PLEASE say something POSITIVE about Nursing

mother/babyRN, RN · Dec 15, 2003

Patients and co workers can be nice and often your second family is the one you work with...Other than that, it is an individual thing,and definitely different than when I got into it due to all the horrific things business ( money) and nursing itself, in an attempt to 'better" the image, has done to nursing overall..If you love it, you will find a way to make it work. But, you may get burned out. That happens. Nothing is forever unless that is what you want it to be...You meet great people and learn so much...Other than that, now is not a time to elicit overwhelming positives, although nurses are important, special, necessary and not valued enough...That is difficult enough for anyone....Good luck in your venture...Stick up for yourself, learn a lot, polish your people skills and enjoy your time in the nursing field. Don't let others frighten you...Develop your own thoughts and feelings about the matter. Remember that just because many nurses are discouraged doesn't mean that they don't love or appreciate the field they chose....

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 15, 2003

What I like about nursing:

1. I work when I want to work. I am perdiem, meaning "casual status". I work as I fit it into my schedule. I work for no less than double-time if unscheduled. I make a decent wage at this; no not getting rich, but we do ok. It enables me to support my military husband's career, which til he retires in 2006, will have to come first.

2. I make a difference in people's lives. Oh yes I said that and I believe it. I love what I do WHEN I get to do it unhurriedly. Sadly, this is becoming harder and harder to do as paperwork and short staffing sometimes take a huge bite out of my attempts to really render QUALITY care to my patients. But those I touch let me KNOW this in no uncertain terms. I have received thank-you notes, hugs, much gratitude from patients and family members thru the 6 years I have nursed. THIS is what keeps me in the field.

3. I have made some wonderful friends along the way. Nurses usually understand each other the same way cops and firemen understand each other. We are a caring group as a whole and I have been able to count on several coworkers to be there in times of trouble and stress. I love that.

4. nursing is mobile. Going back to #1 above, my dh is military. where he goes, we go and I can usually find a job very quickly once there. THAT is a HUGE asset.

5. I get to fulfill my desire to teach others and empower them about healthcare and personal health maintenance. They usually listen, too! I find this hugely satisfying.

6. As a rule, I really like people. So what better career than OB nursing for a gal who loves people? I interact with some awesome people in my line of work....and some really NASTY ONES TOO. But each patient/family teaches me SOMETHING...about my work, about what they need, about the world around me. And I am often reminded how blessed I am to have what I have in my life, my family, my home, my career, my comforts. Some have so little. I know, I meet those people all the time. What better way to humble me?

hope this helps a bit. yes there is a lot of negative stuff here ...and it's reality. But there are positives, too, and I try to remember that! Good luck whatever you decide to do!:)

lalaxton · Dec 15, 2003

What do I like about nursing? FLEXIBILITY!

Whenever I have been bored or did not like an area I was able to move into another. I have been able to work in ICU, rehab, transport, med/surg, ER etc. Our family schedules changed and I was able to adapt.

I also LEARN something new everyday, from patients, docs and other nurses.

The added bonus is helping people learn about themselves.

Where else can you find a career with all this??

mattsmom81 · Dec 15, 2003

ITA these are the things that keep a nurse pluggin'.

:roll

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Dec 15, 2003

Sometimes I really love my job. :)

zudy · Dec 15, 2003

I have made some of the best friends in the world thru nursing, I love them like family. Some of my pts are so brave and strong, it never fails to amaze me the adversity that some people have encountered in thier lives, and yet they never give up. They are my real heros, and it makes me proud that I was able to care for them. I love the flexability of nursing. I love that there is always more to learn.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 15, 2003

Originally posted by zudy
Some of my pts are so brave and strong, it never fails to amaze me the adversity that some people have encountered in thier lives, and yet they never give up. They are my real heros, and it makes me proud that I was able to care for them.

I love that there is always more to learn.

Couldn't say it any better than this. A big fat DITTO !!! :)

Pamelita · Dec 15, 2003

what I love about nursing....

I love when patient you are taking care of, smiles, holds your hands and thanks you.

I love when family members get to know you and treat you with respect.

I love it when what I did, truly makes a difference in people's lives and those patients and their families come back to give you a hug :)

I love it when regardless of the long hours, the sucky pay, the horrible management, the poop, the pee and blood, there is that patient who needs my care in order to live....

I love it when nurses stick together and speak up to stand up for understaffing and unfair treatment.

I just love it!

nursethis · Dec 15, 2003

Nursing puts you in a position to help others, firsthand, one on one, and usually in a difficult situation. I've worked at a variety of jobs in my life, and none comes close to the satisfaction I get through nursing. You don't get to change the world, but you do get to make a difference in the little world of many people.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 15, 2003

Originally posted by nursethis
Nursing puts you in a position to help others, firsthand, one on one, and usually in a difficult situation. I've worked at a variety of jobs in my life, and none comes close to the satisfaction I get through nursing. You don't get to change the world, but you do get to make a difference in the little world of many people.

I really like what you say here. Simple, to the point, and so very true.

And I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally like your screen name !!!

Love it !

allnurses Guide · Dec 15, 2003

Having a career where you can make a positive difference in a person's life is why I chose nursing. I always wanted to do something in the "helping" profession and my first major was Social Work.

Nursing affords me a good job with decent pay for a shorter than normal amount of schooling.

The job is like many others though . .there are good managers and bad, lazy co-workers and productive ones, good pay and not so good pay.

steph