Anyone else out there feel like you really love your job??? That's how I feel. I don't know if it's because I'm in the ICU (MICU/SICU), but the MDs seem to respect that a little more than the floor nurses and our opinions on pts acuity. I think it's fun and I really enjoy just having 2 really sick pts and constantly monitoring their VS, UO, continually assessing them. One night, I only had 1 pt because I had a brain dead pt, preparing them for the harvest...I got to work with the New England Organ Bank RN...it was really cool. Also, my nurse manager is awesome, always trying to give us the schedule we want.
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Optimist, You sound like a very lucky girl! You love your job which sounds like you are living on a completely different planet from the place I'm from. I too worked at a LTC facility and even though I truly love my work and my patients, I never had the time to put makeup on anyone, rarely even myself. In a perfect world I would be able to stop long enough to listen to the residents reminise about their early days. It's a wonderful and rare event to be working at a place that would allow that. Good for you for taking the time out to smell the roses!! Wish it was possible here for me.
It's so nice to read about happy nurses who enjoy their jobs. As I read all the post on this thread, it appears the happiest nurses for the most part have realistic patient to nurse staffing ratios, supportive management and coworkers. Now if we could only bottle this and spread this around. I've had very ill family members in the ER and ICU and I really love the nurses. I notice the nurses who work in the most favorable conditions, provide the best quality care. I hope some quality management people look at these post and consider this when looking at customer satisfaction.
I'm so happy to hear that you guys are really enjoying your job! After all the venting and ranting I usually read on this site your post was a breath of fresh air! Not That I have anything against venting. Hey everyone needs a place to let it out right?!
I'm currently a nursing student and I wanted to ask you for a word of advice. I'm interested in the anesthesia program and in order to be even considered I have to have 1 to 2 years experience in an ICU/Critical Care setting. Now, how difficult is it to land a job in ICU after graduation? I'm not expecting to be hired in ICU fresh out of school, but realistically how many years of experience are they looking for?
Nursing is a second career and I have a few years of volunteer experience in the hospital setting, if that matters at all.
Thank you so much for your help and suggestions. Anything is greatly appreciated!
it's so nice to read about happy nurses who enjoy their jobs. as i read all the post on this thread, it appears the happiest nurses for the most part have realistic patient to nurse staffing ratios, supportive management and coworkers. now if we could only bottle this and spread this around. i've had very ill family members in the er and icu and i really love the nurses. i notice the nurses who work in the most favorable conditions, provide the best quality care. i hope some quality management people look at these post and consider this when looking at customer satisfaction.
the bolded is basically what its all about. also nurses who work in the most favorable conditions are given the opportunity to provide the best quality care. other nurses have the desire but have so many obstacles keeping them from getting there completely.
I'm a new grad and have been at my job for a little more than 3 months. I love my job. I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten this position. I work nights on a post op med/surg unit at a fairly small hospital. My coworkers are really supportive, when I need help/have questions people are willing to help me out, there's a good team vibe. I've learned a lot being there. I even love working nights, which I wasn't sure I could handle.
I got a lot out of any job I had, or I didn't stay. I loved med-surg (neuro, and a general floor with a heavy ortho population)- worked staff and charge, and had great co-workers. The docs asked for opinions a LOT. They came to potlucks, and were wonderful to work with. I was the only RN for 27 beds, and 3 LVNs on nights, and maybe an aide. In 2002). It worked out fine; everyone did their job, and didn't squawk about it. It was a small town, so we all knew that there weren't a lot of nurses to pull from in the community- so we just got after it, and helped each other all the time. (and laughed a LOT).
I worked drug/alcohol rehab; the doc there was wonderful- even with repeated calls when someone was having a particularly hard detox- and actively asked for suggestions since we were there looking at the person. IF I thought someone was getting into medical issues that weren't safe 14 miles from town, it was never a problem to send someone out. I was the only RN for a 90+ bed facility (12 detox beds) one LVN for meds, and a tech for vitals and labs ( I also drew labs). 1995-1998.....
When I worked LTC (several places), I worked the floor and MDSs....and again, had great co-workers and docs to work with. It was never a problem to ask most docs for specific things. They trusted us.
