What is the best and worst part of being a registered nurse, and do you get taken advantage of by the healthcare system?

I agree with Kathleen. What I love most about being a nurse is having the ability to help others. What i dislike is being in a position involving health risk (ie; getting Hepatitis C from needle sticks, or straining back muscles). You will, however, become educated on how to prevent occupational injuries. I am glad to be a nurse (22 years)

The best part of being a nurse is helping people through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Relieving pain, helping them cope, being an advocate. ...it is very satisfying. The worst part is the "system". Patients should not have to struggle to obtain their medications or fight insurance companies for a procedure that they need. I dont feel "taken advantage of" by the system but I do get discouraged over the "red tape".

I love my job as a nurse manager. I now work for a very large insurance company from home and audit providers to make sure they are billing correctly. I started out by caring for patients and loved every second. Didn't like working nights or holidays though.