Nursing is a passion?

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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?

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
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.

People go into various career fields for different reasons. You have yours, the rest of us have ours. Just because we don't have the same reason as you doesn't make us any less of a nurse- we all passed NCLEX and became licensed. If anything, the judgmental attitude is more of an issue than not having a calling.

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.
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 seriously underwhelmed by your compassion and ministry.

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I agree...if you become a nurse for the case of making good money then you might end up hating the job because it can be stressful.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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.

Excuse me? It's nice for you that nursing is a passion and a ministry, but please don't get all that judgey on the rest of us. Passion is nice; competence is essential.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I agree...if you become a nurse for the case of making good money then you might end up hating the job because it can be stressful.

In my four decades in the profession, I've noticed that it's those who swear they have a "passion", a "calling" or "more compassion than anyone else" who wind up hating the job. Those of us who are in it for the money usually have a lot more longevity.

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.
I agree...if you become a nurse for the case of making good money then you might end up hating the job because it can be stressful.

Reality is that more nurses that enter nursing because of their calling/passion flame up and sizzle out when their expectations aren't met.

Nursing is stressful no matter why you entered nursing world

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I agree...if you become a nurse for the case of making good money then you might end up hating the job because it can be stressful.

I've found the opposite to be true. Those who are "called" or have a "passion" are the ones who burn out because nursing ends up not being what they expected it to be.

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People seldom have a passion for something they can also make a living at.

There is some research that shows that the people most satisfied with their jobs are ones who have worked at and have becoming experts at what they do. Passion had little to do with it.

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People seldom have a passion for something they can also make a living at.

There is some research that shows that the people most satisfied with their jobs are ones who have worked at and have becoming experts at what they do. Passion had little to do with it.

That's sort of how it worked for me. Once I gained enough competency and the confidence that goes with it, my energy could go to other things besides being burned up in stress.

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IMHO, a passion is something that you do solely because you love it. Exercising is my passion. I don't get paid to do it, in fact I pay money out of my own pocket to do it (gym membership). How many nurses would show up to work if they were told that they won't be getting paid for it?

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IMHO, a passion is something that you do solely because you love it. Exercising is my passion. I don't get paid to do it, in fact I pay money out of my own pocket to do it (gym membership). How many nurses would show up to work if they were told that they won't be getting paid for it?

I wouldn't show up full time and the paperwork could go, but I'd easily go see patients if it were legal to do so. We have older nurses who still work per diem because they enjoy it.

I also have a passion for having purpose. And while there are other things I enjoy, I wouldn't do anything of them full time.

I got into home health a long time ago and work in a small town. I've been like the country nurse with some pretty endearing folks as well as some challenging ones where I find something to accomplish. Many times we have to be creative which is kinda fun. We work well as a team, and it's great working with people who also like their work.

And customer service? It's so easy to have satisfied customers in home health. When you get to have that one on one time and they witness you advocating for them, they are very gracious.

I did have to get to a point of really knowing my trade before I loved it, it helps that the kids aren't little anymore and I don't have their needs pulling at me. But at this point in my life, I really do like being a part of it.

Why more don't get into it baffles me.

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Nursing is a job. I enjoy it, but at the end of the day I do it for the pay check. So I can support my passions.

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