a positive thread?!?!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.

I'm a relatively new nurse (about 5 months in) working on a surgical floor at a local hospital. I've just spent the last couple of hours browsing this site (yes, I'm on a night shift schedule and have nothing better to do on a night off at 4 in the morning), and I don't think I've seen one positive thread yet. Sure it's good to get all that negative stuff off your chest, but I'm going to be a wet-behind-the-ears new nurse and start a positive thread for those of you new or old nurses that love your job.

I have an incredible manager that cares about us on a personal level. For the most part I have great coworkers that respect and support me. I feel fulfilled when I leave the floor each day. I'm learning something new about life constantly. I love my patients, even the bad ones, and the challenge of making their day a little bit better. I learn from them and through them. I love the constant change of pace and situations. The pressure of caring for people at the most vulnerable points of their life.

In short, I love my job and the choice I made that brought me here. I know I have a lot left in front of me, but I'm glad to say this is where I'm meant to be.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU (PCCN); Heme/Onc/BMT.

Hello there, Mr. Murse . . .

First, it seems that you joined this bulletin board today. I wish to welcome you to Allnurses: Welcome! :)

As you probably noticed, this is a HUGE bulletin board. It's much, much, much bigger than when I first started coming here too many years ago. Like you, I'm a night nurse. The hospital where I worked when I joined Allnurses was a small hospital. (It's even smaller now!) There were many-a-night when I had spare time on my hands while my patient slept. In fact, I used to start many-a-post typing something like this: "It's 2 o'clock in the morning. My two patients are safely sleeping with their hearts a-beatin' ", then I'd proceed to start a new thread much like you did with this one.

It's good to read that things seem to be going well at your relatively new job. You're right in observing that many people come here to vent and/or seek advice. Thank goodness there is a place like this bulletin board to vent and seek advice! But it's also nice to read stories that are just simply positive in nature, expressing the strengths of one's job and/or healthcare facility. You'll find other positive posts here as well. They're here. :)

In the meanwhile, check out the the other half of Allnurses. It's called the "Break Room" which is geared more towards non-nursing issues. It's a very pleasant place to "escape" and experience something not necessarily related to the nursing and/or healthcare profession. It's a place to play!! :) It's also a nice place to meet people outside of "venting" and advice-seeking and advice-giving.

But know that you're supported whether you vent or simply share a story about a successful night's work. Most members here really do care. It's nice having a community of people who are intimately aware of the Trials AND Tribulations associated with the healthcare profession. For example, you've already shared a very positive experience with your job. Your sharing will come in quite handy as other new nurses visit here seeking such positivity. So, THANK YOU for already providing support!

I just recently reacquainted myself to this bulletin board. I've been away for a while. I used to be quite involved with this community. I'm coming back here because I'm finding that I need some support. My family is experiencing significant health issues and I'm finding myself deeply affected by their illnesses. I knew in coming back here that support would be found. And it has! I just read your post and it was very uplifting! :)

Take care. . . and I wish you continued success with your career! Nursing IS a fulfilling profession! Thank you for gently reminding us of that fact. :)

Ted

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

If your purpose is/was to say there are too many debbie downers, I would have to disagree. While we all on this board are expressing some of our concerns as normal human beings. The fact that we are on a message board on our free time discussing our professional lives and goals shows just how much each nurse cares about his/her career.

With that being said, you may want to look into the education forums, general nursing forums, etc. You will be surprised how uplifting this community really is. There are many nurses on this board, and we all have varying emotions from day to day. But, one thing that is for sure is we love the work we do.

Now, congratulations on finding a unit that is supportive immediately after graduation. You too, once you are no longer the rookie of the unit, will have some frustrations you'll need the community to read & provide reassurance on. Like many others, we'll all be here to assist!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I'm glad you posted this, Mr. Murse. I say that as one who finds it very beneficial to commiserate with others who understand what we're talking about. Sharing the common ridiculousness of the situations we find ourselves in may lead people to believe we lack feelings altogether and are bitter, burned-out shells of human beings. That's a short-sighted view.

We're in a public forum. It's impossible to rewind the clock to the day or the crossroads many people reading these posts find themselves in -- and as there is currently no way to transfer the things learned through experience into another perosn's mind misunderstandings are bound to occur.

