whalems

Decide what is important to you and do it. Patients are NOT animals, so making that jump might not be what you expect. While nursing is a job, it is not so easy for a new grad to find one in NYC. Most institutions here want an RN with a BSN and to have one year of experience, often difficult to do when you can't get hired. I encourage my students to take jobs in other places, nursing homes, SNF--not their dream job but a stepping stone and certainly experience. Unfortunately, new grads can not be picky. With hospitals down-sizing and closing, there are many experienced nurses vying for the same job! Nursing is a profession and for many who will do whatever needs to done --a calling.

I am curious about what you do not like regarding your PCT job? Care of patients, the hours, the unit itself? I am a FNP and have been a nurse for 35 years. In addition, I am a clinical professor, on the unit with students weekly. I strongly suggest to all students that they should look for internships / externships during the summer and if they are asked to stay as a PCT, this is a plus. Not only will you know the staff and administration, they will also know you. In NYC, RN jobs for new grads are not easy to come by and anything that gives you a foot up to be hired-take it! If you don't like patient care, you are in trouble. That is what you signed up for in being a nurse. Unfortunately, I know a lot of nurses that find patient care is beneath them and are forever calling for the PCT to take care of the patient's needs, i.e. bathing, toileting. Many will go so far as to make a patient wait for care if the PCT is on break. All I can say- 'What if that was your mother / father needing help?' Think about it and figure out what you don't like. Change what can be changed or consider other options.

I have been an RN / FNP for 34 years. I have been a clinical instructor / professor for 2 universities over the past 10 years. I usually work 1-2 8-10 hour shifts per week, in addition to my primary employment as an NP in dermatology research. What I have found is this:first, a great deal depends on the university's support of their instructors. One SON usually supported the student without input from the instructor, which can be quite uncomfortable. Second, it is a wonderful way to keep your hands in bedside nursing and to keep up with new medications, procedures, etc. Third, it is wonderful to help guide potentially new nurses on the care of patients, because as we know, it is so much more than what is in the book. Fourth, when you love what you do--it shows, to your students, the nursing staff and particularly to the patient. And if you are interested in extra income, earning the money doing what you like--this is perfect. In NYC, clinical instructors earn $70-80 / hour of clinical instruction! I started as a means of paying off my daughter's college tuition (>$140K), it is now paid off (less than 6 years) and we are now financing a retirement home purchase. Do what you love and love what you do.

I teach in both an ADN and a BSN program in NYC, and to be honest in the present market, ADNs are being shut out of most nursing jobs in hospitals. I have strongly encouraged my ADN students to return for their BSN ASAP. The longer you wait the harder it is to go back particularly as your obligations grow. Regardless, if you fortunate to land a job as either a BSN or a ADN, inquire how the institution supports nurses and education, i.e. tuition reimbursement, paid conferences, on campus programs. Determine what you want of your future and make a plan for how you will achieve your goals. Good Luck!

I went to my pinning ceremony 31 years ago and was very proud. I am also proud when someone comments on my unique pin (St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC). I can understand when you have had a bad experience, but ask yourself what made it bad. Were the instructors too tough? The courses difficult? Did you think school was going to be a breeze? Felt that courses were not relevant? Here's the deal--you can kill someone in seconds if you do not have a proper understanding of what you are or are not doing. I started in a diploma school, completed my bachelor's and have 2 Master's. Was it easy-No. Did I want to give up-Yes and usually when I was exhausted. But I have accomplished so much and my patients are the better for what I have accomplished. I work as a full time FNP and also am a clinical nursing instructor for 2 schools in NYC. Students have complained that I expect perfection. I say that your patients expect excellence. Mediocrity does not breed excellence. Go or don't go to graduation--only you will miss out. But be the best that you can be. Treat your patients as you would your family and leave each day knowing that you have done your best. Sometimes the holding of a hand can mean more that a shot of Morphine.

Maybe you see it as a just a ceremony, but for me it was very special. And it it remains so 30 years after the fact. I am proud to wear my school pin and it is often a catalyst for conversation.

I am an FNP and a nurse educator. Whether or not you find the commercial cheesy, let's not loose sight of what it is saying: Nurses make a difference. If you are not making a difference and affecting change it is time to go find another profession. I too live in the northeast and I do believe that there is currently a nursing shortage which will only get worse in the next few years. It is true that many new grads from nursing programs are leaving school with very few job prospects, thus giving the appearance of a market glut. Many institutions are cutting positions or not replacing nurses when they leave. Thus you have fewer nurses taking care of more and sicker patients. Hospitals are asking for nursing experience, impossible for new grads. In many hospitals in NYC, it is becoming more about being in the right place at the right time or having internal connections to find a job at present. The average age of nurses at the bedside in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) is in the mid forties--to which I ask "who will take care of me when I am sick?" Nurses as a group tend to be very hard on each other and attacking a commercial is short sighted. I LOVE BEING A NURSE (and have been for over 30 years) and am proud to say it. Ask my students--I hope that I practice what I preach!

I am an adjunct professor for 2 nursing programs in NYC, a BSN and an ADN program. Students from the BSN program are having an easier time finding employment. Almost 2 years post graduation from the ADN program, many students either are still unemployed or settled for any job and are quite disappointed. While you may not even be thinking this far ahead, you need to consider your future and many promotions will look at what degree you have. Also consider that you may want to return to school and many bridge programs require that you have a BS in another subject. Also consider that with an ADN, there most likely will come the time that you will have to return to school. If you think it is difficult now, consider sharing your time with a husband, children and other family members. Talk about STRESSFUL!!! While I am far from well to do, if you let cost be your guiding force, you may feel cheated when you are done and looking back. 21K is quite inexpensive in NYC, unless you are at a public college. While they offer an excellent education are often very competitive and difficult to enter. Let's hope that upon graduation you will have a job that pays a decent salary, has wonderful benefits and offers an advancing clinical ladder. Only time will tell!