11 of the Best Feelings in Nursing

Nursing is long hours and heavy responsibility. The rewards are often small and a little ridiculous, and they still make every nurse smile. Here are 11 of them.

1. Getting a flash on a hard stick. That streak of blood through the catheter means a bull's eye IV. Bonus points on a dehydrated or pediatric patient.

2. Finding a pen when you actually need one. After a full Macarena of patting down your pockets.

3. Actually getting to take lunch. Some shifts, this counts as a miracle.

4. Peeling open a fresh pair of surgical gloves. That peeling sound deserves to be a ringtone.

5. Priming IV tubing with zero air bubbles. The planets have aligned. This shift might go perfectly.

6. Payday. You feel like the richest person alive, right up until the bills clear.

7. Pulling off your socks and bra after a shift. Nothing better than stretching out those sore muscles.

8. Seeing urine return when you place a Foley. Instant relief. Job done.

9. Writing "RN" after your name. Admit it, you still do a little happy dance.

10. Drawing blood after your colleagues struck out. Chin up. Everyone knows who the alpha nurse is now.

11. A grateful patient or family waving goodbye. That's the one that reminds you why you do this.