amari

One of the most important things to learn in nursing is how to stick up for yourself, because unfortunately it's a rarity that someone else will do it for you. I've found that, in most cases, it earns the respect you deserve. No, it's not the way things *should* be. But it's the way things are. You WILL run into wonderful people who make your working life better...and you'll also run into people who make it misery. If you let them roll over you, that's what your job will be- miserable. Example: I worked with an NP that everyone was afraid of. She'd throw her door open and shriek at the nurses because she couldn't find emery boards in her supplies, or some such nonsense. When I first started, I had to learn how to assist her with derm procedures. She didn't care for my lack of knowledge and was snippy and rude: "I'll just do it myself!" I very calmly said, "Show me how you want it done this time, and you won't have to show me again." That shut her up- evidently everyone else had let her bulldoze them. She showed me, and that was that, and she loved me after that and rarely gave me a hard time the way she did the other nurses. And when she did, I'd give it right back to her. Obviously, this won't work with everyone. But you HAVE to stick up for yourself. It's really hard to do when you're a new nurse- believe me, I know. But just push back. Don't be disrespectful or rude. Just push back and let these people know you're not going to let them roll over you. And if that doesn't work, well, there are always other places to work. The people you work with matter as a nurse. ESPECIALLY as a new nurse. I'm sorry you're dealing with this, but just know that these challenges make us stronger.

Yes, I KNOW this is an insane question! That being said, the degree itself is a life goal kind of thing, and I have most (all?) of the gen ed reqs done already- many from the school I'm planning to attend. Allowing myself to come to the full realization that I don't want to be a nurse anymore took 12 years and a bout of major depression. The problem is that I don't have a better career in mind (other than finding someone to pay me to write trash). There are some things in nursing that do interest me- for instance, I'd potentially be interested in providing mental health care to other nurses (in my view, an underserved population), but that would likely require at least an MSN. It's a lot of money and time and energy to commit to something you're only potentially interested in. Buuuuut back to the BSN. For those of you who have gotten it (especially those who have transitioned from ADN to BSN), was it worth it? I'd be looking at between 12-13K for the program, and I still have nightmares about the stress of getting the ADN (and I was already an LPN at the time). Have heard mixed things. I've also heard that the BSN tends to be more paper-writing. I'm sure this question has been asked about a million times before on this site, but I guess I'd really like to hear from someone who got the BSN even though they were pretty on the fence about nursing in general. Thanks for reading!

I feel like I get on here and vent every couple of years, and at this point I'm starting to think it's a sign. I've been a nurse for 10 years. I was an LPN for most of that time, and I graduated from an ADN program in December 2015. I live in Seattle and work in a plasma center, which is only a good job if you want to do a minimum amout of nursing. Most of the time, I stand around putting paper wristbands on people. I get paid pretty well to do it, considering what it is, but it's a total waste of my education, experience and skills. The problem is, no one else wants that experience or skills. Well, that's not entirely true. SNFs and ALFs want my skills. But I spent a good portion of my career working in SNFs, and I don't want to do that anymore. What I want is to work in the OR. I've wanted to work in the OR since 2005. But no one will hire me for that, because I don't have the all-important BSN yet (although I'm accepted into WGU and starting this fall). Despite my experience and the fact that, while in both the LPN and ADN programs, I weaseled my way into every OR I could get into...they'll hire someone with NO experience as a nurse and NO experience observing in the OR...just because that person has the BSN. I've even noticed that some jobs are staring to post things like "Preferred: MSN". WHAT?!!?!! Why in the hell do you need an MSN to work as a floor nurse or circulating OR RN? And you KNOW these hospitals aren't paying for that MSN. You know they MAYBE reimburse a tiny portion, and I'm sure the pay raise (if there even is one) isn't worth the effort, time or tuition. Why do you need an MSN, if you're not planning to be a nurse educator? Basically, when I got the LPN, they were starting to "phase out" LPNs (and, side note to new nurses: don't even bother getting an LPN. You might as well just be a CNA, because that's how you'll be treated). And then as soon as I got the ADN, it's like I'm right back to where I was with the LPN. It's not good enough. Being an RN isn't good enough! It's so f*cking ridiculous. Meanwhile, my former classmates are getting jobs in the big hospitals, but I don't even get interviews. Is it BECAUSE I have experience? One of my coworkers got hired into an OR residency after she graduated with the BSN. She had no nursing experience and had never even set foot in an OR, not even one time. She had no idea what she even got hired to do. It's really, really hard not to feel bitter and resentful towards the nursing profession. I always feel like I'm fighting to take one step forward, while people who haven't put any time in just get these great jobs with zero effort. I'm sure once I finish the BSN, it's going to be the MSN. Where does it stop? And the profession does very little to support us. I'm going to do the BSN because I have no choice, since my experience and my track record as a really good nurse mean absolutely nothing. Since the ONLY thing that seems to matter is that I have the three all-important letters. But, man, I'm tired of the lack of support and the treating ADNs and LPNs like second-class citizens now, especially since I've worked with so many stellar ADNs and LPNs, who were far better nurses than some of the BSNs I've worked with. Just needed to get that out. If you read it, thank you. Not expecting responses. Not asking for advice or rebuttals, either. However, if you would like to commiserate, feel free.

