Let me hear your raves

[Kyla.ann]

I understand that it is easier to vent about our hard times than it is to rave about the good; however, reading through all these posts about crazy co-workers or the person that is out to get someone has me (a pre-nursing student) a little frightened about what I am getting myself in to. I know there has GOT to be some good out there. I know there HAS to be people out there that love their jobs and the co-workers that come along with it.

So please, I need to hear your good work experience stories before I lose hope. Tales of co-workers helping each other out? Doctors appreciating the work that nurses do? TEAMWORK in the workplace? Is this all just a fantasy or is it real and actually out there somewhere?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Everybody vents, not just nurses. I like working with smart people and meeting all sorts of interesting challenging events. That's it in a nutshell.

[redbull68w]

The main thing tha I always try to keep in mind is why I'm in the nursing field. In any job there are going to be those co-workers who range from eccentric to flat out nutso; it's unavoidable. For me, being a nurse isn't all about saving lives, cuz you won't be able to save them all. I focus on being there for the patient and the family. It's the small things that seem to me to be the most rewarding. Taking a few extra minutes to talk with a patient; getting them a warm blanket; listening to their concerns and fears. The thank you's I get from doing those seemingly little things mean a lot and make putting up with all the other B.S. worth it.

I don't know how anyone else feels, but that's why I do it

[cupcake231]

Hey there! I am also a pre-nursing student (just waiting to hear back from some schools). How I see it is that there are always going to be those not-so-nice people within any profession, or in any area of life for that matter. All I do when I encounter those situations is I just keep putting my best foot forward and do the best I can and not let those not-so-nice people "win" by letting them bring me down.

I also believe that teamwork within nursing as well as an appreciation for nurses does exist. I think each and every day, nurses work together, consult one another, and assist one another in order to complete tasks at hand. If this was not true, a lot of things would not get done.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Raves...raves...raves...think...think...think.......

J/K.

I recently had a former patient recognize me. She even remembered my name. At first, I thought "Uh oh, what did I do/say?" But it turned out it really was a good memory, and it felt good to know I had touched this person's life in a positive way.

I've cared for dying people, and facilitated their peaceful passing. That's a good feeling.

Being able to talk someone through a painful or scary procedure, and see the trust in their eyes that they have for you, it's pretty humbling.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Coincidentally, I just found out today that a co-worker who has the reputation of being a bit cold, hard-hearted, etc., has been secretly helping a mutual co-worker supply his family's needs. Even to the extent of purchasing a reliable car for him so that he could keep his job.

She has been doing this for several years, she and the Medical Director of our institution. All on the sly.

[Mom&Wifetoo]

As a current student, let me tell you, it is worth it and the good does outweigh the bad :)

I am lucky to have a great class! There is no one that is in this all for themselves. Everyone will help everyone out. and we all seem to get along great. We do have one girl who is particularly negative, and can find the bad in ANYTHING, but even she is willing to help if her help is needed. Some really good friendships have been formed! We all look out for each other. So see, there is hope to nursing school!! :)

[krenee]

I like my job! I graduated in May and was terrified also due to the vents posted here constantly, esp the ones by the new grads! Seemed like all nurses really hated nursing . . . but not so. My preceptorship was awesome. I've been off orientation for about two months now, and I still like my job very much. Don't get me wrong, they call it WORK for a reason and I am tired! I am also a bit stressed, there is so much to worry about. But overall I feel so, so lucky to be working as an RN in a unit that I enjoy. It's not perfect, but as far as jobs go, it's pretty awesome.

Best of luck!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I had a little boy hug me after his breathing treatment... Kids always find a way to make me love my job...

[JBudd, MSN]

Had a deaf kid let me try out my limited signing, "my name is...", then look at her Mom and sign "she's cool!"

[catshowlady]

I work on an awesome unit. Small Midwestern city, ICU. I love my unit. We don't get the sickest pts - they get shipped elsewhere - so I know I'm not caring for the sickest of the sick. But the nurses on my unit work well together. We support each other, help each other, there's no backbiting or backstabbing on my shift (and only a little on the opposite shift, nothing like the horror stories I read here). When somebody gets an admission, we all help however we can, helping settle in the pt, start an IV, do the admission profile, whatever. I am blessed to be a newer nurse who has access to many nurses with 10-30 years experience to learn from, who are kind and generous and do not eat their young. And, generally speaking, my whole hospital is like this. Everybody plays nicely in the sandbox, thankyouverymuch.

And as far as the pts go, I love it when a pt asks me if I am going to be his or her nurse again tomorrow. It lets me know they appreciated my care and trust in me to have me as their nurse again. Hugs from appreciative family members also make my day. And, although I don't enjoy it per se, I try my hardest to ease the pain of death for both the pt and the family. I may not be able to prevent the death, but I can help make it less painful, and I find that fulfilling.

The good units are out there. It's just not as dramatic or cathartic to talk about them as it is to kvetch about the bad ones.

:paw:

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Threads merged.