LPN or RN job satisfaction?? Need advice.

[Nrsng stdnt cheniah]

Hello everyone, I just joined- am nursing student for the past 1.5 years and am very curious about the FOR REAL level of job satisfaction and responsibilities in the field of nursing either as a LPN or RN. I have been self employed for 10 years in alternative medicine and as an LMT. I've never made much money but I have had tons of freedom which I have loved. However, you can't be broke forever plus I am about burned out as an LMT. Nursing seemed a good career change since I love the medical stuff and am good at it (so far). I had a meeting with my nursing advisor yesterday and was disheartened to find out that once I get in to the program- Students HAVE to go full time and through the summers (there is no other option). I am having a baby and getting married in the next 2-5 months so I'm feeling overwhelmed thinking- "How am I going to swing all this"?? Is it worth it? I won's be able to work and how will we afford a babysitter??? those type of things. I already have $16,000 in student loans and what if I go through school for the next 3-5 years graduate and then find out I hate the job??

I love medical stuff but I hate being told what to do I don't deal with disrespect well at all in work settings and I am worried that the patients care is not what hospitals care about most. It seems like $$$ is so often the bottom line- having been in alternative medicine for so long- will I be able to stand by when I know other treatments that may work so much better???

Where can I work where I have the freedom to make those suggestions? I am not intersted in going back to school to be an N.D. (Natropathic doctor or doctor of Oriental medicine) only for the reason that I don't have the steam or capital to start a business again when I graduate. (I've already been doing that for the past 10 years) I need someting easier and I need health insurance. There are so many more opportunities for RN's- in other words it is SO much easier to find a job. I grew up taking care of my older disabled sister - and while I love the medical stuff I could't handle a job where I have to wipe people's butt's again, move them, bathe them or dress them. I started doing that on my own for my older sis when I was 9- so... while I love her, I'm Burned out on that. Do LPN's have to do that?? Do RN's??? Can people tell me maybe a little about how you really feel about your job and any advice you might have?? What is the hospital environment really like?? What are the highlights. DO you have much freedom?? Thank you so much.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Oh - where to start????

If you don't like being told what to do - I wouldn't advise pursuing nursing. Nursing practice is fairly regimented. We are in a very litiginous industry. We must abide by a ton of rules & regulations - from our boards of nursing, from specialty organizations, from employers, from the state, from the Feds . . . and so on.

You say that you don't deal well with disrespect.... hmm. Healthcare has a definite pecking order. Nurses are not anywhere near the top of that heirarchy. In most instances, we have very little authority. Nuff said? You don't want to deal with patient hygeine. This is a fundamental part of nursing practice. There are enormous opportunities for RNs - but that reward is the result of an enormous personal investment. There are no short cuts. Hospital environments are very regimented. Your schedule is controlled by others and the work is very physical.

I love medical stuff but I hate being told what to do I don't deal with disrespect well at all in work settings and I am worried that the patients care is not what hospitals care about most. It seems like $$$ is so often the bottom line- having been in alternative medicine for so long- will I be able to stand by when I know other treatments that may work so much better??? ]

Hoo Boy -- can you seriously think that a nurse would be allowed to actively undermine her hospital employer & treatment plans of the patient's physician and stay employed? It doesn't sound like nursing will be a good fit for you.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I love medical stuff but I hate being told what to do I don't deal with disrespect well at all in work settings and I am worried that the patients care is not what hospitals care about most.

Nursing is one of the only professions where other people (family members, patients, physicians, physical therapists, dietitians, vendors, managers, visitors, administrators, etc.) can waltz into your workplace and openly disrespect the nurse while getting away with it. I wouldn't dare to come to someone's place of employment and start mistreating him/her, but many people never think twice about doing it to nurses.

Perhaps you'd function better as a nurse practitioner, where you'd have autonomy and actually be giving the orders. However, you would need bedside nursing experience and additional education in order to become one.