I don't know if any of you work in Seattle, but if you do, I've applied at (and hassled) Harborview for the periop 101, and Swedish just posted openings for the fall cohort this week. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know...especially for Swedish, since Harborview is looking like a no-go. Swedish LOVES the ADN program I graduated from, so there is that. They hired at least half of my cohort. But for any OR nurses, any advice on standing out, resume tips, stuff like that? I've gotten some great advice on this forum already, and I'm so grateful...unfortunately, it didn't work. I applied to Harborview Medical Center's periop 101 (Harborview is Seattle's level 1). The assistant nurse manager in the OR had actually posted info about the periop program on my ADN program's alumni FB page, along with her contact information, so I emailed her. I also emailed the nurse recruiter. I just want to say that this is far and away the most aggressively I've ever pursued a job in my life. Anyway, the asst. nurse manager responded quickly, and wanted to know why I was interested. I emailed her back. No answer. A month goes by....nothing. I emailed her three days ago, just to follow up....nothing. I don't understand why it's difficult to respond and just say the position's been filled. I know they don't want an ADN, regardless of my 10 years of previous LPN experience and my many clinical experiences in the OR (mostly due to my persistence in requesting opportunities). But, still, just have the human decency to tell me you don't want me! Meanwhile, my coworker who just finishing up the BSN got an OR position with no previous nursing experience and exactly ZERO clinical experience in the OR. You know what she said to me? "I'm really surprised at how clean it is!" Apparently she expected to be standing in a pool of blood? So, basically, this OR hired her based almost solely on the BSN. I'm frustrated. Anyway, this new periop 101 position has opened at Swedish, and they're much nicer about hiring ADNs. I got accepted to WGU and start in September, so I'll be sure to play that up. But I'm wracking my brain, trying to think of things to do. Should I contact them directly, the way I did with Harborview? How useful do you all think recommendation letters are? I do have a retired NP friend I worked with in a derm clinic, and I assisted her with biopsies all the time...She loves me. I feel like I should ask her for a letter. How important is networking and knowing people in the department? Should I talk about my clinical OR experiences in my resume or cover letter (they were great and I loved all of them)? Any other advice? I WANT THIS JOB. I've known since my very first experience in OR in 2005 that I wanted to be in the OR. It's frustrating that I can't beat out BSNs on sheer enthusiasm- because I have it. Thanks in advance!

Thanks ladyvp. I do have some dermatology experience, do I'll definitely bring that up. I feel pretty confident that I have the enthusiasm to get the job, is just a matter of getting an interview! thanks for the advice!

