Mr_D

I don't participate in the Republican/Democrat style of divisive and corrosive politics, so I ain't telling. Keeping in mind that the Republicrats use abortion, etc., as a strategy to whip their supporters into an emotional frenzy to get re-elected, would you like to work together on a strategy that takes some power away from incumbent politicians? You know, 98.7% of Congress was re-elected last election. They are spending $$$$$$$$$$$$.$$ like drunken sailors. How many of you would actually throw away your vote for some jerk b/c you are WORRIED about who may get appointed to the Supreme Court? As P.T. Barnum would say: Sucker! ... hook line and sinker. They got you wrapped around their pinky finger. It's a strategy to get relected so they, Republicans and Democrats, can spend your money. Take a close look at your retirement account, your debt, your bills, dreams for your kids, college fund, vacations. Then look at the amount of income taxes, property taxes, gasoline taxes, hotel taxes, sin taxes, phone taxes, sales taxes, interest taxes etc, etc etc. Then look what you get in return: How do you like your health benefits these days? Are you afraid of getting really sick? Does it bother you that Americans workers get less benefits than any other industrialized nation? And why, after 35 years of Republicrat "reforms" is education so snarled in bureaucracy and failing so miserably? How is it since WWII that America has gone from the most loved and admired country to the most hated? Parents, do you care that the reenlistment rate is plummeting and there is discreet talk about reinstating the draft? Republicrats are masters at Bait and Switch. Talk about abortion (gay marriage, etc) so there's no oxygen to discuss anything else. Why put up with this cr*p year after year after year? How about limiting the terms of House members to a total of 6 years??? How about getting more people into the Chairmenship of Congressional committees and sub-committees? Yes -- this requires some disipline not to get pulled into this fight. It's hard. I know. I've been very opinionated about these issues in the past. And I have learned by experience that it's just a political ploy that unfortunately works. Whatever our respective planks on emotional/religous issues, could we not work together to make our country more democratic? That is the conversation that the Republicrats never want us to have. They use abortion as a wedge issue to keep otherwise good people at odds with each other. Mr_D

I just learned about nilepoc.com from another post (see link below). It's an interesting read. Does anyone know of other nursing blogs out there? thx, Mr_D CRNA grad school Blog: http://www.nilepoc.com/srnablog/blogger.html

Great thread -- I've been debating whether to take Spanish this summer, fall, and Spanish for med professionals in next Spring. Having read this, I'm doing it. thx, Mr_D

How about the Atlanta metro area? Anyone?

I lose more replies on this new system -- I'll try again for the third time. I am quite conflicted about this. If I want to go for an MSN, then I better do it immediately following my BSN. However, I plot it on a calandar, geez, I'll be in school through summer 2008! That's a long time!! That's a hard sell to the spouse . . . especially considering the starting wages of a nurse graduate. I've also have conflicting messages about this. I went into nursing b/c of the flexibility. I've been told that a BSN offers a lot of flexibility (compared to ASN or LPN) and could ride that through retirement. Keep in mind that I'm a career changer, will enter into nursing as a BSN-RN full time at 41. Flexability and autonomy are usually important to me -- but I have young children and a marriage, and 4 years of school would definately impact the family. I see compelling reasons on both sides of the issue -- which is why I'm so stuck!! Are there any BSN's out there who regret NOT going for an MSN years ago? Why? thx.

Thanks for your response. What do you mean by a "generic MSN"? Also -- I am 39 now, will complete my BSN by 41. If I go for a MSN, I would finish around age 43. Do older nurses have a more difficult time finding work? IYO, what age does that become a factor? thx.

What are the career advantages of getting an MSN? Does it automatically equate to more money or flexability or training (than an BSN)? Does anyone regret not getting one while their life was set up for school? Thx, Mr_D

A brief bullet point summary of my reply THAT WAS LOST.... Great thread . . . After much discussion, my wife and I decided I will persue Nursing as a 2nd career. I am successful in the IT field. We have always had friction over the usual: money, household labor, sex, future goals. We are very complementary on politics (disgusted with the two-party system and the corrupt Republicrats, we are socially liberal, fiscally conservative) and religion (apathetic), and both luck out when it comes to character. After 8 years, a fireball strong-willed 2.5 year old, a baby, and a career-change, we are on the brink now. We are seeing a marriage therapist seperately. We fight over "ideology" -- that is, our respective principles and beliefs, the way "things should be" e.g. house neatness standards and 50/50 split of chores, quantity/passion of sex, money saved vs. convenience, etc. We now are discussing our "ideology" rather that fighting the merits of our respective position. We "discovered" we are very different people. Question on the table now: How do we continue to build our relationship with our differences? Our marriage will last or break depending on our adaptability and desire to make it last. I'm making choices to address some of her concerns i.e. put the sex issue on the shelf for several months, cooking more, more efficiently using my time. We are not delusional. Nursing School will definately test our relationship. I think if we can get through the next 3 years, we'll be OK. My orginal post was SO MUCH nicer. Arrgggg! Tough lesson in learning to do a Ctrl-A and Ctrl-C before submitting (places all your hard work in the clipboard). Mr_D PS -- It happened again!!! Thankfully, I didn't lose my work this time, just "repasted" it.

