Nursing Job Satisfaction: A Case of Career Joy vs the Daily Grind

According to a national survey, 95% of nurses are glad they chose the profession. Here's what they love about nursing ... and what they don't.

We all know that compensation is important, but there is also plenty of data out there that says job satisfaction begins with respect and appreciation, not salary and perks. This can be especially true in a profession like nursing, which many pursue for altruistic reasons -- in addition to the desire to earn a comfortable living.

So why do so many individuals choose a nursing career? And if they had it all to do over again, would they? Or if they could just do a little fine-tuning, what would they change?

The Upsides of a Nursing Career

Helping Others

Survey respondents said the most rewarding thing about being a nurse is helping and healing patients. Nursing is a respected profession; many nurses report that they take a lot of pride in knowing that they are skilled at their jobs.

Team Spirit

RNs also report that they like working with a team of like-minded healthcare professionals. Just as in team sports, there’s something special about working toward a common goal. It’s exhilarating when the outcome is positive, and consoling even when the outcome is not ideal.

Flexibility

Survey respondents also noted the appeal of the flexible schedules, which can suit RNs with young families -- or anyone seeking work-life balance. Nurses are needed almost everywhere, so many RNs like the mobility of the profession and knowing that their talents are in demand wherever they go.

The Not-So-Great Aspects of a Nursing Career

Bureaucracy

The most commonly cited frustration with the profession was workplace politics and paperwork. Focus on policies and budgets rather than patients causes some RNs to feel they’re not as effective as possible.

Could traveling help here? Truth be told, there’s always going to be charting and paperwork with any RN job. But when you’re travel nursing, the long-running politics of the organization are not your problem. There’s something freeing about that.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Not surprisingly, many nurses feel they don’t earn the level of pay they deserve -- and many would also like more respect from their medical colleagues and peers.

Could traveling help here? We agree that professions like nursing and teaching should be valued more highly. Consider that many travel assignments pay more than staff positions, and include options like bonuses, license reimbursements, housing allowances, and tax advantages.

Overwork

The drive for operational efficiency, coupled with the ongoing nursing shortage, means that nurses are continuously asked to do more with less. One of the profession’s attractions has always been flexible hours, but that advantage goes away if everyone is always covering, and the unit is always short-staffed.

Could traveling help here? Travelers work hard. But they also have the freedom to take a break between assignments. Always wanted to see Yosemite? Take some time off and go! Or see if you can take an assignment near Yosemite (Reno or Sacramento, perhaps?) New locations and new work settings can reboot your career energy, making your down-time feel more like a vacation and less like errand time.

In any profession, there’s always a bit of “grass is greener” thinking. Even among those who are considering leaving the nursing profession, many are planning to further their education and move into an APRN, nursing educator, or physician role. And for those who are considering retirement, traveling can be a great way to ease in to a non-staff role, while supplementing your income.