milobust

I'm an RN and I don't let anyone make me feel like the OP feels so I don't understand why she feels a need to vent if she didn't allow others to put her down. LPNs and RNs have overlapping responsabilities but they are not the same, hence the difference in pay, NCLEX and education. You cannot compare apples to oranges. Finally, if one nurse saved another nurse's bacon once it has nothing to do with one being and LPN and the other being an RN or vice versa, it has everything to do with experience. So all those claiming they saved so and so even though they had more education are missing the point. You saved them because you were more experienced and that has nothing to do with a degree or a license. If the LPNs feel they do exactly the "same" job and can run circles around less experienced RNs and whine about less pay but refuse to go back to school then they really should keep it to themselves because they are the ones deciding to make less pay for the "same" job.

First, with regards to the undertones and overtones: I'm not sure how much clearer I can make my opinion. Second, I have gone a lot longer than the OP without getting even an interview so I know where they are coming from. Third, I guess in your opinion it's okay to tell others to avoid going into nursing because they didn't get their first or second jobs attempts but someone defending nursing is the "bad guy". I enjoyed this site for all the diverse opinions but when people log on to tell nurses to give up on becoming a nurse then I will speak up. If you're okay with this type of person caring for you then maybe on day you'll get a nurse who hates their job. Good Luck.

Don't get discouraged. It sounds like you did the right thing for yourself and the residents. I had to walk away from my first position as well because I was not comfortable with being the only nurse in my facility (LTAC) after 4 weeks on the job. This website helped me find a wonderful job www.hospitaljobsonline.com. Good luck and be proud you put yourself and your license before your paycheck.

I had the best luck with hospitaljobsonline.com and literally went through each Texas (you can specify your state) hospital (almost 400) on the list until I found specific jobs for new grads (very few hospitals had slots). Paid off for me but it took a good month and a LOT of applications! Good luck.

OP, I've read some of your previous posts and, with all due respect, I DON'T think you should be a nurse. I would not want someone with your attitude caring for anyone. Many of us on the site have been through heck and back and have a passion for nursing that 1, 2 or 12 months of unemployment will never destroy. I don't know what entitles you to get exactly what you want when you want it but it's time to wake up. You want a guarantee? Too bad, doesn't exist. Good luck in your next non-nursing career.

I'm sure your wrote this post out of frustration but with all due respect your wasting energy on this lawsuit idea when you should be getting creative with your job search. Once you find a job I'm sure you will be very grateful to your school for everything they did for you. Be patient and it will happen. You may have to move or commute but just be persistant and use common sense. Right now your thinking with your heart and are probably frustrated. Good luck!

"They are always looking for people"= HUGE red flag. I worked in a similar place and ended up having to leave due to unacceptable working conditions. I would take the hospital job, hands down!!

I felt the same way for the first week or so but it got better. I did usually have aides to help me. Are you always gonna have aides to assist you? Are you on your own? For me it was all my nerves, I learned to prioritize and got a little better each day. Its gonna take a while but its all about believing that you can do it. And it is a horrible job market out there, so really consider not finding another good job for a good long while cause there are dozens of people waiting to take your spot. Good luck. My advise is to get strong and give it everything you got.

I just finished calling my two weeks notice to my DON and decided to check the site for similar stories to make me feel better and I literally think we work at the same facility. I have never been so miserable at a job and never felt so happy to quit than I felt today. Follow your gut! I don't know what the future holds but I feel glad deep down that I am quitting and I am saving my license.

Find out your place on the "waiting list" if they have one, finish your prereqs and if you have your lpn you should only have a year to go to get your rn and at least youll have exp under your belt. Good luck its gonna be a wild ride!

There will ALWAYS be reasons to quit. I could have walked away so many times and no one would have blamed me but I didn't and am now on my way to a new career, a new life in a new city and much more pay and opportunities. Stick it out, you wont regret it.

Thats sounds really low. I average 208 per year based no 8 hrs per 2 weeks.

I was told by an instructor that nurses should move to a new position every 1-2 years and take advantage of the increased pay when taking a new position. He said as a nurse manager when he hired nurses he didn't hold against them the fact that they moved around every few years.

New grads in TX are having a horrible time finding work. I would be very suspicious of their claims of job ops!!

I have plantar facsitis and it sounds pretty similar to what you've described. I am now using arch supports, hopefully it will resolve.

Congrats!! I just accepted a position at a small private hospital and the 3 months it took to get one interview seemed like a lifetime. Good Luck!!

RN's sometimes may not do as much "aide work" as lpn's or cna's but the RN is responsible for the overall care of the patient and interpreting the patient's changes in BP, breathing rate, temp, etc is critically important to the patients survival and recovery from illness. RN's have a lot of responsability and the work level will depend on the area you are hired in. If a nurse has 2 critically ill patients then she will probably be more "hands on" but you can't possibly provide the same level of care with 6-8 patients.

I completely sympathize, I didnt get a phone call for months and I basically lucked into a position. To me the shortage is "experienced nurses" and not new nurses. Best of luck!

I graduated in Dec of 09 and just barely got a position(basically becuase a male nurse was desperatley needed) and my best advice would be to apply all over the state. I am moving to a new town and am getting paid more because of it. Good Luck!!

What helped start making A's was to determine what class you will be taking right after a break (summer, holiday, spring break) and read a seperate study guide pertaining to that subject. There are tons of study guides for each specific course which will go over all the information that will be covered in class. Critical Care made Incredibly Easy was the book I read over the summer which helped me ace the course. The key is being prepared and never getting behind because the pace is frantic and you may never catch up.

I can tell you that when I worked 30 hours a week in nursing school it seemed like the worst time of my life but I had to do it and made A's. Don't get me wrong though, some days you'll wish you were dead but it can be done.

I am currently looking for my first position and the majority of the jobs I've seen have an emphasis on "experience" above all else.

I felt the same way but graduating five months ago and not getting a single interview changed my attitude from "I want to work where I am gonna be happy" to "I just want to work". Luckily I have had my old job all through school so at least I am not homeless. Hopefully you'll secure a job sooner rather than later but finding any work is my priority. You can always move to another job you like once you have the all important experience.

I just received my 2 year degree and am looking for a job. If I had gone the BSN route I would have another year or more before I could start earning money. I am enrolled in a BSN program now but I already have my license and can start getting my on the job experience. My 2 year degree was less than 1/3 per semester than the cost of the 4 year school. When you graduate as a BSN nurse you will probably spend your first year or two working right along side 2 year degree nurses at the same pay anyway. IMHO this is the most inexpensive and way to go and your on the floor with your license in 2 years and continue to your BSN at your own pace.

I am a newly licensed nurse and in my first year of school I very honestly asked my teacher if it was normal to be scared to death I was gonna make a mistake every time I went to clinical and she explained that it was normal and okay and that fear would make me a better nurse. I myself did not feel anywhere near capable of providing nursing care till even after my boards. This was after months of study and restudying assesments techiniques and procedures. I finally feel like I'm ready to get out there and care for patients, now Im just waiting for a job offer but I still study everyday. You'll get there!