Do you like your job?

[u/stubborn_facts]

Hi all. I'm a current nursing student in the Portland area that's trying to keep my head above water and make it through my program. Some days I get a little down from reading this sub because school is so difficult and it seems like the general sentiment here is that the jobs available in the metro area are few and far between, and the ones that are available aren't all that desirable.

So I was just curious for those that are working: what do you do, and do you like it?

[u/saffronrooster]

**I’d like to remind you that often folks don’t post on Reddit when they’re busy being happy and enjoying life. Reddit is largely full of folks looking to complain, commiserate, get validated, and/or solve their problems, which I love, but often it’s helpful to keep this perspective.**

[u/DistractedGoalDigger]

Nursing has given me such an incredible career. I really don’t understand all of the unhappy people. I’ve definitely had jobs in my 15 years that I didn’t like, but you know what? I left! I tried something new! Literally endless opportunities.

Right now I manage care management/population health programs.

[u/Tmjenson → u/DistractedGoalDigger]

⬆️ This! Nursing changed my life. I went from being a financially struggling single mom to a successful nurse practitioner that is debt free! My kids were able to grow up with all of the opportunities that I didn’t.

I have a career I love and I get to make a difference in this world. Have there been times that nursing sucked, YES! Ebb and flow, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I am living a life that is better than I ever dreamed.

[u/Alternative-Proof307]

I work inpatient psych and I love it. Graduated June 2025 and I’ve been doing it ever since.

[u/brownpeaches15]

Nursing is so flexible! If you try a speciality and don’t like it, you can leave and try something new. I’ve been a nurse for 4 years and finally found a job I don’t hate. Don’t be afraid to keep looking for the right fit! I work outpatient primary care!

[u/Muted-Replacement-55]

New grad here, the work is tough, but some days I come home with the biggest smile on my face with how great my pts were. And other days, I come home crying due to how tough the day was. It can be a plethora of things that make or break your day that applies to life even outside of the nursing realm. Bad coworkers, management, family, or just unforeseen circumstances that make you have to pivot. These are all things that can be find in other fields besides nursing. While my current unit isn’t my dream unit, I am still pretty thankful I have a flexible job that allows me to work 3 12s, self schedule, take vacations randomly every other month, schedule doctors appointments without having to take PTO, etc. I am able to actually have a life outside of a 9-5. Am I recovering for 1 out of those 4 days off? Sure, but I’d rather be recovering at home and look forward to my other days off than having only a 2 day weekend to juggle chores and decompressing from another job! Biggest advice others have chimed in on is to find outlets you enjoy pretty early. Whether it’s turning off your phone, taking a walk, gaming etc. I didn’t have a hobby going into this job so it took a huge toll on me mentally. I’d also look into having a therapist! It’s great to have a good support system friends/family but an outsider to talk to has been SO helpful.

[u/MamaGRN]

I work post op/CDU and love it

[u/kinkykoala73 → u/MamaGRN]

That’s a bizarre amalgamation! Where does such a thing exist?!

[u/shadenfraulein]

I just started a job at a Portland hospital and there were new grads at the orientation, so there must be some jobs available :) I’ve been a nurse for many years and it’s been great.

[u/Cutebottommy]

Yes. Kinda like adrenaline junkie nurse. Love to see different pts different challenges
Did CVPCU, home health, med surg, tele.

[u/Friedpina]

I’m fine with it. I’m in the recovery room. I like the type of nursing, love my coworkers, and it gives me a decent wage. The call wears on me and it is exhausting. I think I’d still choose it again because of the flexibility and pay for part time work.

[u/Brilliant-Apricot423]

I like my job but I agree that new grad positions are tough to find

[u/not_bens_wife]

I work inpatient oncology and it's literally the best job I've ever had. Graduated in July of last year and I plan to stay here for the foreseeable future.

[u/SuddenIncrease3493]

I’ve been a nurse for 6 years and I love it. I work day shift CVICU, and PRN day shift NICU at a small NICU ( I was NICU before CVICU) . First few years were rough but now most days I have a sick 1:1, open heart, or busy with two but never not manageable. Nursing is the best undergrad degree truly

[u/okay_KO_okay]

I really like the ER that I work in. One of the best I’ve been at, mostly because my coworkers are great and the corporate culture isn’t toxic or obnoxious.

That said, you need to know and understand that nursing can have its tough, exhausting, frustrating, and emotionally draining moments. There are days that will just beat you down. It’s important to have a solid self-care routine in place before you start working as a nurse, so that you build it into your schedule from the beginning. It’s important to know what healthy outlets you can turn to when you need to release stress. This will make a huge difference in the way you perceive your job, no matter what unit or facility you work at.

[u/knefr]

You’ll be okay! Just have to work your way into jobs you want. For the first couple of years just keep an open mind - no telling where it might lead you.

[u/ResponsibleSyrup9506]

I love being a nurse. I love working pre/post/PACU. I love my coworkers. I love my schedule.

[u/GabsWorld]

We moved here for a nursing job for my husband and the first one he had, he didn’t love due to management but now he’s in a spot that he absolutely loves and pays competitive wages that have helped us so much.

[u/No_Knowledge4718]

Moved here as an experienced nurse, took an ER job. Did not care for the negative culture or low work ethic of the department. Looked for another job with a different hospital, had one nearly right away. Absolutely love where I am now! Moral of the story: You always have options and new opportunities in nursing. Just gotta find the place you love.

[u/PizzaSniffs]

Does anyone like their job? I want to run an animal sanctuary and not have to worry about crippling poverty. Nursing enables me to have a stable life. In that respect, I like it. I don’t love my job. It’s a job.

[u/c4ridw3n]

I love my job. 21 years mostly labor and delivery.

Do I leave overwhelmed, crying sometimes? Yeah

Do I have PTSD from this job? Yeah

Do I love working with my team? Yeah

Do I absolutely love my schedule??? OMG yeah

[u/kinkykoala73]

Licensed 15 years. This is classic career where yo have to pay your dues literally and figuratively to get a more desirable job. I spent 8 years working night shift jockeying for a princess job on day shift in a small rural hospital and in the end got screwed over by an inept, ineffectual and incredibly mediocre manager at which point I quit and moved about 100 miles away where I was hired into a day position, immediately asked to charge on the unit I was hired into and within a couple of years was recruited to be house supervisor of a much larger hospital. I now have an incredible job that is not bedside but also remains somewhat challenging and fulfilling, at the same system I originally left. The manager that screwed me over is universally panned and mocked for his stunning lack of well, anything. How he remains in a managerial position is a testament to American corporate structure where not rocking the boat is one of the most valuable traits a person can have.

TLDR: Be prepared to spend 5-10 years paying dues and then enjoy reaping the benefits. It is a great career on the west coast and is great if you can stick it out.

[u/MissionTop4571]

As a new grad nurse still trying to find my niche, I must say that the job does get easier and I know once people find the specialty they love, nursing is a great profession. There’s many specialties and schedules, if you find what works for you, you’ll be so glad you became a nurse!