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. You earned those two letters by passing the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure exam from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it take to write "RN" after your name?
You have to finish an approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure exam developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). In 2025, 87.1% of first-time, U.S.-educated candidates passed.
How much do registered nurses earn?
The median annual wage was $93,600 in May 2024, with most nurses earning between $66,030 and $135,320, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's the payday at number 6.
Is nursing a good career to get into?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% growth in registered nurse jobs from 2024 to 2034, faster than average, with roughly 189,100 openings a year over the decade.
What is a "hard stick"?
A patient whose veins are difficult to access for an IV or blood draw, common with dehydrated, elderly, or pediatric patients. Landing the line on the first try is the small win behind number 1.
Why do nurses count taking a lunch break as a win?
Because shifts are long and unpredictable. Many hospital nurses work 12-hour shifts and routinely skip or delay meals, so an uninterrupted lunch genuinely feels like a good day.