....of a valid bunch of reasons. Do I have to explain to anyone my reasons?No. Do you have to explain to anyone your reasons?No.
Anyone and "anything" can come into nursing. Yes, at the begining, but they are always weeded out. And if one check misses them, then another will catch them.
Why all the bruhaha over one's reasons for joining nursing?Yes the competition is going to be excessive and with the influx of nursing possibly there would be a wage decline, but hey, that still does not give any one person autonomy in nursing. Nobody should be judged for their reason for going into nursing or be made to feel bad.
It's the computer age, if it's autonomy you seek, try there. To paraphrase, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but GOd looks at the heart".
After all is said and done, what we NEED to be looking at is patient care and not judging another's motives. Sometimes, we burden ourselves with inconsequentialities.
I too get very annoyed at the holier than thou attitude of some nurses. It's a very simple world view. Just because someone is going into something because it pays reasonably well does not make them an uncaring person who will not give good patient care.
And is this situation unique to the profession of nursing alone? Pls name one profession where there are no loafers? Heck even physicians have their not up to par members. Take for instance, the "infection-control" physician.
I never said it WAS unique to nursing. Don't put words in my mouth. Physicians are (and should be) concerned about slacker physicians. Teachers are (and should be) concerned about slacker teachers. etc.
In fact, one of the hallmarks of a true profession is that its member "police" themselves and the other members of their profession to maintain high standards and perform in the manner that society expects of them. If we fail to do that, then we cannot be considered a profession. When nurses see other members of their profession slacking and not living up to the standards of the profession, they have an obligation to the profession and to society to address that poor performance.
Are you really condoning the tolerance of poor performers just because every profession has a few slackers? I hope not.
BTW: I don't have the "true calling" either. For me, nursing was partly a practical choice and partly due to a desire to do meaningful work. I couldn't see myself making or selling "widgets" all day.
Specializes in Clinicals in Med-Surg., OB, CCU, ICU.
I remember the day when I applied to Nursing school 3 1/2 years ago, the security guard looked me in the eye and asked: "Are you sure you want to do that?" (meaning: to be a nurse.) Believe me, I was go back and forth for many months with the same question, and came to the decision I would not know unless I gave it a try. So, 3 1/2 years later, with only 16/60 students left, I have only a semester of school. I can honestly say, I truly want to be a nurse.
The job to me does not have a dull moment. I am currently doing my preceptorship on a CCU floor. Just in two days of being assigned, I have witnessed two codes (not my patients, LOL), practiced distraction with a patient who repeatedly was found pulling at his telemetry and IV sites and lines. Assisted a patient with calming down, after being advised by the physician that it is requirement of him to stop smoking or lose his leg. I assisted with applying pressure to the central line site after it was discontinued (30 minutes.)
This job gives me an opprotunity to learn about life. It has provided me with the realization of what truly is important in life. I really get "high" on assisting others with dealing with the "overwhelming" life experience which has been thrown at them. The patient's family too also is very much part of the equation.
Believe me it is very hard work, it requires a lot of stamnia. It requires one to have confidence in one's abilities. It is a job which I believe which will not only provide me with a good future career, but it will be a job I will get out of bed for each morning.
I became an RN mainly so I could have a steady income, buy my own house and not have to live hand to mouth anymore. I guess this means my motivations are selfish but I'm not ashamed because at work I do the best that I can with what resources I have.
I too get very annoyed at the holier than thou attitude of some nurses. It's a very simple world view. Just because someone is going into something because it pays reasonably well does not make them an uncaring person who will not give good patient care.
I concur ! I'm a nurse first because its a dream and 2nd the pay is great!
I'll hopefully be entering nursing school next fall and I'm doing it to get out of an abusive situation (AKA, my family). Yeah, I could provide with other jobs, but nursing tends to pay better and would allow me to continue schooling in what I want. I guess that means I'm just as selfish as others - yeah, I like people, and don't mind helping them, but this really isn't something I can see myself doing past needing to support myself through the rest of my undergrad and into graduate school. I'm 19 and don't have the ability/supplies to move out. Gotta start somewhere - nursing at least pays a little better than 90% of jobs requiring the same schooling.
I can understand going into nursing for a "steady job" etc. but since it's impossible to get a job as a new RN these days (at least in Ohio), is that still a good reason?
I can understand going into nursing for a "steady job" etc. but since it's impossible to get a job as a new RN these days (at least in Ohio), is that still a good reason?
Oh yes. I'm sure that the job shortage in nursing will end far sooner than job shortages in other areas (call me Pollyanna lol). NO job is recession proof when we're actually in a DEPRESSION.
Oh yes. I'm sure that the job shortage in nursing will end far sooner than job shortages in other areas (call me Pollyanna lol). NO job is recession proof when we're actually in a DEPRESSION.
I think things will improve, but I'm not too optimistic regarding how the situation for inexperienced nurses will be for at least the next few years. With the rapid increases in nursing school student output, the large number of unemployed new grads, and hospitals likely to be reluctant to spend tons of money until they recoup some of their losses (or failures to gain like they expected) from the hard years, it remains likely that new grads (and old grads) will have a rough time finding good work.
DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP
1,301 Posts