What is your opinion of nursing?

NURSEOK5 · May 16, 2008

I really enjoy nursing, it was my first calling but I went a different way in college and now I back doing what I should have been doing all along.

There are days when chaos does occur but you just keep going, anything can be done in 12 hours. Sometimes the shifts go faster than others but I do like what I do. When you see you have made a difference in someones wellness, and healing process it is very satisfiying. This is a very customer service oriented profession. I have always considered pt's as

clients/customers where ever I have worked.

Keep em pain free and smiling and you know you have done a good job. Good luck to you. :nurse:

jessiern, BSN, RN · May 16, 2008

I have a love hate relationship with nursing. I've worked the last two days, and I have run nonstop. Every muscle in my body hurts, and I am so tired I can only look at my dirty house and sigh. Right now, I hate nursing.

When I was in the supply room with my co-worker crying her eyes out because she had just held her dying patients hand as she took her last breath, I hated nursing.

More times then I can recall, I hate it and wish to God I had done something else. My husband even says I can quit and go back to school, if I want. But there's the problem--I can't for the life of me figure out what else I would do. Because, I am a nurse, and I can't see myself in any other role.

So, truth be known, I hate getting up at 5:30. I hate the complete lack of energy after 2-3 days of work. I hate the times when I am being pulled in a million different directions. But I love being a nurse. When I have the time to take care of my patients the way I know they should be cared for, it is a great feeling. And those patients that really appreciate your care mean the world (and yes, they are out there). Even the emotion breakdowns like my co-worker had yesterday make me proud. How many people can say they were a dying woman's comfort?

Now, don't get me wrong. The customer service crap gets on every nerve I have. I don't mind taking my patient coffee, but another patients BR break might have to happen first, no need to get mad. And the drug seekers, and hypochondriacs (sp) can really annoy ya, but they really aren't that many compared.

So, as you see. I have a love hate relationship with nursing. I can't imagine doing anything else.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 16, 2008

I also have a love-hate relationship with nursing. It is my passion (this is why I hang out here every chance I get). I love reading about the disease process, the countless chances of learning experiences (even as an LPN) and challenging myself.

What I HATE is the backbiting, politics, blatent, favoritism, and unsupportive managment. I see why nurses leave the bedside, I see why nurses burn out. In many cases, it is not a supportive, nurturing environment, it is dog eat dog, look out for number one and watch your back. What is acceptable to one group of people is looked down upon with another. Instead of looking at a mistake as a chance to learn, if you don't know the right people, it is a walk down calvary lane to your own crucifixtion.

But, like JessieRN, I can't see me doing anything else, so, it is about finding a happy medium and unfortunately for many, it is hard.

imanedrn · May 16, 2008

When I read posts about how miserable some nurses are, I'm amazed. I consider myself relatively happy -- esp. considering I'm a NG who believes she did NOT receive enough orientation. In any case, I'm a quick learner, so -- once I was on my own -- I managed to figure things out for myself and -- when I couldn't/can't -- I find someone who CAN help me. Still, all the stuff I read about what contributes to other nurses being miserable truly amazes me... Maybe I'm still too green?

I started in med/surg (on a med/tele floor) for the experience. I've grown to love to the total assessment so much, though, that I'm actually at a point where I can see myself doing this for a looong time -- something I'd never imagined before. To sum it all up, I am now able to see a very bright light at the end of the tunnel that I previously did not believe even existed. I'm a happy RN!

cursenurse · May 17, 2008

My opinion of nursing depends on the kind of shift that I have just finished. Sometimes I feel fulfilled and that I have left my mark in some way. Other times I feel beaten down, angry and frustrated. I feel that nursing has a very long way to go to be a "real" serious profession like medicine, law, engineering, etc- and that depresses me. So it is okay for me for now, but it is basically going to be a stepping stone for me to get into a career where I can feel like (and be treated like) a professional.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 17, 2008

I wanted to make a difference and found that those who stand out in any way are viewed as rocking the boat.

If my circumstances were different I would be working on a reservation or working with Doctors without Borders. Nursing where I am is little more than keeping old people going for another couple of lousy years. Not that they are without value, but unless and until there is a huge paradigm shift in LTC and end of life care in this country the nursing floor isn't for me.

I'm in informatics now and I love it, but I miss the patients, albeit not the nonsense that goes with it. Now, my reward is looking at anonymous surveys about my dept that mention me and my support of the nurses and their needs by name. So I am making a difference.

I'm going to have to do some pro bono work on mission trips, I think.

showbizrn · May 18, 2008

:nurse:

I'm in the minority

with all my seniority

I LOVE NURSING.

Can't say I'm denying

At times it's trying

It's also gratifying

to soothe someone who is crying

Nursing truly edifying.

In my opinion

which is soley my dominion

As far as I go

Nursing is MY FRIEND---Never my foe

DON'T YOU KNOW? :smokin:

imanedrn · May 27, 2008

I wanted to make a difference and found that those who stand out in any way are viewed as rocking the boat.
If my circumstances were different I would be working on a reservation or working with Doctors without Borders. Nursing where I am is little more than keeping old people going for another couple of lousy years. Not that they are without value, but unless and until there is a huge paradigm shift in LTC and end of life care in this country the nursing floor isn't for me.
I'm in informatics now and I love it, but I miss the patients, albeit not the nonsense that goes with it. Now, my reward is looking at anonymous surveys about my dept that mention me and my support of the nurses and their needs by name. So I am making a difference.
I'm going to have to do some pro bono work on mission trips, I think.

I'm like you in that I want to make a lasting difference. It's really hard to see that when you work with patients for 1-3 shifts, then they're d/c'd, and you (probably) never see them again. When we have frequent flyers, it really makes you stop and wonder if you're making a difference at all!... I can't even begin to imagine how you feel in LTC.

As for making that lasting difference, I really look forward to "serving my country" by joining the Peace Corps at some point in the next several years -- hopefully with my husband, after he finishes nursing school and gets some experience also.