Leno182

I am a lead nurse contractor who cares for nuclear program patients

Thank you llg your comment makes allot of sense. And you are right. I spend allot of my time working. I should really take more time off. Maybe it's time to enjoy the money I make a little and actually spend more family time. Which is way more important to me then my job or the money. Awesome advise!

Thanks for the comment! No there is still lots to do and I still want to experience allot of it. My goals of what i want to do in nursing have not changed, I am just having a hard time with the realization that 30 years from now im not really going to be making as much as i do now unless i become a crna or flight nurse. Even with certifications my current job will not increase my wages and even with those certifications all the other job changes are a down move when it comes to pay. The money is not everything and I learned that very quickly. I still do not fill fulfilled in the type of nursing I am currently doing. It is just scary to leave financial security to persue my professional goals. Being a better nurse and getting payed more have always been a part of the goal but now it's not. I live in a rural community and the opportunitys are limited, I will have to travel much further, work harder and learn more to make close to half what I do now. Understand my dilemma?

Got a complaint from patients sister because I refused to wash the windows and chop wood...

Hello everyone, I am writing for some advice. I have been a RN for one year now and have already basically hit the salary ceiling for an RN(without retirement and healthcoverage) With the exception of flight nursing or becoming a CRNA. I am thinking about changing jobs but the pay cut will be drastic. I know that this is very uncommon considering my experience, and is almost unheard of. But either way, it is what it is...what im having a hard time with is, I do not feel like I can advance (salary wise)..i know i still have tons to learn nursing wise and am excited to, but i dont know how to advance from here. I am beyond greatful, and feel very blessed but also feel like theres not much to look forward to. What nursing can I go into from here? This standstill happened way too soon...Please note I am not bragging and I am sorry if I came off as if I am. I know nursing is not all about money but it is a part of why we work...Part of me is willing to take the cut to advance as a nurse but I also feel like the money has me trapped here...Any advise from any nurses who are in the same situation or something similar? I know most people that get to this point are looking forward to retirement, but that's sooo far away for me....

I totally agree, my issue with this was a nurse tearing down a new nurse by publicly saying that this person was "unsafe" because it had been several years before they passed it on the second attempt...I felt this was very inappropriate as well as hurtful to the new nurse who was so proud of finally becoming an RN. I figured if the board of nursing had any concerns they would have never allowed said nurse to even take the exam without meeting further requirements. We should be supporting each other not tearing each other down!

No I understand that. But I'm saying someone who passed on the second time but only procrastinated due to fear...

Is it reasonable to call someone unsafe if they took several years to pass the NCLEX?

Yea i understand what you mean, the DIMM program here in New Mexico costs about 6k just in tuition not including travel and lodging. Maybe the money will be better spent on my BSN or EMT-P. I do live up in the mountains in Northern New Mexico so Mountain life is a big part of me, so I am sure I will take it some time for my self, Hoping my organization will help pay for all this though! =)

Thank you Dobi! I figured most companies don't do these things but I am interested even just for my own knowledge base. I'm an avid outdoors man and think i will really enjoy it! How did you like your wilderness medicine class? Beneficial just as a nurse?

I guess it depends on what sort of attitude you develop during EMT-P school. not saying that all Paramedics are cocky, but if you end up developing this type of mentality subconsciously, The nurses you work with may not appreciate a new grad, exspecially one with no experience under both titles (RN/EMT-P) acting superior. this will likely put your ICU patients at risk for inferior care as well as develop into a not so healthy work environment. You also must be careful, I had an instructor with 40+ years of experience who straight up hated EMTs (mostly due to this cocky, superior attitude) this can result in a rough time during nursing school. Also like it or not you may have to put in your 1 year of Medsurg before you can even be considered for ICU. If you do manage to get an interview, just remember your most likely going to be competing against other applicants who do have Nursing experience and maybe even ICU experience. it all looks great on paper but doesn't mean much without experience. If you are set on getting paramedic consider doing so after obtaining your RN licence. This will help financially! best of luck!

Been reading up on the Diploma In Mountain Medicine. Would this give an RN an advantage when it comes to applying for flight jobs? the training seems quite Challenging but also looks like fun. Anyone have a DIMM? if so is it worth the cost and time commitment? Thanks in advance!