What has been the most rewarding moment of your nursing career?

oceangirl1234 · Sep 3, 2017

I like your idea/post - - but may I suggest that there's no need to wait for (or look too hard for) rewarding moments!
I've had numerous situations/days where I felt good/great/awesome about some aspect of the work done, or was touched by a patient/family, or where I learned something really fascinating. Or where I shared in someone else's lightbulb moment, or where I overhear a newer nurse explaining how s/he accomplished something by saying "JKL taught me that!", or any one of many situations that were profound for their own special reasons.
I've, too, have experienced a number of the situations that others may think were really "that ONE special moment" and, it's true, they were/are profound - but in such a way that I can't really pick one. However, my view is that if you believe in the work you do and you aim to do it to the best of your ability, you can feel "rewarded" with some frequency.
Enjoy your Nursing career...be the best you can be! :)

Thanks for this! I really enjoyed your perspective, made me think of a few good moments actually! :)

aflahe00 · Sep 4, 2017

I was taking care of a coworker of all people. He was a respiratory therapist. Early 60s. Came in with rectal bleeding which turned out to be caused by a bleeding ulcer. Easy procedure, the ulcer was cauterized and he was to go home the next day. He was getting up and down on his own and was having no problems. Around 2am I'm siting in the back of the unit where my patients are, I'm the only one around. I hear a loud thud and I knew it was his room! I opened his door cautiously to hit immediate resistance because he was laying in the floor right in front of the door. I helped him

up and onto the toilet where he then passed a large amount of bright red blood. He was grey. Confused an for in and out of consciousness. I called for help with my phone and help quickly came. The rapid response nurse came and just as quickly she award running down the hail wheeling my patient to icu.

His ulcer started bleeding again. The doctor told him if I hadn't been near by things might have been different. Very scary! He thanked me when he returned to work. Thanked me for saving his life. Just did what I was supposed to do.

Kareegasee · Sep 4, 2017

Getting invited into the OR for an organ harvest surgery on a young Gift of Life patient I had been solely taking care of x 3 days. I got to stand at the head of the bed next to the anesthesiologist, alongside the surgeons I work with everyday, and watch the entire, beautiful process.

chris21sn, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2017

Whenever I perform codes and am able to sucessfully vent patients. It's another sense of relief especially after performing 30 minute compressions on a patient and our work is payed off

in the Icu, there are many codes - unfortunately some of them don't make it -- but the others I'm able to help --- those are the best feelings

chocoholic1 · Sep 6, 2017

The day that I got to eat lunch. Lol, kidding. I have run into a few former patients out in the world and its great to see them healthy and walking around after seeing them miserable and in bed.

Marisette, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2017

Some times those wow moments happen and we don't realize it immediately until we have a chance to reflect. I worked with very ill patient's on dialysis and got to know a few over time. Then one day, when I was no longer working with them, I realize I got the opportunity to see them at their worst and best. It's amazing how life changing treatment's and circumstances can change a life.

I recall grocery shopping in a large store. Then suddenly, "a stranger", a young lady accompanied by two toddlers and a young man, leaves her family behind. She started running towards me, big smile, arms wide open. I thought, "oh, oh, this girl has mistaken me for someone else". She hugs me and I somewhat hug her back. But she realizes that I don't know who she is and states "don't you remeber me"? I shamefully ask her to remind me, and suddenly I realize this young lady is the 16 year old dialysis patient I cared for all grown up and with her family. She received a kidney transplant and had two children and nearby was her husband who I had the chance to meet. WOW !!!

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 7, 2017

Everytime a pt tells me I am the best nurse they have ever had and that I made their stay as good as it could be.