THE CON of BEING AN RN

Hello,

I 'm a dental hygienist and it's very hard to find a job. I 'm seriously thinking about becoming a nurse. However, before I jump the gun , I just want to hear from different RN of the cons working in this field. I do not want to make the same mistake as I did before. Please help, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.................

cavitron in Hollywood, Florida said: Hello,

I 'm a dental hygienist and it's very hard to find a job. I 'm seriously thinking about becoming a nurse. However, before I jump the gun , I just want to hear from different RN of the cons working in this field. I do not want to make the same mistake as I did before. Please help, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.................

There are plenty of jobs as a RN every where including Hollywood, FL But ask yourself why are there so many RN jobs? I'll tell you why, the nurses are assigned a high patient load and a ton of paperwork. You never finish on time adn you barely get any appreciation, what you get is the blame for everything that goes wrong and you get treated like crapt most of the time. There is no nursing shoratge, as you can see there is always a waiting list to get into nursing school. What there is, is a nationwide shortage of nurses who are willing to put of with the BS that comes with the job. If I were you I would stay with DH. I'm a RN and I didn't like it and I left it.

May I ask you what are you doing now since you left nursing?

Thank you

An article about the nursing shortage appears at p. 21 of the Parade section in your Sunday paper. The article says American hospitals have more than 100,000 nursing vacancies. The article attributes the nursing shortage to training bottlenecks, not because of high patient loads, paperwork, lack of appreciation or being treated like crap.

The Parade article says nursing schools turned down 42,866 applicants last year. The article attributes nursing school wait lists to insufficient training openings, insufficient faculty to teach them, or, in some cases, classrooms. In other words, the applicants are there, but the resources to train them are not there.

Reading this article may be worth your while.

Reading an article and having experience in the field are two separate worlds. I experienced. You just heard it from the horse's mouth.

These were your words:

magnum68 in Hollywood, Florida said: [W]hy are there so many RN jobs? I'll tell you why, the nurses are assigned a high patient load and a ton of paperwork. You never finish on time and you barely get any appreciation. What you get is the blame for everything that goes wrong and you get treated like crap most of the time. There is no nursing shortage. As you can see there is always a waiting list to get into nursing school.

Whereas the article blamed the nursing shortage on unavailability of training - something you did not or will not address. I'll go with the article; it cites facts and figures. Good luck with your next career.

I'll go with the article. Nonsense comes with the territory of nearly all jobs anymore. I know; I worked for attorneys for more than eleven years.

These were your words:

[QUOTE="magnum68 in Hollywood, Florida"] [W]hy are there so many RN jobs? I'll tell you why, the nurses are assigned a high patient load and a ton of paperwork. You never finish on time and you barely get any appreciation. What you get is the blame for everything that goes wrong and you get treated like crap most of the time. There is no nursing shortage. As you can see there is always a waiting list to get into nursing school.

Whereas the article blamed the nursing shortage on unavailability of training - something you did not or will not address. I'll go with the article. It is more persuasive because it cites facts and figures and you don't.

Nonsense comes with the territory of nearly all jobs anymore. I know; I worked for attorneys for more than eleven years. Good luck with your next career.

(corrected)

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: These were your words:

[QUOTE="magnum68 in Hollywood, Florida"] [W]hy are there so many RN jobs? I'll tell you why, the nurses are assigned a high patient load and a ton of paperwork. You never finish on time and you barely get any appreciation. What you get is the blame for everything that goes wrong and you get treated like crap most of the time. There is no nursing shortage. As you can see there is always a waiting list to get into nursing school.

Whereas the article blamed the nursing shortage on unavailability of training - something you did not or will not address. I'll go with the article. It is more persuasive because it cites facts and figures and you don't.

Nonsense comes with the territory of nearly all jobs anymore. I know; I worked for attorneys for more than eleven years. Good luck with your next career.

(corrected)

I've been working in the health field for over ten years and I'm still in it. So I know what I'm talking about. I just don't do nursing anymore. Good luck to you if you decide to do nursing. You never know, you may just like it.

Hi,

You said you are still in the health care filed. May I ask you What is your profession now?

Thank you

ibflossing1

I'm doing respiratory.

I am a nurse. I have been for 5 years now and I am so down. I hate what I do. I am going back for my next degree to hopefully open up some new opportunities and try something different. I work so hard and never get done on time. My employer always wants more. They act like you are a machine. I have no time to give my patients and I want to cry most days. I thought about becoming a hygienist as that was my first choice but I was discouraged by the three year waiting list at the time and everyone said nursing would be better. I am trying to find the part that fits for me in this feild. I am looking into Galen College in Cincinnati. Has anyone every attended Galen? What was it like?

reba ky in Erlanger, Kentucky: "I am a nurse. I have been for 5 years now and I am so down. I hate what I do. I am going back for my next degree to hopefully open up some new opportunities and try something different. I work so hard and never get done on time. My employer always wants more. They act like you are a machine. I have no time to give my patients and I want to cry most days."