Wow, no credit for being an LPN? That makes my blood boil. My LPN classmates have gotten credit, at least financially speaking, and have gotten into residencies as well. I admire you not putting up with that bull, though. You did it on your own, which should not have been the case, but you did it. I think that's awesome.

Thanks Jess! Again, more great advice. Thank you so much. I'll definitely keep all this in mind, going forward. In Seattle, looks like there are a lot of OR openings right now, but not a lot of residencies specifically for OR. I might apply to some of those that don't require BSN... Won't hurt! Thanks for the tips!

Thanks! Great tips! I think I could interview well for the OR because it won't be hard for me to feel passionate about it. I've been really lucky to observe many times, between the LPN and RN programs. Even got to see a CABG. It's the only area of nursing I really get excited about. I applied to the OR residency at Harborview (level 1 trauma center in Seattle) and really got into writing about why I'd be an asset. So I don't think it'll be hard to be passionate. Thanks for the advice!

Thanks! I'm definitely going to mention my interest in OR to the recruiters. I hope something goes my way, in that regard! Congrats on getting the job!

Hi all, I graduated in December 2015 from a well-respected community college in the Seattle area, and many of my classmates were already accepted into residencies at Swedish and Providence. I'm in the middle of planning a wedding, so I've put my career and education on hold for a bit...I haven't applied to a resident program yet, due to the aforementioned wedding and needing time off for planning and everything (which Swedish, at least, states that it will not grant at all during the residency). OR is really the only area I feel much interest about...I've been an LPN for 10 years, working on transitional care units in nursing homes and in outpatient dermatology, so admittedly, I'm kind of reluctant to do anything I'm not very interested in, like med surg. I probably would be a lot more flexible if not for that 10 years! Anyway, from what I've seen with the OR RN residency information I've been looking at, they're really leaning heavily on wanting BSN level, or even better, MSN. The same hospital where I saw "MSN preferred" under the surgical RN residency was also perfectly willing to hire an ADN for the CCU residency, which seems a bit odd to me. The upcoming Swedish cohorts don't mention anything about OR residencies in their job board postings, either. They did invite our school to an OR recruiting event, which makes it seem like they're cool with hiring ADNs into their OR residencies. I plan on attending the event. But because of that 10 years of experience, I'm pretty much always highly suspicious of anything that seems like it might be smooth sailing, when it comes to nursing. That has NOT been my experience at all, in this career. Anyway, I'll get to the point. If I can't get directly in to a perioperative RN residency due to not having the BSN, or whatever the case may be, what's my next-best course of action for getting there eventually? I don't really want to work in CCU or med surg, but if it will get me into the OR eventually, I'm willing. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thanks!

Thanks, I must have missed it.

Hey everyone, I did a search on this subject on allnurses and came up with ooooolllllllldddd threads. I might have missed a newer one, and if I did, I apologize. I'm an LPN with 9 years experience, and I'm 2 quarters away from finishing my ADN right now, so I've been looking into BSN options. WGU sounds pretty good- no clinicals (I loathe clinicals), you can work at your own pace, they're accredited, and it sounds like they're pretty generous about transfer credits (I have a fair amount of prior coursework). Also, the cost for a year at WGU is cheaper than for a year at the state universities where I live. I'm just wondering if any of you have done it and, if so, what you think about it? (Just to get this out of the way, yes, I'm motivated, and no, I'm not one of those people who needs a lot of hand-holding from instructors and peers. I've done online courses before, and they worked pretty well for me. I much prefer them to sitting in a class for three hours, listening to someone read from a powerpoint.) Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear any thoughts and/or advice anyone might have about this.

