What is your nursing "joy?"

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For me, nothing is more satisfying that bridling an NG tube or deep suctioning a bunch of sputum out of someone.

Specializes in Med/Surg, orthopedics, urology.

Yes on the IV's! And...

1. I take the catheter out of my post-op, and she pees within an hour.

2. It's 11 PM. Room 123's family finally decided it was OK to leave for the night. All 4 adults and 4 children under the age of 12.

3. It's 3 AM, peaceful, and all my charts are checked and documentation complete.

4. Someone brings homemade cookies. I eat 6.

5. When a patient vomits on a colleague who I can't help but think needs a little humility.

6. When there's food.

7. When my patient tells me I'm probably the best nurse he ever had.

8. Grabbing breakfast at IHOP after work with my favorite work buddies.

9. That after work shower, though!

10. The best joy ever? No two days are exactly the same!

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Specializes in Wound care; CMSRN.

When that Doc who's been a dismissive pain in your ass says "good catch" when you keep him from injuring one of your patients.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

From my PICU days: When I have fluffed and buffed* my little toddler patient, and they are sleeping all snuggled up.

*Fluffed and buffed includes everything in the room untangled, properly labeled and on time.

Also, when everything on my 'brains' 5 x 8 card has absolutely everything on it crossed off/ done.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I love, love, LOVE getting Rapunzels' hair clean (well as much as I can w/o a shower), detangled, and braided. I once spent upwards of 2 hours on this butt-length, thick, wavy, and VERY matted head of hair, once I'd gotten the hair's lady stabilized. The woman hadn't even been in bed 12 hours, and I'm sure in another day or two that hair would have been beyond help...and possibly causing a pressure ulcer on her head.

I love getting patients fluffed and buffed after a bed bath.

I love getting mouths and feet clean.

I love going to battle against high ICPs and winning.

I love feeling like I've been a comfort to the family.

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Waving goodbye to a patient who's been in the unit for a month and made it out alive, knowing that I had a small part in that.

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Gross nurse joy: suctioning and getting a tonne of secretions

Warm and fuzzy joys: Seeing parents walk out with their baby all ready to go home and buckled into their car seat.

Also, putting a baby into a freshly made up crib/cot because they have "graduated" from their isolette.

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If my wife was a nurse, she would for sure work in a dermatology clinic. She looooooves to pop them zits.

Getting an IV on the first try is always nice.

Having a patient who appreciates your company but also respects your time and your job.

Having a busy (but not crazy) shift that I am able to complete all my tasks and have time to chart before the next shift arrives.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

The flashback from a hard stick, under pressure, under sterile drapes mid procedure in the OR, ummm and my paycheck?

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