Nursing Career Question

ann945n, RN · Feb 10, 2008

Doesn't everyone??? If you want to work in healthcare, you should be willing to work nights and holidays just like the 'regular nurses.' That is part of being a good manager.

I think there are enough jobs out there where you could find one that fits the work schedule you want. You should not have to be willing to work nights and holidays to be a nurse

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

You can get a job in administration with those degrees. As far as nursing goes, you would probably start off as a manager, then perhaps a director, and then even Vice President.

You work with nurses and business-type people. You lead, schedule, buget - and old others accountable to the budget, hire fire, and listen to complaints from staff and "customers" which include patients, family members, doctors, on and on and on....it's not a job I would do.

Most all these types start out as floor nurses and work their way up. I agree with the assessment that these make the better administrators in the long run. More than likely you're going to have a hard time finding an administrator job in nursing straight from school, with advanced degrees.

The hourse might be 9-5, but for the beepers going off 24/7 because your on call 24-hours a day.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

I think there are enough jobs out there where you could find one that fits the work schedule you want. You should not have to be willing to work nights and holidays to be a nurse

Of course there are many nursing jobs out there that work banker's hours.

It's o.k. to have the goal of not working nights, holidays and weekends. Just know that these jobs usually require experience and a new grad isn't likely to beepbop into one of these jobs without experience, unless they know someone, or know someone who knows someone.

Students need to be aware that they might have to spend some time in the trenches working nights, weekends and holidays prior to getting that 9-5 Mon-Friday, weekends and holidays off. Those schedules are so desirable that those who offer those positions can pick and choose among many applicants, and they aren't likely to choose a new grad fresh from nursing school.

It's foolish to encourage someone to get into nursing thinking that nursing is a profession where they can get a job easily with no nights, weekends, or every holiday off. In fact sometimes it's irritating to read posts "I want to be a nurse. I want to make lots of money, but I don't do weekends, holidays, nor night shift. But I'm entitled to make the kind of money those nurses who work those hard hours make." Sorry, that's probably not nice, and no offense to the original poster. I think its fine to have those goals, but know the reality AT FIRST might be a little different.

Of course, there are going to be many nurses here who are new grads who walked right into their jobs easily, but overall I don't think that's the norm for our profession.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 11, 2008

It's o.k. to have the goal of not working nights, holidays and weekends. Just know that these jobs usually require experience and a new grad isn't likely to beepbop into one of these jobs without experience, unless they know someone, or know someone who knows someone.

Thank you, Tweety. Too many students think they can waltz into their dream jobs right out of school. Those unrealistic expectations are one of the reasons for the high turnover in the first year or two of a nursing career.

KarenGeorgeBSRN · Feb 11, 2008

Ahem..

I have been accepted into several executive MSHA progams and started nursing doing Administrative. I strongly suggest you do your job even going for your Masters and most programs will make that part of your doing your Masters; meaning work as a RN.

I am entertaining two offers currently for DON in the 90's and without a MBA or MSHA. That is in Texas.

Karen G.

I might add that you are not always on call for all administrative positions, and they all differ; but if you want responsibility then go for it and I mean responsibility for all the nurses that work for you; their errors, too much OT budget, and when incidents occur, survey infractions when you take the title you take it all...