As a nursing student, I've heard tales from nurses in the field of shifts where nothing seemed to go right. Days when you feel emotionally drained and can't help but sit down and cry when its all over. To all you nurses out there who have been here before, what keeps you coming back?
Keeley
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February 10th, 2009 at 10:27 am
That anwer for me…is….
The LOVE of the job!
Good days…bad days…we ALL have them….take it on a day to day basis…in the beginning of my nursing career..I was taking part in a telemetry certification course and the instructor had us write down…
When was the first time you wanted to become a nurse and why?
After we all wrote down our answers…you can just sense the room a “buzz”…thinking we would have to read them aloud…the instructor said “Ok, now that you have your reason down..put the papers away…and just hold onto them so one day…or any day..you are having a tough time in your career…you can refer BACK to that paper…and your reason…” She then pulled out HER yellowed and frayed paper and recited her OWN reason as to why she became a nurse 14 yrs ago…then simply stated to all of us…”for what ever reason you all became nurses just realize that with this field there are going to be many days where you will sometimes question what you are doing. What you are feeling. Why did you become a nurse. And when that time comes, just remember your paper with YOUR reason of why you became a nurse and I assure you…you will see whatever situation in a different light” All we were thinking at the time was “why is this instructor having us do this? at this time? when we are supposed to be learning about cardiac rhythms?” However, now…looking back…I have referred to that piece of paper..quite a few times…and it has helped me get thru alot of different situations…just remember…Nursing is extremely diverse…it is one where you can explore so many different types of care. Honestly, after doing nursing for 6yrs, I can say I LOVE being a nurse! There are just somedays that I don’t care for all the politics involved…
Your career is going to be one that YOU yourself will create…hope it helped..
February 11th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Keeley, I agree with Maria above! In addition to the classic answer, “I just love working and helping people”, I think what keeps me coming back are the GREAT opportunities that exist in nursing in general. There are so many different avenues and “off-shoots” of nursing to explore, whether in clinical, management, or education, etc, etc. I think learning new skills and exposure to different things are what keep me coming back. I believe, sometimes, it takes a while to find out where one belongs and to find an area that is truly satisfying. Perhaps, the job markets aren’t so great right now, but I am optimistic that they will change and nursing will continue to offer so many great options. Good luck in all of your endeavors, and don’t ever be afraid to try new things!
February 11th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I was a CNA at a nursing home, and boy can that be draining. I can completely understand their staffing issues, as there is always about twice as much work to do as there is time, and we get griped at a lot for not getting every last thing done, even if there are only two aids on in an evening. One of our residents was a lady who was very nice but never talked. She had trouble keeping balance when she walked, and I figured out a way to get her to bed that was easier for her and fun. She always had her radio on country music, all the time. I started standing her up from her wheelchair, and we’d “dance” to the music to her bed. I was having a particularly bad week once, and I was assigned to her hall. Then I overheard her telling the other aid on the hall with me “I want her to help me to bed. She’s a good dancer” I’d never heard her talk before. I was touched. It’s those moments that keep me coming back every day.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Fear of unemployment, especially lately.
I’m a tad disaffected by my place of employment, and will be undoubtedly floating my resume shortly.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
It’s when I walk out the hospital and realize I truly made a difference in someone’s life. It’s when a patient tells me I have been the best nurse he has ever had. It’s when I sit with someone who is dying and hold their hand when no one else is there for them. It’s when I helped save a patient and the family looks at me with tears in their eyes and says, “Thank you.” Those are the times that I cherish and keep me coming back.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Hmmm… Some days that is a really good question. Especially with the nursing shortage leading to overtime and heavy assignments, I sometimes question myself “why?”
I ventured into nursing with my eyes open, as I had been a CNA prior to my nurse’s training. I knew the stress… “A lot of responsiblity and little authority.”
After eight years, I come back for those patients who appreciate me and work hard to be compliant. For the doctors that respect me, my judgement and acknowledgement of my nursing abilities.
This is what truly brings me back- to a profession that is underappreciated, under-staffed and overworked… The patients!!
Never forget who you,as a nurse, are there for!
A wise instructor told our class, “when you become a paycheck nurse it’s time to leave the profession!”