Nursing is pathetic...

Tara · Nov 11, 1999

IF you are someone who cares about the health and well being of people and have the ability to constantly learn and challenge yourself, if you can think of inovative ways to improve and prioritize the needs within the system, if you have the ability to be a team player and motivate others than become a

nurse. NURSING IS ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE it comes in many forms and goes in many directions. Nursing has a lot to offer and you get out of it what you put into it. Yes,

I would recommend it.

nrm · Nov 12, 1999

I would be very careful recommending nursing as a career. I have been out of school for 12 years and the change to unlicensed caregivers and such is a real bummer. I worked for 1 year in a med/surg setting. It is almost impossible to give what I consider top quality care when the RN is responsible for a huge load of very ill patients and the help is a "technician" or an "aide"-and he or she is surly and difficult and overworked,too. The liability and the work load are incredible, and the pay isn't good.

I am an RN and I work in a school now and deal with families and kids, pay is even lower but I think the nursing is better.

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nancynurse

katea · Nov 15, 1999

I love nursing----the act of nursing, that is----but I abhor the conditions under which we must work. As for recommending nursing as a career, I would tell people what I've always told them: I suggest that anyone who is interested in nursing, work as a nursing assistant for 6 months to a year. As an assistant they won't have the responsibilities of an LPN or RN, but it will give them a sense of what it's like, and allow them to make a more informed decision.

Katea, Working for a Better World

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barton · Nov 15, 1999

I have to agree with most of what LAS and katea wrote.

If people are thinking about becoming nurses, "trying it out" by working as a CNA, might help them make the decision.

As for those of us already in nursing, I think we need to write our legislators and anyone else who can help us, in an effort to effect positive change, for patients, and ourselves.

ForMoe · Nov 15, 1999

Looks like you work for AGH. Poor guy. If you have been nursing for ten years, we may have graduated at the same time. Bad time to graduate. The bottom fell out of nursing in the Pittsburgh area in 1993. Where did you go to school? CCAC? Pitt? Doesn't matter. What does matter is how you vent your anger. What are you doing about it. Do you call your legislators? Write letters? If not. Stop whinning and do something. As you may have guessed, I am well aware of the situation in Pittsburgh. This problem is country wide. Visit www.hospitalhub.com/community/cng/index.html to learn what others are doing about it. Did you know that ABCs 20/20 is going to do a story this month? The CNG has been writting letters, called legislators and helped ABC. For the sake of your patients, turn your anger into a positive force for change... or get out of nursing.

[This message has been edited by ForMoe (edited November 15, 1999).]

natosha · Nov 19, 1999

I feel the same way that "nursedude" feels. I also feel that nurses are overworked, underpaid and get no respect. I've been an r.n. for 6ys now and I am looking to get out. Forever? I don't know. I know for sure that I don't want to end up like a lot of nurses I know...high BP, ulcers and bad attitudes. Currently, I am taking tests to get into a law enforcement agency. I feel that I am young enough to pursue another career..one that is challenging and that will give me the respect I feel I deserve. I know that I will always have my license to fall back on, but for now, I want out. Nursedude, take my advice and try something new, something you've always wanted to do. Take a break and get out of nursing for awhile, you will be happy you did!

mn nurse · Nov 20, 1999

I agree that people should pursue careers that they enjoy and are rewarded in ways they value, but if you're looking for respect, I'm not sure you'll get loads of it being in law enforcement. The "good" citizens always seem to be critical, and the criminals sure aren't going to give you the respect you deserve! Law enforcement officials also have their share of stress, and the HTN, ulcers, depression, etc. that goes with it.

I have had patients throw things at me, and I much prefer that to being shot at! I'll stick with nursing.

tenarnc · Nov 20, 1999

ND,

Your are the one who is pathetic. Nurses work so hard to be who they are and to care for their patients. It's not all about money.The majority of nurses will tell you that they want to help people. They are CAREGIVERS. If you want power and money, go back to school, be an electrician or something. You do not belong in nursing. Nurses are many things to many people. Nursing is not for the weak. It sounds like your hospital administrators made some poor choices. And if you can't live with that,either do something to change it or get out. I get tired and angry sometimes, but there is nothing else I'd rather do than be a nurse.

adireen · Nov 23, 1999

I DON'T WANT TO BE A PLUMBER OR AN ELECTRICIAN -- I STILL MORE THAN ANYTHING WANT TO BE A NURSE.

YOU SHOULD GET OUT, NURSEGUY OR NURSEDUDE, NURSEMAN, WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS. YOU SHOULD TAKE UP TRUCK DRIVING. THE BIG RIG SEEMS MORE LIKE YOUR CALLING.

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Irene

ForMoe · Nov 24, 1999

First. Congrats nursedude. AGH went union this week. Second...

RED ALERT---Call/E-mail everyone!!!

ABC 20/20 story is on for Nov 26th

as told to me by Silvia Johnson herself

Pass it on

Read this from Silvia;

Thanks. I hope a lot of people will see the story. The AHA president is

already doing damage control -- interestingly, not by alleging that our

story is wrong. That would be a stretch, given the number of nurses I've

heard from.

Best,

Sylvia Johnson

ABC 20/20

Kellie F. · Nov 28, 1999

I am just embarking on a return to school at the age of 33. I have chosen the field of Obstetrics - I will become an RN first and eventually a midwife.

A friend said this to me: There are four types of people. Those just trying to survive, those who are making ends meet, those who are striving for success, and those who are striving for significance.

I think most of us who pursue nursing are in the latter category.

I am keeping an open mind, listening to the naysayers and taking in their complaints, but trying to keep my passion and spirit for nursing intact.

BJA · Dec 4, 1999

Great Topic. I am male. I received my BSN at age 37. Nursing is the first "job" I've had that I thought of as a career. My wife is an RN also. She worked in traditional settings for a few years, now works "freelance" as adjunct nursing faculty, etc. She loves it. I work in Critical Care in a large hospital. The demands of nursing are well-documented in previous posts. I too sometimes wonder (with a laugh) how it was that I sacrificed so much in order to clean poo. Seriously folks, patients and friends ask me about the demands of nursing, pay, hours, etc. My standard and honest answer is simply, "I love what I do, I love the people, and I know that I make a difference in the lives of my patients." I also add this, "You can't do this just for the money. There are easier ways to earn it, like ditch digging for instance."

Of course I feel that we should all get more money, respect, etc. In my mildly deluded state, I sometimes think we are actually making progress. And finally ....

I do recommend nursing as a career for people who feel "called" to it. If you don't feel it in your heart, then don't do it.