I hate to say this, but I think it's true.....

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I think alot of people are going into nursing these days because of the economy and the stories drilled in peoples heads about how nurses make alot of money for only a 2 yr degree. I can tell this by listening to students in my pre-req classes. Some whom I talk to don't have the slightest clue about nursing but they can spout off how much money they think they'll make when they first start out. I'm sure some of you on here will agree with me. I was talking to this one student and he told me, "Yeah, I'm going into nursing. I was a mechanical engineer and was laid off. I can't find work in that right now. Nursing is only two years. I made good money on my last job."

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
Agree. You know, more often than not, I encounter that the pt's who have the "my insurance is paying for you to take care of ME (and only me)" attitude are the ones on free insurance that my hard earned tax dollars are paying for.

As for pt's not caring about the nurse juggling 10+ pt's, you do have to admit that a part of you has to agree with them. It should NOT be that way. Due to administration's greedy and all aout the bottom dollar mentality, often pt's have to wait and awful long time because it would be just much more manegeable to have a decent work load and provide efficient nursing care. Sometimes, it takes just one more unlicensed personnel to go around ensuring their pitchers are full of ice water or to make sure lunch's tray is removed from their bedside table (things that save us nurses time to do NURSING things). Yes, I have been the patient, my daughter has been the patient and no matter how nice, quiet and understandable I may be........you have to admit that grossely delayed care at times (because the nurse has 10+ pt's) still should not be the case and 'understandable'. By this, I don't blame the nurse........I blame the greedy head honchos above who purposely understaff or low census nurses and have them work literally busting at the seams.

As for the younger nurses with feelings of entitlement.......there are many and plenty out there, you are correct. To those younger nurses advocating (a.k.a b!xching, complaining, bickering etc) for better working conditions.......I find nothing wrong. Long gone are the days (or should be perhaps) when a nurse accepted the abuse, worked for nearly free, wouldn't bat an eye when a physician would throw a chart at her...........there should be a happy medium between the two extremes.

Thank you for your very balanced view of entitlement vs. not taking unnecessary crap. Just because people don't lay down so others can walk all over them is NOT entitlement. It's valuing the contribution of the profession enough to not let others devalue you.

A bunch of people above this post were lamenting how the generations (Xers and Yers) after the Boomers are just entitled nits. I have to ask this, then: who is raising those entitled nits? Yep, you guessed it...the Boomers.

I do believe in cohort differences, but cohorts raise other cohorts...a fact conveniently forgotten.

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Its not about generation X's and Y'ers. Its about humanity!! I may be young , but through my life experiences I have learned GREAT KNOWLEDGE!! NEVER TO HATE BECAUSE IT ONLY CONSUMES U. (if thats a hippie/yuppie belief then keep reading)..... I am a 29 yr old woman who battled cancer at the age of 15. I survived that battle. At 23 yrs. old I was brutally beaten and sexually assaulted by a complete stranger. I had the most BEAUTIFUL, CARING, SANE NURSE that provided medical/forensic care to me. To be honest, I can care less about why she went to nursing school. She was an awesome nurse regardless !!! Im tired of people making remarks about how this one is better than the other one bc of this and that. Its such catty, immature behavior and seriously people need to stop passing judgement on others because the only one that can do that is the almighty man upstairs. We as people are like tiny pieces of this BIG WORLD. We need to realize and be thankful, for every breath we take and every time we wake. People forget the "little things " in life and if that makes me a hippie/yuppie, then I guess I know abs. NOTHING and to those who feel they KNOW EVERYTHING. Well, U cant teach everyone, especially the "Know it all's " :)

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I just applied to nursing school after taking prereqs for two years. So, it will take me four years to get an associate's degree. I knew going in it would be harder and longer than any other degree, but I did it anyway. I'll also be taking a pay cut because, sorry, but nursing salaries are terrible, especially new grads.

I'm going into nursing mostly because of the flexibility and schedule. I worked ten hour days, five days a week before. I also got called at home for questions from my employees constantly. I have three kids and would love to work three, twelve hour shifts. I don't think it's going to be easy by any means, but it will be much easier (time wise) than my previous job. Of course, I wouldn't be going into nursing if I thought I couldn't handle it or wouldn't like it. I don't think you have to be a "special" person or feel you have a calling. If I waited for that, I would never have a career.

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I just applied to nursing school after taking prereqs for two years. So, it will take me four years to get an associate's degree. I knew going in it would be harder and longer than any other degree, but I did it anyway. I'll also be taking a pay cut because, sorry, but nursing salaries are terrible, especially new grads.

