Although I've been a nurse a mere 7 years I definitely realize at least in my own experience that this beloved field is changing dramatically for good and for not so good and quite quickly and in my own honest opinion too many nurses are not prepared to let go of the ''Florence Nightingale'' image of our profession we were taught to map our careers out after. What I mean by that is that nursing is increasingly becoming a numbers game like every other industry.
Being a nurse who is both young
Also what's up with people thinking they'll get their preferred place of employment right out the gate or in a year? Or people who think just because they have RN, BSN, MSN behind there name they immediately qualify for whatever they want????.....
REALITY CHECK: unfortunately our dear profession has become a rat race and institutions want the Peron who is most suited, most qualified, easiest and cheapest to train to fill the spot. At least in my region most employers only want to hire nurses whose experience closely or perfectly matches the position, so good luck switching specialties, and good luck competing with all those other RNs with mid to top level experience.
Also like every other profession (because idk why some believe nursing is any different) you have to
work your way up. How many lawyers, physicians, teachers, business or finance majors, pharmacists, you name it find top level positions after 3 years post graduation? And even after working at the ''bedsides'' of there chosen careers how many of them land high level jobs within 3 years? Why do SOME believe is nursing any different?
Unfortunately working in certain specialties does make you less marketable, less skilled, and less competitive unless you plan on working the same unit or specialty for the next 10+ years of your career, and hopefully your employer doesnt give you the boot during that time or youll be on the unemployment line like the couple hundred of RNs in my area that lost their jobs when 4 hospitals decided to close within 24 months, leaving them to compete with each other. That's the harsh reality, but can you still find your dream job? sure just know that you are less competitive and will have to make yourself an attractive candidate somehow if you are not already. I don't know why we give new grads and newer nurses the notion that they'll have no problems switching specialties or finding their dream job??? When the industry shows us thats simply not the truth. The proof is in the pudding just ask most employers who they want to hire and why.
Also even tho its not about credentials, I've learned that employers like to see bsn, MSN, and certs even though they do not accurately reflect the quality of ones practice. Unfortunately that's also what makes you way more marketable and to be honest it simply shows you care to some extent about your profession and are not just the run of the mill sally or Joe with two letters behind your name that come a dime a dozen. That's all employers seem to see.
I work with a nurse who abhors any type of bedside nursing or mild patient care, never tried it, won't do anything but small clinic/light procedural stuff but wants to do research because it'll be ''easiest'' for her but doesn't qualify for any research positions (even one she knew someone who worked there and was willing to get her in the door all) because she has little to zero hands on patient care experience.
Its a rat race and the best man wins... whoever has the broadest, most practical, translatable experience and credentials (and connections) will most likely, of course not always get their dream position. Nurses have to equip themselves to always learn new practices, acquire new skills, and be in control of their career, too many of us treat this great profession like a job and not as a career or platform. Nursing is becoming like every other profession, slowly more corporate, tougher, and more competitive, for good and not so good.
"also i don't think that 'taking care of sick people' is what makes most people want to leave the bedside. i think it's the 12-16 hour days without any food or water or bathroom breaks. the "customer service/customer is always right" mentality that sets up a master/slave relationship between out of control, overly-entitled patients and myself and leads to me feeling powerless and disrespected and less than human on a daily basis. the literally impossible-to-meet standards regarding amount of work vs. amount of time and/or assistance required to reasonably complete said tasks. the pervasive attitude/expectation that since nursing is a 'calling' you should be honored to do it and how dare you think of things like protecting your own health and compliance with labor laws. i could go on and on but you get the idea. i don't think the actual 'taking care of sick people' is what most people find objectionable about nursing."
This is spot-on. I really like taking care of people, and I liked bedside nursing. But, IMO, it is practically impossible nowadays. That's why I got out. But, I do still miss it sometimes.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I totally agree. Although nursing has become more business like..they still are adding in fluff to give the "caring" appearance all the while adding pointless duties to our workload.
The nurses in the awesome cushy jobs won't leave until they are old and decrepit.
I think higher education is great and I'm planning to go back to school as I want to be able to land a "better" position. I went into nursing with no expectations and I'm glad because I don't think I would have lasted otherwise.
Some day, you'll be one of those "old and decrepit nurses." Maybe then you'll realize how disrespectful that remark is.
FWIW, those "old and decrepit" nurses probably still need to work, and they did what was necessary to get those "awesome cushy jobs."
