None of you will like what I have to say. But let me kick the hard truth to you. Honestly about 50% of people I talk to are in nursing school or are taking pre-reqs for nursing school. This is a major red flag for several reasons. If you have not noticed, nursing wages/benefits have been on the down trend.
Pension?? goodbye.
Crud 401k 403b plans hello. Raise? LOL "sorry hospital is working out financial issues, maybe next year".
Nevermind if you work for a community/SNF agency. Yet insurance companies, medicare derived/gov agencies, and anyone else from the top 1% will continue to blast the RN as "shortage" in order to drive drones of students into nursing schools pulling each others hair out on the way to land a seat. Proof of this is, let's see (ABSN ***** ADN, BSN, diploma, LPN/LVN bridge to RN programs, RN to BSN) Why do these different routes exist? To flood the RN market as fast as possible to drive the wage, need, and profession into the ground.
Let's look at our oh so loyal CNA's. If you can find one that isn't in nursing school to be a nurse, ask them how much they make?
Look at LPN's 20-30 years ago and look at them today??
Surely the ANA and other organizations treated them with respect. The RN is next, so make sure to support your local nursing agency so they can do nothing for you. So they can be paid off by organizations so powerful that no one can say no and "not have the power to stop a bill". So they can continue to cry nursing shortage when this is not true.
RNs today are treated like children and are required to demonstrate fundamental task and other skills in inservices which were designed for nothing else but cut throat. To place blame of UTI's and poor patient satisfaction on the nurse.
If you are an RN today, your only safety net is to become an APRN if you want to live comfortably but in several decades the APRN will be under attack just like the LPN had been an RNs currently are. "OH the aging population is going to need nurses" You really think so?
Nursing homes are shutting down and now elderly people live at home with "24 hour care takers" that get paid **** wages and do things only an RN should be doing. You don't think so? Wake up.
None of this is to say that I hate nursing. I love helping people who are mentally ill, suffering from dementia, sick, or on their death beds. It is when we do great things for them that my love for nursing shines. There aren't other people standing around to reward you for your great deeds.
When the family comes in the next day complaining about everything, they never had a chance to see how well their dying loved one was cared for. Your good deeds will never be rewarded, but in a safe place in your heart.
I am just here to open the eyes of people who are intelligent and looking for a new career. I think you may find better job security else where. Invest your time in classes and money else where. Nursing is honestly under great attack right now and the future is black.
Specializes in Ambulatory Care, LTC, OB, CCU, Occ Hth.
@Heathermaizey . Thanks for your post. As I head towards nursing school, reading all about the surplus has made me scared, especially because I live in a very saturated state. There's a perception out there that some older nurses get bitter, resentful, and complain. Very negative vibe. It is not the younger generation's fault. While I respect the experience and knowledge older nurses teach us, older nurses should retire at some point. Do we want someone taking care of us who is forgetful and can't do physical work as much as younger nurses? Perhaps there should be a balance of older experienced nurses passing on knowledge to younger new grads.
I had to read this multiple times because I couldn't believe my eyes. There are sentences in this post that are absolutely out of line and disrespectful. You should be ashamed of yourself for this: "Do we want someone taking care of us who is forgetful and can't do physical work as much as younger nurses?" There is absolutely no way this could be construed as anything, but age-based discrimination and ignorant stereotyping.
Then I read through the other comments following it that were dividing up; each side trying to prove who works harder or has it worse. That right there is what is wrong with nursing. Nurses fighting and quibbling with each other instead of coming together.
Your staffing levels aren't adequate? You see a coworker who lacks the skills to provide competent care to patients? Speak up and do something!
Nursing Practice Acts in addition to ANA Scope and Standards for Nursing Practice, Principles for Nursing Practice, and Code of Ethics for Nurses ALL state that it is the duty of the professional nurse to speak up and take action in the presence of a patient safety issue.
As nurses we are accountable for the care given. Fair or not, it's the hand we were dealt when we signed on to the career.
Let me give some specific examples from my state: Mississippi BON Administrative Code describes unprofessional conduct (grounds for license revocation) as:
Assuming duties and responsibilities in the practice of nursing when competency has not been established or maintained
Inappropriately delegating tasks to individuals licensed or unlicensed when the person lacks educational preparedness, experience, credentials, competence or physical or emotional ability to complete the task.
