RNDave

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.

"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.

Is anyone familiar with Western Governors University online MSN programs? Seems a little too good to be true at $3250 per 6 month term. http://www.wgu.edu/online_health_professions_degrees/online_healthcare_degree.asp Thanks, Dave

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 do...

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 oblig...

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 ser...

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 a...

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 upw...

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

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...

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 ...

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 h...

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 prof...

I really like the Nurse's Pocket Drug Guide 2008 by Judith A. Barberio. It's small, fits in a scrub top pocket, and has tons of info. I can probably count on one hand the times I've needed drug info and it wasn't in this little book. Check it out. Th...

Well said. I have almost a year of medsurg under my belt and have been thinking a lot about ICU. It seems much more peaceful in the ICU than on my floor. Is that so, or is that an illusion?

I have the opportunity to move from working 8 hr afternoons, 3-11:30, to 12 hr midnights, 7p-7:30a. I work on a medsurg unit. I would love to have the 4 days a week off. But, I'm worried about managing the sleep schedule. Those of you who do work mid...

Another thing about nights, at least where I work: midnight RN's have at least 7 patients and usually 8. I know they're sleeping, or should be, but having a steady diet of that many patients scares me. Is that an issue for any of you? Dave

Thanks for the detailed responses. Some creative strategies mentioned. I would make the change mostly to have some extra time off. I thought 8 hour afternoons would be easy, but it turns out there is little to no time to have a life outside of work. ...

"Saracens", "Hospitaller", "Gynecocracy"...? If nothing else this thread has been good for my vocabulary :chuckle

What other term would we use and confuse everyone including ourselves? Most patients I get are excited, for whatever reason, that I'm male. I had one cantankerous male patient, though, who said, "Oh, a male nurse." It was a smart alec comeback but I ...

As goody-two-shoes as it may seem I try to be an exemplary gentleman. There have been a couple of times some of them tried to bait me into flirting, and or taking part in sexual inuendo. I just turn red and keep this rule: Don't go there. Dave

Congrats!!! We need more banjo playing sexist pigs!!:chuckle Seriously though, congratulations. I did an accelerated program. It's a wild ride. Dave