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Sounds like you are doing everything right. Now you need patience In the meantime, whenever anyone asks you what you do for a living, tell them you are a writer (and a nurse). Time to walk the talk and vise versa. The more you do this the more it will feel very real to you. You should also start on your next writing project. If you are not sure of what you would like to write about next, try visiting elance.com and bid on some writing jobs there. I like writing as well, I like being the "known" author but I also like to make money. Give it a try

To start with let me say I am sorry you have found yourself in this position. It is hard to give up nursing when you plan it, harder when forced upon you. And it is not surprising that most employers don't seem to really care; they are looking after their own business after all. That is partly the point; health care, and nursing, is a business. You have many opportunities still open to you. As a retired RN (planned but still difficult to let go) I have found several opportunities where my skills, expertise and years of education can still support me. Just as importantly I can still practice "health care". I have created an informational web site (super easy, even without knowledge of html codes), written books, articles and ghost written many other projects (most related to health care) and gotten in to politics. I found there are now many things I can say, opinions I can express, where I was "hushed" when still employed as a nurse. Look at this as a new opportunity for you. There are many health care consumers who still require, and demand, your expertise. Time to think really outside the box! Ever considered areas involving "alternative" health care? Rieki, therapeutic touch, accupuncture, Tarot, Distant healing....

I have used Select Medical Connections in the past for permanent placement jobs in the USA. I found them very honest and helpful, and I WOULD use them again. I have recommended them to others as well Wendy Getchell

I certainly never thought "power over our patients". I'm speaking of the broader sense of the word. Nurses have the ablitiy, the power, to affect change in the health care (how it's done) and the health care system on a world wide scale. Not gods, not dictators, but we are in a unique situation where by what we say AND do can make huge differences in the health status of the world. Think on that point. Wendy

Wow! You've submitted some strong and wonderful replies. I get the feeling that basically we need to take ourselves, and each other, seriously as professionals. Respect each other and others will respect us in turn. Too true. There in lies some new problems we need solutions to; 1. How to stop sniping at each other? 2. How to get upper management to take the role of the hands on nurse more seriously? 3. How to open the eyes of the public at large to the true power of nursing and the profession? The uniform thing....some style, or color, that distinguishes us from other workers, at a mere glance. Certainly does not need to be white. Thanks all Wendy

I think it is up to us to educate people more. Not necessarily "on the spot" so to speak. Nurses should write more; books, articles in local papers, magazine articles, etc. If you're worried about not getting published, then self publish. Now adays that's very affordable and doable. Check out ads in writers magazines (or do a quick search online). It's up to us

Hi all. I'm looking for some opinions on whether you believe that returning to wearing all white uniforms might give us back some power. Now let me explain power. I've been an RN for 21 years and we (the profession) seem to have gone from "thank you nurse" to being treated less than a house keeping staff (and their role is important in hospitals too). I just find patients, their families, government, even our own supervisors do not treat "hands on" nurses with the respect we deserve. Please be bluntly honest.

Wow, this discussion has certainly gone on and on. Here is a point to ponder; do you not suppose the life style (on duty I'm talking) of nurses contributes very much to each and every nurses' state of health? Something more of us should take forward to supervisors and hospital boards. We work too long of hours, with no appropriate length of breaks (stretch, nutritional, mental health). Everything we teach our clients, out patients, we are unable to do ourselves. Understaffing have anything to do with it? Quite probably. Perhaps the media could help us take this one on.

A lot of people are in this same frame of mind. Nursing is not an easy profession, not by any means. However, there are alternatives available so you do not have to waste any years of training or experience. Nurses can be (are) writers and entrepreneurs. After 21 years and tired of being so "priviledged" to know others' most intimate lives I needed another line of work. I am using my knowledge, skills and years of blood, sweat and tears.

Have you thought about self employment. It is not so far fetched as you might think. Even the current president of the CNA has her own business; Tamlyn and Associated Consulting. The folks who run this web site might very well be nurses (or were). I am still an registered RN (with my association) might I also own my own business. No doctors required.

Congratulations on picking one of the most powerful professions on earth today. I have been an RN for 21 years, and though I have seen nursing hit some hard times I continue to encourage nurses to stand up, speak out and let our voices be heard. Without nurses the healthcare system will fall apart (and that's not doctor bashing, just the truth). Wendy