Substitute "paralegal," "legal secretary" or "legal assistant" for "nurse," and "clients" for "patients," and one could swear you work in the legal profession. Especially your points about working hard, never getting done on time and the employer always wanting more. Just food for thought.

Many injury law firms and insurance companies hire paralegals with nursing experience. Their medical experience is valuable in dealing with injured people. I stand by my comments, above, but it may be right for you.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: reba ky in Erlanger, Kentucky: "I am a nurse. I have been for 5 years now and I am so down. I hate what I do. I am going back for my next degree to hopefully open up some new opportunities and try something different. I work so hard and never get done on time. My employer always wants more. They act like you are a machine. I have no time to give my patients and I want to cry most days."

Substitute "paralegal," "legal secretary" or "legal assistant" for "nurse," and "clients" for "patients," and one could swear you work in the legal profession. Especially your points about working hard, never getting done on time and the employer always wanting more. Just food for thought.

Many injury law firms and insurance companies hire paralegals with nursing experience. Their medical experience is valuable in dealing with injured people. I stand by my comments, above, but it may be right for you.

Hi, I admire your knowledge and honestly. Bravo! BTW, I have suggested to a nursing student that she/he continue her/his dream to become a nurse by taking all required courses she/he has already begun in light of the fact she/he has 1 DWI arrest. Merely wondering whether or not having a DWI will prevent her/him from working in your field, nursing. Is it impossible to secure a nursing position if an individual has a DWI?

Reba ky,

I'm a hygienist and was laid off in nov.07 and still can not land a job. I've called ALL of the # that are listed in the yellow pages and only 2 reply back. Jobs are VERY DIFFICULT to find in the hygiene area. I have two friends who is a nurse and they love it. Maybe it's the mess up hospital you are working for, try finding work in a diff. hospital. I'm going for nursing and currently taking courses right now.

it's very difficult to be a nurse when you are always blamed for everything specially by stressed out patients and their relatives.You become shock absorbers by these people and you end up drained and exhausted by their demands. The administration of course sides with them as they need patients to patronized their hospitals.Nurses are oftentimes harassed by these slave drivers. And what can you do? customers are always right right? Specially those who are public aid and on medical etc. Where we our taxes are the ones paying for their million dollar bills.

I'm an RN and have been one for 4 years now. The thing about nursing is that you will always have stability and flexabiltiy with your job. There are also so many different career paths you can take in nursing. You can also have a family and work. Yes it can be a very fast paced, high stress environment, where the RN is responsible for the collaboration of doctors, OT, PT, RT and PCT's. However it can also be the most rewarding job if you are doing it because you love to help others. So if the number one reason you want to become a nurse is because of your compassion and want to care for people the I say you should go for it!

cavitron in Hollywood, Florida said: Hello,

I 'm a dental hygienist and it's very hard to find a job. I 'm seriously thinking about becoming a nurse. However, before I jump the gun , I just want to hear from different RN of the cons working in this field. I do not want to make the same mistake as I did before. Please help, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.................

Im sitting on the computer in mi. looking for a job. Im an RN,RRT with a ton of experience and I cannot find a job and I am not alone. Research jobs in your area before you make the leap, maybe its just Michigan, but research before you fall for all the hype. Only offers here are variable shifts, or contingent with no benefits. Nursing shortage? Id like to know where, cause its definetly not here.

magnum68 in Hollywood, Florida said: I'm doing respiratory.

I am an RN, RRT in Michigan. I busted my butt to become a RN as I was working as an RRT and I am so very sorry I wasted my time. I agree with you 100%, nursing is just a beating mentally and physically. Here in MI, all that is offered is variable shifts or contingent with no benefits. I work in critical care, and your load is 5 pts. No equip, no help, no breaks, just work like a dog and, yes, take the blame for everything. How sorry I am.

thevalueofhumanlife.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately, with the way nursing is today you become part of a system that makes you either guilty of participating in unsafe care or black-balled for speaking up about it.

Conditions are BAD! Nurses are overworked and unappreciated. It is very hard to train to do a job that your employers prevent you from doing in order for them to profit. Managers are more concerned about keeping their job and paycheck and have no loyalties to you.

Stay away from patient care and hospitals. They brought this shortage of nurses on themselves. Let them figure it out.

You will never understand how bad it is until you are in it. Even those people that tell you of all the rewards are not being honest about the intense demands. It is multi-tasking in a sense that you can never imagine....pushing humans beyond reasonable limits.

Speaking up will send you to the unemployment line where they will continue to tarnish your reputation.

Consider yourself warned.

There are over 330,000 licensed inactive nurses!

Shortage? Man-made! Hospitals, understaffed, overworked, unappreciated, evil management - all created by man.

There are nurses out there. The vacancies exist because of the poor atmosphere of employment. Nursing has been getting worse over the years and is going to continue to get worse for years to come. Nurses are afraid to speak up to change things so change is a long ways away.

Not to mention.....it is a women's field and women are evil to eachother.

I've been an RN for 25 years.I worked the county hospital and most of my career was spent in home health 20 years after leaving the hospital due to working 18,20,21 hours a day (yes within a 24 hour period)We had a shortage then,still have shortages and this will never change.My base pay back in the 80's was 12.00/hr with shift diff.of 50 cents,75 cents for charge nurse with a full floor of 36 patients,one charge nurse(RN)two LVN's and no CNA,three patients sent to our floor with vents,M.D.ordering a one on one(HA!HA!HA!),neuro patients requiring neuro checks q 30 min,sx,blood transfusions out the kazoo for post ortho hip,...I could go on and on and yes this was one floor one night,but other floors were just as bad.We were walking zombies.I was in constant stress fearful that a patient would die due to no staff,not getting the appropriate care,so I quit.Went to work for a home health agency for the next twenty years.Not bad,but then again I and everyone else worked 15,20,24 hours/day.Doing what?Paper work,on call,seeing 17 patients from morning till night in their homes,falling asleep in your uniform at the table trying to finish all your required paperwork and admissions by the next day,making $30.00 a vist,more on admissions,but when I broke it down,all I was making was 3.56/hr.Became a supervisor,salaried,no raise for 8 years,informed them I was quitting,received a raise,another 6 years went by,no raise,no medical insurance,no retirement plan and half my life with not having a life.I quit a year ago due to other reasons(after a drunk DON became psycho)not the first one like this over years.They would eventually get fired,but this was the straw that broke the camels back.I love patient care,teaching,etc.and I know there is some good employers out there,but I'm tired and ready to move on to another career,yet I still have the urge to nurse.I never discourage anyone going into nursing.It is all politics and greed for the BIG BOYS.One day,they too will be a NUMBER.

No one wants to hear the truth when they ask opinions about going into nursing.

See for yourself and check back with us.

Handling 8 or more patients is a piece of cake. You will love it. Invest your money and time and see for yourself because people must simply be lying about conditions in nursing. There is absolutley nothing wrong with trying to manage and prioritize several different issues at hand every minute of the day.....it's just like any other job. Sure....and I'll have what she's smokin'

"One day,they too will be a NUMBER"

I really never thought about that.....one day they will be a patient in this mess they created.

All I can hope is that the new generation of nurses has the energy and power to change things for the safety of the patients.

It is simply not right the way things are.

Oh, and....I have to differ that it is actually a shortage causing those crazy assignments and shifts. Typically, those are the staffing models with all those patients to one nurse.

Even if all the positions were filled, nurses would still have too many patients because it's about PROFITS....PROFITS to build more and buy more for the hospital.....but not nurses or direct patient care staff. This is not just about nurses. It is about all the little guys doing direct patient care. The administrators have cake jobs......half the time they "work from home," they are rarely there which isn't all that bad since most of them are just a nuisance and have NO CLUE what is going on.

In all reality....it is a VERY entertaining world to watch administrators run around so clueless.....I gotta chuckle at some of the stupid stupid things they have done over the years.

When I see the concerned and scared looks on new nurses as they make their transition....I am pretty sure that my description is right on. And all those NEW COCKY nurses that think they know it all and don't have anything to learn.....well, I just shake my head. That is pretty much why the started developing "rapid response teams" in facilities. Yep, cuz they don't have the experience to "rapidly respond" and there aren't many seassoned and experienced nurses around any more. I have seen some pretty scarey stuff going on with no experienced nurses on units and brand new nurses running the show and acting pretty cocky about it.

J Bach in Jackson, Michigan said: No one wants to hear the truth when they ask opinions about going into nursing.

See for yourself and check back with us.

Handling 8 or more patients is a piece of cake. You will love it. Invest your money and time and see for yourself because people must simply be lying about conditions in nursing. There is absolutley nothing wrong with trying to manage and prioritize several different issues at hand every minute of the day.....it's just like any other job. Sure....and I'll have what she's smokin'

Wow, I'm listenin ladies ad gentleman. Keep the truth coming. Thank you for not sugar coating the truth.

I am sorry that people have had so many negative experiences as a nurse. I LOVE MY JOB. I am fulfilled by what I do everyday. I consider it a previledge to care for others...And believe me, I did not grow up wanting to become a nurse. I fell into it. All I see around me, is a world of opportunity. I take pride in the many accomplishments that have brought me to my credentials. I applaud those who have gone before me and encourage those "behind" me. If a person wants, he or she can work in schools, clinics, hospitals, long term care or assisted living facilities. They can teach CPR or other specialties. A registered nurse can even teach nursing courses at the college level. If a nurse is not happy, there are many other positions out there. For instance, you can travel. (With the right company/position, an RN can make $75,000-$100,000/year and get to see the world at the same time.) There are mission/parish opportunities, too. In which, a person can give back to those who severely need it. Don't like people? (Sounds strange, I know...but there are some out there..) Work in surgery. The patients are mostly asleep. Statistics say that this country will be short over 1 million nurses by the year 2020. The fact of the matter is this, the baby boomer generation is getting older. We don't have enough nurses. Not interested in hard work, there are even positions for you. A person simply has to be willing to "hunt" for the perfect nursing job. THEY ARE OUT THERE. It simply depends on what you are looking for, and of course, where you are located. (Relocation may be neccessary.) Some "posh" jobs include small practices (the physicians like to keep their staff happy). Nurses are utilized in dermatology and plastic surgery
practices, as well. Veternarians sometimes train nurses to work along side them.
Is there paper work? Yes. Stress? Yes. Moments you wish you were somewhere else? Yes. Countless experiences that challenge me? YES! Personally, I wouldn't have it any other way

