Woah!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2012

It seems like EVERYONE hates their job/being a nurse.

Most people will go out of their way to vent, complain, or discuss a bad day at work. However, people generally do not go out of their way to discuss the positive aspects of their jobs. This is why the 'I hate my job' or 'I want to leave nursing' posts seem to outnumber the 'I love my job' posts.

A positive experience is naturally expected in society, so people do not always recognize or commend for doing a good job. However, anything negative will be magnified one hundred times. For example, patients who had a good experience and outcome are more likely to move on with their lives and less prone to mail in their customer satisfaction surveys. However, patients who have complaints will be sure to bellyache about it and mail in derogatory surveys.

peaches88 · Mar 6, 2012

I know... it's just a little depressing to read about all the people that are giving up on nursing entirely. It's probably scaring the students that read these forums, lol! I just thought it couldn't hurt to have a positive post on here, nursing isn't all bad.

OCNRN63, RN · Mar 6, 2012

Most people will go out of their way to vent, complain, or discuss a bad day at work. However, people generally do not go out of their way to discuss the positive aspects of their jobs. This is why the 'I hate my job' or 'I want to leave nursing' posts seem to outnumber the 'I love my job' posts.
A positive experience is naturally expected in society, so people do not always recognize or commend for doing a good job. However, anything negative will be magnified one hundred times. For example, patients who had a good experience and outcome are more likely to move on with their lives and less prone to mail in their customer satisfaction surveys. However, patients who have complaints will be sure to bellyache about it and mail in derogatory surveys.

I know. That's why when I got sick and was hospitalized, I sent a hand-written card to the nurse manager thanking the staff for their care. Just recently, I needed several weeks of treatment, and I had one day when I just had a meltdown. There were two staff members who went out of their way to help me and check up on how I was doing. I sent an email to their manager, thanking them for their care. She emailed me back and seemed flabbergasted that I thanked them; she said she would forward my email to the department director. Good! Maybe it will get them some recognition come evaluation time (which is right about now).

With my situation right now, I've been very determined to go out of my way to thank someone who treats me with compassion.

Sparrowhawk · Mar 6, 2012

Maybe it's just you're lucky and blessed to work at a facility that cares...so few do anymore. :)

I love being a nurse..it's the politics I cant stand.

writed · Mar 6, 2012

It's probably scaring the students that read these forums, lol!

As a hopefully-soon-to-receive-that-acceptance-letter nursing student, I can tell you that reading many of the posts in these forums - including the negative, hate-my-job posts - has been educational, enlightening, and sometimes frightening (politics!), but mostly inspirational. I am very appreciative of those who have taken the time to share their experiences, good and bad, and feel like I have a more realistic viewpoint as a result. Peaches88, it sounds like you work in LTC/SNF? That's the area I hope to work in some day, so I'm happy to know there are good points! Thanks.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 6, 2012

Wonderful Thread!!!

Things I love about my job:

- Making a difference; looking back over the years, I have had a positive impact on a lot of people - patients, families, colleagues, students. By the time it's all over, I will certainly have paid the universe back for all the oxygen I have used

- Enjoying a decent living... always have been paid fairly and equitably

- encouragement & support to continue my education

- Respect & acknowledgement for what I do

- Overcoming challenges by thinking outside the box

- Having a career that has evolved, grown & developed - providing me with satisfaction at every stage of my life so far

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2012

i love the incredible variety of experiences i've had in a long nursing career, leading to my present situation. i can't think of a lot of entry-level jobs that have so many pathways ahead. i've met wonderful people along the way, and now, at this later stage in my career, i have come to know a cohort of smart, hard-working, funny, and visionary women building a whole new nursing specialty. it's awesome.

DookieMeisterRN · Mar 6, 2012

Is there not a way to search old threads? This topic has been discussed probably once every month. It seems like everything on this general forum is like a broken record with threads started about the same ol' topics over and over again. It's too bad that there's never much going on in the specialties. I'd actually like to discuss/read about nursing as I do love my job and what I do.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 6, 2012

undoubtedly, i love my job and the position that i presently hold in my facility :cool: . having said that, not everyone feels the same way and on the same coin i have always said "you can't please everyone"...aloha~

leslie :-D · Mar 6, 2012

Is there not a way to search old threads? This topic has been discussed probably once every month. It seems like everything on this general forum is like a broken record with threads started about the same ol' topics over and over again.

but in contrast to the number of vents on this forum, this type of thread isn't posted nearly enough.

i never tire of reading about positive experiences.:)

leslie

nursefrances, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2012

I've been reading through some posts on here and wow! It seems like EVERYONE hates their job/being a nurse. So... is there anyone out there that loves their job?
I do!
Things I love about my job: (in no specific order)
I really feel like I help people/make a difference in their lives.
Awesome teamwork among my coworkers.
I make a living wage in a terrible economy.
I feel smart. :) (the big words are pretty sweet, lol!)
I love my residents!
I get several thank you's every day. Whether it's from my bosses, coworkers, residents, or their families. I always feel appreciated.
What do you love about your job?

I too love all these things, I have been unhappy lately and I try to remember these positives. I think one reason why we complain so much here (AN) is because everyone gets it (been there done that). That's what I like about this site.