I am just wondering if any students and new nurses desire to be direct care nurses?
Or is a huge percentage striving, right from fresh out of high school, to become a CRNA, CNM, NP, Educator, business owner, or other non-bedside nurse (Case Managers/ UM, UR? Or Wound/Ostomy, IV Therapy, or other specialized nurses, Clinical Managers/Directors, Employee Health, Staff Educators, and the like?
I know the hospitals and SNF's, LTAC's, etc. (many clinical areas, I guess) are ridiculously understaffed, overworked. And I don't blame people for not wanting to be ground to a pulp by no or shortened breaks, excessive workloads, and all the stress that goes with a situation like that.
I am just wondering who will be doing hands-on, direct care, bedside Nursing.
I’ve been a nurse for nearly 7 years now, and spent the whole time in ICU. I loved the rush of a fresh CABG and an unstable patient. However, I’m getting older and more run down. Plus, I want my wife to be able to settle down and not have to work. It seems like life is getting much more expensive, and I can’t support the life I want as a bedside nurse. Thus, the only way out is up.
Absolutely not. No desire to go back to school for my MSN. I see how the NP's work in the inpatient setting and that's a hard pass for me. Outpatient would be better but then all the patients and all the charting afterwards? Nope. The field is also super saturated (at least in my area) because schools are pushing for MSN while you are still working on your BSN.
I won't be at bedside forever, I know this. My next area will either be procedural or outpatient. In order to make more money I went to a different hospital where I got a significant raise.
I didn't want to pursue a masters. However, I want away from the bedside. I'm tired of rotating shifts. So the only way to get out is to get a master's degree or better. I'm pursuing an acute care NP, but lately I've been thinking of shifting to an education focus.
ruby_jane, BSN, RN
3,142 Posts
Nope. Too many of them right here right now in the DFW.
Also I have a HUGE issue with NP programs that require the students to get their own preceptors. Because, did I mention the glut in my area?