When will being an RN stop sucking?

[lawandaluxnurse]

Why does it suck to be an RN these days, it is everywhere, in every area, I am so tired of being treated like dirt! We nurses do most of the work and the docs and big hospital systems treat us like peons. When did we lose the professionalism? WHen did being an RN become a negative profession? Where did all the jobs go?

[wooh, BSN, RN]

That's the beauty of being a nurse. If you're in an area you don't like, go work somewhere else. You can do almost anything in nursing!

If you can find a job, which is not easy in this economy.

Fact is, there's lots about nursing that needs to change. Unfortunately, as long as we have herds of new grads waiting in the wings, nurses are completely expendable, and the powers that be have no reason to allow us to make those changes.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I knew when I was in nursing school after experiencing clinicals that I loved community health nursing, and I really didn't care for hospital based nursing. This is still true 2 years later. Aside from the OR, I have no intention of ever working a floor. If the working conditions were better, I would work a floor, but they get worse each year. It doesn't matter, because there are so many other areas that I'm interested in, regardless. That's the key. Decide where your interests are, and go from there. I think too many people decide they don't enjoy working the floors, but then feel stuck. Don't despair. Nursing provides many options.

[beast master RN]

go to work , get paid , come home and be with my family that means more to me than anything in the world , maybe im simple but that seems pretty good to me

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

This is THE reason why we need BSN for entry. The physical therapists have been very successful controlling their numbers by requiring doctorate. When we become a more precious commodity, the hospitals will have to conform to better working conditions. And, of course, ratios. Ratios seem to be working well in California in that there are so few jobs because people are staying in their insitutitions.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

Make a change. Nursing has so many choices - so many specialties in varying practice environments. I cannot think of another career with so many opportunities and niches. Look in the mirror and take responsibility for your experience.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I've commented on your entry to practise standards in other threads, Subee. While many people disagree with the BSN as the entry point, this would help to control numbers. The current ADN nurses could be grandfathered in. This is the situation in Canada. All recent RN's require a BSN. We have no more 2 year programs. As a result, more jobs, fewer nursing programs, better working conditions.

[sauconyrunner]

I think too many people have a great desire to "LOVE" their job. I was an Emergency Dept Nurse for 12 years and then moved into another office type field. I don't adore either job, but I do recognize that I am lucky to earn a good living, which allows me to do things I want to do.

I've been quoted as saying, "I'm just here for the money" Sounds crass, but once you remember, you are getting paid to deal with all the BS we deal with...well, it gets easier. I realized that those awful patients were not trying to ruin my day on purpose, they were just the patient that ended up in my room. I did get a fair share of them too, as my Charge nurses told me, "you don't complain as much as xyz nurse." For the money, I gave my patients great attention and care, but I also did not work OT, stay late etc...

I also freely admit, I don't take stuff home with me. I focus on what I want to do in my life, and work my nursing schedule around it, not the other way around.

It has worked out. Some of nursing sucks, but then again, so does some of being a school teacher, or a janitor, or a physician, or an air traffic controller...

[TX.RN.Shannon]

This is THE reason why we need BSN for entry. The physical therapists have been very successful controlling their numbers by requiring doctorate. When we become a more precious commodity, the hospitals will have to conform to better working conditions. And, of course, ratios. Ratios seem to be working well in California in that there are so few jobs because people are staying in i have their insitutitions.

As a ADN RN, I am slightly offended. I am a damned good nurse and would put myself up against most BSN's and even MSN's I know. They may have more theory/managerial/whatever education, but doesn't necessarily mean they are a better nurse. I have much respect for your BSN (maybe I will go back to get mine one day), but I have respect for my ADN, too ( and the LVN I had before going on). Just saying...

[netglow, ASN, RN]

The idea that having a BSN as entry level for nursing practice will demand respect from employers has got to be one of the most spectacularly naive ideas I have ever heard.

Look you forget the fact that it's WHAT WE DO for a living that limits us. Not the degree.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with an ADN. I think though, that some of you may not realize the benefit of a BSN as entry to practise. There are far too many nursing schools and unemployed nurses at the moment. If nothing else, many schools would close, automatically limiting the workforce, which is a positive. Provided employers grandfather the current ADN nurses, you'd have nothing to be concerned about.

[missladyrn]

This is THE reason why we need BSN for entry. The physical therapists have been very successful controlling their numbers by requiring doctorate. When we become a more precious commodity, the hospitals will have to conform to better working conditions. And, of course, ratios. Ratios seem to be working well in California in that there are so few jobs because people are staying in their insitutitions.

I respectfully disagree. "Controlling the numbers" as you say is a bit of a crock. The reality of it is that hospitals are using non licensed personnel for more, hiring less, and demanding more from each nurse. They want one person to do the workload of 3. And the nurses are staying longer due to finances, so that leaves fewer openings. Regardless of ADN or BSN, hospitals are trying to increase profits and get more out of each nurse.

[Guest372004]

Nursing is always going to be disliked at times. It is a dirty job. Every person here knows this and still chose to do it. So get over it or go do something else. Complaining and doing it for 15 years? I have a lot of gross stuff to deal with but I still love the job most of the time. Sadly I think that my friends are now all at work so the companionship helps make the job enjoyable. It seems we are all in the same "sometimes drowning boat" . And the pay is pretty darn good where I live and that can be important.