I feel like everybody hates being a nurse!!!

[hershdawg]

Seriously all I see people do is complain about how hard nursing is and why their job sucks. Does anyone actually enjoy their job haha? It's making some of us people in college get sketchy about our career choices.

[lrenteria4]

You read my mind! I too was thinking the same thing. I've always wanted to be a nurse because I didn't want just a career- to be making money and spending money- I wanted to do something that would change lives and help others. I've visited hospitals where I don't understand why the nurses were even there- perhaps just to make a big buck? I thought if I could bring love and compassion to my patients, that would make me happy and hopefully be one less nurse who couldn't care less about his/her job or his/her patients. But one of the things i'm trying to do is get into the mind of a nurse, because I don't know what goes through their head. I don't know what they go through, and that could change entirely my view on nursing. I just hope that those who go into the field do it for more than the money. The thing I wanted most from a nurse when I was in the hospital was to be listened to, to be understood, and to be helped.

I hope that soon I will understand the perceptions I have had of nurses, and why my thoughts that I could do better and be more compassionate may or may not be valid. I've gained alot of insight from this website and I hope to gain more in the future!

[lrenteria4]

For me, feeling like I made a difference in someones life makes it all worth it. It gives me great satisfaction. The money is a bonus. You can make money doing many things. I personally could not do what I do if my heart wasn't in it.

Well said, Gabby! We need more nurses like you. I was just saying how frustrating it is to hear that the only thing keeping nurses in a job is the money. It's a bonus, for sure. But the whole concept of nursing goes far beyond what someone who isn't capable of compassion and nurturing can achieve. I'm not saying being a nurse isn't hard, but compassion and empathy go a very long way. Sometimes, people just want to be heard and understood. I've met many nurses who simply do not understand that.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I didn't choose nursing, it chose me. I realized I'd never be happy with myself if I didn't do it. I've had a very fun and interesting career, but there are still things I haven't loved about nursing.

The whole corporate hospital customer service thing. They make you work harder, faster, so the patient can feel like he's at a spa and corporate gets their profit. Which they won't share with you. Meanwhile, you're supposed to learn scripted responses and wear buttons about hand-washing and wonder why no one respects you. Meal breaks cost money, so forget about those.

Here's where new people come in: you're our hope. Instead of feeling discouraged and wondering if you've made the right choice, start educating yourselves. Aren't you supposed to learn leadership in the BSN programs? Learn how to rally your coworkers, work with your union (or start one), be assertive, know your worth and not take crap. If these programs aren't provided, lobby for them or self-study. We've always been our own worst enemies, putting up with nonsense and taking our frustrations out on each other.

We can only change things if we work together. It didn't used to be this way, and doesn't have to stay this way unless we keep on allowing it.

[Nola009]

Yeah, its pretty terrible. If you are going into nursing because you think theres a shortage, well there is none. And if you think you will be helping people, you wont. Not really.

[suanna]

Hating your chosen profession is as far as I can tell, the one universal rule in nursing, regardless of educational background, years on the job, or area of specialty. The only thing I have seen change is that recently, every other team member is hating thier job just as much as we do. Docs, bosses, volunteers, support staff.... there dosen't seem to be any happy place in health care anymore.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I don't hate being a nurse. I've never regretted my decision. I love my job, I love working with the clientele I work with, many days I go home feeling like I made a difference in someone's life, I get to use my brain and exercise it nearly every day, I am REALLY REALLY good at what I do, so there is a sense of pride in it as well. I feel like I'm well-compensated for my job. Generally speaking, I'm proud to say I'm a nurse when someone asks me what I do.

[SuperStaffer]

I enjoy my job! There are problems and bad co workers but overall I love what I do. I think most people complain because they all say that Nurses are so bad they will eat their own. Lol, we are woman arn't we? We can tend to be petty. THAT I see a lot of.

[toomuchbaloney]

I love being a nurse.

I have hated at least one of my jobs.