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.
I worked on a subacute floor and I was the only LPN working and sometimes when the head RN was sick they made me take charge, which I didn't like because I had nothing but RNs under me. I even asked to be put back on the floor to work and my supervisor said I was better than most of his RNs, I was pretty good, but my pay status didn't change which I thought was kinda cheap.
But no, LPNs can't do everything, like giving Lasix IV push, dress ports, which I did take training for but they didn't like me doing it.
I could do just about everything else though!
In the two states I have worked, LPN's are specifically excluded from being able to assign or delegate tasks. But I think in an economic crunch, facilities will do whatever they can to save money.
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 think the economy has had some impact in my area, Chatt. TN, but there are still openings and nurses are being hired. One thing that is happening is the PRN work is being cut at some of the smaller surrounding hospitals and those who generally work PRN for the higher hourly wages are being forced to accept staff positions at a lower hourly salary. That will leave fewer positions for new grads. Looks like I graduated "in the nic of time!"
Here, it doesn't matter if you have ADN or BSN as far as pay goes, however BSN does qualify you for Community Health positions, but generally only after a year of med/surg experience. I don't think we are totally recession proof but I do believe the odds are in our favor compared to some other industries. I am anxious to see what the new administration will be able to do about the economy and how it will impact nursing. I am fearful that we are so far gone that the economy as a whole may get worse before it gets better.
I am starting work on my FNP in Jan. and i have gone over and over the wisdom of this decision, but plan to try to pay my tuition as I go as much as possible. I don't know how much if any more I will make as a FNP than as a staff nurse, but I think in my 60's I will probably be less able to keep up the hard physical work and long hours that I do as a staff nurse as a youngster in my 50's, LOL! They say the outlook for FNP's and other physician extenders is good. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
In the two states I have worked, LPN's are specifically excluded from being able to assign or delegate tasks. But I think in an economic crunch, facilities will do whatever they can to save money.
Yes, this will vary from state to state; each state having their own laws (i.e. Nurse Practice Act) that govern nursing.
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.
That is sooo true! There were only 7 graduate nurses from my class of 40+ that were hired right out of school. Prior to graduating, I worked for 2 years in a nursing home as a CNA and then switched to the hospital setting because that is where I ultimately wanted to work when I was done with college. I was a CNA/nurse tech for 2 years and was hired on the same floor where I worked nights, weekends, holidays, and was a team player. Basically I had a 2-year job interview prior to being hired as a graduate nurse. The orientation was awesome since I was the only new grad on that floor. GREAT experience
When I left this job after 2 years to move to a different state, again there were no full time jobs. I worked casual status at 3 facilities and was ultimately offered a full-time opportunity at all of them within the first 2 months.
I know there are nurses who are tied to a certain city because of a spouse's job that can't relocate or because of a sick relative- but that can't possibly apply to everyone.
That would be me. I went in to nursing partly so I could get out of Boston. Unfortunately, I'm stuck here until my father-in-law dies and my mother, who has cancer, either recovers or dies.
Maybe there should be a litmus test to determine which future nurses received the calling or are in it for the 'right reasons'. Give me a break.
It isn't my fault I'm an 80s baby who is now an adult and has the means to afford an education. I don't want to be included in a snide discussion about people who are just in it for a paycheck. It means more to me than that.
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
While nursing is a calling to many, I don't hold it against someone if he or she chooses it as a profession because it pays reasonably well and is likely to be relatively stable employment. To say a person isn't as good as he or she could be due to not having a nursing calling seems too much to me. I don't see people saying this about doctors' choice of profession as much as they say it about nurses.
Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg, Pediatrics, ER.
I never thought nursing would be impacted by the economy as we are seeing it now. The hospitals in my area have had lay offs recently. We were told today that the company will not be matching 401K contributions, we will not get merit raises in 2009, and we will have lay offs. It looks like the end of the so called "nursing shortage." I have friends who have already lost their jobs.
