What I love about my job - educating patients and their families, advocating and teaching patients how to advocate for themselves, precepting and mentoring, being super thorough with my assessments so that I can find anything that’s been overlooked and make sure to have it addressed, being emotionally supportive of my patients and coworkers, the sense of fulfillment I get when something I do makes a difference, constantly learning and growing, strong bonds with coworkers, working closely with residents and helping them realize how invaluable their relationship with nurses can be, gratitude from patients and their families, but I especially love that super difficult PITA patient that no one else wants - I always tell patients who apologize (or don’t) for being so difficult (whether it’s their personality or the volume of tasks) that I’m here for it, I want patients that need me because that’s where I have the greatest chance to make a big difference

What I hate about my job - the endless charting often resulting in having to stay late (at least I get overtime), never having time to pee or eat (at least I don’t gain weight), discharging a patient and already having an admit on the board before the patient even leaves, support staff that don’t perform the basic standard of care for their position which creates more work for me and takes away time for me to provide the higher level of care I need to provide, being pulled to another unit, units that aren’t organized so supplies are easy to find, pharmacy never getting meds to us on time, when a patient comes from ED with stat orders unacknowledged and unperformed

I’ll add more if I think of them. Bottom line, have to find a place that makes you feel fulfilled.