It never ceases to amaze me how many students and recent grads hang around these forums yet refuse to believe how competitive the job market is. While there are mixed messages throughout the media about the nursing shortage, posters are often labelled as being negative, etc when the realities of nursing are discussed, but for the last 7 years health care and just about every other profession has seen many changes. The key to survival is flexibility and adaptation. Set your goals on that "dream job", but understand that in order to obtain your desired position, you will probably need to work in less desirable roles first. Treat every experience as a learning experience, and consider how you might be able to use your nursing skills in new and innovative ways. Hospital based jobs are disappearing, but there will be an increase in community based nursing roles.[/quote']
THIS.
Remain objective; and see the writing on the wall without the rose colors on.
I remember when nursing became "corporate" in my area; it was the early 90s and was told NOT to get into nursing by a nurse during a career day when I was in middle school-reimbursements changed, hospitals closed there was an dip of a Wall Street crisis, yet, I have been in the healthcare business for about 13 years and maintained a job; may have waited for position at times, yet maintained a job- because of my flexibility, adaptability (nursing is nursing) and a healthy dose of reality limit setting on key issues, and becoming involved and vocal at key times in being a game changer where I worked. I treat it as a business, it's need personal; I enjoy what I do-BUT treat it as business in terms of no self sacrifice-breaks and basic needs WILL be met for me-and it will benefit my patients; leadership will engage with me in mutual respect, as well as peers; I go into work, have "fun" (whatever it looks like for the shift), and when it's over off I go...until the next shift of surprises and experience.
I was there when nursing turned into a business, it was not a pretty sight.
I would advise any nurse to focus on the business end/ goals and acquire all of the computer skills they can. That is survival of the fittest in nursing.
When exactly did this happen? I'm not being facetious...I geniunely want to know when things were better.
I don't believe "Get used to it" is a mentality workers should have. This is the mentality that whoever is making these unstaff staffing ratio decisions wants you to have. Give up and suck it up is the mentality of defeat.
But for anything to happen, we have to agree with a way to correct things.........and enough of us have to organize together.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I'm a month shy of 55, and I just landed my dream job and will be leaving the bedside for good. But I'm sure as heck not doing it to step aside for a younger nurse; I earned this job by working hard for years, both at the bedside and as a nurse-manager. I busted my buns and it's cost me dearly in terms of chronic arthritis pain, flat feet, and burnout.....you BET I've paid my dues.
Ironically, it's only because I can no longer handle floor work either physically or mentally that I even applied for the dream job in the first place. I never believed for a second that I'd actually get it, but I did, and only those who have left clinical nursing can understand the relief I feel at knowing I will never again hold precious lives in my hands while I'm trying to do twenty other tasks at once.....most of which are busywork or things that could be delegated to other staff (if there WERE other staff, that is).
But the sad truth is, I would have left anyway---even if I hadn't gotten the job---not because I'm an old horse that needs to be put out to pasture, but because it's all gotten to be too much. I've only been around healthcare for 20 years, but even in that limited time, it's changed so much that I can barely recognize the profession I went into with so much passion. I remember thinking my workload as an LTC nurse was heavy back in the '90s when I graduated, but that same job now involves tasks that used to be done by med aides and CNAs: passing ALL meds, checking 12-15 blood sugars, doing simple treatments like applying OTC creams and ointments---all on top of assessments, charting, orders, incident reports, phone calls, dealing with families and so on. Oh, and don't forget about plunging blocked toilets and mopping floors after housekeeping leaves at 1400, taking food carts back to the kitchen after meals, and setting the tables for the next one.
So, am I selling out by going over to the "dark side" where it will be my job to observe (and critique) the way healthcare facilities do theirs? I don't believe so, though some might see it differently. That's OK. I know how these places work, and I will evaluate them accordingly. After all, I know what can reasonably be accomplished on a given shift with a given number of patients/residents and a given number of staff. I also know the tricks facilities use, such as "staffing up" and having managers running around out on the floor answering call lights and passing trays, that are meant to give the survey team the false impression that this is how they operate ALL the time. (And I am aware of all this because I've done it myself as a DON.)
That's why I see nursing-as-a-business in a negative light, even though as a practical person I know it's not going anywhere, and we all have to do our jobs within that framework. But there WILL be a breaking point---nurses simply will crack under the strain if much more is piled on top of them. And the next nursing shortage will occur when nurses of my generation age out of the workforce, while many younger nurses who are less willing to put up with deteriorating working conditions either leave nursing entirely, or return to college to earn a higher degree so they can get away from the bedside.
