oakbourne

Are we factoring in that jobs are being destroyed everyday and everybody is jumping on the bandwagon to be a nurse these days and hospitals are cutting back everyway they can? So I expect to see that Nurses will be making less and less. Supply and demand and I see that there will be a glut of nurses soon, and hospitals can have their way with us.

I agree, this poster has got to develop thicker skin. Try to compartmentalize your feelings, and hold it there, because once you get on the floor,clinc, et cetera, you can get your feelings hurt on a daily basis. Don't take it personal and don't use up that much energy on something someone said . Just hang TUFF and be polite.

Talk about jealousy, it is out there folks.I have an ADN in nursing, and my friend has her MSN. We grew up together, poor, but we had a great childhood. Since she has a high demand career, making big bucks, and has her MSN, she no longer wants to associate with me. I have another degree, a BA in Journalism, and my ADN. I think we need to treat each other as equals. I treat my CNAs or the DON the same. I am no better than the next guy and they are no better than me, but some people feel differently. That is my 0.50 cents worth.

So many nurses I have spoken with have told me the classes in the BSN did not help them one bit or apply to bedside nursing. They also felt the classes they took were wasted classes. They said it, not me. Now, I can put my hand on the Bible and confess that everything I learned in the ADN program has been useful, but I see having a BSN is a feather in your cap, and I would like to have one too. U OF Phoenix, said why not go for your BSN when yo have another 4 year degree and you go straight into MSN, but I don't want a MSN, management is not for me, and it seems that nursing is getting farther away from the bedside. What would Florence Nightingale think? That is my $1.25 input. Thanks gang.

Why do nurses want a doctorate degree? I think the only time you could really use a PhD would be for teaching, because all you need in management in nursing is a MSN. There is a crisis at the colleges because there is not enough instructors or professors in the nursing department. They are either getting their doctorate and working part time at hospitals and creating difficulties for the students because they too have to study, or so many instructors teach and work part time at the hospitals for better pay. This is a problem in my eyes and I think it's hurting the students. Plus a lot of students don't cut the mustard and are weeded out and that seems to be popular now. Less students to teach = easier job for the insturctor. That' my 0.02 cents.

I graduated in 1993 from nursing school and it was hard, mind you, but what I am hearing about nursing school now seems super hard. You have to pass a calculation test every semester, and you are given real life health problems where the answers sound crazy. Also, an accelerated program has me in doubt. I know it sounds cool to do an accelerated program, but nursing school should not be in a rush mode. I think if you are rushed, you can't take it all in. That is my 0.02 cents.

I think if you have experience and another 4 year degree you can jump ADN to MSN through the University of Phoenix.That's what they told me, but I don't want to be in management, and I like working nights, so I am satisfied with bedside nursing, so there is no sense in getting a MSN.

Nurses are portrayed in the media as sex objects, ridiculed, looked down on, et cetera. We run the hospitals and the doctors come and go. We should demand more respect, but we don't get it.

Nursing school is one tough degree to get. I prayed before each test, hoping I would pass. I cried in clinicals when an instructor got on to me. I struggled with some stuff and took the instructor out to a nice dinner when she helped me. I jumped through hoops to get this degree. I would not let it get me.I studied and did not go out of the house until I knew the material. Many instructors told us that we would not see our families and down time would be few. Boy, that was an understatement. Nursing is hard, but it should be, because a patient's life is in your hands, and nurses run the hospital and doctors are in and out. My advice is study hard and don't let it get you. You will see the light at the end of the road.

I have several years in med/surg, took a break and was making $63,000,in psy nursing. It is easier than med/surg, but you have some difficult things to do and there is always the danger of being hurt by a patient. A nurse works hard and she earns every penny she makes. It is a hard but rewarding job.

Nursing is crazy, it is intense, it is hard, it is down right REWARDING! I miss it like crazy, and you can call me crazy, but I never got bored and there was something always to learn. Now I had some bad times, but that is behind me. I love med/surg and that is where I cut my teeth. I need a little slower pace job nowthat I am older, but I love the night shift. Morning person I am not. Nights are where you can laugh some, and go for a pee break, but I miss Med/surg.

Excuse me, but what I said about tax refunds is true. The "Arnold", said it on the radio and it's made news in the papers and TV. Also, the state is in debt 60 billion and wanting more because of other financial hardships. I live in Texas, and the Californians want to come here because it's cheaper to live and reminds them of California. I also hear the horror stories about California from them. So don't doubt me, because what I am saying is the truth.

