Is my (50K) BSN worthless?

[boxofrain]

Long, sad story. I graduated from BSN program as a second-career nurse in December, 2017. Passed NCLEX in 75 questions in Feb. of 2018; secured first job in ICU at a Level I trauma unit in a residency program summer 2018. Was asked to leave program after 2.5 months on that job, with management saying that ICU is too difficult for a new grad nurse. Took psych job at small, poorly run standalone facility and worked 50+ hours/week, was assaulted, had 20+ patients at times. Was offered and accepted dream job at a highly reputable rehab hospital in the specialty I've always wanted. Did not make it through orientation here either. Manager and one of the preceptors stated that maybe I'm just not cut out for floor nursing.

I came into this job with almost no bedside experience. I arrived for 6:30 a.m. shift at 6:00 a.m. every day. I lived, ate and breathed this job, spending all non-working time reading about disease pathophysiology, watching YouTube videos on suctioning and IVs (just to name two, there are many skills with which I had no experience) designing shift report form and tightening up med pass procedure. For many of these, I actually acted out the processes just to get some muscle memory. All to no avail. One preceptor remarked that I was "passionate" and "the most hard-working person I ever met," but, something just wasn't "clicking" and I wasn't "making connections." She also said that she loved my inquisitive nature, hinting maybe I should try research.

Here's my question. Are there really some people who just can't do bedside nursing? I don't want to appear as bitter arrogant, but, come on, this isn't rocket science. This most recent dismissal happened a week ago and I'm working hard to gain some perspective and insight. I would definitely look to other areas of nursing, but it seems most want at least 1-3 years bedside experience. Where do I go if I can't manage that?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

[stockmanjr, BSN]

On 10/10/2019 at 5:49 PM, MunoRN said:

That's actually not bad for BSN programs these days, we've been getting BSN new grads who were taking a half-load at best by graduation, when we've brought this up with their programs we've been told essentially that their goal is no longer to prepare their graduates to be prepared for bedside nursing, that's the hospital's job, yet it's not an easy sell to hospital administrators to spend 6 months or more doing what their nursing school should have done.

As a result, there's an initial leap that has to occur as a new grad between nursing school and a direct care nursing job, and many employers aren't interested in helping new grads make that leap, which isn't your fault.

You sound as though you've got the right foundation and competence for this to work out for you, it just may take some time.

It's not always the schools fault on how many patients a student can take. I only had 1-2 patients for my entire program but the hospitals wouldn't allow us to take anymore. The RNs and CIs are too stretched already to supervise students. It's a shame as I agree this isn't anywhere near what nursing is actually like in the real world. I'm concerned about this as well as I'm applying for jobs now.

[stockmanjr, BSN]

On 10/23/2019 at 1:54 PM, smc5127 said:

HELL NO, thats bare minimum here in the NY tristate region. If you're an ASN you have to be in a program to bridge to BSN within the next year. ASN nurses don't get hired here anymore.

That's not entirely true. ADNs don't get hired in acute care, but there are plenty of LTC and Home Health that will hire you with an ADN. I bridged from my ADN right away though because I want to work in acute care.

[stockmanjr, BSN]

On 10/16/2019 at 6:32 AM, boxofrain said:

Many, many thanks for all of your thoughtful suggestions and insights.

In answer to the question about clinical rotations, again, my education was woefully inadequate. Technically, the number of required hours was attained, it's what passed as "clinical" hours that is lacking. I think I stated earlier that I only actually went to the hospital three times during my OB rotation. One of those times we were sent home earlier because there was nothing going on. That rotation was supplemented with sim lab hours. In peds, the entire rotation was more like observation since we weren't allowed to pass meds. This was at one of the top hospitals in my area (also in the entire nation.) I was determined to make the most of it, so I attached myself to the preceptors hip and spent much time chasing her down when she disappeared. I was actually very proactive in all of my placements in this regard. At one point, I asked another preceptor if I could observe a procedure. The instructor happened to be there and she yelled at me, saying, "you don't ask her; you ask me." I just apologized and said it wouldn't happen again, when I knew full well it would happen again. There's no way I would have gotten even the small experience I did without being assertive on the floor. One more thing I will say about clinicals. I know that the school needs some kind of metric on which to grade students, but I feel that way too much time is spent on care plans. The time I spent copying information, since I couldn't print anything out, was precious floor time I could have spent honing my skills.