Sorry, I ran out of room. (Can you tell I am passionate about nursing? lol)
I would like to mention, I began LPN school when I was 20 and my son was 3 months old. I was working 24-36 hours a week (night shift), going to school full-time, and (exclusively) breastfeeding. I graduated in 2001. I then went back to school to finish my RN. My husband was also a full time student (and had been for the last 4+ years). We have 3 sons, and no other family around. I worked 30-50+ hours a week while attending full time for my RN. (This is difficult..and not reccomended. Our instructors cautioned us. The preference was for students NOT to work at all. However, I was able to maintain a 3.7 GPA. Unfortunately, I thrive on chaos. :) But a heads up that it is recommended to lighten your load while you are in classes.) Life was (and continues to be) very busy. But MY POINT IS, it can be done. If I can be of assistance, just let me know. Thank you.

Candice in Lincoln, Nebraska said: Sorry, I ran out of room. (Can you tell I am passionate about nursing? lol)
I would like to mention, I began LPN school when I was 20 and my son was 3 months old. I was working 24-36 hours a week (night shift), going to school full-time, and (exclusively) breastfeeding. I graduated in 2001. I then went back to school to finish my RN. My husband was also a full time student (and had been for the last 4+ years). We have 3 sons, and no other family around. I worked 30-50+ hours a week while attending full time for my RN. (This is difficult..and not reccomended. Our instructors cautioned us. The preference was for students NOT to work at all. However, I was able to maintain a 3.7 GPA. Unfortunately, I thrive on chaos. :) But a heads up that it is recommended to lighten your load while you are in classes.) Life was (and continues to be) very busy. But MY POINT IS, it can be done. If I can be of assistance, just let me know. Thank you.

thank you

I did the same thing as a single mom with 3 kids.

I just got an email from a friend who said the place I left behind has gotten AWEFUL as if it wasn't when I left.

People keep telling recruits that there are so many jobs. Not necessarily. They are like finding a needle in a haystack. Since most if not all the nurses in the hospital want out, those jobs are taken up quickly. Seniority comes first in most cases. Cake jobs pay less.

Candice, you sound very flowery about the job - no offense. There are some people out there that romance nursing in this way but it doesn't reflect the reality of the stress level. Some people love "chaos" or "drama." You might fall into that. Anyone thinking about going into nursing needs to REALLY understand how stressful and how chaotic it is. I don't think it is fair to lead people on since your feelings do not reflect how people really feel and loving your work doesn't give them the real picture of what to expect. I don't think it is fair to recruit young people in by convincing them of all of these things. They need to know the truth. I have met a lot of new young grads that regret their choice and are not stuck and in debt. There are many jobs that actually pay w

ALSO....they have to understand that it's like being in prison. Rules and expectations and patient needs makes it very intense with little to no appreciation from management. MANY nurses feel picked on or harassed. They feel that they never receive any appreciation for working hard, they only get knocked down for not being able to keep up or for any mistakes they made.

There are now over 500,000 deaths yearly due to medical errors. Most of what I have heard comes from new nurses - no offense but you have a very serious job to learn, learn to prioritize and develop crucial skills but you don't have the time to do it. It's like learning to drive a race care at top speed. No building your way up. Orientations are rather disappointing

All of these other "classes" for legal nurse consulting and more lead people on into believing there are glorious money making jobs out there. Most legal nurse consultants work in hospitals and TRY to pick up the other. There isn't a big market for that. Don't believe everything you hear or read. When you read posts like Candice's you have to decide if you are like her. There are people that are gluttens for punishment out there. Can you feel the way she does about something so aweful? You have to ask yourself.

Chances are that you will regret the decision.
www.ihatenursing.com

Don't let them kid you that it is just like any other job. You are messing with people's lives, their safety and their demanding personalities. You have no clue. You can't even begin to imagine how people can be until you are a nurse (or a cop).

J Bach in Jackson, Michigan said: thevalueofhumanlife.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately, with the way nursing is today you become part of a system that makes you either guilty of participating in unsafe care or black-balled for speaking up about it.

Conditions are BAD! Nurses are overworked and unappreciated. It is very hard to train to do a job that your employers prevent you from doing in order for them to profit. Managers are more concerned about keeping their job and paycheck and have no loyalties to you.

