On Doing What You Love
So I was writing this post about how I’m really lukewarm on being a nurse and I came upon this post by Lisa Sabin Wilson, a wordpress designer who is a former nurse.
Here’s how she felt about nursing:
…I pretty much thought I would be a nurse until the day I retire…Nursing was one of those ok jobs. I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it. It was . . . fine. I was good at it - - excelled in it, really - and took pride in that fact. But I wasn’t doing what I loved… nor was I loving what I did.
I feel like the future “me” could have written this. In the post I was working on, I was going to spell out why I was so lukewarm on nursing, but you know what? I don’t want to waste your time with that. And I certainly don’t want to discourage anyone from entering the field. There are many ways in which being a nurse is satisfying and meaningful, and the sky’s the limit as far as opportunities go.
But for me being a nurse has sort of been a cop out. It’s like the childish “me” has always wanted to do something creative but then my childish side kind of ran out of time. So I grew up and found a profession. When I first became an RN, I thought. “Finally. I have found a respectable and stable way to earn money. Now I can start painting again in my free time.” Ha. Flash forward to being a full time mom and a part time nurse and suddenly there is no free time. Fortunately I have this blog to fuel my creative side and keep it somewhat balanced for now.
I'm a critical care nurse, and a social media evangelist. Find out more 
[...] love this post by PixelRN, and this thought from it in particular: It’s like the childish “me” [...]
Running Out of Time » Ask Shane.org — August 25, 2008 @ 10:15 am
Have you thought about where you could use your art/creative side professionally in nursing?
For your hospital, or professional nursing association?
I looking at the quality of what you doing and some of the things that are being sold to them, you could do a lot there. I think it would be great if they didn’t have to give the money to outside consultants, but could organically use people within the profession to grow the strength of their Web 2.0 efforts. It is something that I am trying to push where I am going, and asking questions about why they (my hospital doesn’t do that).
ROBERT FRASER — August 25, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Beth - I read your post (and thanks for the link!).. being ‘lukewarm’ about nursing is not something you need to explain to me…I’m 4 years out of my nursing career and I get it
The decade I spent in nursing was a blur. I was also a single mother throughout my entire nursing career (only recently got married in ‘06, after I quit) - - I can say throughout my entire nursing career I had an overwhelming feeling of not having enough time.. for anything - and that affected me 24/7.
At work - it was not enough time to get my charting done, finish up my med rounds, treatments, clinical documentation, meetings, dr rounds..etc, etc… I left each shift wondering if I got everything done and hopefully didn’t miss anything. Nursing is less about patient care as much as it is about dotting all those i’s and crossing all those t’s. That’s what made me sad about it.
I took that feeling home with me… stressing over not having enough time at work transitioned into not having enough time at home. I had two small kids - - I was on call for the hospital 24/7 (I spent 8 of my 10 years as a director of nursing)..I barely slept, didn’t eat well and, overall, was pretty miserable.
I was very, very fortunate to carve out a living doing something that I do love.. and that provides me with time for my kids, family…and life - - without all the stress and pressure.
Man, I rambled, didn’t I?
Thanks for the post and at the end of the day, be sure to find a bit of balance for yourself…whatever it is - - for your own sanity 
Lisa — August 25, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
As usual, you have given me something to think about.
Actually, you did a very good job of putting into words something that’s been on my mind alot lately…
Doing something you love vs. paying the bills.
At 39, and with a family, I no longer feel I have the luxury of following my dreams or pursuing something I would love. I feel like it’s all about just paying the bills now, and that makes me sad.
Trish — August 25, 2008 @ 11:09 pm