As you can guess from my username my wife is going to school for her RN license. She started applying 2.5 yrs ago and was passed over because of the lottery system here in the Sacramento, CA area. Her grades are near perfect and she ended up doing really well on the entrance exam - the name of it escapes me right now. She stopped applying after the fourth rejection notice, but something told her to apply one last time and finally got in on the fifth try. We're both extremely happy. She finally has a chance to pursue a career she's interested in and not just dropped into. Anyway, she starts the American River College program in Spring 2010 - just a few weeks away actually and will graduate in December 2011.
I've noticed a few online articles about the nurse shortage. You would think it would be great for those entering the nursing program, but from the posts on this site, as well as hearing from others, it appears nursing may not be the best career choice. They (posts) seem to indicate new nurses are unlikely to get hired. Is this just due to the country's current economic state? Or, is it perhaps that those graduates didn't do as well in terms of grades, interview, etc... as their classmates? I just assumed hospitals would be knocking on the instructor's door asking for the top students to apply. I haven't told my wife of what I've learned as it would only serve to upset her. See, I've spent several weeks now trying to convince her that quiting her well paying job was the right decision. If she knew of what I've read, she would back out of the program. I'm not going to let her stay in a job that she dislikes just because it's safe.
She ultimately wants to go all the way in school and become a nurse practioner. I told her not to limit herself as she will get a chance to rotate and will have a better understanding of what she wants to continue with, but for her, sky is truly the limit. She is very intelligent and does very well in her studies. So, I'm sure she won't have any issues with the classroom work. Time will only tell if she'll do well in the actual clinical portion, but that's something you can't know until you do it.
My questions to you are:
Do you think employment opportunities for new grads will improve over the next two years? Is the non-hiring of new grads just temporary?
If given the opportunity, would you recommend going straight-through? i.e. RN->BSN->Masters
If you had to do it all over again, would you go through the Physician Assistant program or Nursing program?
I've seen opportunities for student CRNAs, but not sure how much clinical experience the student must have. Would it be an option to go straight-through to become a CRNA?
Regardless of the outcome, we count our blessings I'm able to provide for us while she pursues her dreams.
Sorry for the book, but I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a few questions. I'm sure I'll have many more for the community over the next couple of years.
Ok, maybe I'm out of line here, but why are people nitpicking on what this poster said and questioning his intentions? So what if you don't like the way he has phrased some questions? He was courteous and respectful, and deserves to be treated the same way. He's going to leave here thinking that nurses are a bunch of crazy, suspicious, and mean spirited people. I know that's not true, but some of our responses give that impression. I don't think I would come back if some people had responded this way to me on my first post. Maybe I'm overreacting, but this really bothered me.:angryfire
Thank you all for the great comments and suggestions. Most were informative, focused, and constructive. I told my wife, despite the negative part of this experience, I believe the board will be of tremendous value to her in the future. I'm hopeful she won't be dismayed and will come to the same conclusion I have. Regardless, it's her choice as to whether or not she recognizes that value and decides to join.
I wanted to especially thank those of you that defended my intentions and chose to see them for what they truly were - just a husband trying to be supportive of his wife. I'm sorry the thread became more of debate about my relationship and me personally, than the information I was seeking. I do appreciate your positive comments - very cool!
@BCgradnurse - I really appreciate your last comment. I'm pretty thick skinned. The only thing that bothered me a little was that my marriage became open for debate. I never thought that would happen. It was an experience though.
I get the impression you feel my presence here is somehow inappropriate and/or that my intentions are duplicitous. I’m not sure why you have such contempt for me. I’ve been nothing but polite and courteous. Most of the posters understood my true intentions, but yet, both of you seem incapable of seeing my true intent and chose to automatically assume the worse of me. What if, the post had been about my mother? Using the same wording, would you have the same contempt for me? Or, would you assume I’m a caring son just looking out for his mother’s best interest? Maybe, your contempt for me is simply because I’m posting about my wife. At this point, it’s all conjecture. I don’t know you or the reason why you felt you needed post the comments you did. I can only guess.
I’m not looking to make enemies here, but bottom line – I’m not going anywhere. I will continue to seek information as I see fit. I hope that in the future we can be cordial with one another, but if not, I’ll do my best to avoid you and hopefully you’ll show me the same respect. The last thing I want is to be perceived in a negative manner as people will be less likely to help educate me. With that said, I feel it necessary to address your concerns with my original post and qualify my comments.
