I need to vent! Frustrated ADN

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I feel like I get on here and vent every couple of years, and at this point I'm starting to think it's a sign.

I've been a nurse for 10 years. I was an LPN for most of that time, and I graduated from an ADN program in December 2015. I live in Seattle and work in a plasma center, which is only a good job if you want to do a minimum amout of nursing. Most of the time, I stand around putting paper wristbands on people. I get paid pretty well to do it, considering what it is, but it's a total waste of my education, experience and skills.

The problem is, no one else wants that experience or skills. Well, that's not entirely true. SNFs and ALFs want my skills. But I spent a good portion of my career working in SNFs, and I don't want to do that anymore.

What I want is to work in the OR. I've wanted to work in the OR since 2005. But no one will hire me for that, because I don't have the all-important BSN yet (although I'm accepted into and starting this fall). Despite my experience and the fact that, while in both the LPN and ADN programs, I weaseled my way into every OR I could get into...they'll hire someone with NO experience as a nurse and NO experience observing in the OR...just because that person has the BSN.

I've even noticed that some jobs are staring to post things like "Preferred: MSN". WHAT?!!?!! Why in the hell do you need an MSN to work as a floor nurse or circulating OR RN? And you KNOW these hospitals aren't paying for that MSN. You know they MAYBE reimburse a tiny portion, and I'm sure the pay raise (if there even is one) isn't worth the effort, time or tuition. Why do you need an MSN, if you're not planning to be a nurse educator?

Basically, when I got the LPN, they were starting to "phase out" LPNs (and, side note to new nurses: don't even bother getting an LPN. You might as well just be a CNA, because that's how you'll be treated). And then as soon as I got the ADN, it's like I'm right back to where I was with the LPN. It's not good enough. Being an RN isn't good enough! It's so f*cking ridiculous.

Meanwhile, my former classmates are getting jobs in the big hospitals, but I don't even get interviews. Is it BECAUSE I have experience? One of my coworkers got hired into an OR residency after she graduated with the BSN. She had no nursing experience and had never even set foot in an OR, not even one time. She had no idea what she even got hired to do.

It's really, really hard not to feel bitter and resentful towards the nursing profession. I always feel like I'm fighting to take one step forward, while people who haven't put any time in just get these great jobs with zero effort. I'm sure once I finish the BSN, it's going to be the MSN. Where does it stop? And the profession does very little to support us.

I'm going to do the BSN because I have no choice, since my experience and my track record as a really good nurse mean absolutely nothing. Since the ONLY thing that seems to matter is that I have the three all-important letters.

But, man, I'm tired of the lack of support and the treating ADNs and LPNs like second-class citizens now, especially since I've worked with so many stellar ADNs and LPNs, who were far better nurses than some of the BSNs I've worked with.

Just needed to get that out. If you read it, thank you. Not expecting responses. Not asking for advice or rebuttals, either. However, if you would like to commiserate, feel free.

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As you don't want advice.. and just want to complain.. I will only commiserate.

I had 30 years or experience with an ASN. I was fried with the bedside and got outta dodge.

Hope this does not violate YOUR terms of service.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I live in Seattle and work in a plasma center, which is only a good job if you want to do a minimum amout of nursing.
This sounds like a dream job to me. You get to generate a full paycheck for a low-stress job where you don't sling bedpans, deal with egomaniac surgeons, wipe stinky bums, or be yelled at by verbally abusive families at the bedside.

I couldn't care less if I never learned another procedural skill for the rest of my life. I realize I have a good situation here, far removed from the floor.

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This sounds like a dream job to me. You get to generate a full paycheck for a low-stress job where you don't sling bedpans, deal with egomaniac surgeons, wipe stinky bums, or be yelled at by verbally abusive families at the bedside.

I couldn't care less if I never learned another procedural skill for the rest of my life. I realize I have a good situation here, far removed from the floor.

I can commiserate! I was applying for anything and everything to GET ME OFF THE FLOOR! I applied twice to a plasma center.. never heard a peep back.There went 2 more wasted applications into file 13.:blackeye:

Remember the OP TOS.. no advice.. only commiseration.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

"I've been a nurse for 10 years. I was an LPN for most of that time, and I graduated from an ADN program in December 2015. I live in Seattle and work in a plasma center, which is only a good job if you want to do a minimum amout of nursing. Most of the time, I stand around putting paper wristbands on people. I get paid pretty well to do it, considering what it is, but it's a total waste of my education, experience and skills."

I see greener pastures. Give me some wristbands...:)

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Man, that sucks.

Good luck on not getting advice or rebuttals.

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Have you tried the agency route. I was an LPN for about 15yrs and when I went back for my ASN the hospital I worked for wanted to start me off as a new grad and with new grad pay. So I left. But since I had been doing agency work they immediately bumped me up to RN pay. If you get into the hospitals through the agency you can then make your mark and possibly land a job.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.
As you don't want advice.. and just want to complain.. I will only commiserate.

