tam-traumaRN

Hi, I made $100,000 gross in 2005. I have a salary job as a coordinator/educator that pays just over half of that. I then have a second postion where I work overtime in the critical care area which pays well and allows me to keep up my skills. However, as one person pointed out it translates to not much of a life. I am in graduate school so that I can make a comfortable salary and not work as much as I am now and contribute to the profession. You must also consider the tax increase as well. It is okay to do it through overtime if your goal is temporary like getting through school or paying off bills but for most is not a long-term option.

I have been an ER nurse for many years. Over time as I have paid higher and higher taxes for social programs I have found my political leanings falling further to the right. This is particularly a difficult subject for me because I have a brother 32 years old who is a homeless, drug addict. I have watched him throw away his life, his career (succesful artist), college education (parents sent him to a private university) and his family. He has been arrrested nearly 50 times, has been in and out of jail, detox and rehabs. I have witnessed to him, cried for him, prayed for him and written to him; all to no avail. He is now facing a prison term and my elderly parents have yet again bailed him out and hired another lawyer for him (his last fired him). This has gotten so bad that my parents have chosen to no longer speak to me because I have voiced my opinion regarding tough love. My heart breaks and I do not see a light for him. I wait for the call that says that he has finally ODd or been killed. The only way I can cope is to treat all homeless as if they are my brother with common decency, respect and compassion. I support our local homeless shelter because I cannot financially support my brother for obvious means. But none of this takes away the pain that I feel or the heartbreak of an addicted family member.

:) Hi, I am a trauma coordinator in Texas and wanted to share that many different hospitals have different requirements. I was hired without having any instructor status but had many years experience in a variety of leveled facilities and tons of teaching experience. Now, I have the initials behind my name but not my CEN. It has been such a backburner issue for me but I have scheduled it for the beginning of next year. I am also the education coordinator and was hired with a BSN with the understanding that a Masters was an expectation in my near future (now working on my masters). A lot of these things are negotiable, you just have to push yourself to keep expanding your experience and education background. I always tell my students that "success is a choice and the only person who limits you is you". You can achieve anything if you put your heart into it.

I had just heard of the GH article this morning in an education conference. I went out and bought a copy and read it. I am understating when I say that I was shocked and appalled. I immediately wrote a letter to the editor of GH. Further, I have posted the article on my ER staff bulletin board. I have drafted a letter that I will be sending to all of the major sponsors in the November issue. This is still not enough. I know that all have heard the adage, "to be treated like a professional, one must behave like a professional". Political activism, professional organization membership and communicating to the public and the media about the true value of nursing is the only way to promote nursing as a profession. :angryfire