Nurses in Other Professions

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2003

I know one nurse who went into real estate but keeps returning to nursing for the money.

Another who is buying real estate, owns a couple of apartment buildings, but still works in nursing full-time. Hopes to eventually get out of it, but again the money.

The problem is entry level positions on the West Coast of Florida pay so little, for many people it is about the money. Going to $6.00 at Walmart, while attractive job description wise isn't feesible for a lot of folks here.

One nurse I went to school with quit nursing. She worked about six months, hated working nights. And never went back. But her husband has a lot of money and she likes being a SAHM.

I work with a traveler that swears she's going into buy some property and get out of nursing after this contract, she hates it so much. (But is working overtime because she's so broke, so it's probably all talk, but one day she's going to I'm sure).

WyomingRN · Oct 31, 2003

Sheep herding sounds better all the time instead of nursing. Just the sheep, dogs, horse, and me out in the wide open spaces. Now if I could only figure out a way to hitch solar panels to the top of the sheep wagon to run this machine, I would probably be gone. I wouldn't have to take much of a pay cut to do it. The no stress life style would be more than worth it.

What is really pathetic is that I dug ditches installing lawn sprinkler systems all summer and made more money then being a staff nurse; and I'm a ten year veteran. I do miss doing patient care, but sure don't miss the stupid schedules, the games management plays or the stress that go with nursing.

sunnybrook23 · Oct 31, 2003

Hello,

I haven't even gotten into nursing yet but I know that when I finish I will miss my children terribly. Also hubby and I are going to have 3 more children in a few years. So here is my plan...

Registered Nurse

Childbirth Educator

Birth/Postpartum Doula

ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor

AFPA Pre-Post Natal Exercise Consultant

Pre-Post Natal Yoga

Pregnant Belly Masking

Infant Massage Instructor (IAIM)

Then I can work from a home studio and be with all my babies while doing what I love!!!

Sunnybrook

:kiss

live4today, RN · Oct 31, 2003

Originally posted by ResearchRN
I left bedside nursing after 1 year for a research job and over the next several years moved around the country. As I moved, I took short-term or travel nursing positions, never more than 3 months at a time. Then I was out of nursing for 6 years. During all that time I felt like I was missing something by not practicing nursing, so I decided to go back to bedside nursing.

It is now one year later, and I'm going back to my nice Monday through Friday office job. You can keep those weekends, nights and holidays along with incompetent nursing management.

One other point: A master's degree in nursing does not necessarily qualify one to manage people! It doesn't even make sense to me.

:rotfl: Could have very well written those thoughts me self, ResearchRN. :chuckle

I too was out for almost six years, and came back. Been back almost a year and I'm already looking for OTHER employment OUTSIDE the hospital, and returning to school to CHANGE careers. If this is what nursing is like, I don't want any part of it. :rolleyes:

live4today, RN · Oct 31, 2003

Originally posted by funnygirl_rn
I have friends who left nursing f/t to work in real estate.....................................

HA! I did just the opposite! I left real estate and entered nursing. Now I'm looking for something else. :chuckle :roll :chuckle

skybirdrising · Oct 31, 2003

I cannot understand how such intelligent people can make so many unintelligent decisions in choosing a career.

It isn't like you guys didn't know what you were getting into prior to the actual job of nursing itself. I thought that was what clinicals were fro. To give you a general idea of the BS that goes on day-to-day in the everyday life of a nurse. I'm still a student but yet I am carefully observing what the daily regimen is all about. I think perhaps many lose the vision of why they chose the nursing field to begin with. It just doesnt make sense to hear of these posts of taking another job when it takes blood, sweat and tears to get into nursing to begin with.

Furball · Oct 31, 2003

People leaving after investing all the "blood, sweat and tears" should really give you a HUGE MESSAGE!

Reality in nsg school is much like expecting the truth from a politician during election year!

cannoli · Oct 31, 2003

skybirdrising, I think the ones getting out are making the intelligent decisions. If I could make the same kind of money at something else I would be getting out too, as it is I only work a very few hours.

