My thoughts on respect and support within this profession. Wrote about personal experiences and shared thoughts among other colleagues. Please add your input. Dying to hear some thoughts on this. We cannot demand for respect if we do not respect one another.
I don't know if it is just me but I feel like nursing is really oppressive and unsupportive. I think this all starts in nursing school. Everyone becomes for them self and no one is willing to help you out, even people who you call friends. The faculty at the school could not care less about your success/ progress and do not support you. All they care about is NCLEX passing scores and how much tuition they are receiving.
Heck, at mine all my professors care about are their PHDs rather than actually teaching us. I don't see the point in showing up for class if the professor is just going to read straight from a powerpoint that is so undetailed/ full of basic information than to stay home and teach myself.
Please stop trying to find ways to insult us and take a step back to monitor for any condescending tones in your email response.
Please only go into nursing education if you have a passion for it and not the desire to receive tuition reimbursement. To those professors who do not want to give out As any more and give the entire clinical groups a B because GPA is not important. NEWS FLASH, nursing has never been so competitive. Most of us have our heart/ mind set on becoming a NP and our chances are being hindered.
Granted if we don't deserve the A, don't give it to us. But, if your clinical setting requires us to stay longer than any other groups and we complete care plans every week while all the other clinical groups only do a few and leave early from clinicals everyday then I think we deserve that A. We put in the effort, stop cutting us down.
Don't be so naive, nowadays applying to grad school means you are just GPA to just be considered, then comes in the other factors, references, exp, etc.
Nursing professors and nurses stop automatically favoring guys. It is just plain catty and petty and downright immature for a 50 year old always giving leadership roles to males in the clinical group. And this happens right off the bat, not after those male/ female students have developed rapport with the professor.
Nurses are more willing to give medications to the male student before the female student. I have seen this happen countless of times.
GROW UP.
It's downright sad.
Then you come on here, try to ask people how you would go about becoming a CRNA or an ICU nurse and you get responses like "Tell God your plans and watch him laugh".
Okay, we get it, things don't always work out the way you want to work out. THATS LIFE. We didn't come on this forum for a philosophical discussion. We came on here for support. Support.
Where is it?
You walk into a medical school class and all you can hear the professor saying is how they are all so brilliant.
BOTTOM LINE: we cannot demand respect/ support if there is a lack of demand/ support within our own network.
Please share your thoughts on this. Hopefully, I am wrong on this but I have spoken to a lot of other fellow nursing students and they feel the same way.
I don't think there is any post that you have made that comes off as if you are not motivated.
If your school is not to your liking then research others, and see if your credits so far transfer. Research ones that have an NP program, and there are schools that are direct BSN to NP routes.
One of the things you may want to think about is to take a few weeks this summer and get your CNA, and see what you can do about getting your foot in the door per diem at some local hospitals. Even your EMT can get you in the door for ER work. (and after a time as an EMT basic, you can move to a paramedic, which is never a bad thing to have as part of your resume). Your motivation could be focused on getting some more immediate certifications which could make you more marketable in the long run.
I am biased, however, an EMT route will hone your assessment skills (which is single handedly one of the most important aspects of being really, really good at what you do) and as a CNA, you will hone in on skills that are basic concepts of nursing--skin integrity, communication (
I also strongly suggest you also research how NP's or CRNA's are used in your area, if there's another relocation area that you would rather practice your specialty in--in other words, be sure that once you acheive your goal you will be able to get a job. CRNA's are used in a number of community hospitals in a pretty exciting role, for instance. NP's are practitioners in some facilities, some prefer PA's, and depending on the type of NP you become, some require that you work within a certain age group, for instance.
Finally, and I have just learned this, if you can start becoming more proficient in a language, whether that be Spanish, Portugese--very area dependent, however, in the northeast this is a HUGE selling point and for many a deciding factor on being one up on another applicant.
And of course there are always different variables to every situation but if I am having the intention of becoming a NP or CRNA, trust me, I will make it happen. Honestly, I don't want to hear any other comments but support because I will make it happen.
I don't think people here (ie experienced nurses) are telling you you don't have the ability to make it happen, I think we just know from experience that what students say they want to specialize in and what they actually end up doing are almost always two different things.
Again, not that you can't do it, just that you won't really know what you want until you get out there and experience what nursing is really like and see all the variety there is out there.
You want to be a CRNA, but maybe once you do some clinicals you'll realize you just don't gel with the OR crowd. (They've got very unique personalities)
You want to be a NP, but maybe after working as a RN for a few years you'll decide you want to stay at the bedside in the ICU or the ER. Or maybe you'll go down completly unexpected roads like dialysis management or corrections. It happens.
I think your being over-sensative. Yes, you will find some professors and experienced nurses smirk a little when students tell them they plan to be CRNAs or NPs. Its because alllll students say that. Not saying you won't make it happen. I'm sure you're quite capable. Just that life has a way of taking unexpected turns. If all the students who said they're going to be CRNAs actually did so, there would be a huge surplus.
