Hum'nbird

Thanks for all the replies. What a diverse world we live in, huh? How can salaries vary so much depending on geographics, amazing! And for England, well that squashes my desire to ever go back there and work, let me tell ya. I lived there from 1976 - 1979 and just loved it. Maybe because I didn't have to work at that time in my life. I have a new dilemna now. The place I work at now is under staffed with techs. I am expected to perform their work, everything from cleaning machines, priming, putting pts. on, monitoring them, take off - and do it all over again when next shift starts. I'm also charge nurse and work the desk, unbelievably unfair!!!! I work TTS and the administrator doesn't care. What kills me is that MWF has a full staff and are doing fine. I'm ready to quit already and I've only been there a little more than a month:(

Am I proud to be a nurse? I will shout it from the highest mountain......."I AM SO PROUD AND SO FORTUNATE THAT I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A NURSE." I also say the beauty of a nurse is reflected in her/his soul. It is the caring that he/she lovingly gives, the passion that he/she shows. The beauty of a nurse with passing years - only grows! Did I always want to be a nurse since I was a little girl? No. My calling came at the tender age of 30 AFTER I had been an executive secretary, bank teller and saleswoman for many years. I will always hold my head high with pride when anyone asks me what I do, I don't care how much money I make or what area of nursing I do. The only thing I feel shame for is how the silk hats (the administrators)use nurses as cheap labor and regard us as the bottom of the food chain. I don't think Joe public sees us that way though. But then again, I am the type of person who would be proud of whatever I did, because "I" chose to be the person "I" am. If I hold myself in the highest regard, so others will see me that way also.

Thank you E-RN, I appreciate your input. I can't imagine starting out at $16.00/hr!!! This is less money than I got fresh out of nsg. school. Do you have your CNN? Are there any quirks in getting this cert?

How bout, "Eat it all up, that's right, good girl."........... Or, "I know it tastes bad, just plug your nose when you swallow."........I love this one: "Just push this and I'll come when you need me.".........There are so many, what a funny post, john. Too funny Athena, lol! Who'd a thought we would become poop experts when we first decided to be a nurse.......eeeeeeeewwwww

Would like to know the average starting salary for a brand new dialysis RN with 6 weeks of training only, So. Calif area. I have been an RN for over 10 years with multi-area experience.