DrNurseEd

No job is worth misery! It sounds like a very unsafe environment for both your patients and your license. Employers are not loyal, and if the worst happens, your employer will throw you straight under the bus and keep on going (remember how Vanderbilt did RaDonda Vaught). It sucks to pay back the money, but it will be worth it for your peace of mind, quality of life, and safety of everyone involved.

When I mentioned advanced education, I meant a doctorate, specifically. Your post came across as being very "catty" towards people who obtain doctorates.

First of all, nobody said anyone needed a doctorate for anything. I was responding to someone else (not you) who quoted an earlier post of mine. Getting an advanced education is not about getting anyone's "ego stroked" as you suggest. Your post comes across as seeming very "bitter" and "triggered" about advanced education for some reason. Maybe you should consider talking to another "Dr" such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or Psych NP to discuss your issues.

I think everyone has to do what's best for them when it comes to advancing their education (or not). Getting a Doctorate is not necessary for everyone because for many nursing jobs, a doctorate (or even an MSN) isn't needed. It was for me because I am an educator and you need a doctorate to even be hired in most cases (for a FT and/or tenured position), be competitive in the field/on par with peers, and be qualified to teach beyond the Bachelors level.

I have a Doctorate. It's not in Nursing. It wasn't from an online school. For me, the DNP or PhD in Nursing didn't fit what I was looking for in a terminal degree to achieve my career goals. However, I do not disparage my fellow Nurses who chose the DNP or PhD in Nursing route. If they completed their respective programs and earned their degrees, then they should be able to use the "Dr" credential just like everyone else who does the same thing. The whole issue of online schools with 100% admissions is not a Nursing problem that you speak of, that's an education quality problem in general. The term "Dr" is not unique to physicians. If people can understand the difference between a pharmacist, psychologist, dentist, and other health professionals that refer to themselves as "Dr" that also hold a doctoral degree (and are not physicians), then they can also understand the difference with nurses.

I am aware of what this so-called bill is about. It's utterly ridiculous!! Is any other profession being harassed over identifying themselves? Nope, just Nurses! Nurses are not claiming to be physicians by calling themselves "Dr". Anyone who has worked hard to earn those credentials has the right to that title.

This is definitely gender-based discrimination because Nursing is predominately female. What other professions are physicians going after for using the term "Dr."? None. This is because other professions who use "Dr." are not predominately female.

There is an NP in CA challenging this same law by suing her state medical board and a bunch of others. The law is super stupid and ridiculous! An NP in CA was actually fined for having a DNP and referring to herself as "Doctor" even while making it clear to everyone she is a "Nurse". This type of BS only happens because Nursing is a female-dominated profession. These so-called "laws" are gender-biased and discriminatory!! Physicians don't own the term "Doctor"! If I went to college and spent my time, money, and energy to obtain a Doctoral-level degree, then I should be able to call myself "Doctor" the same as anyone else who does the same. Physicians need to stop whining about who is being called "Doctor" and focus on caring for their patients.

Before you change careers, please be sure Nursing is really what you want to do! Many people, like my students, have a "romanticized" view of what Nursing truly is. Many have decided upon Nursing school after watching Grey's Anatomy! I hear this all the time! Yikes!! If you've never shadowed a Nurse or two inside a busy hospital inpatient unit, then I'd definitely recommend before deciding to switch careers. At this point, Nursing has become as tiring and thankless as being a teacher! I know my comments may sound a bit harsh, but I'm not trying to "burst your bubble" or "bring you down". However, I am trying to give a realistic picture of what Nursing is for some because it's not all "roses"! Nursing has its rewarding moments and many have had wonderful careers, but it's very tough! I just want to save you some heartache if I can by cautioning you to be sure about what it is you're getting yourself into!

I understand what you're saying! However, I think Nursing is still a career where you can make a decent living and "make a difference". I do agree that you don't get paid nearly enough for all the hard work you do. Nursing is a tough job where the workload and other "distractors" aren't worth the pay anymore. I've been a nurse for many years and have witnessed the profession getting worse, and not better. Now, I am an educator, and often wonder "why" my students are choosing this field to go into? I don't think they truly realize what they're getting themselves into once they graduate. Nursing is very hard!! The patient loads are absolutely ridiculous and the disrespect from patients, families, peers, administrators, and MDs is intolerable!! If I were in my students' position, I would not choose to study nursing, just for the sake of my physical and mental wellness!

I wish you well, but it's not realistic to expect that you will complete an NP Program in only 2 years without already being an RN and having RN experience. I am an Educator and have experience with Nursing Education. I would advise planning for at least 3 years of schooling, especially as even the Vanderbilt site suggests that is how long the program would take. Also, please research the market on NPs in the area you plan to settle down. The NP Market is very dynamic and oversaturated in many areas, especially FNPs and now PMHNPs. Be sure it's worth it before taking on so much debt. Best of luck to you!!

It it is a very unfortunate situation. In my own personal experience, some of the meanest, nastiest, prejudiced, unprofessional, and most back-stabbing individuals I have come across in my life have been nurses. I feel sad that this has been my reality. It's quite ironic, too, considering our chosen profession. I hope you don't find this to be true in your future experiences as well. You will have to look out for yourself, and watch your back, for people like your former nurse manager. However, think of this incident as a learning experience as well as a motivator to be the best at what you do. Don't let this negative experience define you, or your career. Good luck!

There's no shame in feeling that you are not cut out for bedside nursing. It's not for everyone. Even though I did it, it's not my favorite area either. I'm not ashamed to say it, and I don't feel guilty about it. The sad part about it for me is that it wasn't the direct care that turned me off from bedside nursing. It was my experiences with my co-workers and management that made me not enjoy it the way I wished I could. You are the only one who really knows whether or not you are ready to take on more patients or not. Don't be forced or bullied into doing things you feel you are not ready for, or that are unsafe for both you and/or your patient(s). I will say that in your first year it is normal to feel everything you are feeling. Starting as a new nurse is scary. I felt all the things you did when I first began as a new nurse. Listen to your intuition. There are other areas of nursing that may be more suitable for your interests. It may be that nursing isn't for you. Only you will know the difference. If you can't get a longer orientation, or the support that you need, then maybe your employer is not right for you. Good employers are difficult to find for nurses at every experience level. Wishing you the best!!

I think with your experience you would be suited to teach some didactic courses that don't have a clinical component to it (i.e., theory, research, nutrition, etc.). I also think that you should try and find an area of nursing that you love and focus on becoming certified in that specialty. It helps to have an area of focus if you really want to teach at the college/university level. Yes, having many years of experience is a plus, but it's not always necessary depending on what you want to teach. You may also want to gain some teaching experience by teaching CNAs or LPNs before trying to instruct RNs at the University level. I wouldn't say you don't have enough experience to teach. I think it really depends on what type of courses you are looking to teach. You may also want to consider using your knowledge to teach health-related courses outside of nursing. That's what I do. I teach both in and out of nursing. I don't like to limit myself, and I like having other options besides nursing to fall back on. Anything is possible with motivation and determination. Good luck!

I don't think working med-surg in and of itself will make you "a better nurse overall". I think the quality of your nursing will be more dependent upon what you learned in your nursing program, how you apply that knowledge, how well you're trained in your job, and your ability to practice according to nursing/facility standards and protocols. With that being said, I think having some med-surg experience is a plus. However, I don't necessarily believe that having a med-surg background is a must. I think you should do what interests you, and follow your passion if you have the opportunity.