Whats to Enjoy about Nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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?

Specializes in ER/ ICU.

I'm not saying nursing is awful. I just think new nurses don't really know what they are getting themselves into. The staffing is ridiculous, patient assignments crazy and we are totally responsible for every patient and have too much responsibility. When I was a new RN, I could not see that. I was so glad I was done w/ school and had a job that at that point, I didn't know or care about all the rest. I love taking care of my patients and knowing at the end of the day that I did a good job- made a difference to someone. It's not the patient care that sucks- it's all the politics, backstabbing, crappy pay, terrible schedules, etc... All a new nurse usually sees is the patient care aspect. Give it time, you too will be frustrated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.
I'm not saying nursing is awful. I just think new nurses don't really know what they are getting themselves into. The staffing is ridiculous, patient assignments crazy and we are totally responsible for every patient and have too much responsibility. When I was a new RN, I could not see that. I was so glad I was done w/ school and had a job that at that point, I didn't know or care about all the rest. I love taking care of my patients and knowing at the end of the day that I did a good job- made a difference to someone. It's not the patient care that sucks- it's all the politics, backstabbing, crappy pay, terrible schedules, etc... All a new nurse usually sees is the patient care aspect. Give it time, you too will be frustrated.

I've given it plenty of time - 30 years. And I am not frustrated. Yes, there are aspects of my job that I feel could be better. But I don't concentrate on them. I ignore the politics. I don't stab anyone in the back. I'm at my job for myself and my patients. Not to make friends with co-workers. "totally responsible for every patient"? Of course you are. If you do not want to accept responsibility for your patients, maybe nursing is not for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ ICU.

You think being totally responsible for 10-12 patients is acceptable? When you have patients on hourly VS, neuro checks, insulin drips, cardiac drips that you are titrating . It's simply not safe. You and I know that you cannot be your best w/ that much responsibility. Unfortunately some of the patients do not get the care they need d/t staffing. That is reality. If you can honestly say you have never felt this- please tell me where you work, I would love to work there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.
You think being totally responsible for 10-12 patients is acceptable? When you have patients on hourly VS, neuro checks, insulin drips, cardiac drips that you are titrating . It's simply not safe. You and I know that you cannot be your best w/ that much responsibility. Unfortunately some of the patients do not get the care they need d/t staffing. That is reality. If you can honestly say you have never felt this- please tell me where you work, I would love to work there.

If you are that unhappy, then work to find ways to change and improve how things are done. Work on a solution. Many times I find that nurses complain (often with reason) but do nothing to work on a change. If you cannot do this, and are still unhappy, someone will suffer - probably both you and your patients. Have I been frustrated? Of course I have. But I've learned to step back, set priorities and deliver the best quality patient care I can. And I go home every single day knowing my patients have gotten my best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ ICU.

The problem is staffing. We always complain to our nurse manager, who is loved because shes always under budget, and we are ignored. Many people have quit, but I don't feel that is the solution. I want to do the best job for my patients but sometimes feel it is impossible. Our na's do not do blood sugars or do v/s. That would be a huge timesaver for our nurses- especially on hourly pressures, blood sugars, etc. It's frustrating that good nurses leave and the problem still remains.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.
The problem is staffing. We always complain to our nurse manager, who is loved because shes always under budget, and we are ignored. Many people have quit, but I don't feel that is the solution. I want to do the best job for my patients but sometimes feel it is impossible. Our na's do not do blood sugars or do v/s. That would be a huge timesaver for our nurses- especially on hourly pressures, blood sugars, etc. It's frustrating that good nurses leave and the problem still remains.

What type of unit do you work on? What is your ratio?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ ICU.

Currently, cardiac. We can have as many as 7-8- depending on staffing. We have at least 2 patients going to CVL- which means sheath pulls, ekg's, post op v/s etc... At least 2 patients go home, which means admissions. Some days it's hard to get it all done. I usually leave feeling exhausted and think I forgot something. Oh, usually titrating cardizem, dopamine, levophed, nitro etc...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.

This sounds like a tele floor. You should not be titrating drips on a tele floor - this really is unsafe. If this is a tele floor & you're expected to do all that, something's wrong. Titrating vasoactive drips with a patient load of 7-8 is a disaster waiting to happen. What is the policy for VS when on these drips?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ ICU.

We do titrate drips, pull sheaths, get post op cardiac surgeries, etc... It's crazy busy and we chase our tails all day, every day. I asked one of the RN's who has been there over 20 years if it gets better and was told NO. I told her I sometimes go home and feel like things were not all done and she laughed and said that never changes. We take B/P's every hour.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.

Is this a tele floor or an ICU? What is the nurse/patient ratio?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ ICU.

We are technically considered an ICU step- down. The staffing varies and we take anywhere from 5- on a good day- to 7 on a terrible day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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.

:yeahthat:

There's something about being on the front lines of health care delivery that is just plain cool. It's neat to have the knowledge to cure people.

Also, it's pretty cool to be able to drive home at the end of your shift and know that you saved a life that day. There's nothing quite like it. And there's also nothing quite like a patient saying "I'm so glad you're on again today, I can tell you really love your patients."

But in all fairness, I have to add that there are many times when I wonder, if I had known what nursing was really like, would I ever have gone to nursing school? Right now, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. Ask me after my third twelve in a row and you may get a different answer :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment