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Started in a full-time hospital job, which was what I wanted...no prior hospital experience. Thankful opportunities for new grads were plentiful around here.

Thank-you, this is exactly what I was thinking when I submitted the original post. It irks me to see my fellow women (specific women I have in mind) overworked, tired, and unhappy. I am not here to...

*They* are unhappy and tired. I sympathize with them. It doesn't affect me personally what their husbands do or don't do.

I've been working with a lot of young (20s-40s) nurses who are the primary breadwinners in their families. Not single women/single Moms, but wives basically supporting their husbands and kids,...

Rarely. Signed up in advance for one or two extra 12s over the course of last year because I wanted the money and had some time off up ahead. The work is so hard on the body that I avoid extra shifts...

You are the ultimate judge of your individual situation. Many people have worked their way through nursing school, but how many have dropped out because school, work and family were too much? More...

Dear nohika, Many of the pros have already been mentioned. Another potential pro is that as an RN, you'll be out in the workforce making a living sooner than if you go directly through a...

Put yourself first. Your health and well-being are your top priorities. That feeling of false guilt? Forget it. My days off are mine, end of story.

How is swine flu vaccine availability at your facility/in your area? Did you get yours? How was it? Our hospital has been vaccinating direct patient care staff on a voluntary basis for the past...

I went into nursing with my eyes wide open. It has its ups and downs. I enjoy helping make people better whenever possible, wanted--and now like--the flexibility that nsg offers. I never planned on...

I've yet to meet a real-life nurse who refers to her pts. as clients. I will always call patients, patients.

If one has a good job (supportive environment, good working hours, decent conditions), then s/he is fortunate. If s/he is stuck working in a terrible place because there's nothing else out there...

Would you consider graduate school? (not MSN, but PhD or MS in a field other than nursing--much easier to secure an assistantship for those than for an MSN, and that usually comes with a tuition...

Oncology breaks my heart...I have to have some emotional distance from the patient pop. to work effectively... That being said, I hope to never work in a hellhole where nurses are penalized for...

OP: what a hellhole you were working in! So sorry to read of your experience and so glad you're no longer there! I will not work while very ill and I don't care if my supervisors like it or not. I...

LMAO! That's so out there! I would have told the NM to go get his stuff herself!!

Thank goodness, we don't have to make up for shifts we've missed due to being sick.

Don't be so hard on yourself! No harm was done. You wrote that the pt. arrived at shift change. I don't ever fully assess a new admit who gets there at or less than an hour prior to shift change,...

Hang in there, it's so overwhelming at first. Please don't quit if you are in a generally supportive environment. Four med surg patients is a blessing!!! Many places will give you 5-6 and up to 7 on...

When I was a young teen, I had a dream about my childhood best friend's grandfather. I saw him sitting by their house on a bench, and wildflowers were growing out of his face. I soon learned that he...

>>I went through the very same situation as you accept I was that " Book nursing student" My patient was a diabetic that was very >>out of control and she refused to eat the food that okay for her to...

This resident is manipulative and noncompliant. I don't reward or pander to that sort of behavior, so yes, I'm by the book. I politely explain consequences of refusals and document them in the pt.'s...

We don't have it. There are always opportunities for overtime (extra hours or extra shifts), but they are 100% voluntary. I like that.

OP: before you spend money on a CNA course, I would inquire at hospitals in your area if they hire nursing students. A lot of hospitals will let you work as a sitter as soon as you start nursing...

Great responses! I completely agree. Networking is key, and we have to play the game to get a foot in the door. I like the recommendation to contact your former classmates and instructors to help put...