Most registered nurses enjoy that their work helps make a difference in people's lives, but many also feel frustrated with workplace politics and administrative duties, according to Medscape's Nurse Career Satisfaction Report 2018.
For the report, Medscape surveyed 5,011 registered nurses, 2,006 nurse practitioners, 2,002 licensed practical nurses, 501 clinical nurse specialists, 389 nurse managers and 375 certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Four takeaways from the report:
1. RNs said the three most rewarding parts of the job are:
- Making a difference in people's lives — 40 percent
- Working at a job they like — 11 percent
- Being very good at what they do — 11 percent
2. They said the three least satisfying parts of the job are:
- Administration/workplace politics — 24 percent
- Amount of documentation they must complete — 13 percent
- High patient loads — 9 percent
3. A majority (94 percent) of RNs said they were glad they became nurses.
4. However, only 76 percent said they would choose nursing as a career if they could do it over again.