Whats to Enjoy about Nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a student and have been reading up on some of these forums and many, many nurses would leave their jobs if they didn't need the money. Everyone continually talks about how stressful their jobs are based on scheduling, continuing education, pay scales, nurse/patient ratio...etc. I was wondering..why do nurses even bother with work? Why don't they switch professions into something less demanding and as good of pay? What makes you get up in the morning (or evening or night!) to go to work?

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I think we have to remember that we do not live in a bubble..........other

professions also have similar stresses........you hear horror tales from

teachers, mortgage brokers, doctors, etc.......life is just stressful

and we are all working with the public and trying to comply with

tons of regulations from state/federal/city,etc.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.
I'm a student and have been reading up on some of these forums and many, many nurses would leave their jobs if they didn't need the money. Everyone continually talks about how stressful their jobs are based on scheduling, continuing education, pay scales, nurse/patient ratio...etc. I was wondering..why do nurses even bother with work? Why don't they switch professions into something less demanding and as good of pay? What makes you get up in the morning (or evening or night!) to go to work?

Why do I get up in the morning? For the chance to have just one patient look up at me and say "thank you".

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Most of us aren't that miserable that we forget why we are nurses. There are many things I'm unhappy with: the stress, the ratios, family drama, etc. and I come here and say so.

However, I enjoy the science, the challenge of helping people become well again, educating the next generation of nurses, learning new things, the hours, the pay, the benefits, the job security.

So if I come here and vent sometimes, please don't tell me "if you're so unhappy why don't you quit."

Thanks for listening.

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I am soon to start my nursing program--I guess I'm just getting worried! I hear so much about the bad things that I feel like there may be no good in nursing, even though I know better than that!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
I am soon to start my nursing program--I guess I'm just getting worried! I hear so much about the bad things that I feel like there may be no good in nursing, even though I know better than that!

That's perfectly understandable and it is a good question. It does seem that some people are so miserable you just want them to move on.

It is indeed best to go into this with eyes wide open and no rose colored glasses because it's a tough life.

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I'm kinda fond of the paychecks.

I also get to help people.

And work with a lot of hot chicks.

But, mostly, it's the paychecks.

Pete Fitzpatrick

RN, CFRN, EMT-P

Writing from the Ninth Circle

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I do it now strictly for the money. Sorry, but I can't fake that I do it because it means so much to make someone's day or to be told thank you (I can count the times that has happened in my six years of nursing on one hand, anyway). Other nurses will turn on you, patient's and family will turn on you, you can't possibly meet every expactation and demand of all the people all the time (not even close) and no matter how hard you try you end up getting it spit back in your face. Everyone is looking for a lawsuit these days and the stress of contantly looking over your back gets you down after awhile. And if you think you have an employer who cares about you and will protect you think again...they will hang you out to dry faster than you can say "but yesterday you were going on and on about how you appreciated me."I've gone from a good-natured gentle person eager to help people to a cynical, bitter old woman who thinks things she never would have thought when she started in the business. Nurse Rachaud? You better believe it. Nurses who have been in the business awhile can understand what could make her the way she was... I'd rather go collect cans or wash dishes but who can live on that? I'm working my way out of this hell hole called nursing, though. I've taken steps to get my master's degree (definitely not in nursing) and maybe do some counseling and teach at a community college.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am overall happy with nursing. It is a second career for me and I know that there a lot worse careers - lol. At least in nursing, I have the opportunity to advance my education and career. When I come here after a bad day or seeking advice, I know my fellow nurses will have words of encouragement or commiseration for me.

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Maybe I wear rose-colored glasses, but I love nursing. I love being able to say I am a Registered Nurse because I EARNED that right. I love getting a new admission and working with them all day. I love the responsibility that I carry, and the professionalism that I am responsible to show. I love that I get to wear scrubs and that I don't have to wear dresses, skirts, stockings and heels anymore. I love my patients and feeling at the end of the day that maybe, just maybe, I've made a difference for someone. I love when sometimes I am in the middle of hanging an IV or drawing up meds or some other technical thing, I will stop for a minute and still marvel "Wow, I am really doing this. I am really qualified for this". I feel like I am truly living my dream and answering my call to healing. Sure it gets tiring and sure, sometimes there are assignments that make me nervous, scared, or otherwise upset. But its all a state of mind. I am positive in my career choice, positive in my outlook, and I totally love what I do. This is the first job that I don't get an upset, nervous stomach before work. I love this whole experience. I have no problem getting up to go to work in the morning.

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

Cooper can say that because she's only been an RN for less than a year. You just wait!. I have been an RN for 12 years and some days I love it and some days I wish I would have chosen a different profession. There is no nursing utopia!!! Unfortunately some people have not been exposed to what others have and have an unrealistic view of what nurses do.

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Specializes in CHPN Hospice & Palliative Nurse.

A lot of times you only hear the complaints and definately not enough of the wonderful aspect of nursing. Many consider this forum as a "safe haven" to be able to vent and debrief regarding a situation/problem/or other general rant. It's all a matter of perspective. Yes, there are nurses that "eat their young" and everyone has to "do their time" doing the less then pleasant tasks. But again, it's what you make of it. If you let others determine your outlook on life, then it's certain doom. If you esteem to do your best and seek out the area of nursing that is fulfilling to you, on the otherhand, you will be greatly rewarded.

Ultimately, it's a decision that you make. Are you ready for the challenge?

Jessica, RN CHPN

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