Interesting Observation

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I have noticed that many LPNs that graduated from my class or the two classes behind me are RUNNING from their jobs. They are finding that the work is 'too much', that 'it is not like they said in the books' and that they are overwhelmed. Also, quite a few of them have decided to go back to school to become RNs...not so much because they wish to better themselves, but because 'they don't work as hard as the LPNs'. I remember warning many of them while we were in school together, that ANYWHERE in nursing (especially at the bedside), the work is hard. You have to really want this, for SOME reason. One girl was honest with me and told me that after all was said and done, she didn't wish to be a nurse at all. She did it only because her family wanted it, not because she wanted it for herself. She went for a job interview and while being escorted to the floor they intended to assign her to, she realized that she could not handle working with sick people. I can appreciate her candor.

I suspect that these people who are choosing to go back for their RNs may be sadly disappointed as well, unless they elevate themselves to MSNs. No matter how you slice it, they certainly wish for you to have some ER or med-surg experience in order to function. Many of them were self righteous during class until they walk out into the real deal, and I suspect that many of them were not really into patient care, anyway.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have also noticed this phenomenon. Many of my former classmates entered nursing school with a very idealistic mental picture of the profession, and would spread rumors about people who weren't doing things "by the book." They would also gripe about the nurses at the clinical sites who used shortcuts.

These classmates also reported a clinical instructor who attempted to assign them a whopping 2 patients instead of the usual 1 patient. If these students complained about having to care for 2 patients during clinical rotations, I wonder where they are in the world today. In the real world, LTC nurses care for up to 60 patients by themselves. In the real world, some med-surg nurses have 6, 7, or even 8 patients for which they must provide care.

Prior to entering nursing, I worked hard labor at a factory for 3 years. I dealt with hazardous issues such as climbing a three-story paper machine daily, cleaning high speed equipment that reached over 400 degrees, going into tunnels and damp basements, and transporting very heavy objects with cranes. I left my job everyday with sweat on my body, pulp on my clothes and shoes, dust in my hair, and exposure to carcinogens. Compared to the hard labor environment of manufacturing, nursing has been a piece of cake so far, which is why I have been able to hang in there. I suppose that my life experiences tell me that there are far worse work environments than nursing.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

It is like these students were actually spoiled brats!! I am sure that your former classmates WISHED that they can only have two patients, now. I hear the whining, the pity parties, and all. It was like; where were they during clinicals. Even though the student had a light case load, it only takes common sense to look at the nurses in roller skates ...and saying "This, soon, will me ME".

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

I had a job waiting for me after LPN school with the hospital that gave me the scholarship. I went straight to tele and remember having 9-10 pts as the norm. Somedays the ICU was so busy they'd ship these "sick" folks up and there were walls inbetween them!!! I'd have 2-3 pt's unstable at the same time. One of my first assignments was an elderly man, I sent the family for coffee so I could clean him up. He was grossly neglected IMO. Well he died, but he died cleaned up. First floor code you all know..........It was scary to see some of the practicing nurses pull an IV!! It still sounds like high patient acquity out there right?