Nurses, how do you view your job?

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

Gah, I just read the other thread! (sorry to serial post).

Being a nurse is NOT a privilege and a calling! Blah, I HATE when people say that. I'm NOT "privileged" to be a nurse.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 30, 2015

The whole "nursing is a calling" concept always strikes me as sanctimonious with a soupÃ§on of self righteous snobbery drizzled on top.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

Some days it just a job, some days it's more. You won't be saving lives every day. Most days you are a handmaiden, a whipping post, a housekeeper, a CNA... etc.

You will develop your own perception over time. In the meantime, humility is in order.

Libby1987 · Jun 30, 2015

I had the opposite experience it seems. When I graduated I was so young and clueless to anything beyond my own nose. I followed the rules and all, have always been compliant and conscientious to a fault but there was a lot that I just didn't get, my life had been sheltered in most respects. It certainly was not a calling, just a pragmatic sensible decision.

But 3 kids, divorce, personal and family health scares, accidents and injuries, death of a beloved parent, menopause and years of witnessing hundreds of patients and families experience the hardest parts of life in their own home environment has had a huge impact on my attitude about my work. Still not a calling but definitely a passion, that also provides a comfortable living.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

LOL, yeah, that's pretty evident by the user name you've chosen for yourself :yes:

I recently had a discussion with someone who views nursing as "just a job". But I feel it's more than that. They are using the fact that I am a new nurse against me and saying that basically I will eventually say it's " just a job". I never want to have that mentality though. I know that you get caregiver strain here and there and its hard work. But never could I picture saving lives as "just a job". Thoughts?

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

When I'm punched in, I am the most giving compassionate, caring person that I can be. But you bet, once I hit the "are you sure" button on the timeclock webpage, I'm just Joe Blow, mom to 4 kids with supper to make and homework to check. Yes, it's just a job

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

........
Nurses are professionals, not saints. The sooner you learn now, the better.

This for the WIN!!!!!

:yes:

cnmbfa · Jun 30, 2015

Please don't listen to the naysayers. While there have been some times when my work situation was better or worse, and times when the overwork got to me, I have never regretted being a nurse. I am profoundly grateful that it is part of who I am, not just what I do or have done. It has enriched my life while at the same time allowing me a mostly secure job and decent income for 40+ years. Here are just a few of the reasons why I feel so lucky to be a nurse:

1. I know in my heart and soul that there are thousands of individuals and families out there who are better off because of something I did or said. I know that my knowledge and skills have saved about a half dozen or more lives, and prevented serious injuries or harm to many others. That is an amazing thing to realize, and provides me with a deep sense of satisfaction.

2. I have never been bored, and have never had two days that were the same. I have been able to grow, learn, gain new skills, encounter new opportunities as a result.

3. I have worked alongside some amazing, memorable men and women. Many (not all) nurses are kind, selfless, deeply caring, well-rounded persons; they are not greedy and out for themselves only. Many are a lot to fun and hold great parties! They understand my experiences, and have shared laughters and tears with me. They have my deep respect, and I am proud to have known them and worked alongside them.

4. When I have gotten a bit bored with an area, I could try something new without investing in a whole new education (That does not need that I didn't have to learn new things via reading, CEUs, inservices, etc.)

5. As compared to my siblings, cousins, etc. I have always had decent health insurance and knew I would have at least some funds for retirement. Unlike them, I've also gotten help paying for a bachelor's and master's degrees.

6. As long as you do things right and on time, it is largely up to you to decide how to organize your day--no one micromanages you.

7. At the same time, you get to be part of a team, and to feel good about being part of something bigger than yourself.

8. I use my nursing knowledge and skills to help keep my family and friends healthier, to reassure them and advise them when to get seen, and more. They (and we) can navigate the healthcare world more effectively because of what we know and can do.

