Is it really worth it?

unknown99, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

You know it is worth it when.....

You see a patient walk out the door after 3 months of not knowing if they would live or die...

You see a patient take their first step after having to learn how to walk again...

You hear that thank you for being so kind to our mother while she was still alive...

You hear a mother/ father give a great sigh of relief when you tell them their child is going to make it....

You hand a mother/father their newborn for the first time...

You see a flicker of recognition in a confused elderly patient's eyes when you walk in the door of their room.

There are so many other reasons, but you would have to experience them to know the true meaning of why nursing is "worth" it.

NicInNC, CNA · Feb 8, 2005

You know it is worth it when.....
You see a patient walk out the door after 3 months of not knowing if they would live or die...
You see a patient take their first step after having to learn how to walk again...
You hear that thank you for being so kind to our mother while she was still alive...
You hear a mother/ father give a great sigh of relief when you tell them their child is going to make it....
You hand a mother/father their newborn for the first time...
You see a flicker of recognition in a confused elderly patient's eyes when you walk in the door of their room.
There are so many other reasons, but you would have to experience them to know the true meaning of why nursing is "worth" it.

Now THAT is a reply that I want to hear! I read complaints about pay, being overworked, etc and it just makes me wonder. I want to HELP people. I'm amazed with the medical field and how our bodies work. I want to make a difference in peoples lives. I want to offer compassion and hope. There is so much that i want out of a nursing career. So much more than money. It's just that when I read about other things, it kind of discourages me. I'm still not sure exactly if I'll continue to keep my major as ADN or if I'll step down to LPN but either way, I know I can accomplish the above.

I'll never forget this nurse that my mom had before she went in for her heart bypass. The nurse was so full of compassion. We had only known her for an hour and she seemed like a friend. My moms bypass was completely unexpected and none of us was prepared or knew what would happen, so naturally we were all petrified for her. The nurse held my moms hand and CRIED with us. I will NEVER EVER forget her. I want to be THAT nurse. The fact that she understood what we were feeling meant more than anything.

NorthER,RN · Feb 9, 2005

Nic, I know that it seems that a lot of us on this web site are "dumping" on our work, our colleagues and our patients - but this is such a safe place for us to vent and to share the things that really get us down.

Having said that, in my very humble opinion: Nursing is so completely "worth it". I had a lot of jobs before I went back to school for nursing at the ripe old age of 42. The last 9 years have been full of ups and downs, but there is nothing to beat the feelings as described by sagarcia in the previous post. So many barriers come down between human beings when put ourselves in the position of helping others with our hands and our hearts open. The learning opportunities never stop, and taking a break after your ADN to use the knowledge that you have acquired is a great way to figure out where you're going to aim for next.

I wish you all the best - and that you become the best nurse that you can be.

saskrn · Feb 9, 2005

Maybe I've just been reading all of the post with the downsides of nursing or something, but I'm beginning to wonder if all this work is worth it! There are so many post complaining about how nurses are treated, the low pay, etc. And now I hear that it may be required to have a MSN or BSN????? I personally do NOT want to go to school that long. I'm struggling just going half time for my ADN.
I'm so confused and my mood is going downhill really fast reading all of this....

Nicole

Don't listen to the complaining - all jobs have downsides, I think. Don't focus on the "eat their young" stuff. Focus on your patient, and do this work to make a difference in someone's life. Good luck!

BETSRN · Feb 9, 2005

Maybe I've just been reading all of the post with the downsides of nursing or something, but I'm beginning to wonder if all this work is worth it! There are so many post complaining about how nurses are treated, the low pay, etc. And now I hear that it may be required to have a MSN or BSN????? I personally do NOT want to go to school that long. I'm struggling just going half time for my ADN.
I'm so confused and my mood is going downhill really fast reading all of this....

Nicole

is it worth it? You bet it is!! You haven't read all of the positive posts that abound here on this site!

The One · Feb 10, 2005

you know it is worth it when.....
you see a patient walk out the door after 3 months of not knowing if they would live or die...
you see a patient take their first step after having to learn how to walk again...
you hear that thank you for being so kind to our mother while she was still alive...
you hear a mother/ father give a great sigh of relief when you tell them their child is going to make it....
you hand a mother/father their newborn for the first time...
you see a flicker of recognition in a confused elderly patient's eyes when you walk in the door of their room.
there are so many other reasons, but you would have to experience them to know the true meaning of why nursing is "worth" it.

amen to that! :yeahthat: