Everyone seems to be turning to nursing. I remember way back when (5 years ago) when nursing was a calling. There were still other jobs a person could do and make a living--like heating and air conditioning. Now nursing is a lifeboat--a recesion-proof job that anyone and everyone is considering.
I see post after post in here of people who have no experience, no particular desire, and no particular aptitude for nursing inquiring about nursing as a job. They need something to pay the bills. I just went to a restaurant tonight, and two of our waiters are starting nursing school.
Let's face it, with the coming depression, nursing wages are attractive. So here's a prediction, please tell me if you agree or disagree:
Nursing boards will start requiring a 4-year degree to sit for the NCLEX.
The Nursing shortage is going to end in about 3 years; in five there will be a glut of nurses and getting a job will be about like getting a job as an NP is now.
Travel agencies will cease to exist and agency nursing will go the way of the way of the dinosaur.
Without unions, hospitals will force nurses to take about 14 patients a shift and will simply fire those who won't do it.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I didn't see her post as a "cut-down" to ADN nurses....she merely stated that "for her", she was glad to get her BSN....
it is a fact, there are more opportunities for a nurse who has her BSN...
I know, I am ADN and missed chance for DON due to no degree, I settled for supervisor.....
I would never go back to school, at my age, and I am definately not saying that BSN are better nurses, just more opportunities available to them.....usually they go to adm. and don't work the floor anyway....
Its all relative. i dont believe there'll be an end of the nsg shortage for many reasons one main one being that to become a nurse is not a day's job but i do foresee some changes. it may all come down to flexibility and putting up with lower pays or environments that one might not necesarily care for but let's just watch and see. they are alot of factors to be taken into consideration here. dont scare the students and people who are considering going into nsg. my two cents.
Reading all these posts on this topic has really discouraged me! I was so enthused about going to school to be a nurse and now Im not so enthused anymore. Most of the post on here sound like its doom and gloom for the nursing profession.
Reading all these posts on this topic has really discouraged me! I was so enthused about going to school to be a nurse and now Im not so enthused anymore. Most of the post on here sound like its doom and gloom for the nursing profession.
I'm just surprised the conversation has not turned to what a person who really has their heart set on being a nurse can do to secure a job. Because, there will always be jobs for those who are competent and work hard.
And what's all of this about people choosing not to seek care because they don't have the income, insurance, etc? Where have you been? The baby boomers are getting older...... They are going to need care regardless of income, etc. This is part of the nursing shorting as previously listed. I'm not sure we're living in the same country.
Well, I can only tell you where *I* have been, and that is in a direct position to see people who would otherwise get surgeries they need, except for the fact that they can't PAY FOR them. Yes, I see people who "choose not to seek care", or more specifically, they have insurance but the co-pays and percentages of the bill they'd be responsible for would ruin them. So they forgo the treatments for now, hoping that things will turn around enough so that they can afford the healthcare they need. Trust me, it's the same country. But perhaps you haven't seen enough of it to recognize what I'm talking about.
The aging of the Baby Boomers does not give credence to your argument (which is, I think, that since people will need care there will always be lucrative jobs in healthcare). The fact is, the people who are MOST likely to seek healthcare are those who do not pay for it AT ALL: yes, the people who have Medicaid to pay for their needs, or are completely uninsured and therefore don't expect to pay anything anyway. Truly, the ones who have the least to lose are also the least likely to do without, at least from what I've seen. And that sure doesn't line the hospital's pockets, or yours. The hospitals don't get the reimbursements they need or expect? It comes out of the nurse's bottom line, don't kid yourself.
Everyone needs healthcare, true. But what's not true is the thinking that since there are needs, they will all be PAID FOR such that everyone who works in healthcare can expect financially secure jobs in the future.
Hospitals in NYS are facing the falling axe of budgetary cuts, and it's a BIG AX. People who HAVE insurance are going to find themselves having to travel to further facilities to find ones that can handle their needs, as the cuts involve eliminating certain kinds of care at certain hospitals, period. The people who ARE paying for their care are going to find it harder to get. And the ones who don't pay a dime, well, they'll get what they need as they always do.
Doesn't mean my income is secure. Only the need for me to do my shift. My hospital has tanked our raises this year: sorry, folks, budgetary slashes mean you don't get a cost of living increase---again.
Did you have to cut down Associate of Science Nurses. That's a low blow.
Many ASN nurses make bette nurses than BSN. Don't start gloating because you have a BSN, or the enemies on the flloor will give you hell.
As for LPN, they know more on the floor than a R. N. Their skills are above par and a BSN is so involved in theory that many can't start an IV, insert a Foley Cath, or put down an NG tube. You are stepping on a lot of toes here, and hurting many people by your statement
I am an associate degree RN and I agree with Otessa.
You are obviously biased towards LPNs- "As for LPN, they know more on the floor than a R. N." I think you are stepping on a lot of toes with this statment.
I was an LPN for as long as I've been an RN. I've been on both sides, and I can assure you that my clinical skills are better and more expansive as an RN than they were as an LPN.
I'm not sure how one can seriously say that an LPN is more clinically competent than an RN. LPNs don't even work in an ICU, or at least none that I have worked in. So, how can an LPN be superior to an RN, clinically?
Where I work, there are no LPNs in the entire hospital. Where I have worked in the past, LPNs don't start IV's don't push IV meds, are not responsible for their shift assessments (an RN has to co-sign them) and, have to work under the supervision of an RN.
Don't get me wrong: I have worked with some damn fine LPNs, but to say they are clinically more competent side-by-side to an RN, as a matter of principle, is ludicrous.
I'm sorry, but isn't it the case that there are really only two entities in medical care: the MD and the RN? Everyone else is an assistant to one or the other, are they not?
When I was an LPN, I did work as a charge nurse. I still feel now as I did then- charge nurses should be RNs, only.
I'm a bit confused: what is the scope of practice for an LPN. For instance, can they do independent nursing assessments without an RN? If so, then at least in a LTC facility, there would be no need for an RN, because there are no advanced IV medications being given. Yes/No?
I'm a bit confused: what is the scope of practice for an LPN. For instance, can they do independent nursing assessments without an RN? If so, then at least in a LTC facility, there would be no need for an RN, because there are no advanced IV medications being given. Yes/No?
I was IV certified as an LPN, and worked as charge of my LTC unit on nocs. There was an RN who was charge of her unit in another building, if I needed something only an RN could do, or needed her opinion on anything.
Some states (KS is one) only require an RN on site 40 hrs a week in LTC. In these facilities, LPNs are usually charge, and one LPN may be the only licensed person in a facility on nocs.
In some LTC facilities, LPNs are DONs, and have managerial authority over staff RNs, although they are still under the RN clinically.
I do not agree with an LPN being given any kind of power or authority over an RN under any circumstances.
When I was an LPN, I did train/precept RNs on occasion- a few of which who were inept. However, it was the Clinical Manager (an RN) who ultimately had authority over both of us.
I worked as a CNA at hospital where there was team nursing RN, LPN, CNA. When I graduated I became the RN as part of that RN, LPN, CNA team. These were people I worked with and my scope of practice changed-not who we were as a team. I have a great respect for all the members of a team.
As I stated previously, for me, this was the best option-it is difficult to go back to school-I'm in a MSN program after being out of college since 1992. Tough to go back.
I went to a hospital-based nursing program-pretty much our whole senior year was clinicals in many settings. I know this is not the case in all BSN programs.
as a side note: pet peeve alert
When I moved to a different state they couldn't believe that I actually bathed my patients and wiped their butts. It still annoys me when any healthcare professional thinks they are too good to take care of their patients ADLs ( I've worked with RNs, LPN, and CNAs with this attitude).
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
maybe it is just the South, where I live, but I swear, I have NOT seen a shortage of nurses here....in fact, just the opposite...
we have so many applicants for a position that is open....a friend that is a DON told me there are plenty of nurses, too many to find a job in our area....the local hospital has a freeze on hiring now...so I find it hard to understand the posts that talk of a shortage of nurses....
just because you may be working understaffed, just as I do, does not mean there is a shortage....the co. just doesn't want to hire any more nurses....
I think 2009 is going to be an interesting year for the nursing profession. I think the idea of the end of the nursing shortage may become more popular. Even in this forum, you see it all the time: people posting for the first time saying they used to do this or that and now they think they will become a nurse so they can have a better and more steady income.
And why? Because everyone believes there is a nursing shortage. When I graduated nursing school, I had my pick of 4 hospitals I was pretty sure would hire me. Now, I wonder how many of the students will have that same luxury.
And you make a good point when you say that just because there are positions on paper doesn't mean the management is going to fill those positions.
aloevera
861 Posts
I didn't see her post as a "cut-down" to ADN nurses....she merely stated that "for her", she was glad to get her BSN....
it is a fact, there are more opportunities for a nurse who has her BSN...
I know, I am ADN and missed chance for DON due to no degree, I settled for supervisor.....
I would never go back to school, at my age, and I am definately not saying that BSN are better nurses, just more opportunities available to them.....usually they go to adm. and don't work the floor anyway....