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. :)

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

This is fabulous. I am a CNA now and have been trying to get into nursing school for 4 years. Its exhausting being rejected from nursing schools and my job isn't any easier either! I know being a nurse won't ever be a walk in the park and will always be hard on your body (physically and emotionally), but I have recently been questioning why I want to be a nurse and wondering where my passion for it is. But after hearing of many of you who are successful nurses and still struggle with passion is inspiring to me! I'm hoping to get into nursing school in January! Thanks guys!

To be clear: there are nurses who don't struggle with "the passion", rather, have a good work ethic and have been able to handle the business successfully.

[sunshine0266]

I am totally against your statement NuGuyNurse2b, I have always had passion for the many things I do in life. I am a very passionate nurse! I got into it not knowing about the passion I had for nursing. I love my patients, I love my job, I love doing the critical thinking, and I love learning and getting better and more knowledge about my scope of practice. I have been a nurse for 16 yrs. I am now teaching nursing! I love this too. The politics do suck the life out of nursing, but what profession doesn't have politics!? I don't expect my patients to love me or what I do for them. I do it because I felt a calling. I am supposed to help others, my gift is giving and teaching. That is what nursing is all about!

[alanchhith]

Hi, I have been a nurse for over 15 years and passion can come and go. Right now I serve as the clinical educator and I can tell you that when you care and actually connect with real patients, you may find that what you do is very rewarding and gratifying in making a difference in someone' life. There are good days and bad days, but as a student, it is hard when you don't see the excitement of learning something that you don't feel passionately about. When you finish school, this lack of feeling can back fire when interviewing for a job. My suggestion is try connecting with patients and talk to other nurses that have been workign for 5-10 years. Nursing is an exciting career and you don't have to be at the bedside. There are many options once you get the clinical experience out of the way (at least 2 years). You like the science and the security, maybe later you can do nursing research or support behind the scene.

[NuGuyNurse2b]

I am totally against your statement NuGuyNurse2b, I have always had passion for the many things I do in life. I am a very passionate nurse! I got into it not knowing about the passion I had for nursing. I love my patients, I love my job, I love doing the critical thinking, and I love learning and getting better and more knowledge about my scope of practice. I have been a nurse for 16 yrs. I am now teaching nursing! I love this too. The politics do suck the life out of nursing, but what profession doesn't have politics!? I don't expect my patients to love me or what I do for them. I do it because I felt a calling. I am supposed to help others, my gift is giving and teaching. That is what nursing is all about!

You're not the type of person I was referring to. As highlighted in your post, you didn't see it as a passion until afterwards. I'm talking about the rainbows and unicorns people.