To all RNs...I'm considering nursing as a career...what is the best part about your job? The worst?

What a loaded & great question! IMO the best part of nursing is making a difference in a patient's life, being able to listen to them & their family, having them remember your name when they see you at the grocery store & send you christmas cards. It's an amazing feeling knowing that you are giving back to humanity.
Because I am a ED nurse the hardest part of my job is seeing someone die, especially someone young with family at the bedside completely devistated. It's hard for me to maintain a professionalism in a situation as this, I tend to excuse myself to the bathroom as to not breakdown in front of family members.
If you enjoy people, it's a great career . . . but if you don't it's one of the worst things a person can do . . . it'll eventually drive you crazy! LOL!

Best: Knowing that you are helping people in their time of need.

Worst: Soiled bed pans.

The best part of the job, is that its not really a job. Its a lifestyle. The worse part of nursing is realizing that sometimes you give your all, and its just not enough. If I didn't have a mortgage I'd still show up everyday.