RNDave

"Nursing shortage" is probably an inaccurate way of putting it. There may be plenty of nurses out there. We just continue to have people leaving more than staying.

I guess my point is that too many seem to see being an RN as a bridge to a better career and not an end in itself.

With all the RN's going to NP school, is the profession significantly contributing to the RN shortage? Between retirement and RN's in line to become NP's it seems our unit is on a constant hunt for staff.

I'm new, 4th week of orientation, to ICU. I spent 2 1/2 years on an oncology/medsurg floor including 6 months as nurse tech. In my opinion, I needed at least that much time before moving to ICU. I just think it's fair to patients to get some chops down as a nurse before moving on to ICU. I never knew 2 patients could keep you so busy! I know people go right into ICU from school, but I wouldn't recommend it. (There's also stepdown which is a good prep for ICU).

There are a lot of positive posts about nursing, too. I would say most of the time I go home from work without regrets. And I've yet to come to work dreading what lays ahead. If you work an off shift, get a little overtime, and work the typical obligatory weekends and holidays, the pay isn't bad. I don't know what the current climate is like in engineering, but I'm guessing your interest in nursing may be job security related. There are some nervous engineers here in Michigan. If you value helping people and the emotional reward of having patients be truly thankful for your efforts, then nursing is a good choice. But, if you like to eat lunch, go to the bathroom when you like, or have issues with demanding patients and their families, or have an aversion to sticking people with needles (something I seem to be good at and enjoy:devil:) then nursing is a bad idea. Nursing also elevates the stereotypically non-male skill of multi-tasking to a high art form. But, again on the plus side, I really like not having to wear a tie to work. Cheers, Dave

Similar to chiropractic school except that even less patient contacts are required. No residency is required in chiropractic. You graduate and are able to call yourself 'Dr.' seeing patients without needing a referral. But where would a DC or ND serve a residency? There is no resident system, as there is at teaching hospitals, for an alternative/holistic doctor. Cheers, Dave

Another vote for #2. I'm biased though. I did a 2nd degree BSN program. You didn't mention your need to work while in school. If you must work while in school, then the 2nd degree program may not be for you. I'm not saying you won't be able to work at all. You can keep a contingent position. Cheers, Dave

Congrats to you! I've just finished my first year, too! I've grown a lot, but I still ask many questions. It's fortunate to find a good team to work with right out of school! :)

Go to www.salary.com and punch in your zip code. The salary ranges they give seem to be pretty accurate. The starting salary of an RN w/ a BSN is usually the same as RN's with 2 year degrees. The main thing the BSN gets you is the opportunity for upward mobility in terms of management positions. But, this is after paying your dues on the floor. Cheers, Dave

Thanks you two. Sounds like a plan to me. I'm staying put for a while!

RN1989's reply about autonomy is pretty much right on. Nursing is way stressful sometimes. But, so are most jobs that pay anything. It sure beats what I was doing before. Dave

an an rn you won't be monitored closely, except during your preceptorship. you are the one providing treatment and signing progress notes and mar's. you will have the authority to use your expertise and knowledge to complete things when it best fits your schedule. of course these will be patient centered tasks that need to be done sometime during your shift or passed on to the next shift. and then there are times when things get put on hold or delegated to other rn's because you have a patient who needs more attention, e.g., codes, respiratory/cardiac distress, change in condition. it's a job with some independence and a lot of teamwork thrown in, if that makes sense. dave

I'm not sure what you mean by autonomy. As RN's we have a lot of independent patient care decisions to make. If clinical indicators suggest that a patient needs a certain med or lab study it's up to the RN to contact the MD to have that ordered. We have autonomy as patient advocates and to some extent as delegators. I only have a year under my belt, but, from what little I know, certain specialties have more autonomy than others, e.g., ER and ICU.

I'm nearing the end of my first year as an RN. I've been working on a medsurg floor. I generally like it and I've learned a ton. I haven't really developed any long term career goals except that I've been considering a move to ICU. I've been thinking that if that's what I want to do, then I should just do it. But I also have been thinking that maybe I'm not quite ready and should get a little more proficient. I'm just starting to get a handle on the whole 'prioritization and time management' part of medsurg nursing. So, here are the options: 1. Just do it. Actively seek an ICU position now and not pretend that I'm intend to stay long term with my current position. 2. Get more experience and proficiency. In the process of getting more proficient I would be getting chemotherapy certified and renewing my ACLS. With this option I would probably be looking to change to ICU in early 2009. I am sensitive to management's point of view that it a lot of cost and energy goes into training a new RN. But, I also want to look out for my own interests and find my 'niche'. Dave

So sorry to hear about your loss. It must be difficult to say the least. From your questions and comments I think you'd be a fine RN. You mentioned whether we male RN's feel respected as professionals. For the most part I would say yes. I think professionalism is mainly a product of self conduct and self respect. With regard to having to 'look busy' for management, that is not an issue for me. I am busy! The issue really is how well do you use your time and resources to keep on top of things. Cheers and good luck! Dave