TuTonka wants to know--what keeps you in nursing?

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 12, 2009

So, what keeps you in nursing? What are your reasons for continuing to want to be a nurse--professional, personal, financial, spiritual...tell us your stories :)

A mixture of several things. I went into nursing because it was a natural progression from being a Home Health Aide, CNA, phlebotomist, and other titles. I do like to learn about the science of the human body and the nature of people. So, I guess that is what keeps me personally and spiritually. Financially, well, most times, it seems easier for nurses to gain a second gig doing something. Even as an LPN, I have interesting per diem side jobs.

Funny enough, the professional thing does not interest me in the least because I am not caught up with titles; in addition, I hated school so much that I can't even phantom entertaining the idea again for any reason. I guess to sum it up; if you have to do something to pay the bills, the least it can be is interesting to you.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 12, 2009

I'm glad this was started as a thread of it's own. My reasons:

50% - I know that I do right by the kids in my care. I know that because of my work, kids have gotten glasses who otherwise would not. Some have received medical care that otherwise they would not have received. One had a heart condition diagnosed after I heard an abnormal rhythm and referred her. I could go on and on...but it boils down to the fact that I am making a difference in kid's lives. That fact alone makes all the BS kind of worth it, at least sometimes :)

25% - As far as jobs and schedules go, school nursing has a pretty good one. I get all the major holidays off and part of the summer (or all of it if I don't work summer school). Even if I went back to the non-nursing world, I would be hard pressed to find this kind of schedule. Even teachers have to put in hours grading papers outside of school. At 3:10, I am done. I love spending time with my hubby and my hobbies, and I love the time and freedom that this job gives me!

25% - Financial. If I had the $$ to have or adopt a kid and be a stay at home mom, that would be option #1. Option #2 would be Vet school, and honestly the only thing holding me back is the tuition $$ (probably $100,000 before it is over), and the fact that I would have to invest 5 years (1 year pre-reqs + 4 Vet school) with no income. Both of these are options for the future, I just need a few years to pay some bills and get my ducks in a row.

So, 50% of my reasons are selfish: money and good schedule. If that makes me a bad nurse I'll turn in my license now! But if/when I leave nursing, I think it will be a loss for the profession and the children I care for. Not trying to toot my own horn, or to say that any other school nurse would do less of a job than me, but I KNOW that I do good things. I would be one less good nurse in the field, and I don't think we can afford that!

Mollypita · May 12, 2009

I need a paycheck.

Thankful RN,BSN · May 12, 2009

^^^Same here. I need a paycheck. I enjoy the flexibility.

nurseinlimbo · May 12, 2009

If I were allowed to do it the way that I would like to do it, working in an area that really interests me (Day surgery, OR, clinic procedures) I would love it.

I had a picture in my mind of procedures as well as pt care, not just med passes and charting. As students I think we are mislead into thinking that we will all work in specialty areas and teach or do home care, public health, etc. but the reality is that we are necessary as bedside nurses the most, which involves shift work for the entire career and large personal sacrifice due to the shortage.

I thought I would be respected more by my coworkers and management (what a joke, I know!)

So, what keeps me in now, is my mortgage. If it were up to me, I would work very PT, in an area that I enjoyed without shifts, with respect and with days off one could count on.

GomerPyle · May 13, 2009

what keeps me in nursing? let me give you 3 reasons......

bills, bills....and more bills:cheers:

whoknows56 · May 13, 2009

I need a paycheck.

Agreed.

KY RN · May 13, 2009

I went into nursing for a paycheck, flexibility, and an in-demand career, all the preconceived ideas of nursing.

However, I found that was not the real reason I love nursing. I LOVE that nursing keeps me thinking. I love when I have to critically think and analyse a situation. I like the variety of not doing monotonous things every day. It appeals to my logical side.

nurse_mo1986 · May 13, 2009

I need a paycheck.

sadly all too true these days. I think i'm kinda burnt out at the min, and it might be time for a change. At first I had ideals about saving ppl and making a difference in ppl's lives. These days I show up to get my check:)

Susan9608 · May 13, 2009

health insurance.

If there was anything else I was qualified to do that would give me the same amount of money and the same benefits, I would sure as hell do it.

travel50 · May 13, 2009

I joke that I work to support my habit which is, as my user name implies, travelling. First I had 6 children. I had always wanted that many. Providing for them required a decent paycheck. Now that they are grown, I travel at every possible opportunity, and of course, do a bit of spoiling of the grandchildren. My present job is the most stressful one I have ever had, DON of a nursing home. I could work elsewhere to get that paycheck, but I love my residents. I feel like I make a difference in their lives. And they enjoy looking at my pictures I make when I go places. If I had it to do over again, though, I would be a vet. It was what I had wanted to do, just didn't b/c my father was afraid I'd get hurt by a large animal.