The one thing nursing has taught me is...

wheresthecharge · Oct 16, 2017

The one thing nursing has taught me is that you can still help people beyond the bedside in a hospital or long term care.

I am a registered nurse with a bscn/bsn/bn practicing for just under a year in geriatrics.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 16, 2017

that after I learned I enjoy helping people, I don't enjoy being around them in public.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 16, 2017

Nursing has taught me a lot of things, but I think the most important is that the word "assume" makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me". For example, if you assume a patient is what most people call a "junkie", you'll never find out that this is a hurting human being with intrinsic worth who has probably gotten some really bad breaks in life. There but for the grace of God go I, and you too. Treat all people well, and never forget that they are more than just a label.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 16, 2017

I can pick out liars and drama vrs real emotional pain (physical is harder) and weird stories that are true.

Everyone has something they are struggling with. Everyone. So there's no need to feel sorry for myself.

I've lost my curiosity for rubbernecking. I consider that a good thing. I'm not intimidated or scared off easily. Nursing gives you mad skills.

AJJKRN · Oct 16, 2017

Nursing has taught me that there is always something and someone to learn and experience.

CNA 2005

ADN 2011

BSN 2014

MSN 2017 (pending having the diploma in my hand which is when I truly consider that I have graduated, but all coursework is finished- YEAH!!!)

PixieRN1 · Oct 16, 2017

Nursing has taught me that every human is flawed...myself and all other staff included...and no one person has the mastery of having "the perfect practice". You can learn something from everyone you encounter if you have an open mind...whether a new grad or a nurse with 30 years experience.

It has also taught me endless lessons in human behavior and the human condition. It taught me to suspend judgement on not only patients, but also peers, friends, and family.

BSN RN since 2002

MS/LSATP in progress

15 years in peds (NICU/PICU/Peds CVICU/Peds ER/Peds Float)

First year in geropsych and substance abuse detox unit (flexi between the two)

Davey Do · Oct 17, 2017

Finish this sentence: "The one thing nursing has taught me is ______ ."

"...that finishing some sentences is a difficult task to undertake!"

Others have done a fine job of it, however. I must admit, TheObserver5, that your fill-in-the-blank had me do quite a bit of soul-searching. I thought, "I can't put "the one thing that nursing has taught me" into a few words!

Then it hit me early this past morning while I was feeling frustrated dealing with a Patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's: We are all equal- nobody is better than anybody else.

I remember getting this arrow-through-the-brain concept some 30 years ago as an LPN on a Psych Unit. I was complaining to an RN about a Patient's behavior when she said to me, "You know, under different circumstances, you could be this Patient and this Patient could be you- there for the grace of God go I".

I am a relatively self-centered Individual. I need to be reminded on a daily basis that I am no better than anyone else. Give it mental or physical illness, under different circumstances, I could be any Patient with whom I've ever dealt.

The one thing that Nursing has taught me, and regularly continues to teach me, is to try to live by the Golden Rule.

I believe if not for Nursing, I wouldn't be "a relatively self-centered Individual". I would be one self-centered SOB!

Thank you, TheObserver5, for being an inspiration into some soul-searching!

And welcome to AN.com!

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Oct 17, 2017

The one thing I've learned in nursing is really two things. Patience and tolerance. Two such easy words that have no easy explanations, just trust me when I say if you can master these attributes your career in nursing will be much less stressful. I've been a nurse for 20+ years in LTC.

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 17, 2017

Nursing has taught me how to problem solve like a mofo. I've become extremely resourceful and can basically tackle any issue thrown my way.

I've been a nurse for 6.5 years. I have a BS in Nutrition/Dietetics and a BSN in Nursing. I have 1.5 years left in my MSN for Family Nurse Practitioner. I work on a surgical/trauma unit.

cyc0sys · Oct 17, 2017

"The one thing nursing has taught me is,... we can but should we?"

I was bouncing off things from my 'Pt Orders Wish List' with Doc when he was rounding. He stopped me mid sentence and said, "we can't save or fix everybody, nor should we try to". Wow! that was pretty cold and callous I thought, even for me, and I'm a a Veteran.

I countered with "Don't you mean, restore them to the highest level of functionality possible?" but he just shook his head side to side in disagreement. I stewed on those words for a few days, vacillating between angry and apathy. I'm still new to nursing but not the brutal reality of the life boat politics in healthcare.

A few weeks later, I realized it was a pretty profound statement. I just wish someone would've clued me in when I started this 3rd career. Some people don't want to be fixed. They just want to do their thing, consequences be damned. Some people want to die without tubes and wires hooked up to every extremity and orifice even if it means cheating death another month or year.

MPKH, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2017

One thing nursing taught me is the ability to remain calm, collected and professional all the while wanting to strangle and throttle the person I'm talking to. And don't trust people at their word. And that you can do anything for 12 hours if you set your mind to it.