I'm going into nursing mostly because of the flexibility and schedule. I worked ten hour days, five days a week before. I also got called at home for questions from my employees constantly. I have three kids and would love to work three, twelve hour shifts. I don't think it's going to be easy by any means, but it will be much easier (time wise) than my previous job. Of course, I wouldn't be going into nursing if I thought I couldn't handle it or wouldn't like it. I don't think you have to be a "special" person or feel you have a calling. If I waited for that, I would never have a career.

You can start out by changing the 3 twelves to 14 hr days because that's what it ends up being. As far as leaving your job and not bringing it home, that's not always true. The one's who believe that have obviously never worked all night just to have the day shift call your house to ask you a question they could have easily figured out on their own. It's really great when they call just as you are about to drift off and some even do it just to catch you in a mistake and put you on the spot-Talk about "catty and back stabbing." I will also point out that a lot of people fool them selves into thinking, "I'd love to work just 3 twelves!!!!!":yeah::yeah: Have I got a surprise for you!!!!! If you came from a job with lunch breaks and being able to pace yourself, you can forget about that now. I'm not trying to scare you, just wish someone would have prepared me better, then I would have chosen a better career.

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Heathers21

I wish you the very best in getting into nursing school but I think you really haven't looked into this

career enough. First, you need to understand that these days an associates degree doesn't cut it.

Most health care providers are requiring BSN. There are many new graduates unemployed at the

moment. Many hospitals are refusing to train new grads; so many new grads have been out of school

with their license for as long as 1 year. Jobs for new grads are not available as it was two years ago

so many new grads are accepting temporary or per diem assignments to get some experience; so a

3 day 12hr workday may not be an option. Lately new grads have been taking whatever comes along

to get that experience and then transfer later on.:rolleyes:

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I'm well aware of the situation with new grads. I don't see how you can't know what's going on if you read these boards. In my area, it doesn't matter if you have an ADN or BSN, you won't get the job you want with either degree if you have no experience. I have all but three prereqs for my BSN which I will complete before I graduate with my ADN so I can go straight into the 1 yr online BSN program. Knowing what I know, I will try to get a part-time job as a nurse tech my last year. This is the best way, ADN or BSN, to get a hospital internship. However, if I am unable to or the schedule doesn't work out, I will take any job to get experience. This may not be the case in your area, but it is where I live.

I don't doubt that being a nurse can be a heavy workload and a fast pace. That's not my concern because I've been there before. However, even if I have to extend my workday two hours, that's fine. I would much rather have to only work three days no matter how grueling it may be. When I left my house at 7am and didn't get home until 7pm, I only had one hour to spend with my kids until they went to bed. This was five days a week. That is unacceptable to me, but an unwritten requirement of my previous job. That's why I am switching careers.

I understand why everyone may be burned out. I was burned out in my last job, too. It's exciting to do something different. Think back to when you first started working. Weren't you pumped to put in the long hours? I know I was in my last job that I started 13 years ago. It's not the same anymore and I need a change. If you're not excited about your job any longer, consider switching jobs. Don't stay in something you are growing to loathe.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Regarding nursing hours and work environment....People have to realize that not everyone will be going to med/surg..plenty of specialties are still hiring, even new grads. I get my breaks and meals and rarely have to stay past my shift. I also almost never work weekends and only have to work one major and one minor holiday a year.

Do I work in Utopia? No, but compared to what I hear about on here, pretty close to it apparently.:confused:

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Hi Heathers21,

Don't misunderstand me. I realized that you were not from the NY area because you mentioned

earlier that Nursing doesn't pay a lot in the beginning. I am well aware that some areas do offer

other nursing specialties and some salaries are better than others but I was just cautioning you

by making you aware of the nursing situation today. I was basically generalizing.

I also am fully aware of what burn out is. I am a new grad that switched from a 15 yr legal career

with an Associates, which I received in 2 yrs, and I recently started my first nursing position

(not in a hospital) paying very well thank you, after six months of intense searching and I know

it is no picnic in the nursing world like a lot of people going into nursing school or soon coming out

of nursing school think it is until they start looking. Yes, there are specialties that do not pay

new grads a decent salary and usually they are mostly in the central and southern states,

trust me I know I even considered relocating after getting no call backs.

I am happy that you are aware but you may still have lots of surprises coming your way.

However, I wish you the very best in your new adventure and Best of Luck. Keep the faith. Peace.

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Yes, I am in a southern state that pays about $24/hr to start. I am lucky that I don't have to work so the pay isn't that big of a deal for me. However, I was making more at my previous position than I will as a nurse.

I don't doubt there will be surprises when I start working. Isn't that the way with all positions? When I used to hire my employees I would caution them about what they were getting into as well, so I understand what you're saying.

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Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.

I too am in a Southern state and I only wish they paid $24 to start!! They might in the bigger cities here, actually. I'm in a "medium"ish size city and they start at about $20.

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