Nurses who love their job.

iamme457 · Feb 6, 2001

I truly enjoy my work, each job in nursing has been an experience. I started my health care career as an ambulance dispatcher, advanced to EMT then Paramedic. I worked as a paramedic while I went to nursing school. Upon graduation I took a job on a med-surg unit as a GN then transferred to ICU/CCU at the same facility. After about 2 1/2 years in that unit I took a position as a flight nurse with the same health care system, that position included working in the ICU with the flight docs. That position was exciting for about 3 years at which time I decided to travel for a while. I worked in a Level I trauma center in the south for 6 months and at the same time worked in a community mental health clinic and hosted at a local sports bar. What does a sports bar have to do with a health care career you ask?? that was the bar that where the local medical students had jobs. I met future health care professionals from all over the world, and by the way is where I got the info about working in the mental health clinic. I never cashed a pay check there, I just kept a tab and the weekly paycheck usually paid the bill LOL. That place had wonderful food, I taught the chef how to make pierogi and he gave me his recipe for tortilla soup. I then worked in an open heart unit for about 3 months and returned to my old job in ICU and flight nursing. Yup, they took me back it pays to not burn your bridges when leaving a position, the chief of Intensive care asked the facility to take me back even though there was a hiring freeze. With the current downsizing and budget cuts I couldnt stand that job anymore. I was also working for an agency for extra cash and found a wonderful position as clinical coordinator at a large long term care/alzheimers/sub-acute facility. I continue to do air-ambulance on a casual basis through an agency, that keeps my PHRN and medical command status current. There are so many different jobs available with my training and experience I dont think I will ever become bored working in the health care field. Not looking for another position yet but I may go to school and obtain a nursing home adminstrators license.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 6, 2001

I too really love my job. I work full time in a large level one trauma center. I also do volunteer pre-hospital EMS work with the rural squad where I live. What a variety and what appreciation it gives you.

T · Feb 9, 2001

Originally posted by Enright:
I love my job. I am a nurse consultant for a government agency and I do community health teaching on health and driving.I have direct contact with citizens over their health concerns and those of their loved ones. I do over 40 public speaking presentations a year to community groups in my state. The job requires an RN and I deal with just about every health issue that can befall a human. It has really kept me on my toes! I also act as a judicial reviewer for people with health crises who want to get their license back.

I'd like to make the point that I did not land in this job out of school. I had a series of other nursing jobs over 14 years. I always felt I had skills that were not being utilized in hospital nursing. I agree with prior poster who said that if you don't love the job, move on. It was only by finding out what didn't work for me that I found what I did best. Good luck.

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Your job sounds interesting. Any advice for others to get into it? I am interested in peds and newborns.

Sas Dadd · Feb 10, 2001

Originally posted by susanmary:
Nurses who LOVE their job, please reply. What do you do? Why do you stay in your position? Is there any nurse out there who is satisfied with their job and actually looks forward to going to work? Any words of wisdom?

I am a newly qualified nurse of 1 year!! and I absolutely love my job. I am a RNLD which means that I care and support people with learning disabilities and associated medical problems/disabilities (unfortunately not a qualification acknowledged outside of UK).

My job is very challenging and stressful at times, but it is also very rewarding.

Come to the UK and train as an RNLD - you won't regret it!!

glcas · Feb 14, 2001

I love what I do!! I am a nurse in a psychiatric facility (behavioral health). I know that the nurses in other situations cannot understand how i could love helping people with mental illness but then, I don't think I could handle the stress of an ER or OR or EEEEEK, med-surg. All those machines!! To each his own. Why do I love it? I seem to have always had an affinity for the mentally ill. I have an innate ability to empathize and understand. The brain and thinking processes fascinate me. Every patient is different. It is always a challenge to think up a new way to help someone; you can't see it like a broken leg, you can't cut it out like a tumor. We save lives and give hope. Not too bad a legacy.

glcas · Feb 14, 2001

I love what I do!! I am a nurse in a psychiatric facility (behavioral health). I know that the nurses in other situations cannot understand how i could love helping people with mental illness but then, I don't think I could handle the stress of an ER or OR or EEEEEK, med-surg. All those machines!! To each his own. Why do I love it? I seem to have always had an affinity for the mentally ill. I have an innate ability to empathize and understand. The brain and thinking processes fascinate me. Every patient is different. It is always a challenge to think up a new way to help someone; you can't see it like a broken leg, you can't cut it out like a tumor. We save lives and give hope. Not too bad a legacy.

teamrn · Feb 14, 2001

I've worked as a hospice nurse for the past 9 years, and do I LOVE it. Yes, there are the ups and the downs, like in any job, but there have been a few days while I'm driving from house to house, when I've pinched myself, and said (to myself!)"Ican't believe that I 'm paid to enjoy what I do." Granted, not paid that much, but I get to do the teaching that I love, pain and symptom managemant that I feel is so necessary and often overlooked. I work with such an incredible team of CNAs, social workers, volunteers and chaplains, and I also have the opportunity to be of support to the patients and families who are experiencing one of the most difficult times that can be faced. I am able to be a part of that, and love it.

TKOLRN, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2001

I love what I do, however I don't always love where I do it...After 15 years, 13 1/2 of which I have been an ER nurse, I can still say I like nursing..It's all in how you cope with it.

Ted

st4304 · Feb 15, 2001

I work in a diagnostic cardiac cath lab with a staff of five RNs. My hours are 6:30am to 3:00pm Monday thru Friday. No weekends or holidays. We average three to four caths a day with a few other procedures (pacemaker implantations, TEEs, DSEs, cardioversions, etc.) thrown in. We also put in PICCs. I am on call one night a week and every fourth weekend (only four of us take call). I get called in (mostly for temporary pacemakers or IABP insertions) about 4 to 5 times a year. I work with a great bunch of cardiologists who are fun to work with! My co-workers are like my sisters. Even my manager is great. We have fun with our patients and receive "thank you's" regularly. Sound like the perfect job? For me, it is! I spent several years in ICU working short staffed and frustrated. Do I make good money? Hell, no! I could make more money in the big city just 40 min away, but I don't think I'd be happier.