does every rn out there hate their job? sonography/x-ray tech instead?

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2015

Working in LTC can be both mentally and physically grueling. School is the same way. I really like the earlier story about the farmer, because it's so often true. Whatever our perceptions are become our reality. I think the more important question is why do you want to be a nurse and what makes that your passion?

Bailando · Jun 7, 2015

Working in LTC can be both mentally and physically grueling. School is the same way. I really like the earlier story about the farmer, because it's so often true. Whatever our perceptions are become our reality. I think the more important question is why do you want to be a nurse and what makes that your passion?

Yeh I liked the farmer quote too. Since I was a little girl I have taken care of grandparents family etc and I still do now. I always felt that it was my passion and I feel it completes me and I love love helping people and making a difference in someone's life. I never have imagined doing anything else in life until recently. I have always seen nurses and always watched them and am really interested in the body and I find it interesting like a&p. I like learning about the body and how it works. I just have always wanted to save lives and feel like I made a difference. When my husband is sick or something is wrong I like to make a guess on what he has and 99% of the time after the doc examines him he tells me that I was right on with what was wrong. I just love the medical field and everything else.

brandiep1982 · Jun 7, 2015

I haven't read the other comments yet, so this may have already been said. There was a discussion that touched on a subject closely related to this. I'm not sure where, though. A nurse was pretty upset that she, being an LTC nurse, was treated as less than a nurse who went through the same schooling as a hospital nurse. And understandably so (understandable that she was upset, not that she was treated poorly). This nurse loves her job. The difference? The facility she works in. If I were you, I would start looking for a facility that is privately run, not corporately run. Usually, those facilities are much better and the staff morale is usually much higher.

It is also possible that LTC just isn't for you, as well. But really there is no way to tell that unless you give a better facility a try.

Good luck!

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2015

Yeh I liked the farmer quote too. Since I was a little girl I have taken care of grandparents family etc and I still do now. I always felt that it was my passion and I feel it completes me and I love love helping people and making a difference in someone's life. I never have imagined doing anything else in life until recently. I have always seen nurses and always watched them and am really interested in the body and I find it interesting like a&p. I like learning about the body and how it works. I just have always wanted to save lives and feel like I made a difference. When my husband is sick or something is wrong I like to make a guess on what he has and 99% of the time after the doc examines him he tells me that I was right on with what was wrong. I just love the medical field and everything else.

If you love it then go for it, and if you hate your job then change the way you think about your job. Working LTC is demanding, but you have the ability to apply the same principles of nursing that you love to the job that you do. So for now, all I have is advice on how to accomplish that, because you are an important part of the nursing care your residents receive.

1. You are one person, and there is only so much you can do. Don't look at everything you can't do, but rather what you are able to accomplish. Within that parameter, provide the best care for every resident every time you are with them. How? Read on

2. Everyone has a story, and everyone loves to talk about themselves when presented with the opportunity. There are 3 key phrases that you can utilize while you are accomplishing a CNA task with a resident. First, look around the room for something that might be important to them. Family? Grandchildren? A really nice quilt on the bed that looks homemade. Anything that is about them, and ask them about it. "I notice you have ____________ in your room." Let them talk about it. From there, you have a conversation starter for the next time you're in there. While they are talking, and you're still doing the task at hand, utilize these phrases:

*Tell me more about that

*What was it that made you interested in ________

*That must have been (insert emotion they describe here) for you.

People love to talk about themselves, the often just need someone to listen. You're in the perfect position to provide that role for them!

3. When you're finished with your task, it's time to move to the next resident. Ask the resident you are with if they need anything right now, and before you leave let them know when you'll be back. Everything here becomes easier the more you practice it, and your residents will start to look forward to when you enter their room.

The story of the farmer and the traveler is all about the power of our own perceptions. You can't change others, but you can change your approach. Enjoy your interactions with the residents, because you do make a difference in their lives.

Finally, a passion is not easily dissuaded. Don't let negativity be a reason you don't pursue what you love, especially when you have the capability to change your own actions.

Best of luck!

melizerd, ASN, RN · Jun 7, 2015

Honestly the only place I ever hear an RN say they hated their job was on here. Maybe you just work at an awful facility.

This. I don't know any nurses in real life that hate their job. I know one or two that don't LOVE IT but they are okay.

I love my job. I have just completed my first year there (new grad). It's a busy oncology med/surf floor. We have good ratios and aides. I expect to be here I this floor for quite some time.

Wrench Party · Jun 7, 2015

Nursing school teaches you to be a generalist, not a specialist. It educates you enough with enough knowledge to reasonably take the NCLEX and not kill patients when you hit the floor.

That being said, some days I love my job, and other days I tell myself I don't get paid nearly enough to put up with the crazy from patients. It's a job just like any other.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2015

Late to the party but my sister tried to get into a technician program a few years ago. Competition was fierce, easily on par with getting into nursing school and probably moreso because there are fewer technician spots than nursing spots, and she didn't get accepted to where she applied. So there is always that part to consider.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 7, 2015

My job is fun and rewarding. I am also well paid.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jun 7, 2015

As to length of orientation it depends on the place. More hospitals are creating a residency program, by us its about three months orientation, but they have been known to shorten it when staffing is an issue. I've heard others on here have ridiculously short training like a week or two in LTC so it really depends where you work.

Mulan · Jun 7, 2015

Yeah I do want a career that pays well. I am already tired of the dead weight and repositioning as a cna so maybe x-ray isn't something I would want. I never really knew that I have looked up stuff about it. I guess that isn't something that is worth mentioning? I would attend a community college for sonography if I chose that route. I am just about the physics part. Thanks for your reply very much appreciated!

Don't think you won't have dead weight and repositioning as an RN.

cardiacfreak, ADN · Jun 7, 2015

I can honestly say I love being a nurse. What I hate about it is, administration is more concerned with financials than patient care and employee satisfaction.

naptimeRN · Jun 7, 2015

You will always get a huge variety of answers when asking anyone on any field of they like their job. I am an RN and I don't necessarily love my job by any means, but it has it's perks. There are so many avenues to try as an RN (don't like a certain area you're practicing in..try something else!), there is a bit more flexibility than a lot of other careers (12 or 8 or 10 hour shifts, weekends, nights, per diem, part time, etc), there is always something new to learn, and the money isn't too bad especially considering how little I paid for schooling and have zero debt. There are pros and cons to every job.