I basically gave up 2 years of my sons lives when they were 8 and 10 to complete my RN. I never saw them awake till the weekend. I had school from 0630 till 12:45 and worked as a secretary on a psych unit from 1400 till 2230. I thought I was doing it to provide them with a secure future. All it gave them was a mother who was stressed out, had back surgery twice, and missed their school concerts and PTA meetings because she was always at work. Luckily they are now grown and have turned out well. But I missed too much, and I can't get it back. I don't feel we are compensated for our sacrifices, nor are we supported or respected by "mahogany hall" administrators. And I would like to know where in this country an RN makes $25.00 to $30.00 an hour. I've been an ICU nurse for 10 years and the best I pull is $18.00. No it's not just about the money, it's about not having the time to give the nursing care you want to give. If I have a patient going for CABG, and they are nervous and scared, I don't have time to sit and explain and encourage, but I'm supposed to take the time to write on the education sheet the teaching I've done. That's hypocritical, but it's the facts. No I wouldn't recommend this back wrenching, exhausting , thankless, tiring, heart wrenching, disrespected job to anyone.
[i feel like puking everytime I see an administrator or DON..]
Have you any idea what the DON does for her/his nursing staff? The sacrifices, endless meetings, and the shifts(usually night) that they're covering and w/o pay for their nurses? We are paid a set salary whether we work 25 hours or 90 hours; no over-time, shift differential, or bonuses for working them; including holidays. I've refused on several ocassions an increase in pay of, 5%, 7% or 9%, and requested it be given too my nursing staff.
I've been asked too resign twice because I 'Fought' for my nursing staff. I've always said too my staff that I'd never ask them to do anything that I wouldn't do. I maintain an open-door policy and yes, listen and learn each and everyday from my staff whether they're a CNA, LPN, RN, Charge Nurse, Head Nurse, Nurse Manager, or Nursing Supervisor. We have 'BULL' sessions twice monthly, together, solving any problems between each other or other 'Outside' influences.
I'm sorry that you feel so strongly about not recommending or staying in nursing, and if I was not too reply to your statement about DON(s).....
Maybe where you're employed or possibly your area of nursing is wrong for you, don't give up because of a single experience at your facility; you wouldn't be in nursing if you didn't care. I wish only the best for any and all of us that give, give, and give, but you can be sure that those you've cared for, admire and respect you.
If you're not getting anywhere with the idea's or thoughts related in all the replies too your post, then do as I've done many a time. I'm unable to remember the name of the movie, but it's where people stick their heads out the window and shout; "I'm Not Going Too Take It Anymore!"
Nurses often have to deal with patients whose comments can cause unnecessary stress. Handling them with humor lightens up the whole atmosphere. "I'm in love with you, " the hospital patient told his nurse. "I don't want to get well." "You won't," said the RN. "The doctor saw you kissing me, and he's in love with me too."
Wisonsin Nursing., I've been a nurse for 22 years, in various units. My last job I earned $41/hr plus benefits in a weekend program in an ICU unit. I work agencies & make anywhere from $35 to $52/hr. plus benefits. The jobs are out there if you look, especially agency nursing.
Just thought I would reply. I work prn in a nursing home making 22/hr (and they don't pay the prn people more than the regular full-time or part-time people). I also work for a nursing agency and make 38/hr med-surg. Luckily, I don't need to work a set number of hours right now so I can choose my hours pretty much.
Reading all of these posts, I have to wonder if I'm the exception. True, my pay could be significantly higher for the work Nursing involves. Yes, Holidays can be a trial if you routinely find you have to work them. Irregular shifts, days off, nights, etc... all take a heavy toll as well.
But for some mysterious, magical reason... I've still had opportunities to spend time with my children, make a difference in a patients life, grab some sleep once in awhile, earn enough to put a roof over my head, food on my table and even splurge on an indulgence or two. I've rarely, if ever, had anyone slander my Profession... and I do have a high regard for myself and my peers in this very unforgiving occupation, where we are presented extreme challenges everyday and sometimes constantly looking over our shoulders in an effort to watch our own backs when it feels as if nobody else is looking out for us.
