I was thinking this morning about my different blog topics that I often cover. I haven’t written on the topic of nursing in some time, and I regret that for my nursing friends. I have felt a bit stifled by the strong opinions of others, and I had to take some time to assess where I stood in my feelings of the nursing field. I was teetering on the edge of burnout which caused me much distress because of how much I love the field. Regardless, this morning I thought of how well my nursing blogs are received. Even to this day I have nursing posts written three years ago that still go viral, and while that surprises me, it also is kind of expected. After all, I realize that nurses need a voice. Just like all the mommy blogs, nurses need to feel they’re not alone. They need to laugh, but most of all they need to be encouraged. And here’s why.
Have you ever held a job where you’re responsible for another person’s life?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever held a position where if you made a mistake (something that’s easy to do) someone could die?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever worked in an environment where you’re yelled at for things outside of your control?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever been treated horribly in the workplace not because of your performance, per se, but simply because the circumstances of being sick are awful? What I mean is, have you endured the brunt of someone’s frustration even when it has nothing to do with you personally?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever tried to memorize a million different medications, dosages, and side effects to perform your job safely?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever worked short-staffed? You probably have. But did it create an unsafe environment where you feared mortal consequences could result?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever been talked down to by someone above your pay grade? Probably so. What about when they’re 10-20 years younger than you with a decade less experience in the field? What if this was your norm?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you face death and dying on a regular basis?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever cried in empathy for someone’s death you didn’t know?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you build a protective wall around your emotions as a coping mechanism to be able to continue doing your job?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever educated someone on lifesaving information that they continue to ignore, and watch them enter your workplace over and over due to their noncompliance?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you ever get yelled at for not answering someone’s call quick enough for a straw, even though you were distracted by saving a life?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever broken someone’s ribs trying to save them?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever had someone beg you to let them die? Or to kill them so they can escape the pain?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever watched the same individual try and kill themselves mulitple times? But then one day you don’t see them anymore?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever been cussed out, spit on, and punched for trying to help someone?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you go home covered in a stranger’s body fluids?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever lifted more weight at work than you know is safe because otherwise someone under your care would have been hurt?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Have you ever hurt your back at work?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you take care of addicts, criminals, or hateful individuals, but treat them all like gold?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Are you expected to leave your personal problems at home, rid yourself of preconceived notions, and accept harsh treatment with a smile?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you encounter contagious, deadly diseases in your workspace?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Does your job commonly hold unrealistic expectations by the public?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you work a shift that exceeds twelve hours, sometimes is twenty four hours, and you cannot leave under penalty of law until you’re relieved?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you have to show up at work regardless of the weather, it being a weekend, holiday, or middle of the night?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you suffer from the stress of your work responsibility, the hectic, uncertain pace, and fear of making an error that could result in a lawsuit?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you cry at the end of the workday?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you spend an enormous amount of time on continuing education, training on ever-changing technology, licensing requirements, and mandatory meetings with information that could have been delivered via email?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
Do you absolutely love what you do, but some days (like the bad days) hate it?
That’s why nurses need encouragement.
If you answered yes to the majority or all of these questions you’re probably a nurse, and hopefully understanding you’re not alone in these circumstances encourages you.
Chrissy says
Thank you.
Michaela Mcwilliams says
I have to say YES to all of them. Thank you?
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
CJ says
Nicely written post, but it makes it out that all of these problems are solely encountered by nurses and only nurses. Everyone always says that it’s the nurses that work so hard and spend all their time and effort on patient care. What about everyone else involved including PA, pharmacist, housekeeping and physicians. It is sad to forget about everyone else involved in patient care, especially those with more demanding jobs than the nurses. For example, with physicians they tend to always work long hours than nurses, have more shifts, and when they go home they are still on call compared to nurses. There are many nurses who complain that they get yelled at by physicians who are younger than them, but it is the physicians who know more and who are liable for the actual diagnosis and management of patients. I am not trying to bash nurses, they all do fantastic needed work. I wish the other staff members would not easily be so over looked.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
And this is kinda why I tend to not write nursing posts much anymore. I am a nurse so I’m advocating for my field. I’m not a physician so I don’t write blogs about physicians. I think people tend to speak highly of nurses because we’re present at the bedside the entire time. Thanks for the feedback.
Rebekah Stephens says
Don’t worry about what they say! I’m a nurse and I think you do a great job writing about the realities of nursing! Keep writing!
Lisa Pierce says
First of all I would like to say to CJ, shame on you. This blog is for nurses. It was not written for all the other positions you mentioned. If you want to advocate for them, write your own blog. As for Doctors working longer hours thats bs. Apparently you are not a nurse or you would know that Drs.leave when their shift is ended. Nurses stay, as Brie stated, until they are relieved. And as far as Drs. taking the blame when something goes awry, as the old saying goes, poo rolls down-hill, that means to the nurse who gave the misdose because the dr ordered it. It is the nurses responsibility to double-check the drs order and she/he is blamed even when the dr is the one who ordered it.
Brie, I was a nurse and have been through most all the things you mentioned in your blog. You are without a doubt one heck of a nurse. I love and appreciate your posts even though I had to go on disability due to RA and other bodily diseases. I loved being a nurse and have great admiration for all nurses. Keep posting for all the nurses still in the field and working their tails off, appreciated or not. God bless you Brie!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. ☺
faith adego says
Am nurse and all this is true but we all love our profession. Please keep writing about us nurses its an encouragement already. Love you Brie
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Mahmoud Gomaa says
i am a registered nurse in egypt, and really i see frustration from our society toward nursing job, people not appreciate our effort, and then we found no encouragement.!
am really thankful for u mrs brie, continue plz writing about nursing.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!!