I would just hope people realize for every story that seems to be callous there is one that still brings tears, great joy - or even guilt. You don't work with people at the lowest or the highest point in their lives, stripped of their physical, mental and emotional protections without amassing a huge mental catalogue of remarkable variety. I know that because I lived through it, too. I know it because I can laugh or cry on a dime if I call forth certain memories in my career.

We're able to live with what appear to be contradictions to other people. I both love and hate most things about nursing today.

I would never mock another person's idealism. If there was no idealism there would be no social change. I wonder sometimes what someone might say on the subject 5 or 10 years down the road, though. Some quit. Some take it as a challenge to further action. Many just continue to go to work, do the best they can under trying circumstances, take care of their families and never post on an online bulletin board.

As griffinchet mentioned there are many, many "success stories" and positive threads here. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

First of all, Welcome to the Allnurses community~ & Congratulations!!! on your new job. Furthermore, I wish you all the best that nursing has to offer, and even through the hard times that you might encounter in your career; may you come out like a winner and never lose the passion that you exhibit today:cool:

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Hi Mr. Murse,

congratulations on finding a great career and what sounds like an excellent situation. I have been a nurse for just over 22 years and must say though is challenging at times is one of the most rewarding careers around. My specialty is with eye and eye conditions.

I will share with you an encouraging story that makes me proud to be a eye care nurse and in taking care of patients. I will try and be brief yet the reaction of our patients is why I decided to become a nurse to begin with. In eye care their is a very scary condition called Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It is the leading cause of blindness for patients over age 50. The real scary part of the disease as we have seen countless times a patient can go from perfect vision to complete central vision loss in as little as 48 hours. Just last week a family of our patients came through who have early stage disease (AMD). We had put Mrs. Simmons and her daughter on a vitamin supplement called AREDS for the past 9 years and the disease was still getting worse. Our doctors and specialists had talked with colleagues and were in touch with a wonderful non-profit group for Macular Degeneration (www.maculardegenerationeducation.org). They told us that they had several donors that have been using an alternate product call Macuhealth for the past couple years that their donors raved about. Skeptical as we always are we tried this on Mrs. Simmons and daughter 1 year ago. When they came in for their visit their vision had improved 2 lines of Visual Acuity and from our images we could see the progression of the disease had stopped. Both being over 55 years of age and of course battling this disease for years they were in tears in our office and were so thank ful for the improvement in vision.

I share this with you only to illustrate how wonderful being a nurse can be when you see patients like the Simmons that's entire world has changed due to us doing some homework and finding a solution to their problem. Mr. Muse- this is a wonderful profession and though challenging at times the small victories make big impacts in peoples lives. Wishing you a great day.

Erin

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I love my job, love nursing. (Still it is fun to complain and vent once in a while!)

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I remember the thrill (honeymoon phase) of being a new nurse. Enjoy it. I hope it lasts. Since then I have had good jobs and bad, good coworkers and bullies, good bosses and psycho bosses. It has been quite a ride. I will say that I still love nursing - taking care of people. There are many things that I don't like about what health care has become, but basic nursing care I still enjoy after all these years. I like teaching people and assessing people. I like dressing wounds. I like making people comfortable and giving them meds. I like learning. Try to stay positive as you are today, and enjoy the ride. Sounds like you are in it to stay.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I echo the previous posters in welcoming you aboard here at Allnurses! :yeah:As they have stated so well, there is no better place on the Internet to come when you need to vent, find sanctuary, exchange helpful hints, get some good advice, or just have a laugh or two. No one but another nurse can fully appreciate what we go through in this profession; and while we come from all different backgrounds and walks of life, we have a great deal in common.

Thank you for contributing this positive thread, and may your association with us be a long and happy one.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

Remember this time in your career. It was so much fun in the early days. Now it's settled down for me, some good days, some crappy days, some "what was I THINKING?!" days. And occasionally, a day where I feel like I stood toe to toe with the Angel of Death and kicked it's wings. Rare, but they happen.

We're here for you on the good days. And we'll be here for you on the bad ones.

*hugs*

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Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.

thanks for the responses, and no, I'm not trying to imply that everyone is a "Debbie downer", just was expressing my rookie excitement, I guess. I've come a really long ways to get here too, so I think I'm particularly grateful for where I am. At 31, I've had a lot of obstacles that I've set up for myself throughout my 20's. I know I'll have many good and bad days (I already have), but if feels good to be here.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

New nurses are so cute! :) But really, Mr. Murse, this site can be a major bummer sometimes....kudos to you for changing the vibe!

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