Stay away from patient care and hospitals. They brought this shortage of nurses on themselves. Let them figure it out.

You will never understand how bad it is until you are in it. Even those people that tell you of all the rewards are not being honest about the intense demands. It is multi-tasking in a sense that you can never imagine....pushing humans beyond reasonable limits.

Speaking up will send you to the unemployment line where they will continue to tarnish your reputation.

Consider yourself warned.

i think this sums up the whole thing excellently!!!!! every point true, well established, and reasonable. i regret my choice as an lpn and i understand the rn as in the sense of dilema. we do the same things 99% of the time, but the pay isn't something you can count on to live. you will be one of the working poor. at least for now. there are only so many dollars in the healthcare system pocket, and nurses are not getting the same slice nearly as much as others. at least if i had a 4 year degree, i might be able to find a suitable job. i have a minor health issue, and with that could go out of patient care. too late now. can't do school either.
i think this comment above says it all, and i do not think it selfish to say, for once ,or for at last, let them figure it out.

deborah in Columbia, South Carolina said: i think this sums up the whole thing excellently!!!!! every point true, well established, and reasonable. i regret my choice as an lpn and i understand the rn as in the sense of dilema. we do the same things 99% of the time, but the pay isn't something you can count on to live. you will be one of the working poor. at least for now. there are only so many dollars in the healthcare system pocket, and nurses are not getting the same slice nearly as much as others. at least if i had a 4 year degree, i might be able to find a suitable job. i have a minor health issue, and with that could go out of patient care. too late now. can't do school either.
i think this comment above says it all, and i do not think it selfish to say, for once ,or for at last, let them figure it out.

LPN's get the real dirty end of the stick. You are either utilized as a "tech" and short changed both in skills and in money or you are eating the dirt as hard and heavy as nurses do but for WAY less money. The lack of being able to take verbal orders or push drugs isn't worth that much cut in pay. Often times, you are carrying more patients because of those two tiny little tasks that you can't do but caring for the patients is the hardest part of the job. Unless you have someone with the need for multiple verbal orders or multiple IV pushes, that little bit doesn't justify carrying a whole extra patient. Not to mention the RN's that have to cover yours when they are busy. I have never understood giving an LPN an extra patient because each nurse covers one of hers. Bottom line is that everyone gets an extra patient. LPN's working as nurses are nurses. All of a sudden their education is "less" than an RN's but if they have been practicing, they have been practicing as a nurse needed to provide the same skills as nurses and learn the same things along the way. LPN's as techs have been ripped off of their education.

deborah in Columbia, South Carolina said: i think this sums up the whole thing excellently!!!!! every point true, well established, and reasonable. i regret my choice as an lpn and i understand the rn as in the sense of dilema. we do the same things 99% of the time, but the pay isn't something you can count on to live. you will be one of the working poor. at least for now. there are only so many dollars in the healthcare system pocket, and nurses are not getting the same slice nearly as much as others. at least if i had a 4 year degree, i might be able to find a suitable job. i have a minor health issue, and with that could go out of patient care. too late now. can't do school either.
i think this comment above says it all, and i do not think it selfish to say, for once ,or for at last, let them figure it out.

At the bottom of this blog....

thevalueofhumanlife.blogspot.com/

is a link to a petition for LPN's, read it and sign it if you agree. There is another petition at the top in the left hand column for the nursing shortage. Check that out and sign it as well, if you agree.

I am an LPN. I work with as many as 30 patients at a time. The only thing I cannot due in my position is push IV meds. I work so hard and watch our RN's walk around and "supervise". Most of the time I don't even see them or know what they are doing. I am going to school for my RN right now and I can say I am looking forward to better pay for more respect and less patient load. I believe my oportunities are going to sore. I have RN's come to me for advice or help at times. An LPN is a nurse period. An LPN that keeps up with clinical skills and latest information is no less qualified. I carry a much larger load and feel I am better prepared for time management and prioritization. Being an aide and then an LPN will help me to be a better RN.

I am a retired RN. I retired almost 3 years ago after 41 years in the field-mostly ICU (adults and children) and surgery. Did lots of stuff including critical care education and training CNA's-opted out of bedside for 5 years and went into the insurance buisiness.
I retired because I was just plain tired. No matter where you work, it is never going to be a 9-5 job. You do have to take a lot, but you still do not have to take as much as that poor helpless person lying in that hospital bed. I feel for them still. If I had my choice as a patient, I would want a smart competent nurse at my bedside instead of a distant out of touch doctor.
I wish all newcomers in the field the very best and simulateneously-my condolences. It is a great profession-interesting, challenging, rewarding and it needs smart people to do it. Best of luck, and may you enjoy it when it is good-and believe me, it can be very very good.

