I like my job

1. • Some of my co-workers are slow, some are lazy.
   • I regularly deal with drug seekers.
   • Some patients and family members are abusive jerks.
   • Sometimes I encounter docs who are inexperienced, slow, obstinate or jerks.
   • Many of my patients brought their problems on themselves through poor choices.
   • Admin has no idea what I actually do, or what they could do to improve patient care.
   • Valuing customer satisfaction over patient outcomes is shortsighted, stupid and harmful.

   
   I am sure I could go on, but I would be hard pressed to come up with a complaint that has not been adequately expressed here. Probably on the first page of this forum.
   
   But, being a grownup, I know that few things in life are perfect.
   
   

   • Most of my co-workers are decent people, many have a strong understanding of teamwork, and are very competent. I like them.
   • I am often thanked and appreciated by patients and their families. When they see me in the hall, or passing through the hospital (or sometimes in Walmart) they often tell me how their family member is doing. Apparently they got the idea that I care.
   • I get along well with other departments. I am nice to them. I look for ways I can help, and tasks I can deposit into the favor bank. When I need something from them, they are usually pretty helpful.
   • For the most part, the docs I work with are collegial. We get along well, and when I advocate for a patient, I usually get what I want.
   • I live in the states where wages are, for the most part, determined by the laws of supply and demand. If there were people willing to do my job for $15 an hour, that would be the pay. I nobody would show up for under $60 an hour, that would be the pay. But, I chose the field, and can choose to leave. I have heard driving for UPS pays more. I bet those guys hire new drivers every day, but I like nursing.
   • I don't feel entitled to new cars or high end electronics- I live within my means and have what I think of as a high standard of living. Going overseas over Christmas, ski trip in February, and might take the summer off. Could take off on the sailboat for a month or two if I want.
   • I often have fun at work. Sometimes it is rewarding, and I feel really good that my extra time training, studying and reading has helped me do a good job under challenging circumstances. Sometimes I leave feeling like I have been tossed around in a cement mixer for 14 hours. Then pooped on. But, when I clock out, work stays right where it belongs- in the hospital. (Maybe some of the poop makes it home sometimes.)

   
   
   Nursing isn't who I am. It's what I do 36 hours a week to pay the bills, and allows me to do the stuff I want for the remaining 132 hours a week.

   Last edit by hherrn on Dec 10, '17

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2. 

   About hherrn

   Joined: Jun '07; Posts: 1,260; Likes: 4,949
   from ME , US

   11 Comments

   Comment
3. 
   Dec 10, '17

   I agree with this whole heartedly.
4. 
   Dec 10, '17

   I also agree wholeheartedly with this. The only thing that I just could not continuously accept was/is chronic and unmitigated understaffing. Fix that and 999.9999% of the problems in this field will dissapate because that is the biggest stressor in the field.
5. 
   Dec 10, '17

   Really like this. Thank you hherrn for this. Great reminder of why we do what we do.
6. 
   Dec 10, '17

   I like my job, too ...but I'm going to observe a moment of silence for the all the unhappy people. I've been there, as well.
7. 
   Dec 10, '17

   I can't like this enough. So well said. Not sappy -- real, authentic and thoughtful.
   Thanks for this.
8. 
   Dec 10, '17

   I like this. Gotta focus on the positives sometimes and get perspective. And if you've tried focusing on the positives and still feel super negative and depressed about your job for a prolonged period of time, maybe it's time to freshen up your resume and start applying elsewhere, because that's another pro to nursing too: changing and securing jobs is a lot less difficult in nursing than it is in other fields.
   
   The biggest pro about my job is my coworkers. I love love love them.
9. 
   Dec 10, '17

   Absolutely
10. 
    Dec 10, '17

    I swear, on the worst days, when there is a revolving door of d/c and admissions, I seem to get that one pt that REALLY appreciates what I do and that makes it so much more tolerable. One "Can't you just sleep in the room here with me tonight so I don't have to have another nurse (not that they are bad, but I am good at anticipating needs and offering spouses coffee lol) Makes up for the chaos of the day. I don't do it for the praise, I don't fish for compliments or our service awards, I love being a nurse and making people feel better. I remember the lovely people much more than the difficult ones.
11. 
    Dec 15, '17

    I appreciate your transparency. It is uplifting to read some positivity on this site. Work culture is huge. Appreciative patients help most definitely. When I worked as a mental health tech my supervisor always reminded us we couldn't hold on to the highs or the lows. The attachment just was not healthy, we wouldn't make it in the field. I agree with her to a certain extent. You have to have the ability to not personalize certain feedback from patients, but it is nice to know you are appreciated
12. 
    May 3

    Great story.
13. 
    May 4

    I love my work, my team, the fulfillment in it and the opportunities afforded me over the years. And I'm compensated well. Cup runeth over and all that. I know much of it is pure good fortune in that it found me.

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