Failure to adequately supervise, manage or train persons to whom nursing functions are delegated or assigned
Failing to immediately report facts known regarding a nurse who fails to render care in accordance with current standards of practice or illegal practice of any licensed nurse
Failure to safeguard the patient's rights and dignity
Intentionally or negligently causing or allowing others to physically, sexually, emotionally or verbally abuse a patient
Abandoning patients
Failure to appropriately act in safeguarding the patient from incompetent healthcare practices or practitioners
And those are just a few of the examples classified as unprofessional conduct.
Additionally, it lists among the responsibilities of the RN:
Directing, supervising and evaluating nursing practice; applying nursing knowledge, administrative techniques and teaching principles toward the ultimate goal, excellence in patient care and promotion of good health practices
Recognizing the abilities and potentialities of all nursing personnel and providing supervision, management and training to each individual in the attainment of optimum performance
Obtaining instruction and supervision as necessary when implementing nursing techniques or practices
For anyone who doesn't believe issues like staffing and working conditions are being brought up please look here
Since someone brought up the issue of lateral violence, and some of our posts in the thread seem to illustrate that bullying and incivility is a real problem in the profession, please, take a look at this public call for comment. ANA is seeking feedback on the proposed position statement on Workplace Violence, Bullying, and Incivility. It's a chance to speak and do something.
Nursing doesn't have to be the nightmare it is to some of us. It can be changed for the better; it just takes nurses coming together in public, the community, and most especially in the healthcare organizations, and saying poor working conditions, inadequate staffing, and poor training and support are patient safety issues that threaten the public the Boards of Nursing and government agencies claim they exist to protect, and it won't be tolerated any longer.
Anyone who hasn't already, needs to get familiar with their state's nursing practice acts and administrative code as well as the professional standards developed and published by professional organizations like ANA, AORN, AWHONN, etc.
Use the very codes and guidelines against the healthcare organizations that the nursing boards and courts of law would use against anyone of us for actual or perceived professional failings. Knowledge is power.
Experienced nurses- love you guys. You bring skill and wisdom to the table that shouldn't be underestimated or dismissed. Anyone who refuses to see your value and accept help you're generous enough to offer is doing a disservice to their patients. Let's be honest here, the nursing education in this country varies in quality. When you take into account the fact that more Americans are living longer and with more health issues that challenge all nurses, then it illustrates why it's so important to do what's necessary to help out and fill in the gaps in the experience of new nurses.
New Nurses and upcoming nurses-Love you guys too. You're coming into a profession with fresh eyes and the opportunity to innovate it and benefit from the knowledge and experience of men and women who have much to offer no matter their age. To disqualify their contribution because of age or the idea that "they need to retire" says volumes about the people who hold those beliefs, and it's not pretty. In fact, it's just a poor as grouping new nurses together as all disillusioned and incompetent.
You came to nursing for money? Cool! We all gotta eat. You come to nursing because it's your calling? That's great! Too many people don't get to do that.
Regardless of those differences our goal is the same: provide the best care possible.
Im sure it says somewhere that you must advocate for the patient.
Try turning a Dr in.
When they eliminate your job and you must go back to 12 hour shifts and work bedside
write back then . IN the mean time the boards of nursing can twist the nurse practice act any way they want , just look at Arizona state board of nursing corruption.
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Im sure it says somewhere that you must advocate for the patient.
Try turning a Dr in.
When they eliminate your job and you must go back to 12 hour shifts and work bedside
write back then . IN the mean time the boards of nursing can twist the nurse practice act any way they want , just look at Arizona state board of nursing corruption.
You have to consider the generation who are entering in this profession. The-it-is-all-about me generation!!! Not realizing you have to pay your dues like everyone else. I can understand the frustration among experienced nurses who have been in the trenches and are still standing proud. I think it will only get worse before improvement will occur. Nursing has its moments, but for the most part it is a dynamic area in which you can choose where you want to go, the resources to build upon your knowledge is plentiful. My sister who is 46 years old graduated from nursing school a couple of years ago realized the short coming on her unit and is already enrolled in a BSN to get off the floor. She did not whine or complain she simply decided more education and seek other options.
