Nursing student lacking passion?

[misskate098]

I'm about to start my 2nd term of nursing school and there has been a question constantly being asked which I'm seeking insight on.

Are you passionate?

My answer is: not really. I'm looking for opinions on why this is a completely acceptable response because people generally are thrown off after I say that.

I have always had a great passion for science, though. I very much enjoy learning/research and applying my scientific knowledge, but passion in the sense of general nursing isn't really there. I chose the career path because: job security, flexibility, able to travel, the science aspect, pay/benefits and that my schooling was paid for in full if I chose nursing.

I see many of my classmates are obviously passionate about what they are doing and I see others that may be in the same boat as me but would never denounce their lack of passion. We are by no means cold/uncaring, but we don't seem as "into it" as the others.

I would love to hear from current nurses who lack passion (I know there are many) but still love their job and do well. Any advice or insight would be appreciated. :)

[seconddegreebsn]

Hope this makes you feel better: new study about nursing burnout and who it hits the hardest Nurses Who Care the Most Burn Out Fastest -- Science of Us

I (most days) like what I do and find it interesting and challenging but I certainly wouldn't come to work for free. As long as your patients are well cared for at the end of the day, that's really the most important part for me.

[amzyRN]

Am I passionate? Sometimes, but not always. A lot of the time I'm just doing a job with my best effort. The inspiration sometimes come from the experiences I have, making a difference in peoples lives, experiencing a death, participating in code (wow! what a rush!) It's not like it's a spiritual mission or something, but I sure do enjoy nursing a lot of the time. Even the bad experiences are challenging, the failures and disappointments have all taught me things. Nursing has helped make me a wiser person and I am grateful for that. Overall, I think it was a good choice of careers for me.

[SeattleJess]

Before I was a nursing student, I worked as a unit secretary. Let me tell you, the ones who go into the nursing for the purpose of answering a divine higher calling bounce out within 2 years once they realize all the political mess that happens (cause they thought they could avoid that by not going the suit-and-tie route), the unreciprocated love (they honestly expected patients to be thankful and grateful to them for their service), the actual cruel nature of the system (no insurance? bye) and the constant threat of losing your license for every offense you didn't even know you committed, not to mention the money-hungry public who will lawyer up no matter how sincere and honest you were in trying to help them. If you look at it objectively as just a career you will fare better. Anyone who claims passion for it will be the one that ends up running away from the profession with his/her tail between the legs.

I'm only in the prenursing school CNA job stint and already I know that everything you say is true.

That said, I do have a passion for mastery. All the challenges you name are potentials for mastery. Do I expect a feel good experience? No. Do I hope to make a good life for myself, my patients and my coworkers? Yes!

That's divine enough for me.

[SeattleJess]

Hey, everyone. This is one of the most meaningful posts I've found on AllNurses. Thank you, everyone who has posted and those who have yet to post.

Keep it real!

[studentnursemon86]

I think people view their passion differently. As a CNA/CPT, I am passionate about continuing education, mastering my skills. As a student, I am passionate about gaining the education to further my career. The ultimate goal being to attain my RN license.

I don't know who would be passionate about some of the things we come across. It is a rough job working in healthcare. I do enjoy that I am able to help people somehow and it gives me a sense of purpose. That is the whole reason I want to be a nurse. I can at least make a difference in some lives.

My original major was psychology. I wanted to get into that for the same reason, however I wasn't thrilled about the job options available with only a BS, and I certainly didn't like all the paperwork.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

As a student, there's some areas of nursing I won't dare get into and will never be passionate about it even if I faked it. I know there are areas that I found to like and hopefully when I get a job in that area it will be as passionate as I hoped it will be. There are many areas in nursing and you might just stumble upon your passion...it's kinda like finding that soul mate...lol :)

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

Passionate? Not in the sense of "I've wanted to be a nurse since I was little..."

Up until I decided to give going back to school a shot, I had said that I never wanted to be a nurse. I'd simply been around too many nurses that gave me a bad impression of the field. Even in school I freely admitted that I just wanted to do my best, learn the most, and get a job to help provide for my family.

The thing is, though, my passion lies in learning and caring. I do want my patients to feel comfortable, and I want to be the best nurse I possibly can be. And that comes across in how I treat my patients and my overall work ethic.

[BusyBee91]

Maybe bedside nursing isn't your dream job - maybe you'd like to check out research nursing. I have a background in research, and I've considered it (although the reasons I'm getting out of research are the same reasons I probably wouldn't enjoy research nursing as much as say..shock trauma). It's a big wide world of nursey possibilities out there. I don't think you need to feel a calling or a passion for what you do, as long as you're dedicated and hard working.

:)

[marcbladebreaker]

I went into nursing as a second career. After quite a few years in my first career it was time for a change. I had worked in the medical field in the military and knew it would be a good financial decision to return to the field.

[feeneishia]

All of these posts made me feel so much better. I have a BS in Business and MBA. I am 40, and just decided this year to pursue becoming an RN. I come from a medical family, but it was a shock to them that I am becoming an RN. For years, I said I wanted to be an attorney. After two years of law school and working in several large and small firms, I got burned out. I wanted more career options and flexibility. After going through some health conditions, I said I really would love to be a nurse. I don't know if I have "the passion." But I have the heart and ability, and plan on being the best nurse I can be. I love learning, and plan on eventually becoming a NP. So I'm just really thankful that you all shared your views.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I think work ethic is under-rated in nursing compared to a passion for nursing. If you're committed to doing a good job--and everything that phrase entails, from critical-thinking to advocacy to hand-holding--you can be a competent nurse.

This.

No "divine" calling; I saw a nurse handle an unruly pt with a needle which calmed that pt down (still wonder what was in that syringe, lol) and I wanted to do it for the reasons of wielding said needle...I'm sure the nurse was nice to me

I always loved science; I like being objective and using my own thought processes to think on many sides outside of the box. I like the flexibility that the business allows me to gain; I love advocacy whether it be peers or patients; I like to teach, and I can eat cookies after cleaning up an active GI bleed, and can eat the biggest sandwich after managing someone who is an amputee up to their hip and have to clean down to the hip bone and pack it in. I have specialized in two specialties at once due to this business-it had helped my busy mind.

I have enjoyed this business; but it certainly wasn't a calling, despite my exposure...the three 12's and flexible staffing sold me to actually take the leap; despite a nurse telling me during a career day that I will NEVER have a job if I went into this business; never regretted making the decision; being "the monopoly woman" just simply wasn't in the cards.

[phoenoryker]

Great posts so far...I would like to bring up another point. Passion is often associated with emotion--a physiological reaction to a stimulus. When people function, or act out of emotion, they run the risk of not making sound judgments. This can be bad for the clinician and the patient. I would think that a patient would want a nurse that thinks and reacts free of emotion. I added this to highlight the negativity with passionate people. I, myself, am I very passionate person, so I must remind myself to take the emotion out of my decision making.