Might be ok to visit, but if you work there, you may not get your tax refund. The governor came out and stated that getting your tax refund will be a problem.The state is in debt to the tune of 60 plus billion dollars. People are leaving the state in droves. I could think of a lot better places to work and know that if the state owes me money, I will get it.

CardiacRN I am glad you found a job easily. But back in 1993, jobs were not out there for new GNs. I worked in a hospital on the weekends several times a month as CNA, and that did not help. The jobs weren't there.Period! Someone did post a ways back that grades and work in their field should help them get a job. Maybe it did for them, but what I am saying is my own personal experience, and from my friends. As of yet, I don't know if the rules have changed. Please don't be condenscending. You are embarrassing yourself.

When I was looking in 1993, and there was a nursing crunch or NO NURSING JOBS, never was I asked about grades or transcripts. THEY WANTED EXPERIENCE!!!! It was the ole catch 22. I just quit whining and complaining and did what I had to do to get the med-surg experience by working in the boonies. That solved the whole problem, and afterwards I had experience and could work where I wanted to work. Just because you have great grades, volunteer work, and passed the NCLEX does not guarantee you a job. Do whatever you have to do to get the experience. Be creative, get a map,scope out small towns with small hospitals and call and call and call. Times are tough right now and you have to work hard like I did to get that experience. Just don't say I have the best grades, I have worked in a hospital environment, and I have done volunteer work. That won't fly. Hospitals want experience. Think experience, roll up your sleeves, and go to work at finding a job. That is what I had to do, and it worked like a charm.

When I graduated in 1993, we knew we were going to have a hard time finding a job in the nursing field. I went out in the boonies and worked for a small hospital, and boy did I learn a lot. Then with my med-surg experience under my belt, I looked really good to employers. I say, stay away from big cities, too much competion, and go the small town route. Whatever it takes, do it.

I would think that Florida would be your best bet. Back in 2001, they were giving cars away for sign-on bonuses. I went to Jacksonville, FL, for surgery, and they were begging me to put off my surgery and begged me to work there. The nurses were either not well trained, or just overworked. Probably the latter, because the treatment I received from the nurses was terrible. Lots of mistakes were made.

I hated nursing school, the mean evil instructors, and all the B.S. Loved working on the med-surg floor and I felt free, away from prying eyes and instructors who want to see you cry and out to eliminate you. It does get better and you gain confidence, and freedom away from those menacing instructors.

I am so proud of you. Never let age get in the way of going back to school. I was insulted on a thread, talking about, "Are "C" nurses, good enough nurses like "A" nurses?", and a poster responded to me by saying, "way way way way back in your day when you became a nurse and he insulted me because of my age. Just turned 55, so I reported him and accused him of ageism and age discrimination. They shut the whole thread down. I won't put up with anyone cutting me down because of my age and you should not either. I am proud of you, and if anyone cuts you down because of your age, report them or get in their face and put them on the spot, and rememeber they will be our age one day. All the luck to you. Love y'all. Dot

Fragino, I have reported you for cutting down my age and your nonsense about me not working. This is pure harrassment.

Please, for the love of God, can we close this post and go on to something else.

This is the craziest post I have ever read. It seems that all I get out of it is "'Oh I am an "A" student, blah, blah, blah." Alright already. After you learn all that theory in school which is a multitude of stuff, you will forget it once you're on the floor, unless you have a photographic memory or Asperheimers disease. The stuff you do learn, is on the floor,and is the stuff you do a daily basis. Good news about your "A", but it is no indication that you will be a good nurse. Been there done that and seen too many "A" students quit because of the stress, whereas a "B" or "C" students have the grit to withstand the onslaught. Grades are a miniscule part of nursing. Once you pass the NCLEX, you're good to go. Now, can we please go on to more pressing issues?

If you don't want to be satisfactory, learn your skills on the floor like clockwork, learn how to do it the first time, perfectly. Be perfect. Oh, also learn your critical thinking skills by heart, then you will be perfect. But perfect is not for me, because people who are perfect in medicine are dangerous.

To Livingthedream33: Bravo!!!!My sentiments exactly. You couldn't put it better. It almost becomes a game to see how many letters of the alphabet a nurse can put behind her name. But you know, with all that crazy mumbo jumbo stuff, they are still a nurse like everyone else, no better, no worse. Thank you, Livingdream

To everyone obsessed with grades, please get a life, improve your life, and change the subject. We have more things to worry about than stupid grades. A student great. But get on with your life and change the subject. BORING.