I know you probably hear me complain a pretty good bit about being a nurse, and shamefully I’ll admit that I do. Why? Because nursing is freaking tough. It’s stressful, mentally taxing, emotionally draining, and physically exhausting. The expectations for those in the field are often unrealistic, staffing ratios can be unfair, and the occupational risks are real. Then there’s the lack of appreciation for what we do, or even an absolute ignorance of the field. Remember The View?
But despite all the stress, despite the exhaustion, and regardless of the asinine instances that drive me absolutely bonkers, the fact remains that I love being a nurse. It’s true. I love it.
Here’s my top ten reasons why.
1. The knowledge. I think one of the coolest things about being a nurse is all the stuff crammed into my cranium. It’s insane. I know how to intervene to safe a live, and even secret ways to end one (insert evil laugh). The field is always changing, evolving, and progressing, and it’s pretty exciting to be along for the ride. I get a real satisfaction from knowing why something happens in the body and what I can do to help improve outcomes. Knowledge is power, and nursing know-how is the ultimate high.
2. Being a part of healthcare. Medicine has come a long way over the years. Looking back at text books from the 1800s, and even just seeing how things have progressed since I became a nurse eleven years ago is mind-blowing. I’m honored to be a part of such progressive care, and I am proud to be a small but critical cog in the great machine of healthcare.
3. Being a team member. Aside from being a part of the big picture of medicine, I am also honored to be a part of a smaller team in my immediate workplace. No one pulls together like a healthcare team intent on making a difference and saving a life. I’m consistently in awe at the fluid motion of my peers during a code, or even how perfectly all the parts come together to make a patient’s hospital stay a beneficial and pleasant one. From admission clerks, to housekeeping, to dietary workers, bedside nursing, physicians, and social work, all and more combine to make a person better than we found them. It’s amazing to watch and be a part of.
4. I’m respected. Ok, a lot of times I’m not, and I know we all get upset over unfair treatment, but you have to admit, overall nursing is a highly respected profession. I am consistently thanked for being a nurse, and I believe that the population in general understand and respect the work nurses put out on a daily basis. And that makes me smile.
5. People look to you for answers. Even if I sometimes get tired of so many questions, overall I must say I love it. I love being able to educate patients with that vast bank of knowledge I described. It empowers them to be more active in their care which makes both of our lives easier. Which also leads to…
6. I alleviate fear of the unknown. Being sick is scary, and I think my absolute favorite thing about being a nurse is helping to calm someone’s fears. By explaining what’s going on and what can be expected I make a huge impact on my patients’ emotional well-being and that of their family. I’ve used this the same in ICU as I did in Hospice care. Something about telling people what to expect makes the biggest difference in their experience, and it also makes me feel good.
7. I make a difference. I’m not bragging; I’m stating a fact. As a nurse I make a difference in the lives of my patients, and I can think of very few callings where you have the personal impact on people like you do in healthcare. You bring a baby to a mother’s arms for the first time or hold a grieving daughter as she cries at the passing of her father. You save lives, and you also make their passing from this life more comfortable. It’s a humbling experience, and it’s also a huge responsibility, but one I’m extremely proud to take part in.
8. I take pain away. This isn’t just a reason Iove nursing, but also a reason people love nurses. We’re like little narcotic fairies, making pain-free wishes come true, and while that may occasionally make me feel like a drug dealer, over all I enjoy having the ability to make people smile, albeit drug induced. Wink, wink.
9. Seeing people get better. In nursing you see some pretty brutal stuff, and the reality of death and dying can be crushing to a nurse’s spirit over time. So much sickness can be stifling, but then a story of hope and healing will emerge. And as you watch someone who you were sure would die, and maybe even briefly did, walk out your hospital doors (ok, roll per policy, but you know what I mean) it makes your heart soar. Seeing true stories of strength and survival spur a fire inside a nurse, and it helps our own hearts heal after seeing so much loss.
10. Hearing thank you. I started out by stating that nursing is hard, and it is. Really hard. But it’s also rewarding, and when patients and families use the golden words “thank you” it’s an absolute treasure. It’s an encouraging affirmation that offers appreciation and cultivates a motivating environment. Above all it’s a friendly reminder to nursing staff that their efforts are valued, and it brightens my day. I don’t need a thank you to do my job, and honestly miss hearing that phrase quite frequently, but when I do it makes my job more enjoyable that it already is.
Like I said earlier, nursing is tough. In fact it’s one of the toughest things I’ve ever encountered. I get stressed out, and sometimes I question my career choice. After an especially trying shift I may even beg God that I don’t have to go back. Some days I feel unappreciated, over-utilized, and under-paid. Other days the little stuff drives me crazy! Nursing is certainly not for the faint of heart.
But all that seems to lose out in the end to my calling. My calling to be a nurse carries me through the bad days, and it helps to remind me of all the wonderful things that make me absolutely love what I do.