I regret becoming a nurse...

DenimBlue in U.S.A., District of Columbia said: I only touched the TIP of the iceberg on these issues. I do not represent every nurse out there, but would like to create a thread to bring awareness to the negatives of nursing. I strongly believe that many of us were mislead into thinking that nursing would be something that it is not. Our country is in the middle of a depression and people are continuing to be fed these unrealistic lies. If we couldn't help ourselves, we can still help others and show them the "other side" of the fence when it comes to nursing. It's time to let our voices be heard and tell them what nurses REALLY face. Too many people have this idea that nurses have it "made" with a "high-paying, recession proof job". Nurses, here is a platform for you to speak out. What would you tell any potential nursing student out there? What do you wish someone would have told YOU as a pre-nursing/nursing student?

Boy DenimBlue I think you are 'spot on' and I agree with almost everything you have written here (I have not worked as an RN yet, but I know the system very well as I have worked in Hospitals with RN's and MD's for years). What I want to say now is: I HATE THE "JOHNSON & JOHNSON - CAMPAIGN FOR NURSING" COMMERCIAL!!!! I used to watch it and cry in happiness, thinking that someday I would be that nurse! Now I cry with sadness when I see one of the commercials because I can't be a nurse.... no one will give me a chance.... the one thing I have worked for all my life and longed for is NOW impossible since I have graduated! I can only pray it gets better!

Yah, they are still playing the "Johnson & Johnson" commercials here in WA state. Apparently our state is heavily recruiting more nurse educators, if I am understanding the announcement from the DOH correctly, they (the State) want to repay the educational loans that the educators have acquired if they will make a committment to teach for a given amount of time. I am all for promoting educating the masses.... but it is CrAzY when we finish and there isn't a job available!!!

I'm so disgusted. Ran into my clinical professor the other day. (I graduated last year) She asked how I was doing and I told her how bad it was. She expressed surprise. (??) I asked if any of her present clinical students are having a problem finding work, and she goes, "A few.."
A few???
There's only 10 students in each clinical site, so when you say "a few", what do you mean, like, HALF??!!?
She knows its bad out there. I saw it in her eyes....

Male nurses have easier time finding jobs.

What about ObamaCare making more demand for nurses?

Also, are you an ADN or BSN? ADN's have more problem finding work.

I have been an LPN for over 14 years. I try to explain to my new husband that nursing is no longer what it should be. It was bad when I first started because there where no staffing regulations. Now it's the quality of nurses. People are just getting into this profession because it is a recession proof career. I know as RN's it is difficult for you to get started. But the ones that I have run into are the type that don't want to work in long term care or skilled nursing facilities. They think its "beneath" them. I enjoy making a difference. I enjoy teaching new nurses things. But I do get alot of RN's who make comments oh she's only an LPN. Piece of advise.. Get over it. I had an RN who thought she was soo smart. I tried to tell her she needed orientation on the med cart. (they hired her right out of school as a wound nurse) She said she could read, and refused to follow what I had told her. (I was the unit manager of the skilled unit). She ended up giving a patient 10mg's of Ativan instead of 1 mg. Well above the dose ordered. And then she couldn't understand what I had a problem with.
I just left a position because nurses weren't following up, and it was wide spread. I actually was soo upset over the gross lack of care and outright neglect, I reported them to the state division of resident protection.

disillusioned in Deer Park, New York said: I'm so disgusted. Ran into my clinical professor the other day. (I graduated last year) She asked how I was doing and I told her how bad it was. She expressed surprise. (??) I asked if any of her present clinical students are having a problem finding work, and she goes, "A few.."
A few???
There's only 10 students in each clinical site, so when you say "a few", what do you mean, like, HALF??!!?
She knows its bad out there. I saw it in her eyes....

It is bad of course..Its been a year since graduation and still cannot get a job.. The professor is being a jerk, they dont give a hoot because they have a job and all they are doing is taking students money and they cannot help with the job search process.. My goodness I had no idea it would be this tough. I have a New Jersey LPN license and applied also for New York.. If Im not able to find anything Im afraid Im gonna have to move out of state..This is getting way out of hand..OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ive been out of school a year now and still cannot find a job as a LPN. Omg!!I had no idea it would be so hard. RN's looking for jobs, the agencies are quick to sign you up and still cannot get you a case. Whats the point?? why should I sign up with tons of agencies when they cannot find me an assignment.. I had no idea it would be this bad. I cannot continue my education soon enough because it doesnt make any sense if I dont have a job. I already paid out of my pocket for LPN school, I wasnt planning on paying to further the rest of my education.. We all need help soon.

I'm also a new nurse, I graduated in September of 2011, then took my boards in November of 2011 and passed on my first try, then in January of this year 2012 I finally found a place that hired new nurses..........I got hired on the 1st of February and today is the 9th and I'm still not on the schedule nor am I working!!!!! Does it usually take this long for them to put me to work??? Or are they giving me the run around? Ps.It a nursing home