danielle2000

Unfortunately, it is so true. You get dropped and you are expected to keep running. My first job was like this. I get in the clinic, no back up no resource other than my books I have lugged through my clinical rotation. It almost feels as if I am being punished for wanting to advance my career. Right now I am looking for employment elsewhere because where I am currently working is disorganized, too many people in the pot. I can't stand inconsistency and expecting you to rise above like you have 30 years experience. Just done. So, I breathe, meditate, and thank my lucky stars for a new day and realize I have options.

Med/Surg is the fundamentals to all nursing. No matter what area you work, Med/surgical problems will arise. I say it depends on the nurse. I never worked Med/surg I started in the NICU but I am a self learner. I research and read a lot.

Wishing you the very best in your new chapter. It takes courage to admit your done but most of all you found another niche. :-)

I am 49 years old graduated last year in October. I feel you are never too old to do anything unless you limit yourself. I have worked as a LVN for 4 years and as a RN staff in the NICU for 16 years. I grew dissatisfied how our profession has been watered down to a mere servant. Even, though I love caring for my patients acute care facilities have worn me down mentally and physically. I decided going to NP school was the answer. I love people and love giving my patients the tools and guidance to empower their health. I always felt I would make a bigger impact as an advanced practice nurse than on the floor. I have no intention retiring anytime soon. This new role has rejuvenated my belief in nursing. I have a purpose and I want to be damn good at it. Age is only a formality. The rest is mind over matter. :-)

Wow, know your worth!!!!

First off, do not refer yourself as a nobody. It is clear you have your sites on pursuing goals in this profession. When I was 26 I started school with just English and math. I did not know what I wanted to do, until someone told me about being a LVN. I was like, "what is a LVN?" My classmate in Anatomy and Physiology replied they are nurses like RNs. I said okay why not. I knew from there on I wanted to be a RN and if starting as a LVN would help out my endeavor so be it. I did it. It was a very hard program, they taught from a RN book and exposed us to so many areas in nursing. It was like they were preparing us for RN school. I graduated and worked for four years in various settings like med/surg, postpartum, nursery, and long term care. I was still in Jr. college taking more courses for my RN and voila in a year I graduated with my RN. In the late 90s a LVN would take a bridge course and then cross over in the last year in RN school. I found a job working in the NICU for 16 years. By the 10th year I went to pursue my BSN and three years later I graduated with my MSN-FNP. If someone told me I would be a nurse practitioner when I was in my 20s I would think they were crazy but it is a reality and you can make it happen. Just take it one day at a time and before you know it you will be done. There will be trials and tribulations, but you will persevere if you stay focus and believe in yourself. Next year I will be working on my doctorate and I am done. So NEVER GIVE UP NEVER QUIT. It is yours so go get it.

Great advice, but I cannot stand floating I cringe at the thought of doing it. So I no longer work on the floor. :-)

So now we have to tip toe around getting pain relief for our patients? Why did the physician simply wrote an alternative for increased pain? I would call I do not care about a MD being grumpy. You should have given more than just Tylenol. With all this customer service for reimbursement may be the hospitals should school these physicians instead of putting it on the nurses.

I get it why so many nurses are running to the hills. Misery, lack of adequate pay, and being treated like a servant than a professional. Nursing have so much power, but will not use to facilitate change. If every nurse walked off the floor hospitals would have to shut it down and divert their patients elsewhere! Just on that strength alone you would think our work situation would change. We take kibbles and bits while upper management get fat bonuses for screwing us out of good benefits, and we just roll over showing our backside and take it. NO SOLIDARITY!!!! It wasn't long ago when one of those dim-witted woman on The View insulted our profession and we came out swinging causing a major rift!!!! Why does it take someone to insult this profession for us to act, but not with the same zest when it comes to our work conditions? As a RN of 16 years I decided for ME!!!! it was time to seek an higher education pursuing advanced practice nurse. Where I work the nursing staff acts like sheep in a pen. I can't fight everyone's battles so I made conscious decision to keep it moving!!!!! We stand together or we all fail. Things will change when we do!!!

Perception is not always the reality. I have been a RN for 16 years and notice the gradual degradation of our practice as nurses. As a NP I feel empowered and making an impact on what I do for my patients. Now, with every profession there are some irritations but being bedside for all those years will NOT be missed. I enjoy interaction with other disciplinary staff and collaborating ideas. As far as the money I do not live above my means and I rather take a small pay cut then working all those holidays and weekends. I have a real life now. I can attend and do my favorite hobbies because I do not have to pound that pavement for 12 hours. So to each is own. The best gift I have given myself is a better option in this profession.

Wow, see that is one situation I do not want to be put in. To be at some facilities mercy or have them dictate what they are going to pay me. I am a NICU nurse and have been asked why I do not pursue being a NNP! That is the reason you have mentioned. I hate hospitals!!! I love those babies though. So I get my satisfaction doing Peds as a FNP.

Wish factor! I would have checked his behind and kept it pushing.

