The Money is my motivation

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Specializes in acute care.

I never thought I would say this so early in my career. I am a new grad working in an acute care setting. I haven't even reached my 6 month mark, let alone my one year mark. Today, I realized that I have become numb. I feel nothing when I am at work. Isn't that sad? Aren't I too 'young' to have gotten to this point. Where's my honeymoon phase?

While money wasn't the reason I wanted to be a nurse as a teenager, it was the reason I pursued this career as an adult. But still, I had my dream job in mind, so I expected to love my job and the paycheck would be the icing on the cake.

It's not the stress, I can deal with that. Actually, after reading new grad horror stories, I feel quite lucky with my unit's pleasant environment. I can't exactly pin point what is it that has gotten me to this point. I do know that I am not happy with where I am in my career. (I want critical care). While I don't hate my job, I don't like it either. I do like that I'm learning everyday, but I'm just not happy.

I'm so sorry, my feelings are so scattered right now, I can't seem to put my thoughts together. I can't quit because I have bills to pay. But then again, I don't want to quit because I'm learning so much. I'm just not happy. And now, I have quickly reached the point where the only thing I look forward to is my paycheck.

Am I the only one? Has anyone gotten to the point that the paycheck is the only reason they go to work?

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Well, in the beginning I too, worked for my paycheck. I was not only bored with certain jobs but HATED them and cried most days, despite the fact I was still learning and had the challenges I craved at work. You just might have to do your time and shift from job to job until you settle in to your area of interest. I thought I would never feel satisfied as a nurse until I found my niche, which fits me perfectly and I love it so much. And it pays well, so now, I REALLY do not even know when my pay day is (direct deposit). :) Hang in there!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

It's not about YOU!

If you're nursing just for the paycheck you missed the bus.

It's about care... it's about comforting people that are sick, injured or disabled.

It takes a certain type to actually care. Get over the money. Get over the inconvenience you must feel.

I don't know what you and the other whiners must have expected but this is a love it or leave it profession. If you can't help gramma, the paraplegic, or the spina bifida child that can't care for themselves then please go. Let someone else fill the role that cares.

People NEED you to care. They don't NEED your problems, your disappointments or your insecurities.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

once you reach a certain point, critical care will be quite boring too. patients are much more needy and there are even more tasks that seem "exciting" but arent in actuality. some nights you wont feel like you really did something exciting or did a whole lot of thinking. everyone gets comfortable at some point. you gotta really love what you're doing.

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Emergency Nurse - I don't think your sentiment matches what the OP is trying to suggest and lacks the very sensitivity that you are insisting the OP have.

Not all nursing is bedside nursing, and maybe their gifts and interests are elsewhere. He/she is a new nurse and still getting the feel, give them a break! I bet you would not be doing your job for free. We all work for a paycheck, we just hope we are able to find more meaning to it than that alone... which is why we are nurses and I think what the OP may have been expressing.

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Specializes in SICU BICU MICU ED PACU Homehealth.

Oh RNDreamer, Hang in there. I remember not wanting to do nursing, but you are a new nurse and this might be the "nursing blues" as they call it for newbies. I've been there...I started in SICU as a new grad and I felt like crying everyday at the end of each of my shift. But my co-new grads and I would have a ***** fest after work and let it all out and feel better after. I realized later that it's the people I worked with I didn't like and not the job of caring for others. They were very negative, put-downers, not encouraging, "eat their young" type of nurses, and clicky... I got out after my year and bravely risk a travel assignment to get out (bigger pay and out of that clicky unit) then did agency work after (hip hip hooray-usually no politics)...I was happy, but a lot happier after I finally found my love and that is in the ED, but it wasn't love at first sight. Hang in there... Nursing is a broad spec, if you are patient you will find your home.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
it's not about you!

if you're nursing just for the paycheck you missed the bus.

it's about care... it's about comforting people that are sick, injured or disabled.

it takes a certain type to actually care. get over the money. get over the inconvenience you must feel.

i don't know what you and the other whiners must have expected but this is a love it or leave it profession. if you can't help gramma, the paraplegic, or the spina bifida child that can't care for themselves then please go. let someone else fill the role that cares.

people need you to care. they don't need your problems, your disappointments or your insecurities.

you're pretty harsh. are you willing to do all the above things you mentioned for free? i think not! wake up and welcome to the 21st century. you don't need to have altruistic reasons to be a nurse. as long as my nurse is empathetic and knows what s/he's doing , s/he's a ok in my book.

