What do you love most about nursing?

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What with all the hate and complaining there has been lately, I figured I'd start up a thread that's completely opposite of what a lot of us have been reading. Problems with co-workers, anger and confusion over the nursing shortage, etc, etc... when does it end?

Now!

So let's turn our frowns upside down(s), and answer me this: what's that one thing that you love most about nursing? What makes you happiest about this profession? What keeps you going every day? What keeps you smiling and positive?

There is no room for Debbie Downer's in here - all positive comments please! :up:

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I have four days off a week!!! :)

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

seeing someone get better and having been part of it!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

We had a little lady on our unit, came in one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel, massive CVA and bowel obstruction on top of it. Seriously, we all thought she was going to die, and she's been with us over a month. I left last weekend, thinking, "she'll be gone by when I come back." Non verbal, L side flaccid, would barely open her eyes to stimulation.

The lady rallied, her colon started working, they could take out the NGT, DC the TPN, she started eating. They're sending her back to her nursing home this week, and I went to say good bye when I was leaving this morning. She fought her one good hand out from her blankets, grabbed my hand and said, "I remember you. You would hold my hand. You've been a blessing to me." I kept it together until I got out of the room, and started crying. The nurse coming on runs up and says, "oh, God, she's not dead is she?" I told her what she said, and we both got all drippy in the hallway.

I have days when I think if we blew the 3rd floor off the hospital (administration) it would be a good thing, days when I want to take my license and shove it up my NM's backside so far it would take gastroenterologist and a spelunker to get it back out, yell "take this job and shove it!"....

But not today.

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Specializes in Tele/Cardiac.

Becoming an important part of a strangers life...they never forget that nurse that took the time to sit at the bedside and listen......

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I love the autonomy, the challenge, and the warm fuzzy feeling one gets from the hug of a patient.:heartbeat

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Specializes in PACU, ED.

I cherish every "thank you" and smile of genuine gratitude that I get from my patients and families. I also enjoy making a good catch on an emergent change in a patient. I had one post-op lap chole who had a change in her pain. It presented in her chest and felt like someone was sitting on her. I put oxygen back on her, gave her morphine and paged the anesthesiologist. He ordered a 12 lead and sub lingual nitro. The nitro eased the pain. Instead of going home she got admited with a cardiology consult and workup. Later, the anesthesiologist came back to thank me.

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What incredible stories and moments! Thank you all for sharing. Keep them coming! :)

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We had a little lady on our unit, came in one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel, massive CVA and bowel obstruction on top of it. Seriously, we all thought she was going to die, and she's been with us over a month. I left last weekend, thinking, "she'll be gone by when I come back." Non verbal, L side flaccid, would barely open her eyes to stimulation.

The lady rallied, her colon started working, they could take out the NGT, DC the TPN, she started eating. They're sending her back to her nursing home this week, and I went to say good bye when I was leaving this morning. She fought her one good hand out from her blankets, grabbed my hand and said, "I remember you. You would hold my hand. You've been a blessing to me." I kept it together until I got out of the room, and started crying. The nurse coming on runs up and says, "oh, God, she's not dead is she?" I told her what she said, and we both got all drippy in the hallway.

I have days when I think if we blew the 3rd floor off the hospital (administration) it would be a good thing, days when I want to take my license and shove it up my NM's backside so far it would take gastroenterologist and a spelunker to get it back out, yell "take this job and shove it!"....

But not today.

Your story made my heart swell. This is exactly one of the reasons I want to be a nurse. You were there holding her hand when no one else was. Thats the nurse i want to be.

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I strive to have patients learn my name, instead of just giving it to them.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

What a refreshing thread for us soon to be Nurses to see, Thank you for starting it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Well I'm retired now so the thing I love most about nursing are my memories of it! :)

But ..... one thing which I especially loved about being a nurse was; the difference we can make in the lives of our patients and our fellow nurses each and every day we work ... if we bring a positive attitude and a supportive approach.

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