A dime a dozen. I didn't want to go to just any NP school. I wanted/ want to go to the best. The ones I get the most positive feedback from. Because believe me once that time comes I will be very calculated with what NP school I go to.
But I guess you weren't that particular and careful about choosing your pre-licensure nursing program? If you ended up in a basic nursing program that you are now thinking is a poor program, what are you going to do to improve your school-picking skills and process between now and then?
There is a difference between constructive criticism and just being opinionated. Let's go back to the idea of the original post here, specifically the saying mentioned, "Tell God your plans and watch him laugh." That is not constructive criticism. If you disagree, please break that down for me. I've always understood the meaning of "constructive criticism" to be a piece of advice that is actionable, measurable, specific, etc.
So, let's look at the previous statement from that perspective. Are people who utilize that phrase saying the OP should tell God his plans because God is unhappy and needs to laugh more? And even if God was unhappy and needs to laugh more, what exactly does that have to do with OP's career plan? Where is the action that OP can take that affects his/her career that results from this God laughing statement? God's laughter = getting into the right school? If God laughs (and how exactly do we measure the laugh of God? What does it sound like?), you get a good job? Assuming the OP believes in God and/or that God exists?
Some people disagreeing with what path the OP is going to take in life may be right. They may be not. However, cutesy phrases and cliches are honestly just flat-out annoying. I personally like real advice better than I like popular sayings that don't actually tell you anything at all. If all I wanted to plan out my future was an overused quote, I'd just Google search "famous quotes" and determine the course of my life based on those. I totally get the OP's frustration with those sorts of thoughtless, cookie-cutter responses.
I'm not saying everyone here does that, because overall this seems like a well-educated, thoughtful bunch of people, but there are definitely some that do.
I dont have the financials to do that, moving out costs too much. Also, was afraid of failure but my resume and GPA would have sure have gotten me in/ can still get me in anywhere. Didn't want to invest in such a drastic move without knowing if I can do it. The only thing this school has taught me is that I am so much smarter than I thought I was. So there is the light at the end of the tunnel.
But there is no need to focus on the past. I am at this school and about to finish. I learned from my mistake. Just going to do some hard core researching, going through forums, asking people who I know at the time got their NP degree. I have had people straight up tell me not to go to my current school's grad school. Someone told me they attended there for a week and withdrew because they saw it was terrible.
I don't think there is any post that you have made that comes off as if you are not motivated.
If your school is not to your liking then research others, and see if your credits so far transfer. Research ones that have an NP program, and there are schools that are direct BSN to NP routes.
One of the things you may want to think about is to take a few weeks this summer and get your CNA, and see what you can do about getting your foot in the door per diem at some local hospitals. Even your EMT can get you in the door for ER work. (and after a time as an EMT basic, you can move to a paramedic, which is never a bad thing to have as part of your resume). Your motivation could be focused on getting some more immediate certifications which could make you more marketable in the long run.
I am biased, however, an EMT route will hone your assessment skills (which is single handedly one of the most important aspects of being really, really good at what you do) and as a CNA, you will hone in on skills that are basic concepts of nursing--skin integrity, communication (
I also strongly suggest you also research how NP's or CRNA's are used in your area, if there's another relocation area that you would rather practice your specialty in--in other words, be sure that once you acheive your goal you will be able to get a job. CRNA's are used in a number of community hospitals in a pretty exciting role, for instance. NP's are practitioners in some facilities, some prefer PA's, and depending on the type of NP you become, some require that you work within a certain age group, for instance.
Finally, and I have just learned this, if you can start becoming more proficient in a language, whether that be Spanish, Portugese--very area dependent, however, in the northeast this is a HUGE selling point and for many a deciding factor on being one up on another applicant.
Again, best wishes for future successes!
Now this is advice! lol thank you. I have applied for CNA positions but nothing as of yet.
I applied for a home health agency and some hospitals. I go on break in two weeks so I plan on submitting an application to every hospital within a 20 mi radius and maybe show up to the floor and speak to the nurse manager.
If that doesnt fall through I am thinking of volunteering with Red Cross as a student nurse. Not sure how impressive that would be on my resume considering I already have extensive volunteer on my resume. But I think I will probably do it anyway because I like to volunteer.
I am not completely fluent in Spanish but I can definitely translate and get the big picture when talking to them. I want to take a course that teaches Spanish with a medical focus.
I live in the Miami area and I have seen a mix between the use of PAs and CRNAs. But good point because I eventually want to move out from Miami. So I can consider that when I move.
There is a difference between constructive criticism and just being opinionated. Let's go back to the idea of the original post here, specifically the saying mentioned, "Tell God your plans and watch him laugh." That is not constructive criticism. If you disagree, please break that down for me. I've always understood the meaning of "constructive criticism" to be a piece of advice that is actionable, measurable, specific, etc.