I am a male registered nurse 26 years old, and have been an ICU RN for 4 years. Boy, what a miserable way to earn a living. As for J Bach's comment: "Not to mention.....it is a women's field and women are evil to eachother," this couldn't be more true, except they are evil to men too (you have to tread lightly if you are a man or if your face is youthful). I am thinking about going to medical school just to repay nurses for the way they've treated me. They have problems with their husbands, they bring it to work, etc. Stressed, fearful, zombies, all true, but mostly not because of the workload, but because of the way co-workers treat eachother and the politics. And any place that is "cush" is not any place you would want to work because it's probably so backwards your skills might stagnate. If you want to move on, you better have connections because recommendations involve politics, and are not necessarily merit-based, which also applies even to just leaving one hospital and going to another. Teaching is a joke post-grad. Anything you don't know is a weapon for "knowledgeable" nurses with "BNS" (Bitter Nurse Syndrome)to use against you.
As for the difficulty and "know-it-all new grads", I disagree with J Bach. Nursing is not rocket science, and after 4 years in various ICUs at many hospitals as a traveller, I feel I have plateaud and am bored, but I guess it would be like that in any profession, even medicine (you do 5000 bowel resections, whats another?) Older nurses put too much weight on their 'experience' when it's really just their fault they didn't move on. I like travelling because in addition to good pay, it's non commital and I can leave whenever I'm fed up. However, the downside is you don't get the comfort zone that you get as a staff nurse(and staff like to treat travellers poorly for a variety of reasons), so basically there is no ideal situation.
Nurses are the "whipping boy" of the health care profession, don't be a sucker.

Yeah, you said it.

Another very well said statement.

Carole RN in Royal Oak, Michigan said: I am an RN, RRT in Michigan. I busted my butt to become a RN as I was working as an RRT and I am so very sorry I wasted my time. I agree with you 100%, nursing is just a beating mentally and physically. Here in MI, all that is offered is variable shifts or contingent with no benefits. I work in critical care, and your load is 5 pts. No equip, no help, no breaks, just work like a dog and, yes, take the blame for everything. How sorry I am.

Hello,

What would you have rather of been? Do you think you would have a better career as a PT or occupational therapist? Nursing is a lot less school and starting salary is very good as well.

Sorry for you all. I have been an ICU/CICU/ED nurse for 30 years. Has it been hard? Yes. Am I proud? Yes. I never wanted to do "easy" nursing--I've always gravitated to the hardest thing. I work 3 12's a week, more if I want. Did 70 grand last year. I married twice, when it sucks, get out. Don't bring your psych problems to work. Guys, sorry, they don't work as hard and don't like doing the baths, iv tubing changes, other stuff below what they think they are worth. Most young folks think they should make a living playing on the computer, and all this pt care is below them too. You have to be smart, work hard, and try hard every day. If you think you will make this much money doing something else, go back to school. Unfortunately, we have enough 2 year nurse ARNPS.

Candice in Lincoln, Nebraska said: Sorry, I ran out of room. (Can you tell I am passionate about nursing? lol)
I would like to mention, I began LPN school when I was 20 and my son was 3 months old. I was working 24-36 hours a week (night shift), going to school full-time, and (exclusively) breastfeeding. I graduated in 2001. I then went back to school to finish my RN. My husband was also a full time student (and had been for the last 4+ years). We have 3 sons, and no other family around. I worked 30-50+ hours a week while attending full time for my RN. (This is difficult..and not reccomended. Our instructors cautioned us. The preference was for students NOT to work at all. However, I was able to maintain a 3.7 GPA. Unfortunately, I thrive on chaos. :) But a heads up that it is recommended to lighten your load while you are in classes.) Life was (and continues to be) very busy. But MY POINT IS, it can be done. If I can be of assistance, just let me know. Thank you.

wow, good job!
I am majoring business administration/Accounting. But, I like being a nurse too. I am planning to do Accelerated 1-year Nursing program for non-nursing bachelor degree holders.

I am little scared to start though. I have to do my pre-reqs first. and getting accepted to that program is also though. Which school did u go to? where do u suggest me to start? How long the pre-reqs usually take? I heard that I can get scholarship or tuition sponsorship from hospitals. How does it work do u know?

thank you.

Looking into nursing? Community colleges are MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE, however, the wait lists can be long. My advice? Check the pass rate of the universities that you are considering. (If a BSN is the route of choice.) "Pass rate" is the number of graduates that pass the state board of nursing exam on the first attempt. (Which of course, is the only way a graduate of nursing school can work as a nurse...by passing the state exam.) Also, network. Talk to other nurses, students, people that have attended the schools you are considering. Once you decide on the school, get thyself to the financial aid office and ask for the scholarships that the school offers. (Some schools are really good about informing students of community scholarships, too.) You can also look online- but I have had no luck, as I don't know anyone who has actually received monies this way. I have no doubt some of the online scholarship programs are valid, I just can't recommend any at this time. Pre-reqs vary from school to school...In my experience, private universities/colleges generally have more--due to graduation requirements for that particular school (ie: religion courses). State universities have a few more than community colleges. So, that time span will vary from 1-2 years, give or take. (Although, if you already have some of the basics, should be less..) One can usually expect to have to take their colleges requirements, along with Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Sociology, Psychology x 2, English x2, College Algebra, Statistics...to name a few. So, another requirement for some nursing programs, is becoming a certified nursing assistant. THIS HELPS IMMEASURABLY, in my opinion. You are ahead of the class if you are comfortable with the basics. Becoming a CNA will allow you to apply at home health agencies, nursing homes, long term care facilities, rehab hospitals, and acute care hospitals.
PLEASE SEE MY NEXT POST

