I totally agree with you, it is a profession, just like a doctor, physical therapist or any other profession. Unfortunately nursing has traditionally been a female profession, and hence a good reason to keep salaries down. It seems to live on more here in the USA than in other countries. 12 hour shifts, no breaks and kind of jokes about not even being able to go to the bathroom!!! (I experienced it for 3 months and could not take it any more!). Who can make a good work under these premises, and not risk patient safety?? Male nurses (it's been proved!) advance faster than their female counterparts and make more money for the same job!! If I was 20 today, I would never have chosen nursing!

This is new to me, and questionable, as a cause for nurse burnout amongst the other, more tangible and plausible reasons. I would say that a "calling" is real, and more importantly, a sense of duty that enhances performance. People are called to the ministry, law enforcement, and the military. This calling can be a source of energy when you are exhausted but gives you that extra bit of "oomph" to continue.

This is new to me, and questionable, as a cause for nurse burnout amongst the other, more tangible and plausible reasons. I would say that a "calling" is real, and more importantly, a sense of duty that enhances performance. People are called to the ministry, law enforcement, and the military. This calling can be a source of energy when you are exhausted but gives you that extra bit of "oomph" to continue.