Would Love some input...

Talino · Sep 4, 2001

1. Weekly (2) 12-hr shifts supervisory/management level in a long term care facility w/ full Family Medical/Dental benefits. (2) 12-hr shifts in an ER @ $45 - $50.00/hr thru an agency.

2. If I chose not to be a nurse, I would be in Advertising or a computer-related field. Biotechnology would be awesome.

3. New grads are passive observers. Wait a few more years when they get burned out.

4. Unions? Nowadays to go against management, it's an advantage to be in one.

5. Good feeling as a nurse? In the ER -- "Whew, we actually saved a life?" In LTC -- seeing that debilitated elderly resident smell and look clean and not develop a single bedsore for years and a humble caregiver who gives a smile when complimented.

6. BSN? Minimum? I'll pass on that.

7. New grad in NYC hosp. $25.00/hr. LTC - $22.00.

8. Same as number 1.

WELCOME and GOOD LUCK!

___________________________

It doesn't matter what you choose if your heart's not in it.

SharonH, RN · Sep 4, 2001

Originally posted by MATSK
1.What would your ideal Nursing job be, type, hours money benefits etc.? Please stay somewhat grounded in reality (not $100 grand, 10 hrs/ week with full benefits for life :) ).
2. If you are choosing to leave Nursing what career do you plan to persue instead, (if any) and why?
3. Do you feel that the new grads coming in are helping Nursing in its fight for better working conditions, pay etc., hindering it or neither.
4. Do you feel Unions are an answer to some of the issues facing Nurses and do you belong to one?
5.What do you like most about being a nurse (hopefully its more then you find scrubs more comfortable than suits :) ) and what do you like the least (#1 thing and it can't be "everything", even if it's true:D !)?
6.Do you think in the U.S. that the minimum Nursing degree offered will ever be a BSN?
7.What do you think is a respectable starting wage for a new grad? (Where I live it's between $17-20/hr)
8.What area of Nursing are you in and what type of facility do you work in?

1. Ideal Job in Nursing: Teaching or consulting, working for myself.

3. No, most have no true idea of what they are getting themselves into.

4. Yes

5. The mulititude of opportunities

6. No

7. Respectable or market? $17-$20 is market. I wouldn't call it respectable for the work that is being done.

8. Med-surg, ortho-neuro, telemetry. I float and I work in a 300+ bed non-profit hospital.

I hope that helped. If you are a glutton for punishment then nursing is definitely for you. But perhaps that is not fair. There are many who get a great deal of satisfaction from it even under the current working conditions. Good luck to you.

Over-the-hill-Nurse · Sep 4, 2001

Hi. Nursing as a career? I guess it would depend on what you percieve nursing is and why you would want to do it. Myself, I would recommend nursing. I love what I do. I have been a nurse for 11 years and currently work in a CCU unit of a small community hospital. There is some downfalls to it though. One, long hours. Two- the paperwork has become a nightmare! Three- they aren't paying nurses what they are worth! On the up side, I enjoy helping others get back on their feet, being able to teach, and saving lives. You asked what would I do if I decided to leave nursing? I have been contemplating on that. I would probably stay in the nursing field in one copacity or another... The Legal Nurse Consultant interests me. Other questions you asked- the pay... The average here in Ohio is btween $17.00 and 21.00/hr. I sometimes wish I made more money but I didn't go into it for the money so.... Would I recommend someone to go into nursing? In some aspects I say yes but it is a field that you have to be prepared for the long hours, the large amount of patient load (pt/rn ratio). And putting up with a multitude of different attitudes, personalities, moods, etc... You also asked about union or nonunion. When I was in school there was a hospital that had just recently went on strike and voted for the union. Today, that hospital and its staff are not any better off. During the strike, the hospital lost alot of departments that are still not up and running. Talking to some of the nurses afterwards, they weren't making anymore than the other nonunion hospitals and didn't really gain any ground. I personally prefer to work for non union. I hope that this helps. Good luck in your decision. As I said, you have to go into it with your eyes open and also for the right reasons.....

