schrandt

Pulled off my ADN with 2 little kids, 1 & 3. Had 2 more after I graduated (wouldn'[t believe the crap I put up with--like didn't I learn how to prevent that? ect. Oh well. Went back to school after last 2 were in school. Yes it's extremely tough, think I got thru on sheer determination and tons of caffiene. Mother in law was horrified when I signed up for 16 credit hrs once-said I could never do it (Big Red Flag!!!) So I said sure I could my goal was deans list. Made it, but it did just about kill me off! I too had a husband that was more of a child than my kids were. He was the worst-glad he's the ex. My husband now is the most supportive man around, he'll let me do anything I want (would anyway) and he even cooks!! If I have a heavy load of computer work to do (am STILL in school), he'll bring supper to me right where I sit.

I was appalled by the snide comments I have read thus far. We call ourselves professionals?? Is it any wonder that other professions (including our own) don't recognize us as such? There does not seem to be any cohesiveness among us. That seems to be why the nursing profession can't get anything accomplished without infighting and backstabbing. God help us. I happen to be ADN prepared. I worked very very hard as I'm sure all of you did. Nursing school is tough, and is no picnic when you are raising 4 young children. During college, I was blessed to train under some well prepared LPNs that provided excellent hands on care, and was quite impressed with their compassion, knowledge and caring. On the flip side, we have all worked with BSNs fresh out of school, and wind up spoon feeding them for a time, yes, the focus is, by and large, on management.In the facility where I work (itty bitty 25 bed hospital in rural north Iowa), most of us are ADN or diploma grads. We also take many classes to enhance our training to be able to function well in crital care, ER, & OR. Our pay scale is very competitive with area hospitals. I started 17 years ago at $6.45/hr, so I don't think $14 to start is too bad, provided incremental raises are given consistently after a probationary period. I have been at the top of the scale for years, but I am content with my hourly wage and the benefits, some of which can not have a price put on them, such as co-workers you consider as friends and family. However, I found myself wanting a little more. My goal is to teach, and you can't do that with an ADN, regardless of the amount of experience you may have. I worked my tail off to complete my BSN, now working it off some more (not that it can't use the exercise!) in addition to going broke (I happen to be family oriented too) working on my masters and will allow no one to make me feel guilty about the desire for more education!!! There is only one class I have taken I didn't feel was quite necessary. The point is to be well rounded (whatever that my be--except my shape maybe). I agree the BSN as entry level will never fly, especially now with the country in an uproar over the nursing shortage. This was a big scare even 19 years ago! However, a close look at the demographics tell us there are less than 10% of all nursing school enrollees preparing for advanced practice careers. So tell me, who are the instructors, managers and administrators going to be--hmmm? Does this mean ADNs are not capable? Of course not--so don't go into orbit over that remark. Does it mean that the LPN or ADN are any less of a nurse?? The answer to that is an unequivocal NOOOO!! Only if you see yourself as such. But shame on the ANA for not considering any LPN a nurse. I don't really think Hot Spam meant the LPN wanted to be considered a BSN, but he/she certainly deserves to be recognised for her own merit. ACNPs reply was cruel and insensitive (with mis-spelled words--and that from a 4.0 GPA). We have one on our staff, we do not trust her-she will not back you up, and delights in cutting a nurse to ribbons in front of family members, and she was a NURSE?? Give me a break. No, not all nurses are the same, God didn't make us all alike. But I will repeat--that does not make an LPN less of a nurse. jt-(that happens to be my son's name)-as far as creating a 2-tiered system?? Possibly. Let's be realistic. There are certain things an LPN is not allowed to do--IVs for example unless she/he has training. One's own state nurse practice act spells out very definitely what is or isn't allowed. An RN without specific training is not allowed to intubate unless training is provided. I won't be the first one in line to scream foul for not letting me do that in the course of a normal day-thank you very much! Although I am trained to do it, it really isn't on my list of fun things to do. This "profession" needs to find some unity, a common ground to work from, and shared respect for each other to elicit change (it will happen with or without us). It is in our best interest to do just that. You have all provided me with an afternoon of "entertainment", and a lot of food for thought. Thanks. Sherro

I was appalled by the snide comments I have read thus far. We call ourselves professionals?? Is it any wonder that other professions (including our own) don't recognize us as such? There does not seem to be any cohesiveness among us. That seems to be why the nursing profession can't get anything accomplished without infighting and backstabbing. God help us. I happen to be ADN prepared. I worked very very hard as I'm sure all of you did. Nursing school is tough, and is no picnic when you are raising 4 young children. During college, I was blessed to train under some well prepared LPNs that provided excellent hands on care, and was quite impressed with their compassion, knowledge and caring. On the flip side, we have all worked with BSNs fresh out of school, and wind up spoon feeding them for a time, yes, the focus is, by and large, on management.In the facility where I work (itty bitty 25 bed hospital in rural north Iowa), most of us are ADN or diploma grads. We also take many classes to enhance our training to be able to function well in crital care, ER, & OR. Our pay scale is very competitive with area hospitals. I started 17 years ago at $6.45/hr, so I don't think $14 to start is too bad, provided incremental raises are given consistently after a probationary period. I have been at the top of the scale for years, but I am content with my hourly wage and the benefits, some of which can not have a price put on them, such as co-workers you consider as friends and family. However, I found myself wanting a little more. My goal is to teach, and you can't do that with an ADN, regardless of the amount of experience you may have. I worked my tail off to complete my BSN, now working it off some more (not that it can't use the exercise!) in addition to going broke (I happen to be family oriented too) working on my masters and will allow no one to make me feel guilty about the desire for more education!!! There is only one class I have taken I didn't feel was quite necessary. The point is to be well rounded (whatever that my be--except my shape maybe). I agree the BSN as entry level will never fly, especially now with the country in an uproar over the nursing shortage. This was a big scare even 19 years ago! However, a close look at the demographics tell us there are less than 10% of all nursing school enrollees preparing for advanced practice careers. So tell me, who are the instructors, managers and administrators going to be--hmmm? Does this mean ADNs are not capable? Of course not--so don't go into orbit over that remark. Does it mean that the LPN or ADN are any less of a nurse?? The answer to that is an unequivocal NOOOO!! Only if you see yourself as such. But shame on the ANA for not considering any LPN a nurse. I don't really think Hot Spam meant the LPN wanted to be considered a BSN, but he/she certainly deserves to be recognised for her own merit. ACNPs reply was cruel and insensitive (with mis-spelled words--and that from a 4.0 GPA). We have one on our staff, we do not trust her-she will not back you up, and delights in cutting a nurse to ribbons in front of family members, and she was a NURSE?? Give me a break. No, not all nurses are the same, God didn't make us all alike. But I will repeat--that does not make an LPN less of a nurse. jt-(that happens to be my son's name)-as far as creating a 2-tiered system?? Possibly. Let's be realistic. There are certain things an LPN is not allowed to do--IVs for example unless she/he has training. One's own state nurse practice act spells out very definitely what is or isn't allowed. An RN without specific training is not allowed to intubate unless training is provided. I won't be the first one in line to scream foul for not letting me do that in the course of a normal day-thank you very much! Although I am trained to do it, it really isn't on my list of fun things to do. This "profession" needs to find some unity, a common ground to work from, and shared respect for each other to elicit change (it will happen with or without us). It is in our best interest to do just that. You have all provided me with an afternoon of "entertainment", and a lot of food for thought. Thanks. Sherro