Nurses who don't have the "passion"

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello nurses, I'm not yet a nurse, I'm not even officially in nursing school. I'm just another Rn-hopeful. I have a couple of questions for a specific group of nurses. I'm talking about the nurses who didn't feel like nursing was their passion or calling. What made you start/stay in nursing? Did you learn to be be love your job? Or do you continue to do it because it's a job?

I sincerelely appreciate any answers that you guys can give. Thanks :)

Specializes in Critical Care.

I came to nursing because I like healthcare, was sick of working in a pathology lab, and couldn't deal with the amount of time and and life real estate being a physician would take up. It's a profession that fits well with my knowledge base, skill set, temperament, etc. and offers adequate compensation and mobility within the profession. Basically, it's a solid, flexible job that I know I can excel in and (bonus!) happen to enjoy.

Is it my "passion" or "calling?" Nope. It's my profession. I happen to love my job, but it's still just a job, not the entirety of my life's work. To be completely honest I'm still kinda baffled by how many people ~*dream*~ of being a nurse, or speak of their "call" to nursing as if they're entering a convent. :yawn:

I've wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember, so I guess you could say it's a calling.

This talk of "passion" for nursing makes me uncomfortable. To me passion is fleeting. It's that thrill you get when something is new and exciting and wears off. Passion gets you into trouble. It burns you out.

I prefer a solid, steady commitment to providing the best care possible to our patients. What matters most is that the patients are well cared for. So long as the care is good, it doesn't bother me a bit if somebody is in nursing primarily for the money.

I'm going the Nursing route because my experiences as a EMT-B and from the military made me want to pursue something that still serves the people and of course.. It pays very well, Lots of different options and routes as well. I want my kids to live comfortable and my wife to not have to work if she doesnt want to

Specializes in Oncology (OCN).
I've wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember, so I guess you could say it's a calling.

This talk of "passion" for nursing makes me uncomfortable. To me passion is fleeting. It's that thrill you get when something is new and exciting and wears off. Passion gets you into trouble. It burns you out.

I respectfully disagree.

(Merrim-Webster) Definition of passion: a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.

I think passion can certainly be something fleeting like you mentioned. But it can also be something that grows over time.

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
Hello nurses, I'm not yet a nurse, I'm not even officially in nursing school. I'm just another Rn-hopeful. I have a couple of questions for a specific group of nurses. I'm talking about the nurses who didn't feel like nursing was their passion or calling. What made you start/stay in nursing? Did you learn to be be love your job? Or do you continue to do it because it's a job?

I sincerelely appreciate any answers that you guys can give. Thanks :)

I started nursing because it offers a stable job with solid pay and benefits; I no longer need to worry about being laid off and I get paid for my extra hours, something that never happened in my engineering career.

I do it because it's a job. I don't love it and it is neither my calling nor my passion... it is my job.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Definitely not a calling here. I was wait listed for a dental hygiene program and asked myself what can I do with all these science credits. Immediately was accepted into an ADN program. Learned I detested floor nursing so immediately enrolled in a RN-BSN program. Convinced I had zero desire to move up in a hospital role. Spent 4 years completing a BSN to DNP program. I can't say that I love or am passionate about being an FNP. I make the most money I've ever made in a southern low paying state. I work 8-5 with rarely a weekend rotation. No more working holidays either. Definite increase in quality of life.

I thought I had a 'passion for nursing' until I figured out what it's really like. I feel as though I'm kind and do a good job, but I am working as a nurse to earn a living first and foremost. I believe I could become much less passionate about any job once the honeymoon is over, so I'm not bothered enough to give up on working as a nurse.

Specializes in Austere trauma management.

I started a BSN program after leaving the military, where I worked as a medic. Nursing seemed like a logical career progression. I am scheduled to graduate next year, and to be totally honest, I am not convinced that I will pursue a nursing career.

My honest answer was that my parents forced me to do it. If I didn't, they wouldn't help pay for my college.

Specializes in PACU, ICU, OR, ODSC.
Job security, a lot of options for advancement, good pay.

This.

I had just ETS'd out of the military and was working a factory job. 6 12 hour shifts plus they were asking for "volunteer" 5 hour shifts on Sundays. I had two children at home I didn't get to see very much. I was talking with a doc from my former unit one day and we got to speaking about how much I didn't like the monotony of my job. In the military I was a police officer so I got to see different thing all the time. Anyways, he asked me what I thought about becoming a nurse. I told him only girls are nurses. (this was around 10 years ago ok? lol) I clear as day remember him telling me, "All you have to do is give shots and you make a lot of money."

I remember class registration was a week from the day we had that phone call. I left my job (my wife was a stay at home mom) and I committed myself to the program. It goes without saying I quickly found out how little doc knew about nurses and nursing school! I have to say, if not for the military I don't think I could have handled living with no job, two kids, a wife, and rent. Only through God did we make it. Worth it though.

Now I make good money and my wife has decided to go into nursing.

quazar, BSN YES, EXACLTY what you said - ditto!

I have a passion for not getting laid off any more, for earning a fair wage, and job security.

I have never had a passion for nursing but I work hard, do my best, and my patients and managers are always happy to see me on the unit.

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