I just got accepted to an LPN to RN program...but they didn't have the space for me so I didn't actually get in (yes, it's backwards and dumb). A friend of mine, who used to be an LPN and actually made it to RN (although via an unaccredited school) just told me that she applied to a BSN program that had 500 applicants and only 96 were chosen. Another story: at my former job, where a bunch of my friends still work, they're talking about making the facility (a nursing home) RN only, and they plan to oust the LPNs who have been there for 20 years...or find "something" for them to do. I'm sick of this ********. They want RNs, but we LPNs have a really tough time getting into programs. And now it's even worse, because they only want BSNs, and still, there's no help to get there. I've been busting my ass as a nurse for eight years, doing the grunt work, and before that, as a CNA for four. But it's not like my years of experience count as a member of the nursing profession. All that matters are the letters after my name. Now the patients are in on it, and some of them look down their noses at me for not being a "real nurse". If I could leave nursing, I would- in half a second. Who can I complain to about this? I'm serious. I want to write a strongly-worded letter to SOMEONE who has a million letters after his or her name and thank him or her for not helping me out of this position, but instead just making it harder for people like me.

Why are you feeling discouraged? It's best to address this now. When I was in the LPN program, I thought it was the hardest thing I ever did in my life....and then I had my first two weeks on the floor. I don't mean to freak you out even more, but I do mean to explain that you must address the problem a.s.a.p. If you're feeling discourged because the program is hard, that's one thing, but if you're feeling discouraged because you're not sure you want to be a nurse, that's another. Nursing programs are hard, and there are good reasons for that. In the LPN prgram, you HAVE to know everything that an RN knows, because in most settings you'll be doing the same or similar job (LPNs don't usually work in acute care). They really pummel you. And it's hard, but being a nurse is hard. If they make the training easy on you, you'll be stunned when you start working. And because being a nurse is hard, if you're feeling discouraged about wanting to be one, you need to talk to someone about it NOW. Your instructors should be a resource you can approach about it. If they're not, then you may need to go elsewhere, but you should talk to someone who is a nurse and who knows you to some degree. Nursing school is frustrating, and can be upsetting at times, but by the end of it, most students are excited and looking forward to what's next. If you're not, that's not good.

Hey angiedoll, There's nothing wrong with being an LPN. I've been one for 7 years and it's been pretty rewarding, but at the same time, I completely feel your frustration. I recommend to anyone getting their LPN that he/she IMMEDIATELY bridge to the RN program, though. I didn't, and it's the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. 7 years later I'm still trying to get into an RN program, still getting treated as less than because I'm not an RN, still hearing that LPNs will be "phased out", still hearing patients say things like, "you're just an LPN, I want to talk to an RN." The things you're hearing are a major bummer, but they're indicative of the state of things. I work at a VA hospital (which does let LPNs work on acute care floors, unlike the private sector), BUT where RNs get 5 weeks of paid time off, I get just 13 days, and in my setting, I do the exact same job as the RNs I work with. Yes, you can stay and LPN and you can do well in life as an LPN. There's nothing wrong with it, as long as you're content to have limited job opportunities and to hear people talk about "phasing out" and "you're just an LPN" (because you WILL keep hearing it after you start practicing). I personally loathe it. The scope of practice is smaller, and depending on what state you work in and the employer you have, there could be more things that you can't do. I recommend strongly that you bridge into an RN program as soon as you complete the LPN (some schools have you sit the PN-NCLEX first, and some don't). The longer you wait, the harder it is to get that RN, and if you really love nursing, you'll want to be an RN so that you can have more job opportunities and try new things. Plus, the extra money you'd make as an RN is nothing to sneeze at. That's the honest truth about being an LPN. It's certainly worth being proud of, but it's best to get used to the things people will say to you and the feeling of a lack of support from the medical community. I think you'll hear the same things from any LPN who's been doing it awhile. I know plenty of amazing LPNs who are just as good- if not better- than plenty of RNs. It really doesn't matter. You may be appreciated by those you work with, but you'll still be an LPN. It's unfair, believe me- I know! But that's the way it is. Best of luck to you!