As one of those new grad nurses, I speak for myself, but I knew it would be hard to find a job. I knew I would not get my "preferred" job. I never banked on never finding a job anywhere in a healthcare facility. I am working only because I DO think of myself as self employed. I think of my license as my profession and I have found clients and gone through the excruciatingly mind numbing process of getting set up with a MPN#. Now, because of the experiences I have garnered by my own devices, I have some work from an agency (much nicer work). I was fully prepared to deal with the nasty of floor nursing, but most new grads - no matter how many letters they have behind their name - will never get a chance. I transferred to nursing from different and successful career, and I never looked back with an ounce of regret. I just wish there had been more honesty, because I would have went straight for the BSN and the big certs. I am taking the scenic route and discovering some interesting things about myself along the way. And, I am already crust and old. LOL!
I don't believe "Get used to it" is a mentality workers should have. This is the mentality that whoever is making these unstaff staffing ratio decisions wants you to have. Give up and s**k it up is the mentality of defeat.
But for anything to happen, we have to agree with a way to correct things.........and enough of us have to organize together.
thank you! people at work act like i'm crazy or overly-entitled whenever i say anything about labor law violations and/or unsafe policies. i get that people are afraid of disciplinary action or losing their jobs for speaking out, but that's half the problem. you shouldn't be subject to retaliation for pointing out that being forced to work off the clock is illegal, or that a 30-minute break is the law, or that it is dangerous to have a CNA to patient ratio of 1:30 (for real, this happened at a former job - one CNA per hall, to save money), or that forcing a nurse to come in and work with a 102 degree fever is unethical and unsafe.
I resemble that remark. As a matter of fact, I have to keep working (in my nonbedside job) just because I like to have a roof over my head and food on the table, and I also work for the vet bills (see my profile for some of my dependents) :)
Don't hate on me because I went to a lot of trouble to learn what I need to do to do this and I have no intention of quitting until I have to. You may find yourself in a similar position someday. Don't get me wrong-- I really like what I do and I make a decent, if not cushy, living out of it. But if I won the lottery tomorrow I would never work again.
My statement was not meant as a negative to older nurses or any age nurses working in an ideal setting. It is a fact that. a lot of people cannot even afford to retire (whether their job is cushy or not). I work along side them.
My best nurse friend is retiring this month. I've only been a nurse 5 years. The older nurses tease us younger ones also. It isn't meant to be unkind.
And why do you think that is? Perhaps because the hospital is more concerned about making money than providing decent wages and a retirement plan to its workers? I sure as heck won't be able to retire for a long, long time unless I win the lottery. I certainly hope you aren't implying that older nurses should simply step aside for younger nurses; they have the right to continue working until they choose to stop or can no longer safely function in the role.
I did not imply anything or say they should leave. I wouldn't quit either. I respect my coworkers of all ages and we often joke about how long we will be working. Who knows what will be there when I'm 70?
Some day, you'll be one of those "old and decrepit nurses." Maybe then you'll realize how disrespectful that remark is.
FWIW, those "old and decrepit" nurses probably still need to work, and they did what was necessary to get those "awesome cushy jobs."
The intent wasn't to be disrespectful. I work along with older nurses and I'm well aware that many HAVE to work even beyond retirement...often in less than ideal settings at that.
The nurses I work with are light hearted and we joke, vent and talk about that and more. I don't begrudge other nurses working in more ideal settings at all which is why I said also in my post I should further my education.
I'm honestly shocked by the comments about nursing schools lying about the job market. My school was VERY honest about how difficult the job market is and how hard it would be for us as new grads and non-BSNs (diploma nurse here) to get jobs. We were encouraged to get into a BSN program ASAP to make ourselves more marketable and they provided us with resume and self-marketing seminars. I never had any illusions about getting a job LET ALONE my dream job... and this was not just thanks to my school but due to my own thorough research. I'm baffled by anyone going into nursing school thinking they are guaranteed to land an awesome job right out of school.
Tina, RN
513 Posts
Quoted from ceccia:
"also i don't think that 'taking care of sick people' is what makes most people want to leave the bedside. i think it's the 12-16 hour days without any food or water or bathroom breaks. the "customer service/customer is always right" mentality that sets up a master/slave relationship between out of control, overly-entitled patients and myself and leads to me feeling powerless and disrespected and less than human on a daily basis. the literally impossible-to-meet standards regarding amount of work vs. amount of time and/or assistance required to reasonably complete said tasks. the pervasive attitude/expectation that since nursing is a 'calling' you should be honored to do it and how dare you think of things like protecting your own health and compliance with labor laws. i could go on and on but you get the idea. i don't think the actual 'taking care of sick people' is what most people find objectionable about nursing."
This is spot-on. I really like taking care of people, and I liked bedside nursing. But, IMO, it is practically impossible nowadays. That's why I got out. But, I do still miss it sometimes.