I did voice my concerns when I was still in school, saying that I didn't feel like I knew what I was doing. My instructors told me "oh, those are things you'll learn on the floor." Not sure if I believed them even then.

Regardless of what got me here, I have to press forward with what skills and knowledge (and hopefully, at least a little wisdom) I do have. I'm trying to pursue some ambulatory care positions and considering school nursing. Also wondering if the universe is telling me it's time to pursue my NP. Again, many, many thanks for all of your thoughts. Keep them coming if so inclined.

The problem is there is only so many things you can learn when you're not doing the job every shift. The other is that several of the skills we learn may differ by facility policy.

[SafetyNurse1968, ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD]

Hey OP (original post) - I'm going to comment from the perspective of someone who has been terminated several times. It was devastating. I lost not only a job, but felt like a terrible person. I doubted every move I made and that self doubt made it so hard to do the next job. I ended up taking some time off - best thing I could have done, tried some other jobs to build confidence, but it's taken years to regain self-esteem. None of us know you, or know if you "deserved" to be let go, but I do know this - nurses can be fired for no reason in almost every state. I know just as many nurses who have been fired as those who have not. It's not something we talk about. We hide in shame, even if we are sure we were treated unjustly, because if and when we do share, often we are met with judgment. This thread has been good to you - I read through it all and I am so pleased at the responses you are getting. You are brave for sharing. Thanks.

In my research about ADHD I have learned that CBT and neurofeedback can be useful tools - you don't always need to medicate to find more efficient ways to do things.

Last but not least - square peg, round hole...You can only force it if you cut it and change its shape. You seem like an interesting, reflective, self-aware person. Please don't let the shape of the jobs you have previously attempted change you. Nursing is a field full of options and possibilities. Did you know nurses can be coroners or medical examiners? What about dialysis nursing? You write well - look for a job as a nurse editor...SO MANY THINGS.

[Avill, BSN, RN]

Ugh, I can't imagine what you may be feeling. To answer your question, no , it is not nursing. Personally I do think that there are some people who aren't cut out to be a bed side nurse, me being one of them.

It was just too fast paced for me. The lovely thing about nursing is that you can do something else with your BSN.

Chin up buttercup. It wasn't a worthless degree!

[boxofrain]

On 10/29/2019 at 1:39 PM, SafetyNurse1968 said:

Hey OP (original post) - I'm going to comment from the perspective of someone who has been terminated several times. It was devastating. I lost not only a job, but felt like a terrible person. I doubted every move I made and that self doubt made it so hard to do the next job. I ended up taking some time off - best thing I could have done, tried some other jobs to build confidence, but it's taken years to regain self-esteem. None of us know you, or know if you "deserved" to be let go, but I do know this - nurses can be fired for no reason in almost every state. I know just as many nurses who have been fired as those who have not. It's not something we talk about. We hide in shame, even if we are sure we were treated unjustly, because if and when we do share, often we are met with judgment. This thread has been good to you - I read through it all and I am so pleased at the responses you are getting. You are brave for sharing. Thanks.

In my research about ADHD I have learned that CBT and neurofeedback can be useful tools - you don't always need to medicate to find more efficient ways to do things.

Last but not least - square peg, round hole...You can only force it if you cut it and change its shape. You seem like an interesting, reflective, self-aware person. Please don't let the shape of the jobs you have previously attempted change you. Nursing is a field full of options and possibilities. Did you know nurses can be coroners or medical examiners? What about dialysis nursing? You write well - look for a job as a nurse editor...SO MANY THINGS.

The first part of your post describes me exactly. At least in the role of floor nurse. Judging from the string of letters after your name, you've thrived as a nurse, so that gives me hope.

Since I originally posted, I've been focusing on outpatient and research jobs. I think I'd really love research as I tend toward the academic and I'm inquisitive by nature.

