Question for nurses

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I was just wondering what are some of things you love about being a nurse and what are your least favorite things about the job?

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I love patient care and patient teaching. My least favorite things: patients and family not understanding there is a process and they get angry and take it out on us. I hate unsafe nurse to patient ratios.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I love the flexible scheduling and compressed shifts. 12-hour shifts ensure that I don't have to come in to work five days per week.

I hate dealing with verbally abusive patients and their family members.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Patients and family members can often be a pain, but I also find it a challenge to be effective n interactions with them. My favorite thinig is working around a lot of smart people. I find that stimulating.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Love - the team work, the kind of people who go into healthcare, critical thinking, camaraderie, constant learning, good outcomes, compressed shifts and lots of time off without affecting my pay, tuition reimbursement

Loathe - unnecessary drama from management/patients/families, poop

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Best part - the money

Worst part - families that are more involved than they should be

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Thanks for all the responses! It gives me a better understanding of what to expect - the best and worst. I'm waiting to hear from nursing school, and even though I've read all about nursing, I know that reality vs. expectation is always a little off.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

Love: The good feeling when you know you made someone feel better even if it was just through words.

Hate: Understaffing. Working on a high acuity, high fall risk floor and staffing wants to take our techs and ship them off to other floors leaving us with unsafe ratios. And of course when the ish hits the fan it's always the nurse's fault.

Patient family members are usually more of a hindrance than they are a help. My hospital allows 24/7 visiting hours which makes me seethe.

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Best part - working with the patients and seeing the results the patient wants ( getting out of hospital or dying with dignity).

Worst part- handling non compliant patients, sometimes difficult family members but mostly not always having a voice as a nurse.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Perinatal, Endoscopy, IVF Lab.

Best part: Flexible scheduling and compressed work weeks. Money. Having time to advocate for and truly work with patients.

Worst: Nurse patient ratios, PRESS GANEY and Joint Commission, and 90% of the management (who don't know how to lead people)

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I lovelovelove the vast number of opportunities and experiences that are open to me outside of hospitals and other bedside settings. I did those for 20 years. Now I do different things, but I am still a nurse and I do my work as and because I am a nurse.

I know it's almost impossible for a new nursing student to wrap arms around this concept. But just for fun, go to the top of the page here to the yellow band, click on "Specialties," and roam around. Imagine what you could be doing in ten or fifteen years. Or not. Just know that it's out there for you when you're ready.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Med-Surg.

I like that it's something different every time you work. You never know what's going to happen when you walk through the door. I also like moments you can teach your patients valuable information, and when you know you've made a difference in someone's day.

What I dislike:

Overnight shifts, working weekends, and unsafe staffing

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