I've had people ask me if they should enter Nursing... and I try to be very thoughtful in my answer. Those who would be put off by this work, I have no trouble telling them "No, I don't think this job is for you." For those who I see potential I say "Yes, it is a wonderful Profession, but not without it's pitfalls." I think this can be said for many high paying jobs available.
Yes, I've had my moments when I think I might move onto something different. But, I'm still learning something new in my current Profession everyday. And so long as I'm still learning, I'm still willing to give this often unforgiving Career a chance.
Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.
When I started out, way back in 1967 !! I felt SO very proud being a nurse. Once that uniform was on, I became "someone"!
I had this incredible sense of nobility & worth. I was eager to learn, eager to please. The years have rolled on by, all TOO fast, & now I'm a 51 year old woman, still nursing, but the sense of nobility, worth & pride has all been slowly chipped away. Some memories are priceless & will be forever treasured. Some are nightmares & best forgotten. On the one hand, I'm grateful for the experience, on the other....
Still, it's no good looking back, all you get is a stiff neck!!:chuckle
Would I reccommend nursing as a career? ... Once I would have, & did, but not anymore. I'm at the closing stages of my nursing career, only work agency now & just do the odd shift when it suits me. Don't like what's happened to the nursing profession, believe it's changed for the worse. Am loathe to suggest it revert back to "in my day", but...
Today's nursing is no longer what it used to be. Nurses used to be allowed to take care of the patients wants and needs. Now it seems that the family members wants take precedence over common sence and nursing judgement.
If someone was considering college I would not recommend putting those years into a nursing degree. The wages nurses receive are hardly comparable, especially for BSN and MSN degrees, to the same years put towards degrees in other professions. Of course, it is not all about money, but the profession is gruelling work at best; very hard on you physically and mentally. Sure there are some rewards, but more and more the patient is becoming the customer and the nurse is becoming the servant. Then as you get older and really want to get out of it, you realize how hard it would be to match the income. Avoid this delemma...pick another career!!
Tremmi, It's true about the wages in CA due to nursing shotage. I live in Northern Ca (Sacramento area) and know of nurses who make $40 per hour. It's also MUCH cheaper to live in Sacramento than San Francisco.
:) There is no way to convince someone of the worth of Nursing unless you can share the highs and lows and accepts that it take s both of these phases in a day of nursing to create a sense of value...not just the job but the effect it has on the multitude on people you will encounter. When I started my General Nursing course several of the Probies dropped out half way through the first 6 weeks. One girl in particular I tried to talk out of going and finally told her she would be back! Seventeen years later who did I bump into in the halls of the University. All she said was "Okay, you can say I told you so!" My reply was I am pleased to see you made it back. She now works as Clinical Consultant. You only need to be able to accept the intrinsic worth of every human being in that we are all on a journey of discovery that will not be without its bumps and rough patches.
But the honour of helping every trusting soul that commits their fragile and vulnerable existence to your care is without price... merely the reason for humanities existence.
If you feel nursing is a thankless job you are in the wrong business. Who took care of you while you were having your back surgery, the nurses, who was there to explain to you all the things the doctor did not. who quieted your fears if just for a while. who made you feel that all will be well. who gave you reassurance and was there when you came around from anesthesia? That all imortant thankless person who you would not reccommed to do the job. It takes a special person to be a thankless person. and I would not give it up. I am in the lpn to RN bridge for the fact that I want to be a nurse and I love the job. The nurse is the bridge between the patient, the family the docor and those thankless administrators. We are what hold the medical field together. Where would the world be without us?
I felt SO very proud being a nurse. Once that uniform was on, I became "someone"!
micro, RN
1,173 Posts
but wait till the reality of the sign on bonuses hits you in real life.............
oh, well............
can't fight city hall