@Roser13, you’re obviously an intelligent person. There was something about my original post you were unsure of and sought to gain further insight.
Every since I came across a post of interest a few weeks ago, I have encouraged her to join AllNurses.com – several times, in fact. It has been her decision not to join. The fact of the matter is the last two months have been a very hectic time for her. Since the first week of November, she’s battled pneumonia, mourned two loved ones, semester finals, the TEAS exam, our 10yr old cat is near death, all the headaches of Christmas, and training her replacement at her current job. She’s handled everything very well, but maybe she just doesn’t think joining AllNurses is a priority at this time. I’ll “let” her speak for herself, when/if she decides to join. She’s told me she plans on doing it soon. Again, it’s up to her to join. I don’t see anything wrong with me doing a little research on her behalf, given the conversations we’ve had and her expressed intentions. Especially, if it means that I can take something off her plate so that she has more time to spend on doing something she feels is a higher priority. If you take issue with that, so be it.
I make no apologies for using the word “let”. You’re damn right I’m not going to let her give up on her dreams. Five years ago the media painted a bleak outlook for tech workers in America. Instead of feeding into my doubt and reaffirming the negativity by sending me every news article highlighting the plight, she chose to encourage me and would not “let” me give up on my dreams. I thank my wife for not letting me give up on my dreams and succumbing to my doubts and fears. Because of her support, I was able to move into a better career, we were able to start a business and now we’re in a position that affords her the opportunity to focus on her dreams - now that she knows what she wants in a career. – I’d like to think we’re on a 9yr honeymoon because we have a strong partnership; we share; we support each other and we certainly do not let each other give up on our dreams. – If what you describe works for you, that’s wonderful. I’m truly happy for you.
Your allegations of my planning my wife’s career are unfounded. Nowhere in my post did I indicate I am planning my wife's career. I am not planning, nor have I ever planned, my wife's career. Four years ago she called me during lunch to tell me she was going back to school to become a nurse. – HER decision, not mine. She chose to continue applying to the program five times, despite her number not being picked in the lottery – HER decision, not mine. She has expressed interest in becoming a NP – HER decision, not mine. In November, when she was battling pneumonia and I asked her to drop the semester and take incompletes because of the stress it was putting on her, she pushed through and completed her finals. Again, HER decision, not mine. – If you knew my wife, or at the very least bothered to ask me, I would have told you she is a strong minded person. You certainly don’t need to worry that I’m somehow oppressing her.
Do not presume to know the dynamics of MY marriage. I never invited you to debate my marriage. I simply provided an introduction and asked a few questions. I could make several assumptions and allegations about you and your relationship based on the wording and tone of your comments, but I’ve chosen not to.
a. It’s just rude
b. It’s none my business; nor did you invite me to debate your relationship or comment on your personal life.
I only opened up now, because as I said, I’m not going anywhere and I hope we can put this aside and just be courteous to one another. I’m sincere when I say, I believe you to be an intelligent person and would love to here any advice you might have for my wife or me being the husband of a nurse. I wish you nothing but good fortune in the 2010.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!:cheers:
@Loriangel14, I’m not really sure how to respond to your comments. Your comments were neither constructive, nor informative. Your ranting essentially amounted to nothing more than a schoolyard bully, giving the new kid a “wedgy”. I mean really, why not just say something bad about my mother while you’re at it?
If you want to continue the conversation, I’d be happy to. But, I need something a little more meaningful to respond to. As with Roser13, I'm sure you have valuable information. And, I'd really like it if there weren't any hard feelings between us.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!:cheers:
If either of you feel like responding, please PM me and we can continue the discussion. Otherwise, I got the information I need and this thread can RIP.
If either of you feel like responding, please PM me and we can continue the discussion. Otherwise, I got the information I need and this thread can RIP.
op, if you'd like this thread to be closed, all you need to do is contact one of the staff and it will be closed.
look forward to hearing more from you and/or your wife.
BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP
1,678 Posts
Ok, maybe I'm out of line here, but why are people nitpicking on what this poster said and questioning his intentions? So what if you don't like the way he has phrased some questions? He was courteous and respectful, and deserves to be treated the same way. He's going to leave here thinking that nurses are a bunch of crazy, suspicious, and mean spirited people. I know that's not true, but some of our responses give that impression. I don't think I would come back if some people had responded this way to me on my first post. Maybe I'm overreacting, but this really bothered me.:angryfire