Why Surviving in the Nursing Profession Is Not Enough (1774 hits)
By Erica MacDonald
Let’s face it. Nursing is not the most glamorous profession in the world. Nurses are probably the most comfortably dressed of all the professions (our uniforms replicate the comfort of our pajamas) but definitely not the most glamorous. It is really hard to be glamorous as a profession when many nurses experience daily situations such as:
Being spit on by fellow human beings
Being bit (No, not by sweet innocent children but adults)
Being confused with a lady of the evening by elderly dementia patients
Splashed in the face by bodily fluids
Being punched, slapped, choked and cursed at These negative work experiences may prompt some nurses before the start of their shift to pray to a higher power: “Please let my patients and me survive the shift in one piece.” The longer you work in nursing, the more you realize that “just surviving” in this profession is not enough. Surviving does not result in job satisfaction or prevent nurse burnout.
The Brighter Side of Nursing
However, not all nursing job experiences are negative. As the old saying goes, “There are some things money cannot buy.” There are great things about being a nurse that stand out in my mind. They are not all as dramatic as the experiences listed above. Nevertheless, these experiences are truly beautiful in their simplicity and humanity. For example:
Witnessing the birth of a healthy baby
Watching a mother or father holding their infant for the first time
A simple “thank you” from a patient that truly valued the care you gave them
Teaching patients (that are eager to learn) how to take care of their health
Relieving a person’s pain and making them as comfortable as possible
Holding and comforting a crying infant
Making a crying child smile through their tears The key to thriving as a nurse is to work a job that allows you to continually encounter your own personal list of nursing experiences that are truly beautiful to you.
Finding a Better Nursing Role
Life is not perfect and neither is a job. However, you deserve to work in an environment where positive experiences far outnumber the negative ones. This might require a job or role switch. Be sure and check out my article “Embrace Your Power and Make a Change in Your Nursing Career” for more information about self-reflection and career change.
Or maybe you cannot find a job in nursing which measures up to your personal expectations or needs. Everyone is different. Maybe a traditional role will not fulfill your needs. Some nurses are destined to become nurse entrepreneurs; however this option is not for everyone. Read “Nurse Entrepreneurs—What Fuels Your Fire?” to discover if you have the entrepreneurial spirit.
Curious about nurse entrepreneurship? Be sure to browse through my blog archives Nurse Entrepreneur Interviews and Entrepreneur Resources for information about setting up your own practice in the nursing profession.
About the Author: Erica MacDonald RN, BSN, MSN is a nurse entrepreneur who wants to help other nursing find the right career for them. You can learn about her available services at Self Employed Solutions here.
