Nursing is a passion?

[mindofmidwifery]

I am aware of this being a touchy topic on AN, but my school has a nursing information session and within the session they state that nursing is more than just a steady income, it is a passion. You need to be passionate and able to set aside your problems to help somebody in "what could be the worst day of their life." Thoughts?

[OCNRN63, RN]

Original for the most part. I found soda to be too luck based and haven't found the time to pick up jelly.

I guess you're not ready for that jelly.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I've had older nurses who were so great.. And younger ones who were great.. And older and younger ones who were nasty.

In fact I was just recently in the ER for a lupus flare which usually brings me severe pain but I hate opiates. They make me depressed and sluggish and so I refused morphine, and said "i take fiorinal for pain but you guys probably don't give things like that so im gonna take a nap and ride it out" (im also allergic to all nsaids but aspirin which is considered an anticoagulant in the hospital)

So the YOUNG nurse copped attitude and said I was being non-compliant. didn't really understand cause I am very polite and a good patient.. And was not refusing important medications just the morphine. So I said, "im a nurse and I know what non-compliant means and that's not me." She left and came back with decadron. Pushed it so fast it felt like someone lit a fire under my ***!!

I started crying. Then she was all like "should have not refused the morphine" I swear I've never been treated even half as badly by any older nurse.

Sorry for my long story but I was trying to make a point lol.

That's abuse, and I would have reported her for it

[BlueDawnRN, BSN]

I became a nurse because I needed a well paying job to support a family and a home.

I also liked the job security, benefits, flexible scheduling options and opportunities to move up in my career and pursue different areas of nursing. It helped that the work involves doing good for others and that I would learn life saving skills.

I'm not passionate about nursing but I'm a good nurse.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I think anyone can be good at whatever profession they choose.I don't believe every nurse has to be 'called' to it or have a passion for it.Anyone who does have a passion for their work is very fortunate be it nursing,cabinet making or working at Starbucks.

[lunchboxRN]

Passions, to me, are things that I have a strong desire to do, but don't HAVE to. No one makes me hike or spend time with my family and pets. I like my nursing job, I enjoy it most of the time, even when I'm rolling my eyes and griping with coworkers. I take pride in my work, but is not my identity.

If I were to follow a passion into a career I'd be a vet or run an animal rescue. However, my soft-for-animals heart couldn't deal with illness, dying, and mistreatment of these creatures. People I can deal with, I don't like people as much, so it's easier to compartmentalize and give good, (yes) compassionate care to them. If that makes any sense. This is a big reason that I wouldn't work in peds as well.

Edit:

To the PP who insulted older nurses and night shift...come on my floor, on m night shift with that attitude. Please. We will kiss your bum just as well as any day shifter despite your ridiculous notions.

....I'm imagining Nosferatu hovering in the dark corner waiting for pts to go to sleep here...

[Extra Pickles]

I think a long time ago I was more passionate about nursing, at least I saw it as more of the kind of career that you are either meant for or not. But now I work part-time and I'm not sure how much longer I'll even do that, because I don't have the same love for it. People seem ruder and snippier even when I'm doing all that I can for them. They are more like You have to make me happy or I'll complain to your supervisor than Thank you for doing what you can to help me!

I don't know if it was a passion or a calling or what, but I used to be happier doing it. Now I just kind of look more to my days off and don't do any extras like I used to!

[Extra Pickles]

Hmmmmm-for me Nursing is not only a Passion but a ministry as well. Yes I "had the calling" from the time I was a little girl. If you think that nursing is just a job....get out.

I'm sorry but I think that's a little mean! I work part-time and at this point in my life I think of nursing really as mostly just a job. It isn't because I hate it, I like it, but I no longer love it. I'm still good at it lol, I haven't gotten worse I've gotten better as times go by. Sometimes I joke with a doctor who talks all the time about when he's going to retire, get away from all these %$#! patients. I think he's not a bad doctor, just tired of what he does every day. Would you also tell him to Get Out? He's going to help someone today, and next time I go to work I will too :)

[Raviepoo]

Honestly, I think if it's not a passion or a calling you should go find something else to do. There are less stressful ways to earn a living.

[SandyRNinMaine]

I think it's okay to have nurses who are not "passionate", about their jobs, as long as they are competent, empathetic, and deliver excellent nursing care. Those who are "passionate" about nursing are most likely to become our future nursing leaders.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Honestly, I think if it's not a passion or a calling you should go find something else to do. There are less stressful ways to earn a living.

And I think you are very wrong. There are more stressful ways to earn a living. The calling business is nonsense.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

I do believe that nursing is a gifted talent, and in order to be able to stay in it with all the stressful situations that can arise.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Hmmmmm-for me Nursing is not only a Passion but a ministry as well. Yes I "had the calling" from the time I was a little girl. If you think that nursing is just a job....get out.[/

Is that what you would call compassion and ministry? Thanks, I will pass.