RN4JUSTICE

It should not worry you. I am in a situation where I have a bachelor of science and an NP certificate from Canada. I worked as an FNP for 2 years before immigrating here and working as RN. I got my NP CA license through reciprocity back in 99. I ended up in management and eventually completed an MBA in health care admin. Now I am thinking about either a DNP or maybe being an NP again. They have made it so difficult for those of us who have a diverse educational back ground to for example complete the new NP requirements that mean you have to have a masters. Going back to the original point :yes I personally would seek the shortest, fastest , cheapest way to get the masters and get it online too to minimize disruptions to my established career and family life.

If you have an opportunity go in the DNP track. Its a higher degree level and in the big picture less time and less money compared to getting an MSN then a DNP . Find a DNP track that includes FNP. Your expertise and skill as a practitioner will build over time . Do your research, do not be discouraged and follow your dream.

I didn't get a chance to read all the comments but have you ever thought why your experience is miserable? Its because as nurses we don't support each other. Instead nurses are looking to criticize you or expect way too much of you for where you are on your learning curve. I graduated in 88 and survived because I had faith in my self and I didn't let those miserable nurses in their 50's bring me down with "you didn't do this " " you didn't do that" . I was assertive and maybe aggressive at one point and I moved on and surpassed all of them in terms of education and ability. I am in my 50s now and mindful and always treat new people with respect and try to show the way. Many older nurses are not supportive because I think they feel threatened and do things the way they always do. we will never have progress or dialogue with that kind of attitude. new grads stay assertive , have good rapport with the sensible doctors and ignore the ones who are jealous and non supportive and toxic. Nursing can be rewarding if you are in it for the right reasons. May you survive the toxic environments and the ones who manipulate and try to see you fall.

doesn't worry me. Some of us have other education and degrees and we just want to get the redundant paper work out of the way

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" Eleanor Roosevelt ok so this quote is great however bullies are out there . There is a pecking order in some nursing departments. The nurse is often described as "strong" What they really mean is the nurse is a long term employee protected by the union who thinks just because she has put in time in her department she is entitled to throw around accusations and talk down to the new people or even dismiss all travelers as stupid when infact they are not. The strong nurse didn't take the time to show them the ropes . The strong gets away with bad behavior and even sucks in management . Childish unprofessional behavior is rampant in nursing . Nurse should be able to enjoy a safe work environment, joke with each other in a nice way instead of feeling intimated by a "strong" bully nurse. This is not about victimization its about recognizing that this behavior goes on and it needs to change ...now

I think if you want a degree to further your education that is great. There are great nurses with degrees and without. Its wrong to bash nurses who are educated just as it wrong to bash nurses without a degree. We all bring something to the table. Its the nursing profession that demeans our profession by constantly demanding certifications that are costly and need to be renewed every few years. A nurse practitioner now needs a masters to practice. Why? The curriculum offers nothing that would enlighten an already professional nurse who has kept with CEUs and net working . Where is the data to support it? These ideas to promote education are great but don't cut off valuable nurses from employment based on these criteria .

Its unfortunate that the health care system in the USA compared to some countries in Europe , Canada and Thailand is sub standard. By that I mean here we have a wealthy country (used to be wealthy) where a huge portion of the population does not have adequate, affordable access to basic health care. However that being said some common sense has also been lost in the process where based on a technicality the hospital cannot charge for something appropriately. Things that have improved are quality measures in the hospital as an example the prevention/reduction of bed sores . The insurance companies do run health care in the USA and that is unfortunate because they are profiting through the misery of others. It all depends philosophically where you stand on these issues. As far as nursing goes there are many employment opportunities in the USA , Australia etc both in hospital and private business. Do not let anyone discourage from your ultimate goal.

keep your email /letter short, courteous and to the point. Always give at least 2 weeks notice. Give it to your immediate manager. They will forward it appropriately to the other departments. I hope this helps and congratulations on your new opportunity!

I have a few degrees much to the dismay of some nurses. I am competent in my practice, have never had a clinical complaint filed against me in 27 years of practice working at many hospitals in various roles. I had this delusion that if I went into management I would be able to be an advocate for nurses. Instead I found myself targeted by a bad apple in the department that was clinically fine but major behavior issues . Upper management wanted me to discipline her according to the HR guidelines so I did. Yet she got the union involved and they turned it around on me . I had no administration support. All these events happened in a span of a few months out of a 4-5 year employment where I had a clear record. If you don't think this can happen to you ---you are wrong. Lots of bullies in the profession. There are no mysteries in this story. I have a law suit ongoing . Attorneys agree this cases are hard to prove . I managed to get another job locally in a hospital but then 180 turn in attitude towards me after one month of employment. Getting black listed can destroy your career. Trying to get back into regular nursing is tough because all the applications are geared towards your hands on experienced within the last year. It is as if all your experience and education do not count. You cannot even speak to a real person. Everything is automated and no critical thinking is used in selecting applicants. Any thoughts on this