Once a student AND a CNA, you will then get a wage increase. (at the hospitals anyway) And you have heard right, some hospitals will give you scholarships. I received on from my place of employment. I see you live in Kearney? Creighton has an off campus program...Not sure of all the details though. I went to CCC in GI and worked in Maternal Child at St Francis while in nursing school. Let me know if I can help otherwise! Good luck!!

niharet in Gainesville, Florida said: Sorry for you all. I have been an ICU/CICU/ED nurse for 30 years. Has it been hard? Yes. Am I proud? Yes. I never wanted to do "easy" nursing--I've always gravitated to the hardest thing. I work 3 12's a week, more if I want. Did 70 grand last year. I married twice, when it sucks, get out. Don't bring your psych problems to work. Guys, sorry, they don't work as hard and don't like doing the baths, iv tubing changes, other stuff below what they think they are worth. Most young folks think they should make a living playing on the computer, and all this pt care is below them too. You have to be smart, work hard, and try hard every day. If you think you will make this much money doing something else, go back to school. Unfortunately, we have enough 2 year nurse ARNPS.

Hi niharet!! You bet this career is hard--THATS WHY WE LOVE IT!
Wish I could work with you! You hold a wealth of knowledge! I have the utmost respect for your hard work. Thank you for your service!
Candice (a "newbie" of 7 years ;) )

I have been an RN for 8 years and work in a local ER. That is where I started fresh out of school. I had a BS in Health Care Administration before nursing. Going back to school was one of the best things I have ever done. You can save lives and truly make positive impacts on people's lives. True, many times, you are under-appreciated by patients, but then you touch so many lives....others give you the true respect you deserve and it makes it worthwhile. Those not getting respect of their doctors are working with the wrong doctors. I say go for it!!!

"What would you have rather of been?" That is a hard question to answer at this point. I am trying to figure that out desperately at this point. Being in my 40's and having invested near 20 years into this field, it makes it hard. I picked it because I felt I was always taking care of people any way and it was the quickest degree to take care of my kids as a single mom. It provided me with the means to raise my kids alone since the courts do not help you get child support and their dad was a dead beat. But, the truth of the matter is that it is abusive and traumatizing. You are taking a risk investing into nursing. Are you going to become the person in the last few posts that say "go for it" or are you going to be one of the people that regrets it. Even the nurses that "love nursing" may exhibit burn out. I have worked side by side with people that speak of nursing the way some have here. Many of those are burned out and evil and deny it. They are mean and nasty to new nurses and co-workers. They complain. They have unhappy home lives, etc. They bring their miserable attitudes to work. They are in denial that they are miserable and negative. They are often the cause of other nurses leaving or feeling so terrible about nursing. "Saving lives", "appreciated by patients" - it's not all that. It is not that glorious unless you are actually saving a life in an emergent situation - ER, ICU, Code, etc. Appreciation is a small percentage of those that you care for. You aren't going to be in any parades or receive rewards. It comes from WITHIN you. That's the flower version of nursing.....more.....

Now here is a typical day unless you luck out in an ICU job you like or something else. Oh, by the way....there is usually a big turn over in ER's - high burn out - seems to be where most of the sour angry nurses are - and they are most desperate for agency nurses....make what you want of that info.

So....start of shift: Call lights going off non-stop...happens to be a night that all the patients are pooping because of receiving laxatives for days. Nurses have not followed up on bowel movements of patients because they don't have time. They pass meds because they are on the MAR. So, now all the patients are pouring poop out of them. Those that can are on the call lights. When you start your shift, you typically start by meeting your patients, assessing them and begin to pass meds. You can't complete this task because there are so many needs that the 2-3 aides that you have can't meet the needs. You are now wiping butts - please get the poop off - don't do a half*** job - remember that could be your mother, your father or you that you leave poop on. Ok, you have two super obese patients that can't do anything for themselves (remember - obesity causes most of the medical problems and is medical job security - that and old age). You aren't going to be meeting too many good looking men and women here. Most ill people are obese and old and most of them can't do that many things for themselves or are totally helpless. So, you have two obese patients. Along with obesity may come some cardiac and diabetic problems.....along with that, healing problems. So now you may have some wounds to treat. Normally it's not something a bandaid will fix. So, you have wiped the poop off of your two obese patients - you are lucky if you have 4 people in the room to help you roll and move the patient and hold them where you need them. Normally it is only two....your back hurts - promise. The patient has a big wound on their butt. Yes, poop gets in it....more

