What Do You Love About Nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am going to be starting the nursing program in January. I recently had an orientation at my school, which seemed (to me) to be devoted exclusively to informing us how difficult the program would be, and how we would have no life, and how we would suffer tremendously, etc., etc. I came home feeling pretty awful. Then I joined this wonderful site to see if anyone had any tips to offer to new students, and to look around to hear what other nurses had to say.

Wow! It seems like everyone hates their jobs/bosses/co-workers/patients. No one gets paid, everyone is exhausted, drained, burnt out, and miserable. Suddenly, nursing seems like the worst job on the planet.

I literally started crying. It seems like I am doomed to be miserable for two years in school, and subsequently for the rest of my life in my job.

SO...can anyone tell me something they actually like about nursing?

Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

I don't like to be bored. I'm never bored at work. Actually there is always this sense of anticipation tinged with fear (like when your approaching the big drop on a roller coaster) I get as I approach my day. I never know what's going to happen and I have to be ready for anything. I like being a part of a team. I like seeing/experiencing stuff regular people don't. I like the vastness of this profession -- so many things you can do. I like studying and learning -- something you will never stop doing as a nurse--- not just in nursing school! That's only the beginning. It only scratches the surface.

You will be swimming in deep waters as a nurse. I hope you love it. I do!

Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

As of right now.... Nothing.

It's funny, shortly after I joined this site, I posted a similar thread. This place scared the pants off of me and I was sure I had made a terrible decision (I'm a student). But really, if you stick around you realize that a) this is a relatively safe place to vent, which is a good thing - but seems to magnify the hard side of nursing. Just remind yourself that when people are upset, they are more vocal about it. Happy people don't need to gush about how happy they are. b) There are wonderful, loving, caring stories being shared that will really lift you up. There are people on here happy to help students with questions (provided you're trying to figure it out on your own), great advice and a kick in the pants when you need one.

I think like most careers, nursing is what you make it. If you go in with a great attitude, an open mind, and a bit of humility, you'll do just fine. And if you don't do just fine in one setting - there are many more to try on.

Good luck (to both of us ;) )

Welcome to nursing!

I have worked night shift for a year and a half and although I'm leaving soon, there are things I like about it. It is a good feeling when you walk past someone's room just to eyeball them and after all of your hard work, they are snuggled up in their beds dozing peacefully (from what we can see).

After lots of interventions, it's a good feeling when family marches through the door and then says "WOW he/she looks so much better."

I am lucky to work with lots of excellent nurses and very kind people. When one of us is having a rough night, someone will go to the cafeteria and get them fries or onion rings. It's the best feeling to see that at your station when you finally sit down to chart!

I have a lot of pre-op patients and will spend nights getting them ready. When the day finally comes to take them to the OR, you can tell you made a difference to them. Sometimes they are so relieved to just get it done, other times scared. The best is when they squeeze my hand as the bed is going out of the room. I am just trying to be there for them.

In my BSN coursework I have to do a lot of reading/writing, and I read a quote that has stuck with me (although I can't remember who said it). "The nurse must do what the patient cannot do for themselves." That is why I do what I do - and I try to imagine what is must feel like to not be able to turn over, get to the bathroom myself, or eat. That said, I encourage all of my patients to function at the highest level of independent care that they can.

OK. Mushy time over! :p

Specializes in Psych-Mental Health, Geriatrics/Dementia.

Hi, Allison! I am so sorry you are feeling down with all the negativity about nursing. Let's see if I can help a bit. First of all, please pardon typos. I fell yesterday at work and landed on my hand, so my fingers aren't working right today. Anyhoo

I have been a RN for 24 years this March. I will not lie when I tell you I have had some bloody awful times, but that will happen with any career where you are working with personalities that should not be allowed around people or animals. That being said, here are some things I like, and in some cases even love, about being a RN:

1. I get to be a role model and mentor to young nurses and future nurses like yourself, and have an influence in how they will develop their worldview ofnursing

2. I have found that in the end, nurses stick together and take care of each other. There will always be those bad apples who in nursing only because they have to pay the bills, but what you learn in nursing about resilience and assertiveness helps you get around those people.

3. My long time working in mental health and geriatrics and dementia (I'm a Psych Nurse) has resulted in my being looked at as an expert by other nurses and providers and I am frequently consulted by them.

4. When I am with a patient, and I know how they started out , and then I see them doing well, it reminds me of why I answered this calling.

5. Nurses can move up to working in advanced practice (RNP, CNS, CNL, midwife) and work alongside physicians as trusted providers (for my own care, I only see RNPs unless absolutely needed otherwise).

6. With any specialty you choose, you will learn some skills that you would never get in the civilian world. As a psych nurse, I can actually guess the diagnosis of someone before the doctors even figure it out. I have doctors asking me for my input and advice on what to do.

As a new student:

1. Find your mentors early in your instructors, classmates, and even nurses you meet outside of school.

2. Make your clinicals about your relationship with your patient, not your instructor.

3. Try to have an early idea of what kind of nursing you want to do and work towards that goal.

4. If you run into nurses in your clinicals and classes who are not "getting it", take notes and remember their behaviors or methods are going to teach you what NOT to do. A lot of my own leadership skills in nursing resulted from my being around nurses who wanted to treat me badly and showed me what NOT to do.

