How do you feel about being a nurse?

ComeTogether, LPN · Mar 20, 2017

I love every back breaking, stomach turning, holy **** I'm going to puke, moment of it. I was told it was my "calling" when I was 19 - I didn't go to school for it until I was in my 30's.

There isn't a right or wrong reason to become a nurse but I do think those of us who feel passionate about our work have an easier time dealing with the crappy parts, and there are many.

db2xs · Mar 20, 2017

Burnt out.

NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2017

How do I feel about being a nurse? Disillusioned. Broken. Bitter.

Obsession with customer satisfaction instead of safe care, no support staff, bad ratios, unresponsive doctors, unsupportive managers. Last year I was injured on the job and not treated appropriately, took a hit of over $20,000 via lost income and medical costs because I was dropped from my position like a hot potato and faced thousands in medical bills after workers comp refused to continue treatment.

It was a short path to a decent income. I didn't realize it would cost me my health and dignity. I haven't given up on complete physical healing, so my long-term plan is to cut down to nursing 1-2 shifts a week and find some other way to supplement my income that won't suck so much of my own wellbeing away.

I had a friend just graduate with an associate's in HIM and get her AHIMA cert. She's making less money but she gets to work with charts and coding from home in her pajamas. I am so insanely jealous.

Ms. Smarty Pants RN · Mar 21, 2017

I do enjoy being a nurse. However, when I first started I had serious doubts about this being my lifelong profession. I originally wanted to be a nurse anesthetist since high school. Yet, I felt like I might not have had the confidence to work in this field. Just took time to gain skills and confidence. Plus, realizing there are so many venues one can work as a nurse definitely helped me. I never did become a nurse anesthetist and am extremely happy I didn't. I have found my niche in nursing education and find I like the stress that comes with this specialty more than the stress that comes with floor nursing. I almost thrive on it now.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Apr 4, 2017

I loved it at first but then everything changed. Patients became more complex, sick, non-compliant, thankless, entitled, very demanding and their families unbearable. I think the cherry on the top is tying reimbursement to press Gainey scores. I went into it right after HS and it's all I know. I became miserable, depressed and thinking of how to get out intact. Then I discovered the OR. One patient, asleep, 2 doctors, minimal med handling/administration, manageable charting, no families crossing the red line and I began to like it again. Different strokes for different folks. What I used to love about nursing (patient interaction) is now what I desire to have the least of. I enjoy advocating and nursing an intubated/sedated/paralyzed patient :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2017

What I used to love about nursing (patient interaction) is now what I desire to have the least of.

Bingo! I prefer to avoid interaction with patients and families as much as possible. Believe it or not, many nurses 'help people' without mingling with them.

If society became kinder and less impersonal, perhaps I would reconsider direct patient care. However, an increasing number of patients and families are filled with vitriol. I refuse to be on the receiving end of nastiness.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Apr 5, 2017

I feel being a nurse was a wrong career choice to me. I am going back to school for something other than nursing.

Hi Green Tea :) , I'm curious what are you going back to school for?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Apr 5, 2017

Bingo! I prefer to avoid interaction with patients and families as much as possible. Believe it or not, many nurses 'help people' without mingling with them.
If society became kinder and less impersonal, perhaps I would reconsider direct patient care. However, an increasing number of patients and families are filled with vitriol. I refuse to be on the receiving end of nastiness.

They will suck the living soul out of anyone. It's too many of "them" attached to each patient of yours who do nothing but consume you all-day-long. It's exhausting. It's pointless. It's burn-out at it's finest. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone try the OR if they're feeling the same way. I feel like I had gone from sustained V-tach, to PEA and somehow I came back to life. I love the OR and am just so grateful to be there away from all the crazy families and the never ending BS. I laugh at what they consider a struggle in the OR, especially from those who have never worked outside of one

NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2017

They will suck the living soul out of anyone. It's too many of "them" attached to each patient of yours who do nothing but consume you all-day-long. It's exhausting. It's pointless. It's burn-out at it's finest. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone try the OR if they're feeling the same way. I feel like I had gone from sustained V-tach, to PEA and somehow I came back to life. I love the OR and am just so grateful to be there away from all the crazy families and the never ending BS. I laugh at what they consider a struggle in the OR, especially from those who have never worked outside of one

Ah, but how to get the coveted OR position without experience? Sigh.

amzyRN · Apr 5, 2017

The bright moments balance out the dark moments currently. I've made a huge difference in people's lives and that has been very rewarding to me, something that I can feel good about when I die. It's also back breaking and since I've transferred to the ED I've caught more colds and one really bad stomach bug. At times my patients inspire me too. I really hope that I never stop caring, that I am always able to empathize even if I am frustrated. I want to always be able to treat my patients with genuine kindness.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2017

Bingo!!! The OR- the best kept secret in nursing, imo!!

adoyo · Apr 7, 2017

Simply, do you enjoy being a nurse? Does it make you happy? Or do you regret it? Do you have any very specific regrets related to being a nurse?

No regrets as the experience and knowledge gained from my nurse practice is more than valuable!

My only wish is that I could have gone back to school and do proper medicine as one never progresses well in the right direction as a nurse!

What I mean is that the more you climb up the Nursing ladder, the further you ran away from the patients in most cases!! I love to deal with patients and get job satisfaction after helping them back onto their feet!

At 60 now, I have ditched the idea of going back to school and only wish the younger nurses to try harder and do medicine, if conditions allow them and they are feeling the way I feel towards the Nursing profession minus family issues, if you are a family person, that is!!