Maybe the duties of a RN/LPN varies from state to state. But where I live, the RNs do not wipe anyone's butt AT ALL, that is the job of the CNAs/PCAs. They do all of the dirty work now. A PCA told me that a RN once said, "I did not go to school to wipe ass, that is not my job". And they do not have to do it. Many of them don't.
I was trained in a hospital and saw many of the RNs just passing meds, and doing less strenous work, while the PCAs did the hard physical work. They were floor RNs and they looked more relaxed than the PCAs who were sweating and worn out from turning over patients, passing water, changing diapers, etc. I know alot of the RN posters will say "just because it doesn't look like we're not busy doesn't mean we're not doing anything" but when I worked in LTC facilities, and been trained in hospitals, they did not do as much work at all. In fact, I know a lady who is a RN, she LOVES her job because she gets to sleep most of her shift (she works the midnight shift).
Now the part aobut people being turned away because of blood and having to deal with feces..the first time is really awful, but after awhile you become desensitized to it. It's just becomes a job, and soon you become really efficient and fast that you're out of there efore the smell even hits you. But most nurse's assistant's and PCAs deal with that..the RNs/LPNs don't
The original post is way offbase. For several reasons.
1. The population is aging. The baby boomer generation is just hitting "old age" and won't die off until 2050.
2. The demographics of nurses currently in practice is an older work population.
3. Schools (atleast around here) are still not able to expand because of a shortage of qualified instructors willing to take a teacher's salary and a shortage of clinical sites. So this limits their ability to "churn out" new grads.
If there ever is a glut, it will take several decades to happen.
I'm not sure it will take several decades, but you make good arguments.
Like any field, people who don't really belong in nursing will weed themselves out if it's not done for them by schools or jobs.
I think the risk will be making the field easier to enter, thru a big push to increase nursing school capacity (by accepting less experienced/qualified instructors, fewer clinical hours, etc).
Maybe the duties of a RN/LPN varies from state to state. But where I live, the RNs do not wipe anyone's butt AT ALL, that is the job of the CNAs/PCAs. They do all of the dirty work now. A PCA told me that a RN once said, "I did not go to school to wipe ass, that is not my job". And they do not have to do it. Many of them don't.
I was trained in a hospital and saw many of the RNs just passing meds, and doing less strenous work, while the PCAs did the hard physical work. They were floor RNs and they looked more relaxed than the PCAs who were sweating and worn out from turning over patients, passing water, changing diapers, etc. I know alot of the RN posters will say "just because it doesn't look like we're not busy doesn't mean we're not doing anything" but when I worked in LTC facilities, and been trained in hospitals, they did not do as much work at all. In fact, I know a lady who is a RN, she LOVES her job because she gets to sleep most of her shift (she works the midnight shift).
Now the part aobut people being turned away because of blood and having to deal with feces..the first time is really awful, but after awhile you become desensitized to it. It's just becomes a job, and soon you become really efficient and fast that you're out of there efore the smell even hits you. But most nurse's assistant's and PCAs deal with that..the RNs/LPNs don't
I will be interested to see if other Michigan RNs/LPNs share your same view on your statement that the RNs/LPNs at your job dont clean people or deal with blood--I have never heard of such a thing--and sleeping most the night?? My Goodness!
When you become a nurse, LPN or RN, you become a team player. You have to be a team player, if not, problems crop up. Yes, wiping someone's behind is part of your nursing duties,and sometimes CNAs get really busy and you have to help them. To say you did not go to Nursing School to wipe someone's butt is ridiculous. Who do you think you are working with, Robots?
It also kills me when I hear new grads say, "Oh I just want to hold the babies". I am asking myself, what did this school teach this nurse? It is not a cake walk, you have to get your hands dirty, if not, you will be hated or dislike by many. We all have to do what it takes to make it to the next day in one piece. It's called hard and dirty work.
Woodenpug, BSN
734 Posts
In the two states I have worked, LPN's are specifically excluded from being able to assign or delegate tasks. But I think in an economic crunch, facilities will do whatever they can to save money.