoying being a nurse?

Piki · Oct 2, 2007

I must say, I am enjoying it. I'm starting to feel much more comfortable and getting into my own groove (I'm almost done with orientation). It helps that we do have a very cohesive unit overall and I've yet to seen any nastiness or pettiness between the staff. I've had a few crazy shifts, but most have been fairly good and I'm glad I decided to do this line of work (I'm a second career person) - it really suits me, I think.

AprilRNhere · Oct 7, 2007

I LOVE It. I love my job, my assignments, the skills, thinking etc... I leave work everyday exhausted...with a smile on my face. It's everything I thought it would be and more. I also went into it knowing how hard it would be and had realistic expectations.

deeDawntee, RN · Oct 7, 2007

Do you mind if an "old grad" answers your question? I love responding to people who ask your question (or a close version thereof) because I have personally really grappled with that issue in my own career.

This is how I see nursing after going through a honeymoon period, where I was absolutely blown away by how cool it was that I was actually (more or less) successfully being a competent nurse...that touching patient's lives and making a difference was truly elating.

Then for most nurses, I think the reality of nursing hits them... the often difficult 'politics' in our work environment, being embroiled in the human conditon, suffering, pain, death and disease...all the bodily fluids and smells....rude Doctors, coworkers, patients and families....etc etc etc.

Slowly over time, I have developed a new found appreciation and joy in being a nurse... nursing IS LIFE itself....with all the joy and the pain and struggle and victory. It will test you to the core of your humanity, your tolerance, your courage and it will lift you to the highest heights...is nursing worth it?? Is Life worth it?? I say, yes... so go forth in your nursing career, informed, proud and prepared for the challenge. Is it worth the fight? Absolutely!!

november17, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2007

Work is work, but I enjoy my job (so far, so good). I can think of some complaints, but I've worked in crappier places. What can I say?

al7139, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2007

Here is my take:

I graduated in May 2007. Got my ATT in june. Started my new job soon after that (had already been hired pending graduation). I spent 12 weeks in orientation/preceptorship. Have been "on my own" since August.

Even though I have days where I go home questioning my choice of profession, the days that I leave work with a smile on my face make up for it 100fold!

I work on a cardiac/medicine unit. It is definitely a tough gig for a new grad, but ever so interesting! I have nurses who will take a minute (without an attitude) if I have a question or just want to "run something by them". The MD's who we regularly work with know I am new, and are tolerant of the midnight calls and are even willing to explain their plans, and teach me things I don't know (i.e. interpreting a test, what they plan for a pt, etc.) if they are not too busy. Yes like I said I have my really stressful days, but in reality, I could not imagine doing anything else.

Amy

David's Harp · Oct 7, 2007

I'm enjoying it, at my early stage. My deal is that I'm a second-careerer, with the other career (musician) still in the works. This has helped a bunch, to have another obsession to turn to and be dysfunctional over :monkeydance:, and in a way they've each helped me not take the other too seriously at the end of the day.

So far I have a overall positive view of the institution where I work, though it's not without its flaws. The work drains me, and even occasionally freaks me out on a deep emotional level (of course, we guys never cry - I just get something caught in my eye from time to time...) yet my wife has to remind me from time to time to stop reading Medscape and give it a rest, already. So, I can't be hating it too much.

Like I said, though, it's early in the game for me. I'm sure I'll need every coping mechanism I have and a few add-on's as time goes on. Saying otherwise is like saying, "Huh. The floor's been pretty quiet today!"...

-Kevin

jb2u, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2007

I LOVE NURSING. I work in an ICU as a new grad and the experience and support that I receive from my coworkers is amazing. I went through many jobs since I got out of the Army in '96, always looking for teamwork. I never found it until I went into nursing. I get to make a difference in my pts' lives and that of their family every shift that I work! There are not too many jobs that will allow for that. And, if the day should ever come that I do not enjoy this wonderful profession, I only have three days to "put up with it" and four days to go fishing and forget it!!!! Not many jobs allow for that either. If I get bored I can change to case management, school nursing, cardiac, neuro, ortho, peds, HH, Hospice. I can get an advanced degree and move on to NP, CRNA, CNS, Professor. You can see the many different specialties/opportunities for nurses here in the various forums on allnurses. If a nurse is unhappy, I'd say they just haven't found the right area yet! I wish you all the best in your nursing career.

Sincerely,

Jay

weslyn · Oct 7, 2007

I graduated in May 2007 and was hired in July 2007 on a med-surg unit. I spent eight weeks in orientation (on the floor and in classroom combined). I have been "on my own" since the end of August. I always have experienced staff on my shift and they have been wonderful - always there when I need questions answered and there to help with procedures or anything else I'm not familiar with. I love being a nurse but.......it is not what I thought it would be. I entered this profession because I want to help people and make a difference in their lives. Instead, I feel like all I do is pop in and out of my patients' rooms to do assessments and pass meds. I don't have the time to get to know my patients and establish a therapeutic relationship. At times I feel as if I am in way over my head and it scares the crap out of me! Is it normal to feel this way? Will this change as I become more experienced?

Preemienurse23 · Oct 8, 2007

Slowly over time, I have developed a new found appreciation and joy in being a nurse... nursing IS LIFE itself....with all the joy and the pain and struggle and victory. It will test you to the core of your humanity, your tolerance, your courage and it will lift you to the highest heights...is nursing worth it?? Is Life worth it?? I say, yes... so go forth in your nursing career, informed, proud and prepared for the challenge. Is it worth the fight? Absolutely!!

WOW!! I love that out look on nursing.

I am a new grad in the NICU, and I'm loving it. Some days are so crazy its not funny. But some days, I hate to leave my babies and some of my families. Every hospital has its ups and downs. And the new nurses can start the change the culture of nursing in a more positive way if we really want it to.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 8, 2007

I am loving it so far as well.

tencat · Oct 8, 2007

Most days I do. It is HARD work, and at the end of the day I feel like I've accomplished something and spent my time doing something 'important'. I think a lot of things can get us down, as others have said. But overall, I think I made a good choice of career.