So you have to change that dressing. It is saturated with drainage. Typically positive with bacteria which SMELLS. Now you have smelly drainage and poop. You have to get that wound clean or you are part of the problem. If you don't clean the poop off the patient and clean the wound properly, you might as well put a bullet in their head. Yes, you are part of the problem because that will cause more health problems. So, this takes TIME! You haven't checked your meds, began to pass them....nothing! No assessments done! Oh ya, you have to hang blood because the bag that the previous shift left is done. Flip it over to the rinse. They are probably on a tube feed. Put it on hold cuz you are laying the patient down and you don't want them to asperate. Take the saturated very fould smelling dressing off and throw it away. You should change your gloves. Look around, you will see many that don't. Remember the bullet? Now, have you read the wound care orders? Hope so. Did you get all of your things together that you needed to do the dressing? Hope so. Chances are you had to go to the supply room to get what you needed because for some reason no one ever seems to make sure the stock is at the bedside and it is all over the place. Nothing is organized. Some nurses don't bother and some don't have the time to clean rooms. You probably had to untangle a few tubes and lines to even roll the patient. That gets OLD. So, you have all that you need. Set up something absorbent and CLEAN THAT WOUND! Did you clean all the poop? It smells BAD! Butt wounds on obese patients are always fun. You can never get that patient over far enough to get to them properly. That is where four people come in handy. Oh ya, the patient can't tolerate the activity...they are in pain. Hope you medicated or you will be doing that too. You probably only have one person to hold the patient over so your body mechanics are causing you pain. more...

Finish your wound care, but oops, the patient is still pooping. That won't last. You will be doing it again. But when? You seriously don't have time! So, now your patient has another dressing on their leg. Think you can hold it up and do it yourself without hurting? That will catch up with you and believe me, everyone is busy and no one really has time to help you. Every one is sunk into their own work. Or maybe you are the one that can't get your work done because you had to help someone else. You have been in that room for over a half an hour - probably an hour. It doesn't FLOW. You are working 8 hours and have 7 left. What if this happens again? You are working 12 and have 11 left. Whatever. Rest assured that is not the only event in your shift. Want more? Call lights have been going off the whole time. People still have needs, others still need poop cleaned, need to be walked to the bathroom...oh ya, they don't walk fast or get out of bed fast. All of this adds up to time taken to do tasks but you still have assessments, medications and charting to do. You squeeze these tasks in between multiple needs, fetching water, coffee, etc. Someone comes to you with a blood sugar of 30. The patient doesn't swallow. You have to get an order for D50 unless it is a standing order. You have to get the D50 and push it in. It is thick and it doesn't go fast. Lights are still going non-stop - people still need poop cleaned, one of your patients is ticked cuz they haven't met you or they met you once and you haven't been back and they think they are the only patient you have. When you are done, you go to suck up to that patient so they don't turn you in. Next thing you know, they have multiple needs and you are there another half hour or hour. Pray none of your other patients pull the same stunt. You started at 7 - got on the floor between 7:30 and 8. Now it is 10and you haven't passed meds, call lights are still going non-stop..more...

Possibly the wounds smell because nurses don't have the time to take care of patients properly and they were rarely done right. Maybe the time that nurses don't have is the reason the wounds smell. Maybe not. Can guarantee you that with all the dressing changes needed, not everyone is doing them right. Are you going to save this guys life? Probably not, you know he will die and there is NOTHING you can do about it. You still need to clean the poop and change those dressings when they poop on them or get saturated through. In those two hours, did you turn any patients? Your charting has hourly slots that you have to sign stating that you rounded on each patient and offered them water, food, repositioning and toileting. Did you? You have at least 5 patients and mostly you have 9-11 or more. Two hours on two patients. Got a calculator? How many patients do you have on your assignment that you didn't get to EARN APPRECIATION on by 10pm? You still have meds to pass. Bet at least one of your patients can only take one pill at a time or you have to crush them and put them in something and you might be at the bedside for 15-30 minutes getting those pills in that patient. Or you hand the pills to the patient in their med cup and they go to put them in their hand to take them and drop them all over. Now you have to FIND them so a nurse following you doesn't find them and write you up. Depending on where they land, you now have to replace them. Maybe you don't have replacements. Now you have to contact pharmacy to replace them. Maybe they are busy and they don't come to you and after an hour or so you have to contact them again. Don't think for one minute you are sitting waiting to locate those pills. You WILL be busy. Hours fly by like seconds. Liking fast paced work doesn't make this job fun, glorious or rewarding. It makes it very stressful and concerning because you are concerned about doing something wrong, making a mistake, getting things done

You rarely can leave anything for the next shift because they get nasty about it even though it is a 24 hour institution. Maybe you have to pee. Maybe your mouth is dry. Think you have time to go to the bathroom and get a drink? Not really. You really don't have time to take your break. Getting out on time at the end of your shift is a treat! Want more?