I worked head injury rehab (coma stim) and again, had great people to work with...the docs were wonderful (the neuro guys were out there a lot, and always wanted nursing input).
Pediatrics- the hospitalists were easy to work with. The co-workers on my shift were a great group (sans one). The other shift was VERY "sorority" and I had outgrown that crXX ages ago...so didn't have much use for them. Getting sent to PICU or NICU were also fine- they were glad to have the help, and very good at walking me through things that I wasn't used to on the floor; in NICU I got feeder/growers- but some had some major defects (part of head missing).
I was also pretty laid back when I was working; I got the job done efficiently, but also had fun. My former co-workers are the biggest group on my FB list. And it's great to be back in contact with them (no computer for 2 years- so got a bit lonely w/o them :)).
I've worked other places, and most were great; when I got tired of the politics or hours, I did something else (central TX from 1985-2002 was an employees market... NO problem getting jobs, or questions about leaving - I was honest- just wanted to do something else-- or relocated).
Yes- med- surg nurses like their jobs. They like the patients, co-workers, and docs/ancillary staff. That isn't an "ICU thing". :)
Thank you so much for starting a thread with such a positive outlook! It really, as a lot of people have already mentioned, is a much needed breath of fresh air!
I absolutely love my job. I had worked 1 year in LTC and 2 years in a TCU setting before my current position on an Orthopedic Med/Surg floor. I work straight NOC's and have a great team of nurses and professionals working by my side. They have been extremely supportive and friendly. Of course, there have been those nights (especially in a LTC/TCU setting...trust me) where it takes every bit of will to return for the next shift, but I love nursing and cannot imagine doing anything else as a career. :)
I love my job and i couldn't ask for better. It is at a small hospital and i work med/surg. I dont mind the services i provide for my pt's and even the families are grateful. I have never had a disgruntled family or pt that shouted at me. they are always so polite. We deal with all sorts from day old babies till death. Even though some ask me isnt this too much, i absolutely love it and also it broadens my skill (I can tell people i have worked peds and adult). Also a bonus, most of the coworkers are nice and management for the most part listens to our needs and when they cannot provide what we want at least they provide a reasonable reason why they cant. Even our manager buys some products we need out of pocket just so we can get it faster than the facility can give it.
I'm so happy to hear that you guys are really enjoying your job! After all the venting and ranting I usually read on this site your post was a breath of fresh air! Not That I have anything against venting. Hey everyone needs a place to let it out right?!
I'm currently a nursing student and I wanted to ask you for a word of advice. I'm interested in the anesthesia program and in order to be even considered I have to have 1 to 2 years experience in an ICU/Critical Care setting. Now, how difficult is it to land a job in ICU after graduation? I'm not expecting to be hired in ICU fresh out of school, but realistically how many years of experience are they looking for?
Nursing is a second career and I have a few years of volunteer experience in the hospital setting, if that matters at all.
Thank you so much for your help and suggestions. Anything is greatly appreciated!
That is what I want to do...Yes minimum of 1-2 years depending on the school. It is difficult to land in an ICU right after graduation. I worked on Medical/tele for almost 3 years. Volunteering experience does not count.
I have to say the last several days have been blissfully wonderful where I actually enjoyed my job and looked forward to coming to work. This doesn't happen that often so it is a wonderful treat to actually have pleasant patients who are of sound mind! What a difference it makes, no stress from dealing with the violent, mentally ill etc.
Without the agitated, disruptive patients, it was peaceful and we were all getting along very well (staff) and patients! It makes me more hopeful as I have many more years to work before I can retire and I can't afford to go back to school as much as I want to.
I thank God for all his blessings that help me keep going!
Nikki 1984
6 Posts
Optimist, You sound like a very lucky girl! You love your job which sounds like you are living on a completely different planet from the place I'm from. I too worked at a LTC facility and even though I truly love my work and my patients, I never had the time to put makeup on anyone, rarely even myself. In a perfect world I would be able to stop long enough to listen to the residents reminise about their early days. It's a wonderful and rare event to be working at a place that would allow that. Good for you for taking the time out to smell the roses!! Wish it was possible here for me.