Enright · Sep 4, 2001

I have the questions below but I wanted to add that I'd suggest you think through very carefully an accelerated BSN program ( I assume that is what it is at 16 months) with 3 pre-schoolers at home. I 'survived' an accelerated BSN program and it was extremely grueling. While I did have a husband I did not have children. The mothers in my program had a very difficult time even with supportive husbands and lots of day care. It will demand everything you have and you won't get days off for routine children's illnesses. Forewarned!

1. My current job is my ideal one...after 15 years of clinical work I am in a consultant position, M-R, 0600 to 1630, full benefits and excellent pension, 47K.

2. I chose not to leave nursing when I couldn't take it physically anymore...I stayed and found a role that made the best use of my skills. More than half of my class have left nursing for real estate, etc.

3. New grads are essential to the profession. Sure, their training will be different but we need them and they need us.

4. I've been an RN with a union and without. I wish they were not necessary but I am afraid they are...I'm pro-union.

5. I love the career options nursing has offered me...far more than my last career. I dislike the glass ceiling of pay scales.

6. I am a BSN but I don't argue the education question. No win.

7. I think you are hearing a realistic starting wage for a GN in the midwest.

8. I work in a government office and in the field as a community health RN consultant. That means file review, program development and speeches in Shriner halls!

lisavelrn · Sep 4, 2001

1. ideal nursing job.. something in education,10 hr. shift 3-4 days/week.. $30-$35/ hr. and full medical and dental benefits at a low to no cost to me, and 6 weeks vacation time that you are able to take.

2. what other job besides nursing.. a science teacher, full time mom,or surgical tech.

3. new nurses.. i don't feel they are hindering nursing, I welcome them, we were all there at one time. I don't feel they are ready for any critical care areas, they need med/surg before anything.

4. unions.. I personally don't feel unions do anything.. sorry folks.. I used to be a member and they did nilch for our poor working conditions. I would file grievences and they would just get filed and still nothing has changed, needless to say I don't work there anymore..so if you want some guy to come around every few months and promote himself as you union president and collect your money and see nothing happen, feel free not for me.

5.like most and least.. no really i love the scrubs especially the pretty pink floral ones.. LOL:p I like the opportunities and variety, i like to see someone very ill leave the hospital alive and somewhat walking, even though they will have to go through therapy. I appreciate when people say thankyou, unfortunately not all that much.

and what i like least.. nursing is an unappreciated career.. the majority of pts and family members think that you are making a mistake or doing something wrong. unfortunately when i go home i can't stand to hear my family complain how they feel.. I get enough of it at work. so I tell them to suck it up. horrible of me:o and of course the nature of a job that is 24/7 365/yr you have to work holidays and every other weekend.. not getting the summer vacation that you want.. and working with people who don't believe in teamwork.

6.minimum nursing degree.. now i am an associate degree nurse.. i don't feel there is a difference in some of the BSN nurses that i work with and me. Maybe if some of the institutions give and incentive besides 0.50 - $1 extra an hour for a BSN then we will go back. Of course in management you should have a BSN.

7.starting wage.. in long island, NY its become very competitive.. i feel starting yearly salary should be 55,000- 58,000/yr. of course you can get more in NYC.

8. where do you work.. I work in a community hospital on long island, in the critical care units. I am an RN. looking at maybe going back to school for my BSN. But once you stop its hard to go back. I've been out of school for over 3 yrs.

david81 · Sep 5, 2001

Wow, where does one start?

i got into nursing by flipping a coin, and had no regrets since. It is hard, long, many times unappreciated, demanding, over stimulating -- should I continue. Yes, you may have days where all you want is to get home crawl into a dark corner and just sit, as you are spent, but above and beyond, after you have recooped, you feel great. You have done things that not everyone could/would/should do and for the ost part you have accomplished things that others will never be able to. I have no regrets, and still love what I do.

If I find myself getting burnt out in one area, I try to move (within the same institution, so not to loose seniority and such). Sometimes taking a risk and doing somethine else alltogether might be even a better idea. Bottom line, nursing offers the world, however it is only up to you to explor it and find your spot. just make sure your family is well prepared for those days when you just can't spend any energy on them.

If you like people and working with them, are confident with yourself and your abilities, go for it. I did and have no regrets.