I just wrote for the last 30 minutes a reply and this "new and improved system" lost it. First lost track that I was logged in, then lost track of my thread ( invalid thread error). I'm pissed!! :angryfire

I'm seriously considering going for my MSN immediately after completing my BSN, basically b/c my life is set up for school and would be a good time to do it. In terms of career flexibility and earning power, is one better off going the clinical route (APRN, NP) or Administrative route? Also -- how valuable is an MSN degree? Any of you out there wish you already had it? or alternatively, regret spending the time and $$ to get it? And how valuable is MSN clinical training? I mean, are you much better off in terms of training? thx, Mr_D

It's almost comical how many were having second thoughts at the altar! 8 years later and I'm still wondering. Had I to do over again -- Thinking in terms of the "right" decision or "wrong" choice creates a helluva lot anxiety! I had enough smarts to know I needed therapy -- took several years to realize: * A choice is . . . simply a choice. ** I am a choice maker ** * I live with my choices!!! And you can do a real nut-job on yourself when you temporarily forget those points. I came to the conclusion that I'm not very talented at making good choices. These days, I rarely make one by myself -- I consult with my "advisors" (folks who really care about me), sometimes even on simple things. It's the most powerful tool I've ever learned. More concretely, I met a lot of cool guys and gals along the way, and I was too self-absorbed to notice or care. You know, a simple "hello, how are ya?" or "happy birthday" or "so sorry to hear your mother died", even an annual Christmas card. ha! I barely returned phone calls. I took a lot of potential friends for granted, and hurt a few feelings along the way. And now I've discovered in my late 30s that making new friends is a lot harder b/c everyone is so damn busy. I set myself up for a lot of regret. I definately would have reprioritized things so that people who offered me the opportunity of friendship could be a part of my life today. I would done more fun things too, like improv comedy, acting and (real) dancing. Your 30's tend to be the busiest time in your life -- so ham it up in your 20's!! Mr_D

I actually thought about a business that offered "bad credit services" so that one's credit report was more/less guaranteed useless!! When YOU needed credit, you'd log via the internet and "correct" your credit record, then "maul" it again a few days later.

I appreciate your response -- my last two posts address most of it. I think Lizz would be in a more powerful place if she shared more. In dealing with this stuff, there's no acknowlegement (that I recall) of her being a novice at this at any time. In relating to others, she doesn't share any of the confusion, dead-ends, frustration, outrage, despair etc, etc, as she learned about this system inside out. Instead, she appears more distant and "expert like", and comes off as "It's easy, just do it". Combine that with some moralistic responsibility language and she does come off as insensitive (she acknowledged that). She didn't learn responsibility in one day. I would guess that it was a process over several years, there were some real bad days and a few bumps in the road. Her vantage point would be far superior if she allowed other's the same learning curve. Mr_D

I call as I see it. I witnessed how you related to Melanie, in summary, a condescending know-it-all manner. I'd said many times that I'm not about protecting the guilty. I happy you won your cases. I haven't heard you say anything about protecting the innocent. In fact, you indicated that given the desparation of collecting debt, you are willing to accept "collateral damage" (To answer your question, that is where I got it from.) I've had my own experience in these matters re ID theft. I was treated like a criminal. No, I don't have to respect this system. If I get ensnared again, I'll work it just as you did, but until some substantial improvements are made, I'll never respect it. If I said anything that's not supported in these posts -- then I am out of line and I truly apologize. I'm not interested flinging insults. I do get quite passionate in debate. Rambling on to the playground . . . Mr_D

Ok -- I see it's confusing. I don't see it as two completely different things. The credit system, the collection process, ID theft, the judiciary are interwined -- and fail more than they should. If the system (as a whole) can be manipulated and used to destroy (a) the credit of innocent person (b) a person who is making every effort to satisfy the creditors (Melanie's case) © a persons ability to gain employment Then IMHO the system is fatally flawed. I also point out that if a person who is 100% innocent (ID Theft) can't find justice in the system, then I highly disagree with your assertion that the system generally works. Or, may should qualify that, it may work for a few a special interests. And I don't buy your assertion that it's 100% responsibility of the people to sort out this legal morass. The system-designers have to take responsibility somewhere. And they don't. I would love for you to have a better way of collecting your debts -- but not at the expense of innocent people. I won't accept collateral damage. Mr_D