"Some people have a job. We have a calling."

[Irish_Mist]

I was driving to work early this morning and happened to notice a billboard advertising a quite large hospital system in my area. "Some people have a job. We have a calling." It got me thinking about this website. It seems to be a constant debate on various topics throughout All Nurses. Does your place of employment insist jobs within healthcare require a calling? Do you think it is a calling? What do you think about this large hospital system using this line of thinking in the form of advertising?

[OCNRN63, RN]

I think it's the hospital's way of making the public think they'll get better care at their hospital because the staff are people who are somehow "better" than the staff at competing facilities.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Probably shouldn't even get me started on those who feel that THEY "deserve" to be in the nursing program over others who haven't proven themselves, in some way, to be as deserving as Ms Calling, Student Nurse.

To those who are indignant at the "non-calling, it's-a-job" nurses: Self-righteousness should probably be an indication that you haven't spent as much time in your house of worship as you think you have....or it hasn't done you much good

Or that even though they have a GPA that's lower than their "non-calling" peers, they deserve the spot in the nursing program more, because they have been "called."

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Probably shouldn't even get me started on those who feel that THEY "deserve" to be in the nursing program over others who haven't proven themselves, in some way, to be as deserving as Ms Calling, Student Nurse.

To those who are indignant at the "non-calling, it's-a-job" nurses: Self-righteousness should probably be an indication that you haven't spent as much time in your house of worship as you think you have....or it hasn't done you much good

Eh, those are the "glory-seeking nurses" whose "calling" is more important than their own focus on the pt...or them; worrying about everybody and their momma while flaming out in burn-out city.

I don't want creepy apathetic either...a happy medium and a strong self-advocacy and flexibility towards teamwork base will do.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I was called all right.

To a decent paycheck with a 2 year degree.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Sounds like an advertising slogan dreamed up by MBAs who have no idea of the debate between pre-nurses about whether or not "a calling" is necessary or even desirable. Like most advertising slogans, it better off immediately forgotten. (Although some of them -- I'm thinking "Plop-plop fizz-fizz, Oh what a relief it is!" -- turn into earworms.) It's all part of the customer service mentality -- "Our hospital is better because our staff have a CALLING." I sincerely hope the pendulum soon swings the other way on THAT!

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Why is it no one expects a medical doctor to say that yes, he's absolutely an MD because it's 'a calling'?

Because it isn't.

Because they're considered educated professionals. We're considered angels of mercy.

[Aurora77]

Using "the calling" as an advertising slogan is offensive to me. I am religious and believe that the events in my life led me to be a nurse; it's not a career I even considered when I was 20 and beginning to make my way in the world. However, a Calling indicates a religious vocation, not a secular one.

It's an excuse to have sub standard conditions--if you're "called" you don't need that pay raise, you'll work longer hours, you'll come in every single time staffing calls, etc. I didn't take vows of poverty and obedience and I am quite happily married. I do feel called to nursing and strive to serve my patients well, but I expect to be well compensated for doing so.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

"Some people have a job, we have a calling. Actually, we have many callings:

Call bells, alarm bells, calls on the phones attached to our hip pockets...."

There. I fixed the sign.

[ICU56]

I find it funny to look back on RN school, when we stood up and said why we wanted to be a nurse.. People looked at me like I was insane because I said I picked RN for the money. Now, fast forward and I know of many in my class who incessantly complain on FB about the amount of work, the pay, the lack of opportunities... After two years of being treated like I wasn't really going to be a nurse because I wasn't "called" to be one, its satisfying to find that by treating it like a job I had to earn rather than one I was entitled to, I have excelled where many have fallen short. Work ethic trumps magical entitlement every time.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

I don't think nursing requires a calling. If you do it for a paycheck and job security (although, in this economy, what security?!), I couldn't care less. So long as you know what you are doing, why you are doing it, do it well, and don't act like a total jerk towards me, I couldn't care less what brings you to nursing.

While I'm not sure I have a 'calling' for nursing (certainly no religious experience here. And I'm no Mother Theresa either). However, I seriously have no clue what I would do if not nursing. I mean, push comes to shove, I'd find a JOB. But something I can see myself doing every day until I retire? Don't know what else other than nursing.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Don't buy the "calling" thing. What gets confusing I think though is that good nursing requires serious advocacy, a commitment; something akin to caring (though I'm not ready to buy Jean Watson hook line & sinker), and that confuses some into thinking we are there because we are "called". Also, I don't care how much calling you have on your side, without decent skills, education and critical thinking, you will risk failing at your commitment to your patients.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

I had a calling, but that is just me.

I am proud of it, I respect everybody who is a nurse for what ever reason because it takes a strong individual to stay the long hall in nursing or should I say the long call lol