I had 30 years or experience with an ASN. I was fried with the bedside and got outta dodge.

Hope this does not violate YOUR terms of service.

The (unnecessary) snark continues.

OP, maybe if you could just get your foot in the door with Med Surg or Acute Rehab it would get you one step closer towards the OR.

Also, MSN preferred for a floor position? Unheard of where I'm at...

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I feel like I get on here and vent every couple of years, and at this point I'm starting to think it's a sign.

I've been a nurse for 10 years. I was an LPN for most of that time, and I graduated from an ADN program in December 2015. I live in Seattle and work in a plasma center, which is only a good job if you want to do a minimum amout of nursing. Most of the time, I stand around putting paper wristbands on people. I get paid pretty well to do it, considering what it is, but it's a total waste of my education, experience and skills.

The problem is, no one else wants that experience or skills. Well, that's not entirely true. SNFs and ALFs want my skills. But I spent a good portion of my career working in SNFs, and I don't want to do that anymore.

What I want is to work in the OR. I've wanted to work in the OR since 2005. But no one will hire me for that, because I don't have the all-important BSN yet (although I'm accepted into WGU and starting this fall). Despite my experience and the fact that, while in both the LPN and ADN programs, I weaseled my way into every OR I could get into...they'll hire someone with NO experience as a nurse and NO experience observing in the OR...just because that person has the BSN.

I've even noticed that some jobs are staring to post things like "Preferred: MSN". WHAT?!!?!! Why in the hell do you need an MSN to work as a floor nurse or circulating OR RN? And you KNOW these hospitals aren't paying for that MSN. You know they MAYBE reimburse a tiny portion, and I'm sure the pay raise (if there even is one) isn't worth the effort, time or tuition. Why do you need an MSN, if you're not planning to be a nurse educator?

Basically, when I got the LPN, they were starting to "phase out" LPNs (and, side note to new nurses: don't even bother getting an LPN. You might as well just be a CNA, because that's how you'll be treated). And then as soon as I got the ADN, it's like I'm right back to where I was with the LPN. It's not good enough. Being an RN isn't good enough! It's so f*cking ridiculous.

Meanwhile, my former classmates are getting jobs in the big hospitals, but I don't even get interviews. Is it BECAUSE I have experience? One of my coworkers got hired into an OR residency after she graduated with the BSN. She had no nursing experience and had never even set foot in an OR, not even one time. She had no idea what she even got hired to do.

It's really, really hard not to feel bitter and resentful towards the nursing profession. I always feel like I'm fighting to take one step forward, while people who haven't put any time in just get these great jobs with zero effort. I'm sure once I finish the BSN, it's going to be the MSN. Where does it stop? And the profession does very little to support us.

I'm going to do the BSN because I have no choice, since my experience and my track record as a really good nurse mean absolutely nothing. Since the ONLY thing that seems to matter is that I have the three all-important letters.

But, man, I'm tired of the lack of support and the treating ADNs and LPNs like second-class citizens now, especially since I've worked with so many stellar ADNs and LPNs, who were far better nurses than some of the BSNs I've worked with.

Just needed to get that out. If you read it, thank you. Not expecting responses. Not asking for advice or rebuttals, either. However, if you would like to commiserate, feel free.

My husband tried several times to get a position in the plasma center and was turned down because he lacked a BSN. I can see where the job would get boring, though. Maybe ask someone you trust to take a look at your resume and cover letter or go through a mock interview with you. There could be something you're overlooking that prevents you from getting an offer in the OR.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/LDRP/Ortho ASC.

I'm gonna break your TOS and ask one question...do you live in a large city? I worked in a mid sized hospital in a smaller town in the South as a patient care tech in nursing school- OR/PACU. They hired ADNs all the time, new graduates even.

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Specializes in LTC, PACU, Psych, OB/GYN, ED.

""""Basically, when I got the LPN, they were starting to "phase out" LPNs (and, side note to new nurses: don't even bother getting an LPN. You might as well just be a CNA, because that's how you'll be treated). And then as soon as I got the ADN, it's like I'm right back to where I was with the LPN. It's not good enough. Being an RN isn't good enough! It's so f*cking ridiculous.""""""

Your statement is COMPLETELY false. I am an LPN, I work as a charge nurse, I am also a nurse preceptor. I make more than my RN counterparts, not to mention I precept them. Get off your high horse!

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Hmmm, I've gone as far as I wanted with my ADN. I've worked in cardiopulmonary/post-interventional/telemetry, emergency, infusion services, and administration. I've been approached for peri-operative services, but declined because I don't want to take call. I value my free time too much for that.

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