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.
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.
The problem is what it is.
-HBS
Agree 10000%.
And SmilingBluEyes-
Chill out, would ya?
Remember how you jumped all over me awhile back when I stated in a thread that perhaps one contributing factor to higher NCLEX and nursing school failure rates was that in times past, many felt that nursing was a calling, and most today think of it more as a career?
I didn't say if that was good or bad, just speculating. But wow, you let me have it over that one. Could you please disagree w/ me without having a fit?
In expressing my opinions, I'm not attempting to invalidate yours.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
cool as a cucumber, helllllo nurse. I am happy w/my choice and life is GOOD!!!:kiss I wish you could be, too.
and no i dont' remember a disagreement between us in the past, but then i let go of stuff easily. what's it got to do with this thread? anyhow, I let these lil things go, life is too short far as I can see..... maybe you can too?
I am not bitter and hold no ill feelings toward ya, just made an observation here in my earlier post......anyway, whatever....
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.
I dont know about all teachers but my sister and her husband both teach in the Seattle area and both have their masters so they are at the top of the payscale..now thy have only cost of living to look forward to for the rest of their lives..neither of them makes over 40k per yr..I don't know many nurses that make less than that..even the new ones.
I'm glad there are nurses who are happy in their careers. Yes, I wish I was one of them. I have noticed, however, that many nurses who still enjoy nursing are not at the bedside, not caring for pts directly.
IMO, pt care is the heart of nursing. If everyone leaves the bedside to do other kinds of nursing, who will care for the pts?
Leaving the bedside is one way to stay in nursing, but to me, it's a d*mn shame.
This thread certainly touched many people on many levels (as noted by the number of replies and number of views).
As it has been said before, I believe there is currently no national nursing shortage just a shortage of nurses willing to be subjected to conditions that are often personally offensive and sometimes dangerous.
Many of us came to nursing willing to go the extra mile to help our patients but once we became "scapegoats" for various system failures then the cold hard reality began to set in.
In advocacy there is no middle road. You are either part of the solution or part of the problem.
Nursing is a wonderful profession but we should not ignore the bad things that continue to contribute to "burn out" and other chronic stresses which leads to personal and professional unhappiness.
I am a nurse who loves pt care, and I am good at what I do.
However, the working conditions and general attitude towards nurses from all levels has really gotten to me. I've tried different jobs and areas of nursing and found it to be the same.
Absolutely!! I had wanted to be a nurse since I can first remember. I went into LVN school during my senior year of high school(bridge program.) I graduated from high school and nursing school with a degree at the age of 17. I was an LVN for 16 years before I went back to school for my RN. I wish I had gone back sooner. I love being a nurse and IT IS who I am. I will be a nurse until I draw my dying breath. I know I have touched many a life and have made many people better for what I was able to do for them. I find it very rewarding!! I am happiest when I can help my fellow man in any way with the knowledge I have.
Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN
2 Articles; 3,563 Posts
Agree 10000%.
And SmilingBluEyes-
Chill out, would ya?
Remember how you jumped all over me awhile back when I stated in a thread that perhaps one contributing factor to higher NCLEX and nursing school failure rates was that in times past, many felt that nursing was a calling, and most today think of it more as a career?
I didn't say if that was good or bad, just speculating. But wow, you let me have it over that one. Could you please disagree w/ me without having a fit?
In expressing my opinions, I'm not attempting to invalidate yours.