smilin_RN

I'd say if you want to go the quick route (which is what I did so its what I know) Get your ADN there are all types of programs online to go to a BSN and in your own time. where I live....(in the frozen tundra of north dakota) the bsn's usually get shoved into managment, which i don't want. I plan on moving and will eventually pursue the BSN degree, but with 4 children and being the main supporter...Its going to be at my own pace. but you do have that option, if you want to just get it all done at once go for the BSN but its just a longer time before the paycheck which is all what we work for in the long run right??? oh and to answer your question, the only time the BSN's get more is when they do a supervisor shift.

which hospital do you work in? I spent three weeks as a patient in spectrum and 9 weeks total until both my premature twins came home... I love that hospital... that place is the reason I became a nurse! hopefully will be able to be a Nicu nurse someday.

If you want to make a lot of money as a nurse don't come to ND. I know the RNs here at the hospital make about $35,000 a year, Lpns barely break $20,000. I am going back to school this year for my RN then I am moving to civilization.

unfortunatly for your patients, its OJT, I learned when I was a CNA and we had a patient who was a parapalegic and we had to do it every morning, Its pretty disgusting but it still doesn't bother me as much as suctioning a trach!

HAHA I am not sure what its like in a larger hospital, but..... the aides and I seem to have more than our share of poop... we even have names for ourselves such as......the commode commandos, the poop patrol, and the crap nazis. of course my least favorite activity is digging someone out, i have nightmares about it. but its gotta be done some times.

no nights are not easier because you have less staff but it is easier as far as no big wigs running around, housekeeping, etc getting in your way, you actually have time to ask questions. I like the nights because the phone doesn't hardly ring, it drives me crazy if i work a day. anyway, in answer to your question, give it a try everyone is so short on staff they will probably work with you if youfind out it doesn't work. and you don't need caffiene or coffee, lots of water keeps you awake. (makes ya have to peeeee lol) good luck

I guess everyone has a different opinion, i have dealt with doctors who think its not a productive day if they dont' make some nurse feel like poop on their shoe. He should be held responisible for his actions, and his lip. yeah maybe the collar should have been placed regardless but he deserved the spotlight on that kind of attitude. I am sure he was probably late for a golf game or something. he wasn't having a bad day, he was having an ego trip.

I have only been an lpn for 2 years, but was a CNA for 12 before that. I have experienced many deaths, deaths like you are talking about and deaths that are so quick. I have sat with the family, and patients and just cried with them. sometimes thats all you need and thats all they need to know that they count, or that their family member matters to you. Sometimes you run into families who just don't want you in the room even after you have taken care of this patient for months. (I work on an ECU unit with a couple of hospice rooms) Thats when its the hardest for me. Its ok to cry though, Its totally natural! you aren't a wimp. And the other nurses were probably touched as well they just probably deal with it another way.

I had a patient who was in for a headache... mind you she was reading and watching TV all hours of the night. and had an IV running... She wanted the foley just so she wouldn't have to get up. I told her no, she was very capable of going to the bathroom, that I wasn't even gonna ask the doc for it. She didn't push the issue

the only thing I can say without condemnation is that if you feel this way then go ahead and get out of nursing, yes there is a nursing shortage but if the compassion, and care for patients is gone, then upright and breathing is not enough. Walmart isn't great, I understand because I worked there before I went to school. but I'd rather have you checking me out than taking care of my loved one in the hospital in this state of mind. more power to you!! hope you feel better serena