On a scale of one to ten(1-10), 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, how passionate are you about the nursing profession in comparison with when you first got in? I suspect three possibilities, you are either no longer passionate, mid way lost or high spirited about it. A substantial number of nurses are only keeping on. They've lost the zeal and joy they once had. Their reason for showing up each day could only be to earn a living and meet the needs and demands of family. If this is you then read on please!

The word 'passion' is defined by the English language Oxford dictionary as a strong and barely controllable emotion or as a strong liking or desire for a thing by Merriam Webster. Having passion for what you do gives you a sincere reason and innermost meaning to do that which you do, keep at it and gain full mastery. You are passionate about something if you can do it come rain and sunshine while never or seldom thinking twice. A passionate nurse is eager, interested and seemingly glued to the profession.

Common causes of passion loss in the nursing profession

Following the pandemic, more and more nurses are losing their passion. Here are top listed factors contributing to the rise.

1. Burn out from long work hours

2. Staff shortages and lack of support

3. Emotional strain from patient care

4. Impaired health condition

5. Increased stress

6. Feeling stuck from boring activities

7. Non flexible work schedules

Signs you have lost your passion for nursing include;

• Constant fatigue

• Lack of enthusiasm

• Frequent outbursts

• Anxiety

• Careless service delivery

• Dissatisfaction in everything and anything

• Innumerable episodes of mind block

7 Ways to reignite your passion for nursing

1. Figure out what went amiss: To avoid beating around the bush and treating the wrong diagnosis, you should figure out when and why you lost your passion. What factor led to the empty feelings you now have? Source it out and deal with it accordingly. The earlier you are able to figure this out, the closer you are to reconnecting with your passion. Visit a therapist, talk to family or a colleague to aid this process.

2. Reconnect with your inner being: If you were once passionate about this profession, then it is only about time that you reconsider what tickled your fancy. If you've never been passionate then I advise you take a closer look into your previous activities and find out one thing at least that made you smile. Do more of what makes you happy. Source out time to care for and nurture your mind.

3. Think and create impact: The more impact you create on lives, the higher your chances of growing your passion. A simple way to make an impact is helping others grow by teaching them. Teaching younger ones in the profession can help boost your enthusiasm for what you do. Impacting is one of the best ways to help others advance as much as you help yourself.

4. Set goals: Goal setting and eventual actualization is an interesting way to reignite your passion as a nurse. Such goals within or outside the scope of nursing helps you kick boredom far away. There's something interesting to do and a target to meet up with.

5. Seek mentorship: The issue of mentorship remains one large void and underestimated element of growth in the nursing profession. While some understand this concept and its importance, only few get to benefit from it. Get an experienced nurse as a mentor equals guidance, support, direction and coaching to keep you on track as you grow into an even greater professional as the best version of yourself.

6. Maintain the attitude of gratitude: Gratitude remains the best attitude, right up into the profession. Replacing anxiety and dissatisfaction with contentment and gratitude is the best way to live.

7. Take a break: If after applying all or most of these tips and nothing seems to change, then it is time to rest up.

Why passion is necessary for you as a nurse

Undeniably, passion is something that varies with time. As the days roll by, new interests are developed, making your passion drift away to something new. It is however worthwhile to know how impossible it is to succeed without passion for what you do and easiest to succeed with passion for your career. Passion moves you to work both hard and smart, moves you to be more creative and determined in actualizing success. When you are passionate, you do way more than answering the clarion call, but become charged to develop better systems and increase the productivity level of both you and your subordinates. No feeling beats that of doing something you love, getting paid for doing it while yet impacting human life.

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