laurier

Thanks to everyone for their dialogue. I think a big reason young people (or, second career people) are choosing other careers is, simply, THE WORKING CONDITIONS. Having to work weekends, holidays, off shifts; the image of nursing in the media or from personal experience, seeing doctors treat us lousy, nurses treating nurses lousy-the list goes on and on. Or, their mother was a nurse and warned them about it-as mine did. Young people see the nurse as powerless. Then they look at the stuff mentioned above and say, "Who in their right mind would do that? I want to make $100,000 dollars a year. I want respect. I want to work 9-5. I don't work weekends or holidays. I don't put up with people who demean me. I want control over my work." Who can blame them? Unfortunately, throughout my career, it was NURSES who treated me badly-not doctors. MY OWN KIND! This is ridiculous! When will we learn this? Why is it that every time I read a nursing BB someone is berating another nurse? Or saying "They are worthless because they have no experience". Everyone has to start somewhere. If we can't respect ourselves-NO ONE WILL.

Amen to "Texas"!!!!! Unfortunately, what you said is true. The answer is: UNIONIZE!!! What would happen if ALL THE NURSES IN THE US STOOD TOGETHER????? That's a LOT of nurses!!!! Until the day we can do that, the same thing will continue to happen. No one will rescue us. WE have to be the ones. The pinheads will sure not do it for us. There will be those who disagree. That's OK. But you have to admit-"Texas" has a point. So instead of knocking him/her around-stand up with them. Standing together will be the ONLY way we can make something of this crazy profession. Sniping among ourselves will just perpetuate the misery..... Choice is yours........