ms.shellie

***(This is in reply to one of the comments that the business sector doesnt make money, or they work 80 hours for it ... fogot to use quote feature!) That simply is not true . . . I used to make "100,000 per year in the "business" sector, about 20 years ago. Had to take an extended leave for health reasons for many years. Decided to become a nurse when returning to work because I felt inspired to give in return what I had received, bless someone elses life!! I have given that gift and am blessed...BUT!! healthcare is a shameless moneymaking business that is building its wealth on the backs of nurses!!! I love my patients but will eventually have to return to making some money and having time for a life. HERES TO ALL THE NURSES THAT ARE REAL HEROES...

...absolutely could if the pay was restructured!!!

. . . IN my real life experiences with physicians (and I deal with many), some of whom are in their 80s and still practicing and get high rating from multiple pts, I would have to agree with you on that!

Yes, high turnover rates will tell you alot. . . You sound like a smart person, knowing when to move on is essential.

Home health psych nurse here (2+y) weighing in. . . .if you didn't form some sort of attachment during that amt of time, you wouldn't be human. And everyone sets boundaries according to their personality AND experience. Home health is more difficult than the floor, psych hh is even worse. It can be draining to be on your toes about the boundaries. I've requested to be removed from several cases when they get lengthy for several reasons: codependancy, familiarity, flirting, lack of progress at a certain point, etc. It's tricky to remain professional and personable but those boundaries are a must for your own health and keeping your license safe. It's got to be tough love sometimes . . . The method is going to vary according to the individual PT and problem they have. You just have to keep focused on: what is the problem, how can I help solve it, and examine your own desire for seeing that person heal while artfully dodging any inappropriate stuff! Simple, huh? Not!! LoloL tricky for sure...

Thank you for you service!!!

Dear bummed ou, So, here's the point: EVERYBODY DIES, BUT NOT EVERYBODY LIVES. Sometimes we do have to suck up unpleasant parts of life (which help us to grow) but it is spelled right out in the constitution that you have a right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. . . So, you have ppl who suck it up, and you have people who go on to be happy; thats when you truly make a difference in others. Nursing is a hard profession bc of the "system", it is broken . . . Keep on searching for that right place bc we are meant to search, grow, make a difference in the lives of others around us. I'm a psych nurse and have met a LOT of border bullies in my life. Don't let life drain you so you can't give!! Minimize your potholes, spend your life energies wisely. . .

Than you for the input Mhsrm . . .hadn't thought of insurance but will start checking into it.

Looking for comments/advice from the seasoned nurses. . .I'm a second-career nurse, post divorce in 2012. I've done 1 year med-surg, 1.5 year inpatient psych and 2+years home health psych nurse. I'm great at assessment, case mgmt, working with MDs, charting details, have saved a few lives, and very compassionate. BUT, I highly suspect I have compassion fatigue and am burned out!!! My first career was designing children's books, but after the divorce moved to smaller town and needed job security. . . Hence nursing school. I love my patients and certain aspects of nursing but I'm feeling like I want to throw bricks at something right now!!!LOL But seriously feeling like a fool for going into nursing, so burned out after 4.5 years. . . I'm now 57 and need a break but am afraid if I do, it will be very difficult to re-enter. A thought I'm having is travel nursing but don't know if I can travel since I've been off the inpatient scene for 2 years and doing home case mgmt. ADVICE PLEASE!!!

SPOT.ON!! Very well put...it is a scary turn nursing is taking. I'm brushing up on my natural remedies and eating my spinach! LOL

. . . I "LIKE" THIS STATEMENT YOU MADE X 10 X 10. . . The way the mindset is headed these days, the discrimination is believable; human nature even in "free" republican societies always seem to eventually make a return to a socialistic minset. . .let's weed out those we deem unfit! Those making those judgements had better look in the mirror and watch what size rock they roll uphill! LOL

...this also is an old study. And they spend a lot of time discussing the undetermined role that genetics play, not healthy aging. As a psych nurse, I find the older generation far healthier mentally in every way then the upcoming, younger generation who are now subjected to GMOs, meat full of abx/steroids/hormones/diseases/CJD, pollution, lifestyle, etc. . . AND, I've seen MRI studies that show a reduction in brain size bc of TV (the same damage seen in major drug addicts/abusers), coffee also causes inflammation (a major factor discussed in the study you shared). Genetics do play a major role, but if you read the article National Geo. did on the centenarians in the Blu zones, it seems the healthy brain has more to do with faith, family , exercise, healthy environment. . .something the older generation had much more of than the younger generation. It is a fact that my patients are coming into the facilities in unprecedented younger ages. I'd be more concerned about the younger generation at this point. . . Socialism is all about determining who is competent to (fill in the blank) . . .

. . . You say, " at this point I could care less if any of my coworkers saw this forum. . ." This tells me at about your version of the story. Life has many lessons to teach you. Psych nurse here just sayin'

"Most notions about aging and the brain are based on FOLKLORE RATHER THAN FACT," said Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, a director of research at the National Institute on Aging. "If you really study aging carefully and look at it in the absence of disease, there is no reason to believe that aging per se leads to decline and loss of cognitive and intellectual activities.". . . dozens more studies to show the brain is not subject to the same aging process as body. I'm assuming much of the anectodal opinions are coming from the younger generation. Come now! do your research kids. . . so, now combine the unaging brain with all the knowledge/experience of the years. WOW!! No room for folklore here . . .hehe

Thumbs up to you!!! I'm same age and a psych nurse . . .am also considering MHNP. I've seen some of the younger nurses get brutal with older nurses based only on age, NOT PERFORMANCE. Keep on!

...tell it like it is sister!

...I've observed much of the older generation of MD (and patients) to be sharper, less sickly, more compassionate, and able to use better clinical diagnostics . . . Can think outside the box.

...hmmm. We in the psych field must chuckle when we hear these type of comments, full well knowing that judgemental statements are just a revelation of the speakers own mental status. . .

Psych nurse here...I'm an INFP. Yes, the amount of energy expended can be punishing. I happen to be a good psych nurse and feel elated when I know someone has not committed suicide bc of the interest I've invested. Introverts can be very compassionate listeners who can perceive conditions quickly and flex/invent quick intervention to save lives. . . I'm a deep thinker and won't take no for an answer when a life is at stake, but it is more exhausting than words can tell. . . As rewarding as it can be, I want to be able to live my life. . .burn out is hot on my rear and I can hear a faraway forest calling my name where I can paint, draw, write, and do photography. . . Giving is living, but not to the point of burnout. The system abuses our good intentions. Onward. . .