This reply makes me want to bang my head against the wall. The generalizations and judgement are just oozing... Is this how you judge your patients, too?! Yikes...
For the most part, at least years ago, those who run a foul of violations of the nurse practice act generally have to violate it. I myself have seen nurses do some pretty stupid things. Its changed as big corporations dont want nurses complaining about staffing or anything making them look bad. Years ago most board disciplinary actions were centered around doing stupid things or getting in a drunken accident or snitching drugs. The facebook page Az Sate Board of Nursing Corruption is specific about the Board acting on behalf of the hospital or a physician, and sometimes actually doing the right thing for the patient. Being a patient advocate in Arizona may in fact cost you a career even when you're a sober diligent nurse. Not Possible?? I tell it is, and more importantly is not that unique.
QUOTE=elkpark;8393060]Was this addressed to me? As a matter of fact, one of the two nurses I knew who got their licenses back after losing them was in Arizona, although that was many years ago.
All licensed nurses practice under the jurisdiction of the BON of the state in which they practice. People who have a problem with that are welcome to pursue some other occupation. No one is forced to be an LPN or RN. The two nurses I mentioned are the only two nurses I have known, in 30 years of nursing, who have had any difficulties with their licenses that I have known of -- and in both those cases, there were serious occurrences that most of us would agree justified the BON taking action, certainly not a "bunch of hipe" (sic).
The patient, a 46 yo female, is discharged home after a scope is driven through her esophagus and not informed and told to drink water. Complaints by nurse husband ends in jail term and loss of license. Pt almost died at home. Cops lie. AZBON lies to protect hospital, physician. I can't blog from prison. So to kill or not to kill? That is the question?
This is only one case, its happening elsewhere as well. The Nightingale days are long gone and its no longer your mothers' nursing; as this capture post reveals. The nurse can be silent and continue with the charade or speak up and go to jail. Or perhaps in the captured post above make a permanent change to all concerned patient safety threats.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Thank you. I wish someone had told me this back in 2008. But what is available these days? Other than service industry jobs that are minimum wage there are no other jobs out there[/quote']
That's not necessarilly true - The country's biggest shortage is in the skilled trades - Jobs that don't require college degrees but do require training and appprenticeship. Jobs no one wants because they don't want to get their hands dirty - IMHO we have enough college grads pulling Lattes at Starbucks - we need plumbers, mechanics, carpenters etc.... to fix and improve our infrastructure.
My dad built a million dollar construction company ona high school education and his willingness to swing a hammer.
Ignoring the dangers at Board levels as its not your problem really doesn't make it go away. The Florence Nightingale concept in nursing is dying, at least in Arizona.
That's not necessarilly true - The country's biggest shortage is in the skilled trades - Jobs that don't require college degrees but do require training and appprenticeship. Jobs no one wants because they don't want to get their hands dirty - IMHO we have enough college grads pulling Lattes at Starbucks - we need plumbers, mechanics, carpenters etc.... to fix and improve our infrastructure.
My dad built a million dollar construction company ona high school education and his willingness to swing a hammer.
Hppy
And Mike Rowe's (the Dirty Jobs guy) foundation awards scholarships to help people go to trade/technical schools and learn these skills. Look into that if you're interested!
The patient, a 46 yo female, is discharged home after a scope is driven through her esophagus and not informed and told to drink water. Complaints by nurse husband ends in jail term and loss of license. Pt almost died at home. Cops lie. AZBON lies to protect hospital, physician. I can't blog from prison. So to kill or not to kill? That is the question?
This is only one case, its happening elsewhere as well. The Nightingale days are long gone and its no longer your mothers' nursing; as this capture post reveals. The nurse can be silent and continue with the charade or speak up and go to jail. Or perhaps in the captured post above make a permanent change to all concerned patient safety threats.
By any chance are you also known as kuippo on AllNurses? You are posting as a new member, but have the same gripes against the Arizona BoN that he/she did, and read very much as the same person. Same complaints, same discussion about how doctors lie, nurses lie, BoN lies, cops lie....and every post was a "warning" about the AZ BoN.