oh and where's this bus at? :smackingf

op, hang in there. you're a new nurse. give your self time to adjust to your work place or unit. good luck!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Hang in there!!!!! After that one magical year of experience you'll be able to transfer to a critical care unit! Just try to remain positive and provide the best nursing care you are capable of..as for EmergencyNrse you sound like a burnt out grumpy nurse and I WOULD NOT want you at my bedside talking to someone in this manner..have a seat!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hey there RNDreamer

I am a new nurse, graduated end of 09 and am now working in Critical Care. Some of the things other nurses are saying here are really mean and I encourage you to dismiss these negative thoughts. Hmmm...Where to begin? I did nursing because I was good at it, not because I've always "dreamed of it" or because it was my "passion in life". Don't get me wrong, I love to help people and care for them. I'm good at it but is it my passion or dream job? No way. I mean, seriously, let's face it: Nurses are the first to get the verbal lashing when things go wrong and while we may be appreciated, we are definitely not as well respected as we should be. Anyhow, I've been practicing since beginning of this year and I feel kind of the way you do--kind of. Often times, I find myself hating the fact that I always have to be smiles and yay-nursing when at work. I am always kind to my patients, but seriously, aren't nurses allowed to be people too?? Yes, we too need lunch breaks and I admit that when the situation is critical, I will wait till the last dier second before I am about to faint to run and gulp down some juice before my bs goes below 60. I have been cussed at so far by 2 doctors, both who never apologized, and for something that was not even my fault.

Sorry I am rambling. Anyhow, and then people wonder why nursing is not my passion.

I have also had my share of great experiences where I felt so fortunate to be able to help a family cope or to see someone go home to their family after several months of illness. At those times, I feel happy and rewarded that I am able to help someone and this one small thank-you or that heartfelt gratitude for my simple caring and kindness makes me happy for days. HOWEVER, I do not go to work excited. I like going to work because I'd be bored out of my mind otherwise and we all do need a paycheck. But at the end of the day, I do not find myself wanting more and more of this work the next day. I do not see myself in nursing for more than 2-3 years--at least bedside nursing. I think you are sort of like me in the sense that you need something else to do while you work--maybe a new project, reading, biking, whatever else that you not only enjoy but that will advance you personally or professionally. I too was feeling this way for a couple months now and have set my goals to take GRE and apply for Fall 2012 for CRNA school.

My suggestion to you would be to stick it out for a while longer. Then try maybe home health nursing or agency work or even a different area like ortho, neuro, pediatrics, nursery, etc. Maybe even a doctor's office. I will be the first to say that being a nurse definetly takes a strong willed person and you have to have your heart in it. BUT at the same time, we all have a mortgage to pay and a job is a job. You do the best you can every day. When I feel discouraged this way, I try to remember that one day, my family member may be that patient or it may even be me. I just think you are new and trust me, I am new too and I NEVER had my honeymoon phase. I don't even think there IS a honeymoon phase. Sucks, huh? Def does. We got into this field though and it DOES have such vast opportunities, so plan your future accordingly so you do not have to be where you are now forever.

Good luck to you and best wises my friend

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Am I the only one? Has anyone gotten to the point that the paycheck is the only reason they go to work?

Sounds to me like you are baking the same cake everyone else is.

Now add a mortgage, spouse, children, auto, daily expenses, stir gently, and bake @ 350 deg for a lifetime.

Congratulations!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Sounds like you just haven't found your place, yet. I, also, hated going to work untill I found the place I really fit in. I've been in hospice for the past 12 years and I LOVE it. I think sometimes I would actually go to work for free (just don't tell my boss that!). Really though, I love my job and do what I can for my pts and families. At the end of the day, I feel good about myself. Sure, some days are stressful--but that's life. Maybe a job change is what you need. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psych.

I don't think there's anything wrong with going through times in your life when your work is a subsistence job that you're happy to do simply because it pays the bills and/or you're not motivated or in a position to explore something else. That being said, if a job is not intrinsically rewarding, you are going to grow increasingly dissatisfied over time. Sounds like this is your right for NOW job, rather than your 'right' job. Whether or not nursing is the right career for you or not, you'll figure that out over time.

For an inexpensive tool to help you work through the "what should I DO with my life" matters, I recommend the very popular What Color Is Your Parachute? book.

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