I am considering going back to school for nursing. I've been a CNA for 11 years and have worked in various aspects of nursing. I enjoy the patient contact and the caring/helping part of nursing.
Not to mention the flexibility that I have in this field.
I have many concerns, though. The high patient loads, the politics, the backbiting, the sad and depressing things that I will encounter, etc. What if I make a mistake? This is someone's LIFE!
Are all of these feelings normal?
Would like to hear from other registered nurses who would or would not considering nursing again.
I'd like to explain my comments, re: "It's refreshing NOT to hear the 'you must be burned out and all jobs have their draw-backs' line often posted on this type of thread by people who are not yet nurses."
Many times, threads have been started on this bb by nursing students or those interested in persuing nursing. They post asking if nursing is a good career choice, and say they welcome advise/comments.
When they start getting the negative replies and advice of "get out while you can" They sometimes turn smug and critical of nurses. They often say the responders are burned- out weren't meant for nursing in the first place, and state that it will be different for them- they would never have such a bad attitude.
They seem to feel that once employers get a load of them w/ their youth, enthusiasm, great GPAs, and the great care they plan to provide, it will all be different for them.
If only it were true! I felt the same way, once.
I used to operate a popular web-site just for student nurses. I was told by a couple of student members there that I was raining on their parades and discouraging them from persuing their nursing dreams when I warned them about what it's like out there.
So, I changed my approach. I put on a positive face concerning nursing.
I tried not to let my negative experiences and disillusionment in nursing color the advice, mentoring and tutoring I provided for my student members.
Know what? Several of them were very angry w/ me after they graduated and began working. They would say "Why didn't you warn me it would be so terrible? I hate this!" Or, then I'd start hearing from new grads who were shocked and disillusioned- the "I just haven't found my niche in nursing yet" crowd. (Those people are here, too).
The open, honest truth is that nursing is rough, really rough.
Another truth is that there is no nursing shortage. Nurses do not want to work in hospitals because of the working conditions and abuse. US Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics bears this out.
When I see a poster say "Like anything else, nursing is what you make of it." I feel that that is akin to saying "War is what you make of it." or "An abusive relationship is what you make of it."
Having a postive attitude cannot change a terrible situation. It does nothing to improve the level of care nurses are able to provide in today's environment.
I advise anyone considering a career in nursing to look carefully and deeply into the issues of nursing job satisfaction and working conditions before investing years, $$$ and a great deal of effort into becoming a nurse.
Well Why must all the positives a few of us list be CRUSHED or SLAMMED by the likes of folks like you?
We don't hate you (at least I don't) "SmilingBluEyes." But some of us are a bit tired of being ignored when for years and years we have heard the same old garbage that things will get better with the right attitute and hard work.
The simple fact remains that things have not gotten any better in the nursing profession, nursing practice or nursing culture.
Ok, I'll ask again since I certainly take these statements seriously.
What other profession should we go into? Is there any job in American where workers aren't suffering because of corporate malfeasance, downsizing and the like? I haven't found any yet, but I'd love to hear about it.
Or, is it better to take less pay in a job with no security, so you won't have to deal with the life and death situations every day? Is that what you're saying?
If it's so bad, where are you guys going to work? I'd really like to know how the alternatives compare, because nobody is talking about that much.
Ok, I'll ask again since I certainly take these statements seriously. If it's so bad, where are you guys going to work? I'd really like to know how the alternatives compare, because nobody is talking about that much.
I moved into the Medical IT (Radiology PACS) and am working on a PhD in Biometrics. My career path has been:
Navy Hospital Corpsman
Emergency Medical Technician
Surgical Technician (AS)
Surgical Technician - Instructor
Registered Nurse (BSN)
Oncology Clinical Specialist (Certified)
Master's Prepared Nurse Educator (Advanced Degreed with ANCC certification)
Advanced Trauma Life Support Coordinator (American College of Surgeons Certified)
Hospital Based Computer Based Training Administrator
Hospital Computer Applications Information Systems Administrator
Radiology PACS Administrator (Certified)
Hospital Information System's Network Engineer (Certified)
I know it is important to understand trends in the marketplace but I also believe that aptitude, ambition and opportunity working in harmony result in the best job satisfaction for individuals.
