discouragement from RNs...

[CA-FNPtobe]

Hi there. I have wanted to go to nursing school for the past 10 years. I haven't enrolled yet do to family needs. I was a CNA in an LTC facility for 2 years. I loved the nursing/patient care aspects of the job but burnt out due to the chronic understaffing. So I went to college and avoided nursing. But have stayed in the health care field because I like it. Now, 10 years later,I want to go back to school for the second time to become an RN (and eventually an FNP).

I am now taking my first pre-reg and getting an A. I feel comfortable around patients. I have 2 years of experience with patient care as a CNA. And other experience with seriously ill family members. I have seen highs and lows. I want to be an RN. I also have enough experience to know that I do not want to be a floor nurse or in an LTC forever. I really want to have my own practice. And perhaps even teach a little. Not because I hate hospitals but because I want to be an FNP. There is a part of me that gets so excited when I think about what I could do someday.

Although there are a few nurses in my office who are encourage me most of my coworkers act as if I'm crazy. They tell me that 'I'll never make as a nurse'. that nurses are 'glorified b**t wipers' and that if I want to make money I shouldn't go into nursing. The pre-dominant message I hear is that nursing is stressful and that I don't have what it takes. I'm not going into nursing to get rich and I think I can make it. But their behavior is

starting to get to me.

I have heard the expression that "Nurses eat their young". Frankly, I think they are licking their lips!! Will I be devoured when I get through school? Do their comments make sense to you? Has nursing changed in the past decade to become as bad as all that?

Any comments(or encouragement:D ) would be appreciated.

[funnygirl_rn]

Originally posted by CA-FNPtobe

I was a CNA in an LTC facility for 2 years. I loved the nursing/patient care aspects of the job but burnt out due to the chronic understaffing.

--Since you have worked as a CNA in LTC, then you already know how HARD those nurses & CNA's work. As you stated, you got burned out due to chronic understaffing. Understaffing pretty much occurs anywhere...that is common.

Now, 10 years later,I want to go back to school for the second time to become an RN (and eventually an FNP). I want to be an RN. I also have enough experience to know that I do not want to be a floor nurse or in an LTC forever.

--Sounds like you know what you want...so go for it!

I have heard the expression that "Nurses eat their young". comments(or encouragement:D ) would be appreciated.

--Yeah...there will always be nurses that eat other nurses...It doesn't matter whether you are young or old, inexperienced or experienced etc.... these nurses are generally unhappy with some apsect of their life or job...so often they take their crappy disposition & try to make you have a miserable day as well. But..just ignore them...or try to find a cohesive atmosphere where..the morale is "better".

--But, as Hello Nurse posted...the environment/conditions are really taxing. Understaffing, unsafe ratios, heavy patient loads, no respect & sore backs or rather tendonitis in my case...has taken its toll. Work is physically demanding & I am looking elsewhere...before my body falls apart! But, there are always other areas in nursing you can check out...since you mentioned above you do not want to be a floor nurse..that a FNP is your goal. Do what will make you happy & best of luck in your endeavors.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

My reply to the woman who said you would never make money in nursing? It all depends. I am an LPN working agency in a metro area. I make the same or more money than RN's working in the same facility. AND I live in a rural area about an hour out from the city, so my money goes further. I am not wealthy, but compared to most people who live in my town, I make good money for someone who is not a doctor, lawyer or own an inherited established business.

As for those who say don't go, it all depends on your attitude. I think most nurses go through periods of burnout and discouragement due to bureaucracy and stupid rules, but talk to people in other fields and they have the same issues.

There are times when I think I need a new field, but I can't think of any that I would like as much, other than gardening and in my area, that's not a year round event. My own daughter watched me go through these periods and said she'd never be a nurse. Guess what she's in school for right now? RN!

If you want to be a nurse, then go be a nurse. I can't promise you roses and ice cream or even satisfaction every day, but if it's your deepest desire, you WILL be happy with your decision. And sometimes you will have days like I had yesterday when I got TWO compliments on my nursing ability from OTHER NURSES!!!!!!

THAT, and compliments from patients are the things that really pick you up during the bad times.

I have also found that you have to find "your" kind of place. I worked in one hospital, transferred to a hospital owned by the very same company, and it was two totally different worlds. The first hospital ate their young, old, new, didn't matter, they didn't help, all stressed out, made sure you were too.

The second hospital is GREAT! They welcome you with open arms, everyone helps, I dont' think ONE person has made an ugly comment to me personally, they are always trying to be pleasant and build one another up.

So..........GO!!!!!

[sammycat]

It sounds like you have given this alot of thought. I too had been called to nursing for years before I was a nurse, I just didn't realize it. I started as an OR tech. I traveled down the road as a dental asst. and a CS tech. It seemed as though I was always on the verge of making the commitment of going for the prize of RN, just scared off by the message of "Nurses eat their young". As an RN for the last 12 years, I gladly accept new students and grads with open arms and teach them all the things I never learned in school. There are many more nurses like me then there are like the ones you heard about. Nursing will never make you rich with dollars, only smiles and the peace of knowing you did a good job with not enough help, supplies, rest, coffee, or bathroom breaks. You will enjoy your time off more, appreciate your family more, develope humor more, and stand with your head held high. Take it from a former wall flower. I don't need to climb Mt. Everest, I do it everytime I walk into that ER. You will make yourself more marketable in this world than any CEO of a big business, more educated than most of the people you know, and happier than you ever thought possible. Just take care of your back, learn how to lift and chart as if each chart were going to court. The rewards are endless. It seems like nursing is calling you, why don't you answer? :D :D

[Scotty]

I was a journalist before I went into nursing. I was called an idiot by lots of nurses, for leaving journalism. I left journalism because it was so unethical and there were some middle aged bitter unpleasant women reporters that I didn't want to turn into. I joke now that I've turned into a bitter middle aged unpleasant woman anyway. Seriously though, after 15 years of nursing I still love it. There have been some serious low points, but I move jobs if a place is bad to be in. Currently I work in a well staffed, friendly, safe ICU with great co-workers and management and I love it.

Go for it and make it work for you. There is a shortage of nurses all over the world and their are lots of career options within nursing. The pay is so-so but you are unlikely to be out of work. Good luck!

[live4today, RN]

Originally posted by Scotty

........I left journalism because it was so unethical and there were some middle aged bitter unpleasant women reporters that I didn't want to turn into.

Uhhhh...the nursing staff sounds much like what you left behind in journalism, Scotty. :chuckle :roll :chuckle

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

Originally posted by jeannet83

You will definitely find pretty much two groups out there. Those nurses that enjoy what they do and get alot back from helping others and those nurses who are negative and ready to devour everyone in their path. Unfortunately that is one of the drawbacks to the field but I imagine there are negative people in other fields as well. I just avoid the negativity as much as I can, stay around positive people and keep learning as there is always something new to learn in medicine and nursing.

I imagine that some of your coworkers may be feeling jealous or angry-afraid of your positive ideas for career advancement. Just like positive people can be drawn down by negativity, I think it is hard for negative people to be around people who are upbeat and have plans to better themselves.

So ignore the negativity and forge ahead. You are on the right path! Keep us posted, Jeanne :)

She sums it up right there ! I agree 100%. :)

[mailnurse]

I wish it wasn't so...

To say that all nurses eat their young is a sweeping generalization...however,many do.

Follow your heart,f--- everyone else.You will find there are shining stars among the masses of insecure,backstabbing,backbiting,nurses who have no heart for rookies.

When you find such a shining star,stick to this person like glue.Pick their brains,ask lots of questions.Ask them for feedback about you,your performance.Mentor is another word used describe such a nurse.

It would be really cool if you find a nurse like that who also happens to be your supervisor-double blessing!

[naddy]

Hi ladies,

I'm a new grad but I have been in the medical field for a long time. Now I don't know about whjat nurses really go thru, but I also have heard stories. But, I'm curious...what do you ladies mean when you say nursing is going down hill???? Do you mean economically?

I must admit, I have not started work yet and I wish that I would have picked another career myself, but now that I have it, I have to make the best of it. I'm a people person and I'm also very compasionate, but frankly this is a Career and I want to make some good money. Do you ladies know what it takes to make the big bucks in this field??

[sammycat]

reply to naddy: To make "Big Bucks" in this field, pick one area you love, get close to a doctor who wants to take you under his wing and make you his assistant. That means you have to be very, very good at what you do. Assistant to a cardiologist or plastic surgeon comes to mind. Or you can go on for your ARNP or nurse anesth. or PA. Nursing supervisors are nice, but expendable in the wake of hospital takeovers and makeovers. Get all the alphabet letters after your name and any hospital management courses you can under your belt and you can get on the corporate ladder. I would, but I am a nurse, not a politician. I prefer to treat patients, not pamper paperpushers. I guess I was ment to work from the trenches, not get a view from the hill. Don't forget there are many areas of nursing, not just hospitals. Occupational nursing in the many workplaces, working for insurance companies, movie companies, red cross, blood banks, theme parks, nursing homes, doctors offices, and many more. don't limit yourself.

[naddy]

Wow. you seem to know a lot about the opportunities in nursing. I would love to be your pupil :) Thanks for all the great advise, I was already looking into getting different certifications. I just got my ACLS the other day. How much does it help to become a member of a national nurse association? Does becoming a member of a nursing board in the hospital really has it's advantages?

I'm 27 years old and I'm going to start my first job in the nursing field next month at Northwestern Hospital. I want to take all the steps necessary to succeed financially. Any other suggestions?

Naddy

[sammycat]

To Naddy: I started nursing when I was 28. I have worked for insurance companies, hospitals and Busch Gardens in Fla. I started as a nurses asst in a nursing home. I have done home health through agency nursing as well as Dr's office work. I have an Assoc. degree and belong to no national nursing associations. I am not on any nursing boards in any hospital. I do, however, keep my eyes and ears open. I listen to the doctors and older nurses talk. I listen when the bigwigs are around and I hear what they say. I ask questions. I love being around those who love to share their knowledge. I have ACLS and PALS. I work in ER and ICU. I have worked extra shifts in detox and mental health wards and learned there. I have been a cancer patient. You will be amazed what you will learn and where you will learn it. Going to seminars is nice, but it is usually backed by a drug company pushing a product. talking to the patients or going through it yourself is a lesson you will not soon forget. Having a loved one with mental illness will teach you more than you will ever want to know about psych drugs and their effects. I can tell you more than I ever wanted to know about chemo or radiation. Talking with patients will also help you to define what areas of nursing fit your personal desires. I grew tired of seeing the same patients all day long, every day, with no hope. Their families hoping brain dead people would wake up and be normal. So I changed to ER. After a while, you get tired of the frequent fliers with made up aches and pains hoping for a narcotic fix or a bed and breakfst, so you want your ICU patients back. Thats why I work both. Breaks up the pace. You appreciate both more. Hope this helps.

[naddy]

Thanks A LOT Sammy, it sounds like you have a lot of experience and I like that. Thanks for sharing your career and personal story with me. I'm also eager to learn and determined to suceed and try new things. I will follow your advise. Thanks again:)