Sumdaymurse

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I love writing in general and have even started on a mini poem book which is coming along quite nicely (though, I don't know what will become of it). But I do struggle often with the prospect that a degree in English or writing would be sufficient to afford me a decent living wage. I currently work for a Pharmaceutical company so I am not immune to the inherent need for the industry and those in association with it, such as nursing. Which is why I too have deemed the nursing profession the most sensible option. It is refreshing to realize, perhaps for the first time, that I needn't forsake my interests and hobbies forever. Thank you ?

Hello, So, up until this point I have been decently motivated to continue pursuing nursing as a career. Then I started human anatomy! With everything I’m required to learn and memorize...it’s just so daunting. I NEED to take and do well in this class and the other sciences (as you all know) if I ever desire to achieve my goal of becoming a nurse. Yet, I am struggling so hard to even study, or be motivated at all. This is bad. I DO want to be a nurse, but its not this grandiose, picture perfect, sunshine daisies ideation of what I think nursing will be that is fueling that desire. I’ve seen it for what it is. Forget about the money, I’m sure there are other avenues for that, perhaps less stressful and time consuming avenues than nursing. Forget about the prestige, we all know nurses get s*** on (literally and figuratively). Forget about the job security, it’s still just a job. So I’m left with practical reasons for wanting to become a nurse - things Like, one day my job (where I only work three days a week and get paid decently in, which is another thing I feel is holding me back) will be taken over by AI, and I’m not one for construction or mechanical labor, and I’ll have more job opportunities in the future. But why isn’t this enough?!?! Of course there is the caring aspect of nursing WHICH I LOVE. But I feel like I need more than a caring heart to trudge through these difficult courses! All that to say: what is motivating you to keep going? p.s help

I enjoy this topic. I have been thinking about which nursing specialty would best fit my personality or which specialty I might enjoy. Home health came to mind. What are the requirements for working "private duty", or home health? Would it be possible to start in home health fresh out of nursing school or would I need to acquire a certain amount of experience before hand?

Breath. Are you working in a long term care facility? Those are not fun. Apply at a hospital, its a totally different pace. They should be giving you more time if you don't feel ready and if you've vocalized that. Hospitals hire new grads. I was hired on a medsurg/tele unit with no experience. Prior to that, I thought that the nursing home was the end all be all for CNA's. I've also been requested for interviews in ER's as a tech. Again with no experience. Its ultimately up to you if you want to quit. I almost died when I worked at the nursing home..it was too much. But I do think you learn a lot there. The hospital on the other hand is a piece of cake IMO.

Im a cna, my coworkers and I just spent a good portion of the night trying to restrain a combative patient..it was not fun. There was blood, yelling, punching, kicking, you name it. I still want to be a nurse though. Of course some nights are just terrible. But most are okay, and I just love taking care of people. It makes me super happy just to get a blanket for someone who is cold and in pain or to rub someones back when they feel exhausted. Every job is going to have pros and cons, no job is perfect. Its work. Perspective is all you need :) and I think you have some great perspectives from the replies on this thread! ?

I truly love this about my schedule <3

Hello there, I am still essentially a new grad with only one month experience as a CNA in a LTC facility. I just got hired as a CNA on a Tele unit at night (7p-730a). While I am very excited, I am still quite anxious! The manager said my patient load would be 12 pt's!! That was a bit of a shock to me due to the fact that we only had 8 in LTC. The reason she said the ratio is 12:1 for a CNA is because not all my pt's would be dependent and not all would need total care. I guess I understand that, but it still seems like wow. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone had any good tips for success for a new grad in telemetry. How can I be of utmost help to the nurses or just in general for a CNA starting out in acute care. Thank you so much!! Anything helps. P.S. I posted this in the CNA/MA forum with some views and no responses so that's why I am posting here. Thanks. I start in two weeks!

This is awesome, thanks! Glad to hear your doing what you love !

I just really like this. This is exactly what I and many prospective nurses apparently have been doing. Coming from you, a nurse, it means a lot! Thank you.

My job is 24 hours 365 like hospitals due to the pharmaceuticals we make (IV's among other things), 3 12's make the most sense as far as scheduling goes I guess. I love it! ONE of the reasons I dig nursing. Yes a pre-nursing student! I would be EXTREMELY nervous/excited/thrilled/scared/overjoyed if I were where you are now, its a journey!! Your almost there, good luck to you ? ?

Not a nurse! But congratulations on making it this far! I wish you much success ?

For me its the hours, pay, flexibility, and the possibility of OT. In my current job I work 3(12's) one week and 4(12's) the next, I LOVE LOVE LOVE, my schedule!! I get decent pay for a relatively "easy" job that I have been doing for 10 years. I just don't see myself doing it until I retire. So I thought about jobs that would provide me with these same benefits, and well I couldn't really think of any but nursing. But as you say, I will have to decide what I am sacrificing for this...

Thanks for this perspective. Many make it seem like NP is the be-all and end-all of nursing.

Side note: Does anyone think getting your LVN in 2019 is feasible?

I find that this is a common complaint from a lot of nurses. Feeling like they wish they had chosen an easier route. Do you feel that achieving your BSN was worth it though?

This is a great perspective. Thanks!

Your right. I should have thought about the title. Thank you though for your response. I appreciate it.

I just don't know very many nurses personally and I can't really ask the students their perspective because they aren't nurses. That's why I brought it up here. Perhaps it does belong in another thread, I just thought I would gain better insight by asking those that are working as nurses. Its been brought to my attention that many nurses use this forum as a way to vent. As someone pursuing nursing as a career, I am weighing the pros and cons. Unfortunately, I got myself caught in the cons and that is what prompted me to pose the question. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Iv'e always been taught "kindness kills the devil," but I guess if the devil just wants you dead no amount of kindness can sway him (or her).

So I don't know because I'm not a nurse, but isn't it my choice whether or not to respond to such behavior? I imagine it would be difficult to work with someone who REALLY has it in for me, but aren't their ways to manage in spite of that?

Exactly why I brought it up! It was difficult to read the many not so peachy posts and still have faith that I am on the right path. These comments have put me at ease though. While I understand that no job is perfect and that nursing will undoubtedly be challenging, like others have stated, I just cant see myself doing much else. Congratulations for your ABSN, I wish you much success and satisfaction as you excel in your program and once you hit the floor as a Nurse!

Im glad I asked this question. I suppose I may have been focusing only on the negative aspects of nursing and becoming discouraged as a result. Its comforting to know that some of you still love or loved your profession in spite of all the challenges. Thank you all for your responses, much appreciated. ?

I feel like most of what I read about nursing and peoples opinions or experiences with the profession are more often than not on the negative side. Based on what I have read, I cant say I blame anyone. Short staffing, Violent patients, mean doctors, bullying coworkers and everything else that seems to drive nurses from the bedside or from nursing entirely within a year being licensed. I just wondered if their were still nurses out there who actually liked being one, and why?

I couldn't quite wrap my mind around this either. How does someone not recall dropping their child off at daycare? One literally has to get out of the car, unstrap the child from the car seat, and physically walk them to the daycare.

I think smart phones/technology have made us stupid.. we’ve become so reliant on technology for just about everything and I’m not sure if it’s for the better.

Boy that takes guts! I know perhaps the grass might not be greener in some respects but the reason I’ve been at my current job for so long is due to the demand. CNA’s are in demand all day long, but of course they work infinitely harder than I am right now. So while taking a pay cut sounds daunting, at least I won’t have to worry about employment. Thanks for the advice, your awesome!