I enjoy helping others, am very much a computer "geek" and value higher education. Perhaps that explains my career path to date.
NO ONE is ignoring the negative here...lord there are tons of threads describing IN GREAT detail all that is wrong w/nursing.
I am glad we can identify these problems (without fear of reprisal) that we often find in the workplace. And I would agree that a "positive attitude" goes a long way in helping to cope with difficult situations.
But a positive attitude that fails to take corrective action on a persistent, chronic problem becomes anemic and impotent.
A positive attitude goes a long way to enhance "effective coping" and when the two work in concert then truly there is much joy to share.
No doubt about it...Yeah the hours suck and people can be mean and you are exposed to gross diseases and such...BUT nothing beats that smile you get when a patient appretiates your kindsness and your care. and mothing beats when someone tells you you are a great nurse> And I love when someone says THANK YOU. I have only been a nurse for four months, but this is the only profession I would ever want to stess out about!!!!
Ok, I'll ask again since I certainly take these statements seriously.
What other profession should we go into? Is there any job in American where workers aren't suffering because of corporate malfeasance, downsizing and the like? I haven't found any yet, but I'd love to hear about it.
Or, is it better to take less pay in a job with no security, so you won't have to deal with the life and death situations every day? Is that what you're saying?
If it's so bad, where are you guys going to work? I'd really like to know how the alternatives compare, because nobody is talking about that much.
Ultrasonography I seem to see that they work very regularly are fairly autonomous as fara as being able to sort of come and go and do their job as needed
I agree with Deb about making nursing work for you.. I too, have made it work for me. There are just so many avenues to explore why stay in a position that makes you unhappy?? I LOVE my present job as a workers comp case manager. I work from a home office, Mon to Fri and adjust my work schedule and paperwork to meet my life versus the other way around..When I replied initially I did mention going to plastic surgery route only becasue I have seen what some of these surgeons accomplish and to me I think it is great..especially the horrible burns and birth defects. The flower shop thing was somewhat of a joke but I have always thought that would be the one type of job where people would always be happy to see you... I worked at the bedside and yes, it is busy and you do have too many pts but I guess I just dealt with it and did the best I could. The ER was an adrenalin rush and I loved it when I was there..I mean I was totally "on" however the next AM I usually felt like a mac truck hit me so it was affecting my family life and I left...Of all of the positions I have had, it was the most rewarding yet the hardest way (physically and emotionally) to make a living. I have done LTC, Medicare Unit Manager, Oncology, Surg/ Ortho. ACU and home health IV infusion..all of those experiences have made me grow and all of them had different things that just didn't fit with "me" . I have tried to take every opp that has come my way, most were positive, had a couple that were not so positive but I have learned from all of them. Now I am doing the comp case management and I used bits and pieces from each job in my past everyday. I also use my past experience to review med mal cases for insurance companies and in about 6 months I will sit for my Life care planner Certification..The medmal and LCP stuff is all independent.. what I am saying here is take opps tht come your way, think outside the box and make nursing work for you... Very few of my friends are nurses, most are in business, management or banking and they all complain about their jobs too..We are fortunate in that we can actually change our job description wheras most individuals can only change their environment, their job stays the same...
I was a cna 5 years before becoming an lpn in 1990. I have on several occassions been encouraged by family & friends to go back to school for my Rn . After careful consideration I personally have decided not to for most of the exact reasons you mentioned. also I can't see it making a difference. I t is very discouraging we do not have the time for the personal touch our patents need because of the heavy load & because of all the legal paperwork that we now have to take care of.I have encouraged my own daughters to go into anything but nursing. To make the money the hours are long and the rewards are few. I wil retire as an lpn.
Also says that nearly 70 percent of those nurses are over age 50, and not much is known about them.
Could be some retirements in there, although no doubt working conditions are also a factor.
Great link, lizz. The report also states that the average elementary school teacher earned $13,600. per year more than the average RN. Stats are from the year 2000.
Yet, we are always hearing how underpaind teachers are.
Brita01
350 Posts
Excellent post.