It's not like I just started this, I have been doing this for many years and what you may not realize is that things have changed dramatically over the years.

Nursing and the working conditions were not always like they are today.

As a student you may think you are getting the real picture, but I would like to hear what you have to say after you been a nurse for awhile.

Also, some places have a lot worse working conditions than others, and some people don't have much choice depending on the geographic area.

funnygirl_rn · Oct 31, 2003

Originally posted by Furball
People leaving after investing all the "blood, sweat and tears" should really give you a HUGE MESSAGE!

-------- Lol...so true!

Reality in nsg school is much like expecting the truth from a politician during election year!

Good one Furball.....:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

funnygirl_rn · Oct 31, 2003

Originally posted by cannoli
skybirdrising, I think the ones getting out are making the intelligent decisions. If I could make the same kind of money at something else I would be getting out too, as it is I only work a very few hours.

It's not like I just started this, I have been doing this for many years and what you may not realize is that things have changed dramatically over the years.

Nursing and the working conditions were not always like they are today.

As a student you may think you are getting the real picture, but I would like to hear what you have to say after you been a nurse for awhile.

Also, some places have a lot worse working conditions than others, and some people don't have much choice depending on the geographic area.

ITA!!

WyomingRN · Oct 31, 2003

Oh to be a student again skybirdrising. Let me tell you there is a vast difference between being a student and a staff nurse. You see things through rose colored glasses. The real world of being a nurse is vastly different. Here are some examples:

1.You come on for night shift and there are 15 patients on the floor, the charge only takes 3 so you are left with the other 12. You tell the charge this is an unfair assignment, so she whips out the policy book that says she only has to take 3 - 4 patients, so you call staffing and are told, "Too bad, just handle it as we don't have anybody that we can send." So guess what, you get your ass in gear to get all assessments, meds, dressing changes done before bed time. If you are lucky there will be one CNA to help answer lights. You also have to deal with the family members, call the Dr. for some reason, etc. Don't think you have 12 patients to yourself as a student. It isn't your license on the line when you are a student.

2. You are working a SNF/ICF unit, and also have a hospice unit mixed in with this. You are the only RN, with two CNA's to handle 20 patients. You have 2 patients that are dying. Not only do you have to do all the numerous daily things for the 18 SNF/ICF patients you also have to deal with the families of the dying patients. When you ask the DON for another nurse from the med / surg unit and are refused because it will make the nurses on med/surg have 4 patients apiece and that will stress them out too bad. OH MY ---- stress with 4 patients.

I know that as a student, you don't get the real world of Dr.'s that yell at you for waking them up in the middle of the night, tell you how stupid you are that you can't read their writing when you call up to get an order clarified. They definitely don't teach you in nursing school all about the political, and power games that management play with the nurses.

Students don't work the stupid schedules that staff nurses do, holidays, weekends, etc. You need to take your rose colored glasses off and see the real world of nursing. No, I'm not one of those who eat they young. When I am charge, I split the patient load equal or alternate with the other nurse in taking the extra if census isn't even. It doesn't matter whether I'm working with another RN or an LPN. I also answer call lights, assist patients to the rest room etc. I don't expect my staff under me to do things that I won't do.

But in my ten years of practice, I find myself as the exception rather than the rule. If your rose colored glasses don't come off before you get a power hungry charge nurse working toward management, they will the first day you do get one.

And remember, most nursing programs are, in one way or another, controlled by the for profit industry.

Brita01 · Nov 2, 2003

Originally posted by skybirdrising
I cannot understand how such intelligent people can make so many unintelligent decisions in choosing a career.

It isn't like you guys didn't know what you were getting into prior to the actual job of nursing itself. I thought that was what clinicals were fro. To give you a general idea of the BS that goes on day-to-day in the everyday life of a nurse. I'm still a student but yet I am carefully observing what the daily regimen is all about. I think perhaps many lose the vision of why they chose the nursing field to begin with. It just doesnt make sense to hear of these posts of taking another job when it takes blood, sweat and tears to get into nursing to begin with.

You have no idea what you're talking about. When you've been a bedside nurse for just a year, I'd like to hear your comments.