We all have good and bad days when it comes to working as a nurse. On my best days, I can’t imagine working in any other field. On my worst days, however, there are certainly times when I consider leaving the patient-care setting and never coming back. Fortunately, these thoughts tend to fade fairly quickly. When they don’t, I’ve found that taking a few moments to appreciate the positive things associated with nursing helps me get my head back in the game. After all, there really are plenty of things to love about nursing. Here, I’ve listed some of the top reasons why I love being a nurse:
- I get to help people
If you want to help people in a very direct, hands-on way, there’s no better way to do it than by working in the nursing field. As a nurse, caring for patients is the most important part of your job, and you help patients get better each and every day you go into work. It’s true that not all patients will show their appreciation, but knowing that you helped someone through a hard time (possibly the hardest time in their life) is often enough to feel good about your job.
- I have job stability
The nursing shortage isn’t as bad as it used to be, but finding and keeping a decent job in the nursing field isn’t too much of a challenge. Most new nurses manage to find jobs shortly after passing their NCLEX, and there are plenty of seasoned nurses who have never had trouble finding good jobs. With just a few years of experience as a nurse, most hospitals and clinics will be eager to hire you. Illness and injury aren’t going away, so it’s a safe bet that nursing isn’t either.
- I’m paid well
While you’ll probably never become a millionaire with a career in nursing, you do make more than enough to live comfortably. Buying a nice house and a nice car, for instance, is certainly possible on a nurse’s salary, even starting out. Also, with the ability to pick up plenty of overtime hours, bringing in extra money when needed is usually a possibility. Having said all that, nurse anesthetists and a few other types of nurses make well over $100,000 per year.
- I have a variety of career paths
With nursing, there are so many different career paths available. Sure, you can work as a floor nurse your entire career, but you certainly don’t have to. Nurses work in legal settings, as educators, and more. Also, if you start to get burned out, transitioning into another part of the field is a great way to refresh yourself mentally and emotionally without sacrificing gainful employment!
- I learn new things constantly
The medical field is changing at a rapid pace, and nurses have to stay on top of these changes in order to provide the best care possible. For this reason, nurses, new and old, are constantly learning new things. Besides, with continuing-education requirements, you’re forced to learn new things on a regular basis if you want to keep your license active!
- I have time for other things
Nurses work hard, but they also have plenty of opportunities to take time off. If you don’t want it to, nursing won’t consume your entire life. If you pick up three 12-hour shifts per week, you’ll have four days off to enjoy as you see fit. Additionally, most hospitals are pretty generous with paid time off, which means you can get at least a couple nice vacations in per year. If 12-hour shifts aren’t for you, it’s easy enough to find a more regular schedule working in a doctor’s office or in a research position.
- I’ve made great friends
Working in the nursing field can be stressful; that’s true. However, nursing is a very team-oriented profession, and you’ll have plenty of people to help you through difficult situations. You won’t like everyone who you work with, but you will make new friends. Over time, you’ll probably come to regard certain colleagues as some of your very closest friends.
Of course, there are plenty of other things to love about nursing, and it’s quite possible that I haven’t listed some of your favorite things about the profession. Let us know what you love about nursing by leaving a comment below! Also, if you love your nursing specialty in particular, be sure to let us know why!
I love Nursing because I love to help people and to teach them to help themselves. The interaction with all kinds of people is wonderful and always a learning experience. I also love working with my colleagues as a team to help heal each individual person and to teach them to help themselves. Working with others is also a tremendous learning experience. Mary O’Leary
I love nursing because nurses are on the front line in providing care to patients and in a position to make a difference in our patients’ lives. We are there when babies are born and we are there when people die; we share the happiness of a new life beginning with it’s potential and we share the the grief of a life ending. As nurses we get to experience and observe life’s nuances with the ability to rise to the occasion and meet the needs presented. It’s been said nursing is a science and an art, but it’s also an exercise of giving from the heart. That is what nursing has been to me.
Nursing is an honorable profession and not one to be taken lightly. Dedication to do the best job possible and striving to achieve the highest level of education are a few of the challenges. At the end of the day it’s the feeling of accomplishment no matter what the specialty or position. Knowing that you did everything possible for that patient or family member and you did it well.
Over 30 years and it still feels fresh like I am learning. Nursing has helped me be the person I am today and I like who I have evolved to. To think that I have grown so that I can be of service to others is both humbling and a privilege. Now it is time to pay it forward so that the work I have done is not in vain. To know that other nurses can benefit from my ups and downs is comforting. Onward and upward!!
Helping people is a sacred privilege. You become close with a family and they say something like “I’m so glad you’re on today Dad is back in the hospital “ Nursing humbles you , and touches you like no other profession. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I have been a nurse since I was 18 years old. I’m 55 now so I think it’s safe to say that I love being a nurse. It has zig zagged me across the country few times as a traveler. Every one I have met along my journey has been special. I hope I have made a difference in some lives.
Being a Nurse is who you are. Not just a JOB. Humanity up close and many smiles and tears. Frank RN
Count me in at 57 years as RN. Have had variety of positions from OR, staff orientation and in-service education, head nurse (toughest job I ever had), and in a specialty program working with diabetic patients with foot problems, thru amputation, thru rehabilitation. Retired from hospital nursing (2003) and have been teaching health care classes in the community ever since and loving it. Do nurses ever retire? No, we just find new ways to use our skills.
I have always loved my nursing career. Of course there are some horrific days; but then there are days that you have been so blessed to be a part of. I am an OB nurse- have been for 47yrs. There is nothing more rewarding than to have a former patient from 30 yrs ago , see you; speak to you by name & thank you for all that you did for them. No greater reward!!
Have been a nurse for 40 years. It has never been the same job on any day. I have seen life begin, I have seen life end. I have seen everything in between. There are few professions that can say that. On my worst days, I have loved what I have chosen to be.