9. By being present and witnessing fear, pain, sadness, joy, relief, anger, trust, compassion, gratitude, and deep caring, we know what those things mean. We are (for the most part) fuller, deeper, more aware, and more fully human than many in our society as a result. Because of our society's fear of death and denial of weakness, we have hidden those parts of life away. As a result, many in our society are strangers to real life events. We don't want to talk about a cancer diagnosis or think about what it means to live with MS. Nurses are the one person who will listen to stories and try to understand, and who helps others cope. We don't hide from or deny life.

10. I think nursing helps us develop great strengths and resilience. We have the ability to roll with the punches when life events occur. We have witnessed others get through similar things, know how to mobilize help, and have learned how to cope with stress, fatigue, and overwork.

11. We know that tough times usually don't last, but tough people almost always do. We are able to find and use our strength; when faced with a challenge, we do whatever it takes to get through it. How many persons outside of nursing have ever had a chance to find out what they are fully capable of, or know that they are made of resolve, steel, and self-discipline?

12. We know what matters, and see the competition for money and power all around us as inevitable, but in some ways, hollow. We are rich in life, and in fulfillment. I know that at the end of my life, I will know that a lived a life of consequence. I will be able to account for myself well, and will look back and remember all the good I did and all the lives I touched. That alone has made all the hard work worth it.

My point is this: Keeping the rewards and good in mind can help offset the super-busy days and the bad days. And if you truly hate nursing, you have some choices: you can choose to change your attitude, work with others to solve the problems, or leave.

I am not saying that the job is easy; it's not, and far too many nurses are massively over worked. I think the only solution is for us to organize, to lobby, and to push administration like hell to make things better. I am tired of hearing from nurses about over work for 40 years, yet then also finding out that few of those nurses have tried to solve the problem by documenting the issues, taking it to the leadership, etc. Likewise, almost none of them belong to the ANA, which tries to address this, and even fewer right to Congress to support the proposed bill on nurse-patient ratios.

What do you think would happen if a half dozen nurses on your unit kept track of their days, showed the impossibility of what they are being asked to do, and all signed a letter to the manager? If he or she doesn't respond, you go next to the administrator. No response? Go to the board meeting. If that doesn't work, thing about persons outside the agency that might be your allies.

We are not powerless; we just think we are.

God bless you and guide you along the way. Welcome to the fellowship of nursing.

Farawyn · Jun 30, 2015

Gah, I just read the other thread! (sorry to serial post).
Being a nurse is NOT a privilege and a calling! Blah, I HATE when people say that. I'm NOT "privileged" to be a nurse.

No, we got you. You were very clear in your first thread in this post, which I liked for a reason.

If I had a **** ton of money, I would not work as a nurse. I would not work at all. It is not my "calling" to be a nurse.

I do think, however, I would keep my license active and still do something volunteer-y in healthcare, 'cause I like it. Doesn't make me a saint. This may or may not include popping zits.

OCNRN63, RN · Jun 30, 2015

Can you really not do that? I want other peoples opinions. It's sad that a lot of people I've seen up here like to argue with one another and try to prove points. I thought being apart of this was going to help me, but every post I see, there are people that like to try and do exactly what you are.

Why so hostile? Dranger just referenced a thread with similar content that may answer your question. It gets difficult to answer the same questions over and over, esp. when some of those question are posted with great frequency. Why not read the referenced thread first, then see if your question was answered?

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

I think it's unhealthy to allow any job to become the most important part of your identity.

I think it's a little pompous to believe that being a nurse makes you more important than being a banker. Or a truck driver. Or a laborer.

You're just asking for trouble to allow one part of your life, to consume the majority of your time and your attention.

If the general public wants to believe I'm a saint, I can go with that. But I never, never, believe it myself.

It's just a job.

Farawyn · Jun 30, 2015

I do have to say, I am nursey. I like nursey types, and can usually pick them out and cling to them. So, it is part of my fabric, but I have a lot of fabric.

This does not mean I'm fat.