So I got the job. . ..then I quit the job. Here are my reasons in no particular order:
1. The only place I could find to hire me was a SNF. . .and it took 3.5 years. I would hate to say it, but this particular SNF/LTC was horrific. To put it short: They were using medication techs as RN's due to staffing issues. 30+ patient ratios. The shortcuts by the LPN's were appalling. As it turns out, this SNF has a reputation for shady practice including mass NARC theft (prior DON), care violations etc. . .Not worth it.
2. I lost the passion. I don't know when or where it happened, but I found that I have completely lost the passion for nursing. It is just not in my heart anymore. I think being rejected for 3.5 years coupled with being away and disconnected from nursing for so long promulgated this change. The fire that once burned in me for nursing has died.
I do think things would have been a lot different if I was able to secure a new grad program position on a med/surg floor right out of school. Now I just can not relate to the field as I am too far removed from it. "Distance makes a heart grow fonder . . .. too much distance kills it"----I do believe this has happened. I have changed over the last 3.5 years and nursing no longer fits who I am or what I want out of life.
It is a very strange feeling. I chased a carrot for so long. When I finally got it I realized my tastes changed; I no longer like carrots. Now I do not know what to do. I enjoy helping people and have been told I am a "social animal". This, along with the scientific coursework, is what originally inspired me to be a RN. I do not see these things in nursing. I see pain, misery and exhaustion. Perhaps I was naïve.
I envisioned being an OR nurse or something like that. I did not envision myself working in SNF. . ..if I would have known that this was going to be my only option I would not of pursued my RN. I feel you do need to have a "caling" so to speak to be that kind of nurse--I do not.
I know this is getting long. . ...
In closing. . ..I do not know where to go from here. Nursing is out. Any ideas of what can be made out of an RN degree?
"...I sometimes feel like I was part of an enormous bait-and-switch..." Boy THAT'S for sure. ASN nursing school trains you to be a hospital nurse. What they DON"T say is that you will most likely never get employment in a hospital as an ASN RN. If you DO secure a job, it will be in a LTC, or in home care - NEITHER of which are discussed much in your ASN schooling. IOW, you might as well have saved time and money, and simply gotten your LPN, because as an LPN, you are just as employable as an ASN RN in LTC and home health. My advice would be: forget about earning your ASN. It won't get you anything you can't get more cheaply and quickly by becoming an LPN. If you want to become an RN, plan on getting your BSN, or don't bother.[/quote']
That may be YOUR experience but there are plenty of new grad ADN RNs in hospitals. And your job options are limited as an LPN and the pay is less. Now I have nothing against LPNs but if you're going to give advice, at least let it be sound advice.
That may be YOUR experience but there are plenty of new grad ADN RNs in hospitals. And your job options are limited as an LPN and the pay is less. Now I have nothing against LPNs but if you're going to give advice at least let it be sound advice.[/quote']
I think it was sound advice. Where I am from it would be nearly impossible for an adn to get a hospital job. The exception being if they had some sort of tie to a hiring manager.
If hospitals in your area are hiring ASN RNs then you are fortunate. It doesn't happen here (Indiana).[/quote']
Well I am fortunate. I worked my butt off in school full time and I worked full time as a CNA for this very reason. It's not impossible but if your area isn't that great then you can either wait it out or try to find a job in another state. You either succeed or you quit.
Let me explain....Nursing (as far as I see it now) is not just a business. It is a profession that requires more than just knowledge and scientific aptitude. The "calling" is an analogy for a depth of compassion for others above and beyond what would ever be expected or REQUIRED to succeed in another career.
Going into nursing with a "business" mentality will result in dissatisfaction and unfullfilment for many. I am pretty sure that many of the "I hate nursing" posts result from this. Sadly, once one reconizes the mistake it is too late.
Knowing nursing is a business for me: 8 years experience and no burnout
You with a calling: no nursing experience one taste of the job and "burnout"
It's working for me...let's not paint that brush too broad.
A (slight) attitude adjustment in the objectivity could make ALL the difference...just sayin.'
Its working for you...ok I guess that means it works for everybody and what I said holds no merit...great! Also, I agree; I need an attitude adjustment. Being rejected for 3.5 years and hired by only by a sketchy SNF is no reason to be disappointed--I should be skipping down the street singing show-tunes.
Its working for you...ok I guess that means it works for everybody and what I said holds no merit...great! Also, I agree; I need an attitude adjustment. Being rejected for 3.5 years and hired by only by a sketchy SNF is no reason to be disappointed--I should be skipping down the street singing show-tunes.
You can skip down the street if you like; however, my point is you if even want to be a part of this business, you have to find a way to get your feet wet-not every position is a dream position, and you may have to hold your nose while honing your practice.
My additional point is-not everyone thinks it's a calling is deemed a slacker or bitter; most who look at this business objectively do it well; having an attitude adjustment to cope with the negatives of this business can help you get that experience and that position and even better-hone you to be a better nurse...but what do I know, a nurse with experience and NO burn out, carved a niche that has opened doors for me in the trenches and STILL enjoy the business after 8 years...trying to share my wisdom that was given to me...
If you've been a nurse for 8 years, you started in 2006, when the job market, especially for new grads, was very different. I dare say you didn't have to look for 3-1/2 years before you found your first job.
If you've been a nurse for 8 years, you started in 2006, when the job market, especially for new grads, was very different. I dare say you didn't have to look for 3-1/2 years before you found your first job.
I became a LPN in 2005, RN in 2012; It took me almost a year to find an RN position, despite my "experience"...facilities and orgs would look at my stellar LPN experience THEN tell me, "if you ONLY had two years RN experience, THEN we will hire you."
I could've been bitter, could've been mad, could've felt "entitled" but no, I've dealt with setbacks; as a new LPN, my hospital that I thought I was going to spend my entire nursing career stopped hiring LPNs. I dusted myself off, and found a job. I could've been mad, bitter-my energy adjusted and hit the pavement and found two jobs in an area saturated with RNs and LPNs in 2005-I networked.
My honing my practice had been a rocky start-the position I waited a year for I got the "not a good fit now" notice and mutual agreement because of what I felt I needed for my practice, was unemployed for an additional amount of time and JUST got my economic situation back again, I had to go through another job and got some valuable leadership experience and just got another position with a great balance and have the leadership job as PRN; something that I wanted to do-it took TIME and having to have a MAJOR attitude adjustment to the groundwork that I laid out for my career in this business I go BACK to ground zero when you were once a "expert" in your practice...it's FAR from easy but I KNOW I what needed to make it happen; I don't recoil when comparing nursing as being a business , I run my own race with the newfound information and make it work any way I can.
My point is, run your own race, be mad if you must, but use to your advantage, not to let it eat one alive; and what I know about this business, is it can and has done that to many people-I REFUSE to let it happen, and because of this; I HAVE found my niche; the OP can either dust up, run their race or quit and put those trainers away; I'm basically stating OP can give it another SHOT and can be successful at it, even if it means looking at what it is-a business; I'm not saying to sell your souls or anything, lol, I'm saying it takes WORK, investment in honing in this business; and the OP has that power, even if they feel powerless right now.
A bad attitude is THE WORST. It messes with your energy and it's hard to get back up from under those rain clouds but, a conscious change in attitude will make you feel able even if it doesn't lead you to your goals. People rarely regret the things they tried, only what they didn't try. The world owes us no favors.
, I run my own race with the newfound information and make it work any way I can.
THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN
1,381 Posts