Give me some hope...Is ANYONE happy being a nurse??

NurseDirtyBird · Apr 3, 2014

Some people consider their job their "calling," but many of us wouldn't do this job if we weren't being paid to do it. It's just like any other job - if the work environment is pleasant and you work with a good team, you can be happy working there. Some people love working in customer service because they work with a great team in a great environment. Some people love working construction because of their team and their environment. Some people love office work, etc., etc. It's not so much the job as the amount of responsibility we take on and the actual workplace. It's also a stressful job and sometimes it doesn't seem worth it. I sometimes daydream about being Lester Burnham in "American Beauty"..."I'm looking for the least possible amount of responsibility."

Kipahni, RN · Apr 4, 2014

I use to love nursing. And at times I still do. I love NURSING tasks. Education, Skills, Assessing, ect.

However most nursing jobs are in corporate like atmospheres, and this can cause high stress and irritability. I love the teamwork and my co-workers. I love my flexibility in schedule and I love my days off. For now in my career this is enough. I get paid well, live frugally and play hard. Nursing has taken me all over the world and my best friends are from my nursing school days.

In the end though you need to see what your own heart wishes.

Guests · Apr 4, 2014

Yes there are nurses who have exciting jobs but they also are not leaving their jobs - delaying retirement, ect.

^^ This ^^

I'm one of those who's found my niche and I'm not giving it up to anybody for 20 years or so.

N-1 good jobs on the market.

gaejon · Apr 4, 2014

is nursing profession in oregon state a very competitive?

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2014

If there is a good team dynamic, I find that I can like the hospital. I didn't like days and they put me on days so I was unhappy. Back on nights, I like it better.

Rebekah1882 · Apr 4, 2014

Thanks to everyone for all that you have giving me to think about. You have confirmed what I thought may be true about the venting. Even though the job market is tough, it is tough everywhere and I believe that there are even less jobs for Rad Techs. I have been asking around and speaking with all ages of nurses at my hospital and any nursing student I see. Nursing holds more for me long term and is more my style. At this point I feel as if I have nothing to lose and will forge ahead and enroll in the required CNA course and change my major. I am just going to put my best into it and learn all I can in order to become a safe and competent nurse I will cross the other bridges when I come to them.

rrlpn · Apr 4, 2014

if i was treatd more like an lpn than a cna i would be a happy nurse

catalina225 · Apr 4, 2014

Not me....I'm miserable being a nurse. From ocd crazy coworkers, to tons of insane work, to 12hour exhausting shifts...it sucks

ERnurse71, ADN, BSN · Apr 4, 2014

I like the money !!! Love the ER!!!

Despareux · Apr 4, 2014

Love floor nursing. I left for a minute and went to the other side of nursing (research) and really found out how much I truly love floor nursing; it energizes and challenges me everyday I work. Now granted, I've only been a nurse for just over 1.5 years--ask me again in 15 years and I may have a different answer.

Rebekah1882 · Apr 4, 2014

Can you explain this to me? I don't have any nursing or CNA experience so I am not sure what this means.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 4, 2014

I've loved my job for the last 37 years. Have I had periods of not loving the particular situation I'm in? Sure- who hasn't? But the view from 30,000 feet is this: Nursing is, for me, a well-paying, soul-satisfying way of making a living and serving my fellow man.