RE: your comment about my writing skills. First, thank you. Second, I would love to write, at least as a side gig, but I feel like I need to get some experience so that I have something to write about.

[vetnrse]

You're fine. I always hated floor nursing and facilities especially hospitals. There's so much more than hospitals. The only nursing I. Found tolerable and even enjoyable was school nursing. You can easily go for that. Or home care, public health

[diane e]

I graduated 1986 with only my AA. Got hired into a level one trauma center in So Calif. I can honestly say I was scared , and had no confidence. But my saving grace was my preceptor. I was with the same preceptor for 6 weeks. She helped me work through my weak areas. I stayed there 19 years. Something has changed. My daughter just graduated Dec 2018 with only her AA. She got hired at a very busy ER that hires new grads also in So Calif. But, She was with a different preceptor every shift. They openly admitted they didn't want to work with a new grad. Told her to just go do stuff and get them if she needs them. My point is I think we all need to build our confidence and our skills. We need to find out how to organize our day , time management wise. But this does come with the right guidance and over time. I feel sad when I hear stories like yours. You are an RN, and you have a lot to offer . Seems the more seasoned nurses aren’t as compassionate to their new nurses as they were back in the day. And that is an issue the hospital should be made aware of. Please don't give up on your self. You have worked hard and the nursing field needs all of us,,, take care

[blenderbottle]

He I just graduated with BSN in nursing, I have passsed nclex with 76 questions.

I have med surg nursing but I love mental health, I just accepted full time work at primary care (4 days a week), PRN at mental health and every other weekend at urgency care. I am all in for experience and I need to pay off my loan as well .

[boxofrain]

On 11/1/2019 at 10:28 AM, diane e said:

I graduated 1986 with only my AA. Got hired into a level one trauma center in So Calif. I can honestly say I was scared , and had no confidence. But my saving grace was my preceptor. I was with the same preceptor for 6 weeks. She helped me work through my weak areas. I stayed there 19 years. Something has changed. My daughter just graduated Dec 2018 with only her AA. She got hired at a very busy ER that hires new grads also in So Calif. But, She was with a different preceptor every shift. They openly admitted they didn't want to work with a new grad. Told her to just go do stuff and get them if she needs them. My point is I think we all need to build our confidence and our skills. We need to find out how to organize our day , time management wise. But this does come with the right guidance and over time. I feel sad when I hear stories like yours. You are an RN, and you have a lot to offer . Seems the more seasoned nurses aren’t as compassionate to their new nurses as they were back in the day. And that is an issue the hospital should be made aware of. Please don't give up on your self. You have worked hard and the nursing field needs all of us,,, take care

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I've found that the nurses I've worked with have not been particularly kind. In fact, they've been pretty nasty at times. They're also very stressed and anxious. I think that's the key to the whole "nurses eating their young" atmosphere. Everyone is feeling overwhelmed with having to do more with less and everyone is concerned with keeping their own jobs. It's not a very healthy environment for anyone.

[777RN, BSN, RN]

Hello OP!

For what it's worth, I knew that I did not want to be a hospital nurse long before I ever started nursing school. Hospital nursing is NOT for everyone and I have never worked in one.

My first nursing job was on the dementia unit in a LTC facility. I was responsible for up to 42 patients and developed really strong time-management skills. Currently, I work full time in hospice within my company's inpatient facility, and I also pick up over time hours in the field, doing home visits. I love my job!

There are many options outside of the hospital: home care, hospice, rehab, dialysis, LTC, private duty, etc. In areas like home care and private duty can be more relaxed, given that you are working with one patient at a time AND you do not have to deal with the potential drama of coworkers and other staff. There are many options, so please do not be discouraged.

Best wishes on your nursing journey!

[jazzy978]

Hello boxofrain, of course nursing is a tough and rugged profession but you are pushing yourself too hard. You need to learn how to walk before you can run. Go find a slower paced facility and build your confidence and skills first. I see a career nurse in you, because for people like you once they get it, the sky is their limit. Mind you that nurses eat their young you need learn to fight for your self. Do not not quit, GO GET THEM.