Nurses, how do you view your job?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2015

These individuals are not serious and must be many of the nurses who hop from job to job because it is just a job. I cannot count the number of times I have to go beyond the call of duty, and I did that because I am a nurse, and I have a legal obligation to my patients. Furthermore, I am accountable for every decision that I made and every action that I take. Opinions differ; but nursing is more than a job.

What do you consider " beyond the call of duty "?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2015

You hit the nail on the head! I've always said, and I really believe this: if you go into nursing for the "money" you will be dissatisfied! On the days that aren't crazy, we aren't worth what we get. On the days from H___ we are worth 10x times what we get. Yep you're nutty one day, compassionate one day and counting hrs another day. 37 years, majority in ED, I think I can speak to this one.

Interesting user name.

noelly10 · Jul 9, 2015

Interesting user name.

Post count: 1

Something smells fishy here.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 9, 2015

Mostly a means to an end--------------------it's work. I love my patients, and care about them deeply, but I don't take it home with me and I keep my work and home life very separate. I have had too many heartbreaking situations through the years. I protect and guard my heart.

But it's a job at the end of the day, one I love and hate alternately, but it works for me.

BellaCat · Jul 9, 2015

it is just a job to be honest. after many years of working as one, after many years of being overworked, burnt out, and underpaid... yes its truly just a job(just as long as you don't do anything illegal and you do your best to care for your patients). trust me, you will develop this type of attitude after year in year out of being overworked with little to no saying as nurse bc you're always gonna have to play the role of being a patients' advocate!!!

BellaCat · Jul 9, 2015

when they put you down for 35 patients to pass meds(not to mention every other things else that happens during the shift) as a charge nurse or they put you down for 2 full stations of about 65 patients(not passing meds, but supervising, call in/out docs, assist charge nurses if needed, f/u with labs/results, documentations, etc as an RN supervisor, I am sure you will change your thinking.

BellaCat · Jul 9, 2015

Complete honesty? I've viewed my profession in so many different ways over the years. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I wonder what the heck I'm doing. Sometimes I feel it's my calling. Sometimes I think the calling got the wrong number. Sometimes I'm just happy to get the check. Always I wish the check were bigger. (true story). Ask me on a bad day, I might bite your head off (sorry). Ask me on a good day, I might have amazing things to say. I might do both on the same day depending on the day.

yes, exactly!!! u read my mind

meowmeowchirp, BSN · Jul 10, 2015

I don't even start my BSN program till September, however I do consider nursing to be my passion. When at my orientation I noticed a clear difference between the students who were there because it will lead to a good job and those who were there because it's their passion. Now, I'm not saying it will make any difference in performance, but it was indeed noticeable.

And yes, if I won a gazillion dollars I would still start school in two months. It would suck, but I would still have two months out of the year to travel, and much nicer sweatpants to study in .

That being said I wouldn't "work" for free ever. But I would want to volunteer as a nurse overseas often (when not drinking my way through France or eating my way through Spain...) and possibly work as a casual nurse when I've settled somewhere (so that I still had the flexibility and freedom to travel often). But then I'd also want to continue my education and probably try to work for the UN or something. Meh, who knows. I do know that nursing is always in my dreams though.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 10, 2015

I don't even start my BSN program till September, however I do consider nursing to be my passion. When at my orientation I noticed a clear difference between the students who were there because it will lead to a good job and those who were there because it's their passion. Now, I'm not saying it will make any difference in performance, but it was indeed noticeable.

Really? And exactly how could you tell the difference?

mystory, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2015

Nursing is a calling...from my landlord! :roflmao:

Nursing is what I do a few nights a week, not who I am. Nursing is a nominal part of my story. In fact, my side gig as a freelance makeup artist at a cosmetics counter is way more integral to my identity than nursing is. I have many interests and relationships that encompass who I am. Nursing? Na. When I am off duty, any thoughts of patients are fleeting and infrequent. Flo, you can keep the lamp..I just want my paycheck.

It's just a job.

meowmeowchirp, BSN · Jul 10, 2015

Really? And exactly how could you tell the difference?

Because we all stood up and introduced ourselves and said why we had chosen nursing. I found those that weren't necessarily passionate about it showed in other aspects; they weren't typically showing excitement for the orientation, often weren't dressed up and most seemed to be treating it like another errand in their day.

Now like I said before, this means nothing as to what kind of a nurse they will be, just that I noticed a difference.

BellaCat · Jul 11, 2015

Not always true. U dont know if they went to the orientation straight from work ... Or commute for a while to get to orientation. U are already assuming and concluding, that is not good. As a nurse, you need facts/evidences before making a call or judgement.