I wonder if you're looking for a new/different audience? Otherwise....why the new account?
The patient, a 46 yo female, is discharged home after a scope is driven through her esophagus and not informed and told to drink water. Complaints by nurse husband ends in jail term and loss of license. Pt almost died at home. Cops lie. AZBON lies to protect hospital, physician. I can't blog from prison. So to kill or not to kill? That is the question?
By any chance are you also known as kuippo on AllNurses? You are posting as a new member, but have the same gripes against the Arizona BoN that he/she did, and read very much as the same person. Same complaints, same discussion about how doctors lie, nurses lie, BoN lies, cops lie....and every post was a "warning" about the AZ BoN.
I wonder if you're looking for a new/different audience? Otherwise....why the new account?
JimmyDurham9
67 Posts
I had to read this multiple times because I couldn't believe my eyes. There are sentences in this post that are absolutely out of line and disrespectful. You should be ashamed of yourself for this: "Do we want someone taking care of us who is forgetful and can't do physical work as much as younger nurses?" There is absolutely no way this could be construed as anything, but age-based discrimination and ignorant stereotyping.
Then I read through the other comments following it that were dividing up; each side trying to prove who works harder or has it worse. That right there is what is wrong with nursing. Nurses fighting and quibbling with each other instead of coming together.
Your staffing levels aren't adequate? You see a coworker who lacks the skills to provide competent care to patients? Speak up and do something!
Nursing Practice Acts in addition to ANA Scope and Standards for Nursing Practice, Principles for Nursing Practice, and Code of Ethics for Nurses ALL state that it is the duty of the professional nurse to speak up and take action in the presence of a patient safety issue.
As nurses we are accountable for the care given. Fair or not, it's the hand we were dealt when we signed on to the career.
Let me give some specific examples from my state: Mississippi BON Administrative Code describes unprofessional conduct (grounds for license revocation) as:
And those are just a few of the examples classified as unprofessional conduct.
Additionally, it lists among the responsibilities of the RN:
For anyone who doesn't believe issues like staffing and working conditions are being brought up please look here
And here, check out resources on professional standards while you're at it.
Since someone brought up the issue of lateral violence, and some of our posts in the thread seem to illustrate that bullying and incivility is a real problem in the profession, please, take a look at this public call for comment. ANA is seeking feedback on the proposed position statement on Workplace Violence, Bullying, and Incivility. It's a chance to speak and do something.
Nursing doesn't have to be the nightmare it is to some of us. It can be changed for the better; it just takes nurses coming together in public, the community, and most especially in the healthcare organizations, and saying poor working conditions, inadequate staffing, and poor training and support are patient safety issues that threaten the public the Boards of Nursing and government agencies claim they exist to protect, and it won't be tolerated any longer.
Anyone who hasn't already, needs to get familiar with their state's nursing practice acts and administrative code as well as the professional standards developed and published by professional organizations like ANA, AORN, AWHONN, etc.
Use the very codes and guidelines against the healthcare organizations that the nursing boards and courts of law would use against anyone of us for actual or perceived professional failings. Knowledge is power.
Experienced nurses- love you guys. You bring skill and wisdom to the table that shouldn't be underestimated or dismissed. Anyone who refuses to see your value and accept help you're generous enough to offer is doing a disservice to their patients. Let's be honest here, the nursing education in this country varies in quality. When you take into account the fact that more Americans are living longer and with more health issues that challenge all nurses, then it illustrates why it's so important to do what's necessary to help out and fill in the gaps in the experience of new nurses.
New Nurses and upcoming nurses-Love you guys too. You're coming into a profession with fresh eyes and the opportunity to innovate it and benefit from the knowledge and experience of men and women who have much to offer no matter their age. To disqualify their contribution because of age or the idea that "they need to retire" says volumes about the people who hold those beliefs, and it's not pretty. In fact, it's just a poor as grouping new nurses together as all disillusioned and incompetent.
You came to nursing for money? Cool! We all gotta eat. You come to nursing because it's your calling? That's great! Too many people don't get to do that.
Regardless of those differences our goal is the same: provide the best care possible.