moochsmom

I understand your confusion. Believe me I started as an LPN due only to the fact that my husband was being transfered out of state and I did not want to live for 2 years alone. I finally decided to go back and get my ADN and have never been looked at like I was any different than the other nurses. I to had to pay off debt fast and now I am back at it and working towards my BSN. I work for the VA and after 2 years as an ADN you do not recieve promotions if you are not a BSN. At least they are paying for the BSN. I feel it is not fair to have to be forced to get my BSN, but I do think of it this way, I am a nurse, and always will be. I don't think of how much or how little I make, I think of my patients first. Believe me it is hard not to when you see them look at you when you tell them that they are back stateside and you are going to take care of them. Good luck in school, and when it gets rough just know we all went through the same thing. :redbeathe

Welcome Alli, Glad you're here.

There are numerous places to go for help with PTSD. The first place to call is any mental health group. Tell them you need to find a group. The most important thing is see a professional (if you have not done so). I work with PTSD returning veterans and it is so important to have professionals monitor you. I hope this helps. You are not alone, there are so many who have had the same abuse that you have suffered, so please keep your head up and remember there is hope.:loveya:

Thank you Tweety for your story. I have 20 years of sobriety and AA, but as you know sometimes you need that nudge to remind yourself that it is always one day at a time. Lately at work the stress level has hit the ceiling (wow imagine that), and all I can say is I wish I worked with someone like you. Keep up the great work, and I love your journel. Life here in Las Vegas isn't all high rollers and fun, but I can honestly say I still love being a nurse. Have a great weekend.

It has been my experience that you are overloaded with patients. One med-surg unit I worked on in Kansas City, it was normal to have 8 to 9 patients per nurse. If we were lucky we had an aide. Most of the time it was total patient care.