Putting the Passion back in Nursing!!!!!

kittyn, MSN, NP · Jan 2, 2009

Are you interested in teaching?

nurse_sho · Jan 2, 2009

I would love to teach but it seem like you need a masters. So, that is the only thing holding me back.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 2, 2009

A go back to school and get a masters or try a different type of nursing that may put the passion back in.

Become a unit preceptor.

nurse_sho · Jan 2, 2009

Well, I have been a preceptor in the past and I have a student coming in next week. A former manager once asked me if my personal life is going well. To what extent is that question valid .... Do you all feel that maybe my personal life has an impact on nursing as I am going through some difficult time.

moe1802 · Jan 2, 2009

You took the words right out of my mouth. When I first graduated from nursing school 18 years ago, it was fun.

I got to talk to the patients. Now it is the pits. More meds that are redundant you have to give, and paper-

work that is stupid. Lately, all I've been dealing with are other nurses who are a bunch of control freaks and

back stabbers. I'm bipolar and I swear that they are more bipolar than I am. I miss being with the patients.

Since I work in a nursing home, I bring in snacks and give them out. On certain occasions, we have a party.

That helps for me.:wink2:

Saifudin · Jan 2, 2009

I know nursing has changed since I entered the field in the late 70's. Then things were much more hands on and less technical. We gave back-rubs during PM care and it was common to sit in patients room to talk, teach, give support, etc. I remember sitting on the side of patients bed when he received a call from his family informing him that his wife had died. We were there for our patients. Those early years have been set fast in my memory and formed the foundation for my career.

Rather than wanting "to change the world", take on a challenge that is achievable. Choose an area of nursing that interests you and excel in that. Think of what aspect of nursing is important to you then think how you can proceed in that.

I was only in general nursing for about 3 years then went to NP school. I enjoyed NP practice and found the mix of nursing and medicine very satisfying. I am now in nursing management and enjoy that as well.

Don't give up. Nursing is a great profession and it has many avenues to travel down.

nurse_sho · Jan 2, 2009

Well, thank you for all those replied to me!!! I have decided to do my masters in nursing.

nurse_sho · Jan 2, 2009

You are so sweet!!! Your patients must love you!

SoundofMusic · Jan 3, 2009

I find that abiding by all the "rules" and trying to complete all the paperwork every shift really robs ME of my passion for it. I feel sort of like a robot at times, a chart monkey. I wish they'd just find SOME WAY to allow nurses to be nurses.

They scratch their heads and wonder why our patient satisfaction ratings aren't all that high -- but allow us only time to briefly fly into a pt's room and do a fast assessment, maybe some time to give meds, do the hourly checks, and that's about it. I hardly ever get to know my patients, much less truly nurture them, for all the necessary documentation we have to do. I truly sometimes think that patients just feel disconnected. No one has time to talk to them, to listen to them. And their docs spend MAYBE 2 minutes with them per day, if they're lucky. It has got to be a really awful experience nowadays to be a patient.

rngolfer53 · Jan 3, 2009

When I graduated from nursing school, I wanted to change the world. I felt as if I had all these plans for me as a nurse. I have been a Registered Nurse for three years now, but I feel like the passion is gone. I am itching to do something to be alive in the nursing field again. Any inputs from my fellow nurses?

The chances of your changing the world are quite small. If that's how you chose to measure, figuratively, then the odds of failure are quite high.

The odds of changing the course of a Pt's and family's life for the better are pretty darn good. That's worth being passionate about.

Can you do that in your present position? If not, what interests you in nursing? Specializing in a specific area, e.g. oncology, transplantation, etc.?

It's entirely normal to go thru "dry" periods when nursing is nothing more than a job. Emotions come and go. By being a good pro, and keeping your standards high, I think you'll find yourself being passionate again.

rngolfer53 · Jan 3, 2009

I find that abiding by all the "rules" and trying to complete all the paperwork every shift really robs ME of my passion for it. I feel sort of like a robot at times, a chart monkey. I wish they'd just find SOME WAY to allow nurses to be nurses.
They scratch their heads and wonder why our patient satisfaction ratings aren't all that high -- but allow us only time to briefly fly into a pt's room and do a fast assessment, maybe some time to give meds, do the hourly checks, and that's about it. I hardly ever get to know my patients, much less truly nurture them, for all the necessary documentation we have to do. I truly sometimes think that patients just feel disconnected. No one has time to talk to them, to listen to them. And their docs spend MAYBE 2 minutes with them per day, if they're lucky. It has got to be a really awful experience nowadays to be a patient.

I would suggest hospice as a field in which you really do get to spend time with Pts and families. But, CMS is on the path to ruining that with more paperwork.