5. Be proud of your skills and knowledge, both in clinicals and in practice. You're doing something that not many can do.

And lastly.......Keep coming back here to keep in touch with us. I for one will be one of your supports from afar, so feel free when you need an ear. You will be great and will grow into your nursing skin.

Best of luck and Aloha!

Karen

Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

Nursing gives me the flexibility and the finances to be able to do the things I love, particularly travel. I wouldn't be able to travel as much as I do with a regular 9-5 job, nor would I probably have the financial means to do so with most other jobs that would allow such scheduling. When my lifestyle needs change and I'd prefer to have a 9-5 job, well, nursing can provide that too.

I am a newer nurse. I will say that nursing school is difficult, but not nearly as hard as being a nurse for the first year, give or take a couple months. Remember that when you graduate and start working. Everyone is in it for something different. I personally like this career because I feel it is an honor to be trusted enough to perform life saving measures on people. The patients and families who look at me in awe when I am educating them make my flipping day. It sounds selfish, and it kind of is, but I enjoy the respect I receive from people when I say I am a nurse, and feel even happier when I transport a patient to the floor from the ER and the patient and family thank me profusely for the care they received. I will not lie and say I love my job every day, because there are a fair share of times I hate my job and wonder what the hell I was thinking when I chose to become a nurse. But then I think of the little retail jobs I had here and there during high school and college. I was itching to go home from boredom all the time and I had 0 sense of fulfillment. All the little tasks I had to do served no real purpose. Every task I fulfill now has a purpose, and that is really wonderful.

Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

Welcome to Nursing!

Nursing involves people and I LOVE PEOPLE!--- All types of people. Since I work in "the Big Apple" I have the blessings of working with and taking care of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, cultures---everybody!:x3:

Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Telemetry RN.

It's ******* awesome!! I can go anywhere and do anything that I want to do. Being in the medical field has created many opportunities that I can save lives in and out of the hospital. I am currently in Nursing school and I want to say go for it all the way! Always remember that God forbid you will fail out, but if you fail out then you will fail knowing you tried everything in your power to do the very best you could do. Fail out before you quit! Thats what I always say. Fortunately, it has been a fantastic experience and I am very satisfied with helping others when they are hanging on for the edge of their life.

It sounds like a talk I got a little over two years ago when I started nursing school. I think it's required of every school to give in order to scare off the weak of heart. Nursing is not for the weak of heart.

Your cohort will become forced friends, some will annoy you, some will force you to push yourself, and some will become your new best friends. I got really lucky with my cohort. There were a few personality conflicts, but nothing near the catty backstabbing I have heard from students in other programs. Even our professors have commented on how much chiller we were for nursing students.

There will be panic inducing moments. I don't think it's possible to get through nursing school without crying at least once. You will likely change your mind about what you think you want to do. I originally wanted to do community health with adults. Learned I really loved peds and psych, a combo I never thought I would be interested in.

In the end, though, it's been worth it for me. I feel like I actually challenged myself. I have a job that pushes me to do better. I have support to continue learning. I have a sense of belonging, even though my identity for right now is "the newbie." I like not being stagnant, and nursing is one of those fields where you are encouraged to grow.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

(((Hugs)))

While in nursing school, I worked a part time job. I planned a wedding and got married. We moved into our first home. I had a baby. While pregnant I went to a prenatal aerobics class. I joined my extended family for Sunday dinner. I met my sister for lunch. My husband and I had date nights. I was a tutor for a struggling microbiology student. I sang in my church's worship band.

I graduated with mostly As, and a handful of Bs.

I've been an RN for 13 years. I love that I can help someone on the worst day of their life. I love seeing when my nursing care helps someone get better...and when it helps them die more comfortably. I love that I'm never bored at work; every day brings something new. I love that I can work part time (my geologist sister would LOVE to go part time, but her company doesn't allow it.) Right now I stay at home with my 5 children during the week, and go to work on weekends. The pay is good for only needing 2 yrs' schooling (I got my ADN first.) It is comforting to know that if my husband were killed tomorrow, I would be able to provide for my family. I love how diverse the opportunities are; if the ICU eventually burns me out, I can get a job in another specialty.

Is it all rainbows and unicorns, of course not. I don't like poop any better than the next gal. I don't like working holidays. Some patients and families are ugly; stress can exacerbate ugliness.

But no career is perfect. Overall I love being a nurse!

I enjoy nursing for many reasons.

I work in the ICU, and my co-workers form one heck of a team that helps boost my overall faith in humanity.

I get to choose my own schedule, for the most part.

I only work 3 days a week.

I get many opportunities for furthering my education/skills/knowledge.

The pay is satisfying. I am able to support my family and allow my wife to stay at home with our son. We have a nice 3/2 house, two cars, and a canoe.

I earn exceptional health benefits.

I have fantastic job security.

I never have to think about what to wear.

There are many more, but this is just a few that come to mind.

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