RN WRITER NC

Thank you so much for the reminder. I have been so busy that my only exercise is at work and at the mailbox! Pretty sad indeed, but soon to change. I am a Taurus by birth and find peace when my feet are touching the earth!

All suggestions above are great and very important to consider. As a second-career nurse who entered the clinical field after many yrs experience as a CNA and a Telemetry technician, I just have a question. First of all, I wonder if you have done this kind of work before and know you love it? Because the environment is changing, especially after the last two years with Covid. Next, plan for the future. I am an Associate degree RN. I always planned to return for a BSN, because that is what everyone is told will be the baseline in Nursing. I had good intentions toward trying for a BSN degree, I took prerequisites while in school for my ADN and tried then multiple times to enter school at a later date. But the stars just weren't aligned for me to continue to obtain my BSN. My point is, as you are finding out; it is difficult to anticipate what your future holds for you to make these decisions now. My suggestion is: do what is possible with a plan for the future and persist like nobody's business! A lot of your process will depend on your personality and how you achieve your goals. In the end, I think you have done incredibly well already, so use that to build your self-esteem and also to show others you are serious about your goals. Good luck and make sure you are doing something that you love!

Completely understand, still looking at my options, despite starting a new business for freelance writing. Anything that is successful, takes time and this is what I am realizing right now.

Wonderful article and very timely!

Thanks for your comments, perhaps Long- term care is getting hit harder than other specialties.

I joined the nursing profession in 2006, which has been a Godsend for me in many ways! My income has doubled since I graduated. Also, there is a considerable market for nurses, so moving and finding work is no problem. Still, most of the nursing openings are because of Covid. In addition, many healthcare staff members are now weary of the environmental risk of the Covid 19 infection. We are also tired of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)! Yes, still wear shields even now. In addition, the staff is continually asked to work overtime due to the nursing staff shortage. I remember there were also many job openings before Covid. But I just don't understand where employers are coming from these days. Why do they not know that they are driving their staff away? Is it me, am I so blind that I cannot see beyond my own story? Combining a nurse's work and that of the nurse aide is challenging. I now have many more responsibilities as a nurse. CNAs turn residents every two hours, keep them company if they need someone, and ensure everyone is safe and not at risk of falling. Add that to the current expectations by nurses for running errands, cleaning, and dumping the trash. On the other hand, nurses have paperwork, charting, filing, drawing blood, completing treatments, changing bandages, and calling the MD to report patient changes for new orders. In addition, they order supplies, do inventory, and clean and dump the trash. So, when the employer asks the nurse to also be the CNA, add all the above, which is more than double the usual workload. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid to work hard, but the grueling work required for nurses today is ridiculous. Ensuring that a patient is safe and doing alright is the main priority of a nurse in all environments. In addition, the predominant population of patients is geriatrics who are hard of hearing. Try to have a meaningful conversation with them while wearing a plastic gown, gloves, footies over your shoes, and two masks. Nurses are angels, but not saints! What are the options for nurses who want to leave the bedside? Many nurses climb the corporate ladder and go into management. Teaching is always a path for nurses, but the pay is not great unless you have an advanced degree. Most options require returning to school, which means managing your family amidst school debt, homework, and working. My challenge includes all the above, so I have taken the leap of faith to start a new business. Throughout the last two years, nurses have witnessed an environment fraught with healthcare risks to the people they care about. The Covid-19 pandemic has wiped away any notion of me wanting to make a difference or fix the healthcare problem. Back then during the pandemic, I watched co-workers and many I cared for become sick; some died from the contagious respiratory disease. Protective supplies were at an all-time low. Work conditions were scary, to say the least! As a result, all direct care personnel were advised to wear two masks, one very thick and tight, a KN95 or worse N95, and another nonbreathable plastic shield. While we complied, we worried about breathing back in the exhaled carbon dioxide trapped in the masks. One morning after working a night shift, I fell wearing the masks while moving too fast around a corner, just trying to get to the breakroom to punch out! I'm pretty sure that I was not getting enough oxygen. Then, I was forced to use crutches and a cane for almost four months before returning from light-duty nursing. Make no mistake, bedside nurses have all been changed because of their experiences during the Covid pandemic. Many nurses, CNAs, and other healthcare providers are moving on due to the lingering trauma. New personnel will be needed. But hopefully, the pandemic will subside. And me, I am slowly making my way out.

Thank you for your article and also for the references. I am one of the many burned-out nurses in LTC and appreciate your detailed analysis.

Great article!

Thanks so much for responding! Great to hear how it was back then!

Absolutely!

Yes! Thank you for your response!

Amen. Great read, succinct and to the point!

Awesome article, good points and valid answers! Congratulations for your well-thought ideas!

Thanks so much for responding! Love the stories!

Thanks for your response! I am a second career nurse of sixteen years and have just been thrilled with my career so far, despite the hurdles and all the drama.