I feel like everywhere I go people are expressing their hate for nursing rather than their love. I want to go into nursing, and I want to love it. WHY does everyone (almost) hate it so much? Is it really that bad? Can someone express their love for it? I would really enjoy hearing why you love your nursing job.
Personally I could never work in a nursing home, but my goal is to work in the OB/NICU or the ER.
I have a passion for good quality affordable healthcare, because it saved my life, and my sanity.
So ya that is my passion, I don't really care about their reasons for doing what they did for me, they inspire me, and I want job security. It seems to fit me on so many levels if I can pull this off.
I do the best I can, part of the reasons Nursing is so competitive is because of the climate, and the shortage of instructors.
That is what I have been told at least.
I have had mixed responses on here, some warning me away from nursing, I have yet to listen to them, because really good jobs in any field are getting harder, and harder to come by. People are being worked harder, and harder for less pay in every field.
All that said I have gotten some golden advice from people on here.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I'm a nurse who loves her job- most days. I work with a great team who not only has each others' backs at work but even outside of work. When I had an emergency on a night I was on call, all I had to do was send a group text, and I had 3-4 offers within 5 minutes to cover that call for me so I could go deal with what I needed to deal with. We help each other out, work well together, and get the work done. I also only work Monday through Friday day shift with the exception of call. It's a good gig.
It does have its downsides- the night I was on call and worked my scheduled shift, stayed late to finish a late running case, and didn't even get fully changed in the locker room before getting called for an emergency that meant I worked a 25-26 hour shift. Or the times the patient doesn't make it off the OR table. Or when we're trying (sometimes unsuccessfully) to fix a cardiologist's screw up from cath lab.
So, what do I talk about here more? The good or the bad? Well, it's the bad. People here get it, unlike my non-nursing family and friends. Venting to those who get it helps a lot to blow off steam. Blowing off steam isn't necessary when it comes to the good stuff.
Basically, take what you read here as a bit of the extreme. And do a search here; there are quite a few various threads that start up every so often.
"In my experience as a new grad, only our best and brightest are getting jobs in OB/NICU, ER, etc. Most are only getting called for med-surg units, and depending on the unit that can be a very high potential for burnout due to high patient loads and resulting job dissatisfaction."
I feel like you are specifically describing my situation. I was an honor roll student and now work in LTAC where every shift is both a sprint and a marathon.
Disagree strongly. Empathy has served me well, for a non passionate nurse. It makes me more effective.
Feel free to disagree.
"In the field of positive psychology, empathy has also been compared with altruism and egotism. Altruism is behavior that is aimed at benefitting another person, while egotism is a behavior that is acted out for personal gain. Sometimes, when someone is feeling empathetic towards another, acts of altruism occur. However, many question whether or not these acts of altruism are motivated by egotistical gains."
While being flogged by the corporate master.. ain't nobody got time for that. Empathy interferes with getting the job done.
"In the field of positive psychology, empathy has also been compared with altruism and egotism. Altruism is behavior that is aimed at benefitting another person, while egotism is a behavior that is acted out for personal gain. Sometimes, when someone is feeling empathetic towards another, acts of altruism occur. However, many question whether or not these acts of altruism are motivated by egotistical gains."
While being flogged by the corporate master.. ain't nobody got time for that. Empathy interferes with getting the job done.
In your case.
And your little blurb up there is all fine and nice, but really, it takes no time at all to be empathetic. In fact, it's built in. It's part of educating patients and patient care in every way.
And your little blurb up there is all fine and nice, but really, it takes no time at all to be empathetic. In fact, it's built in. It's part of educating patients and patient care in every way.
There is probably a discussion going on somewhere about this very thing but I do wonder if there is always a self serving component to acts of kindness. In the present it makes the person feel good who is doing and then there are those who think the kindness will be rewarded in an afterlife.
Doing my job just for the money is mentally stressful to me. I like to think I am doing some good for someone.
There is probably a discussion going on somewhere about this very thing but I do wonder if there is always a self serving component to acts of kindness. In the present it makes the person feel good who is doing and then there are those who think the kindness will be rewarded in an afterlife.
Doing my job just for the money is mentally stressful to me. I like to think I am doing some good for someone.
I don't believe in an afterlife.
I don't mind feeling good for helping people, but I've helped many people with no acknowledgment at all and meh, doesn't change how I act.
Mavrick.....I want to be a med-surg nurse. I don't want ICU, ER, or OB/NICU. Those specialties are awesome and I completely respect the nurses who work them. It's not for me though.....at least so far.
I graduate in 85 days. People look at me funny sometimes when I tell them I just want to be a "plain" med-surg nurse. Even my teachers do it. It's nice to hear someone say med-surg as a goal is okay. I haven't heard it often. I respect all nurses, regardless of the specialty they work in. For me, I'm sticking with med-surg.
Mavrick.....I want to be a med-surg nurse. I don't want ICU, ER, or OB/NICU. Those specialties are awesome and I completely respect the nurses who work them. It's not for me though.....at least so far.
I graduate in 85 days. People look at me funny sometimes when I tell them I just want to be a "plain" med-surg nurse. Even my teachers do it. It's nice to hear someone say med-surg as a goal is okay. I haven't heard it often. I respect all nurses, regardless of the specialty they work in. For me, I'm sticking with med-surg.
Stick with med surg for about five years and you will be shocked at how much knowledge you've gained. And time mgmt, prioritization, not to mention the numerous head to toe assessments performed to understand what is normal and abnormal.
Sure, if you change specialties, there will be a learning curve. But that med surg experience will serve you well.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
Disagree strongly. Empathy has served me well, for a non passionate nurse. It makes me more effective.