The saving grace in this profession is the dynamics. I truly feel your frustration I too had been where you are. For me, it was dealing with bureaucracy of acute care facilities with their unrealistic expectations and lack of good incentives. More customer service less nursing. Some of these tactics with customer services impedes care in my honest opinion. Not to mention the weak management team and their lack of leadership qualities. I went back to school and became a FNP. Now, I am not suggesting everyone run out and go back to school but, it was definitely an option for me and I took it. Before you give up on nursing sit down and reflect to find out what do you really like to do. Many tell me I will feel the burn of my paycheck being decreased but nah!!! One, I do not live above my means and I am not a greedy nurse. I enjoy not having to work weekends holidays and dealing with petty antics on the floor from miserable crotchety nurses, lol!!!! In as the demand for advanced practice grows so will our rates. Most of all my peace of mind has been restored 10 fold because I really feel I am making an impact. I am being respected because of my knowledge and learning to collaborate with experts too. Just get a meditative moment and find your niche. When you do go get it and never look back. :-)

Never accept rude behavior!!!! I do not know why people feel others should get a pass for being nasty. If you are in a leadership role you definitely have a bigger responsibility in being professional and not come off like some bulldog. You can own a mistake but you do not have to tolerate someone being rude. I have no qualms addressing that issue because I believe in nipping problems such as these before it becomes a code gray situation. I was always told send them to hell with a smile.

Honestly, it is not the patients that get me irritated. Because I realize after a while you can't let their problems become your burden. You can give the best care and teach. At the end of the day they will make their decision. Its the back biting trolls in nursing that gets me!

I was a LVN for 4 years and realized the limited opportunities I was dealt with. Instead of growing more frustrated and depressed I went to RN school. I worked in the NICU which gave me a sense of empowerment. I felt as if was making an impact. As years progressed I notice changes how acute care facilities have went to a customer service model where in some cases impeded medical care. I grew tired of the constant bureaucracy and treatment like a robot and pursed my BSN and now NP. I agree nursing can be trying at times but you can make a change. Find your niche. If you are working and complaining and not doing anything to change the situation then yes, many will tell you to stop whining. Sit down and honestly find out what is it you really want to do.

Girlfriend, with this profession you have to have tough skin. Remember RNs are not born they are created with years of experiences and with those experiences mistakes will be made. How you handle mistakes is what clearly defines your character. Personally, I would not have tripped over it. If it were me I would develop a cheat sheet when given report to make sure I address issues like how much? when was the last dose given, and when do I notify the MD etc. You are not a bad nurse just pull your boot straps and keep it pushing. No one has started this profession perfect.

You are as old as you limit yourself. Why are you so worried about those nurses? Do you and pursue what you want. You have much over them, which is experience. I am 49 years old and have seen many young nurses come across my path, but it does not intimidate me because as long as I have cognitive status I can do whatever I choose. I did, I became a FNP. Never let anything be the boss over your endeavors.

My LVN is the crux of my foundation in nursing. My LVN curriculum was hard. Not only were we exposed to a lot we learning out of a RN nursing book. Afterwards I went to Santa Monica College to pursue my ADN in June 1999and became a licensed RN in 2000. Ten years working as a NICU nurse I pursued my BSN 2013 and afterwards my FNP, which I am currently done with. So if you want it go get it. :-) It is never too late to want more in nursing. Best wishes to whatever you choose. :-)

I think it really depends on the culture of your setting. White lab coat is the standard. I hate to dress up I prefer comfy slacks comfortable shoes and a pretty top or just plain ole dark blue scrubs pressed neatly creased. During my OB rotation I was always being mistaken as the physician but I happily state I am a nurse practitioner! Your appearance is very important.

As much as I love my NICU babies, when I am off work I do not think about anybody or thing. My days off are for me to enjoy. When I go back to work I give my best to my patients. Nursing is caring profession and sometimes you have to stand back or you will be a basket case. There has to be balance. I know its very difficult but you must find that middle ground.

Most of us know what we are signing up for when we become nurses. I agree 1000%. When patients lash out for whatever reason I do not take it personally it is usually some underline problem that has not been resolved. For the most part it is the patients that keep me going for another day because of a good rapport I have established with the patients I serve. It is management's unwillingness to support their nursing staff. I have notice how they want nurses to pursue education and certifications, yet when a change of condition or a change that can implement a better outcome it continues to fall on deaf ears and patient and staff are left to deal in the misery. This only prompted me to seek advanced practice. Yes, there are some issues in advanced practice but being treated like a robot is not one of them. The best move I made was to become a NP. No more of the political crap on the floor and lack of support from management and other nurses. It is unfortunate when a nurse wants to leave the profession all together. I love nursing I just can't stand the lack of cohesiveness among staff members and management, deadly poison combo.

You were thinking of your patient which to me is far more important than some status. As we strive to do what is best in our facilities there is always an exception. As you grow in the NICU it will become more clear.

It varies from company to company. Many hospitals want BSN nurses to look good for their MAGNET status but unfortunately for the nurse you are not compensated well at all for your endeavor.

True, I see your point. Lowering the standards for admission can cause a problem. Overall, I think NP schools have to make it where they are responsible for students to have good preceptors and not place that burden on the student.