LC17RN

Hi, just a comment first about something going on in my hospital that I truly think is sad. I work in the CCU of a small private hospital. On of our nurses became a NP 2 years ago. She has multiple years of experience as a critical care nurse and has her CCRN. She still works with us part-time. After she graduated and passed the NP licensing exam I can't begin to tell you how cruel some of the nurses were and the comments they made. She was constantly written up for nonsense things and really harrassed. Main problem, she's smart and beautiful. She started working at one of the larger private cardiology groups they want her to have priviledges at the hospital to make rounds. Recently, I overheard some nurses talking about how "pathetic" it was that the "doctors" wanted the NP to make rounds. Have nurses expanded their role....Do we not only eat our young but our older coworkers too??? Nurses need to stand together, work together. We have a very compassionate profession and we are intelligent too. The hospital recently hired a NP for new cardiac procedures. They are doing bedside pacemaker insertion, she does tilt-table testing I'm not sure about what else (you don't hear too much about it, they're still opening up more space for this project). I think it's great that nurses are able to advance their careers to these levels. I hope to do it one day too....but I still do love bedside nursing. NURSES DO GREAT THINGS! :rotfl:

Kathy, I appreciate your response, but I guess it's a personal decision. When I am at work I give my all to my patients. I love my job. However, my family comes first. There is no job that will ever be more important than the safety and health of my girls. I am very honest with my employers. I have also been "stuck" at work quite late for other nurses emergencies. Truth is things happen in other peoples life's too. Sometimes nurses can't come in and are not able to give adequate notice. We are people too, we make mistakes and have personal issues just like everybody else. I know I have to be comfortable with my decision and it's my choice to stay home with my kids.

I have to say I am shocked at so many of the nurses that think a 16 and 12 year old child would be okay alone for a weekend during a weather emergency. I also have a 17 and 12 year old girl, to tell you the truth I wouldn't leave them alone for a weekend even during the best weather. Forget about what "could" happen, how would you feel if at 12 y/o there was a major storm and you couldn't be with your mom??? I know my youngest would be devastated. During this past storm in NY 2 weeks ago, I offered to go in if the hospital would send their van for me (they were bringing nurses in that lived close by), they said I was too far away- I was too far for them to get me??? but I was supposed to drive in??? I think not - I'm a single mom - their only mom - and no career is more important than my kids. Wouldn't it be nice to see the DON's back at the bedside during a crisis? after all they are nurses too....aren't they?