So, let's look at the previous statement from that perspective. Are people who utilize that phrase saying the OP should tell God his plans because God is unhappy and needs to laugh more? And even if God was unhappy and needs to laugh more, what exactly does that have to do with OP's career plan? Where is the action that OP can take that affects his/her career that results from this God laughing statement? God's laughter = getting into the right school? If God laughs (and how exactly do we measure the laugh of God? What does it sound like?), you get a good job? Assuming the OP believes in God and/or that God exists?
Some people disagreeing with what path the OP is going to take in life may be right. They may be not. However, cutesy phrases and cliches are honestly just flat-out annoying. I personally like real advice better than I like popular sayings that don't actually tell you anything at all. If all I wanted to plan out my future was an overused quote, I'd just Google search "famous quotes" and determine the course of my life based on those. I totally get the OP's frustration with those sorts of thoughtless, cookie-cutter responses.
I'm not saying everyone here does that, because overall this seems like a well-educated, thoughtful bunch of people, but there are definitely some that do.
Exactly....these phrases kind of sound like they aren't taking you serious.
And by saying "tell God your plans and watch him laugh", sounds like we have no free will and people shouldn't bother trying to plan out their life because it's all in God's hands anyway. lol...
Then there is a lot of people warning me how I might fall into other aspects of nursing, which may be true, but I already know I love the OR and want to be challenged, best way to get into OR through the nursing route is through becoming a CRNA. I think my mind is made up.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
There is a difference between constructive criticism and just being opinionated. Let's go back to the idea of the original post here, specifically the saying mentioned, "Tell God your plans and watch him laugh." That is not constructive criticism. If you disagree, please break that down for me. I've always understood the meaning of "constructive criticism" to be a piece of advice that is actionable, measurable, specific, etc.
So, let's look at the previous statement from that perspective. Are people who utilize that phrase saying the OP should tell God his plans because God is unhappy and needs to laugh more? And even if God was unhappy and needs to laugh more, what exactly does that have to do with OP's career plan? Where is the action that OP can take that affects his/her career that results from this God laughing statement? God's laughter = getting into the right school? If God laughs (and how exactly do we measure the laugh of God? What does it sound like?), you get a good job? Assuming the OP believes in God and/or that God exists?
Some people disagreeing with what path the OP is going to take in life may be right. They may be not. However, cutesy phrases and cliches are honestly just flat-out annoying. I personally like real advice better than I like popular sayings that don't actually tell you anything at all. If all I wanted to plan out my future was an overused quote, I'd just Google search "famous quotes" and determine the course of my life based on those. I totally get the OP's frustration with those sorts of thoughtless, cookie-cutter responses.
I'm not saying everyone here does that, because overall this seems like a well-educated, thoughtful bunch of people, but there are definitely some that do.
And they're allowed to. The TOS don't prohibit cliches.
My opinion surely doesn't matter and I'll start by saying that I don't want you to feel that I'm not supportive. However, I'm not sure that you will be fond of my opinion.
For starters I can relate to your situations from many different angles. I too, at one time, have felt the feelings you are describing.
So for starters, a little bit about me. I still consider myself fairly new nurse, I've been in practice for 7 years and I started nursing school straight out of high school. I am now 27. I completed my LPN, RN, then BSN, and now pursuing my masters. I have to say that my journey has really molded me personally, not just educationally. And truthfully, I just want to share my testimony with you rather than offer my opinion. I have also been an adjunct clinical instructor for 2 years.
I agree that the younger generation only wants praise and doesn't seem to handle constructive criticism well. I consider myself young enough to be deemed as one of these "generation x learners". However, I really take pride in constantly growing both professionally and personally. Therefore, I now embrace criticism. As others have mentioned, the real world is not going to be lollipops and rainbows. Rainbows are visible after storms ONLY if you see them. I come from a family of not ONE single college graduate and very few high school graduates (seriously). Nursing school taught me so much more than the philosophy and practice of nursing. It taught me how to be a professional. It taught me how to become a responsible, reasonable adult. The profession continues to help me grow as an individual every day!
When I first started my career after nursing school, I felt that I stayed in trouble for little things like my attitude and actions in handling situations more so than I had ever in MY entire life. Yes I whined, yes I complained, yes I thought I WAS RIGHT and being treated "wrongly". However, the higher I climb the professional ladder and the older I get, the more I realize that my actions were immature and Now recognize that I have grown from those experiences and am now a different person than I was.
As an instructor, aside from the basic nursing techniques I need to teach my students, I put the most emphasis on professionalism and ACCOUNTABILITY! Of course this is harder to instill in upper level students if this is a new focus for them. As nurses and professionals we have the be accountable for our actions. Being accountable is understanding that we have to suffer the consequences for our actions! It's different than retail. For me, as a nurse, my heart and soul goes into my work everyday. I was a manager at a Pizza Hut prior to being a nurse and understand the frustrations in working with the public. However, my heart and soul did not go into making a pizza. So when dealing with disgruntled customers because they weren't happy with their pizza, I didn't take it personally! I handled it, went home and slept well at night no matter how many complaints I had to deal with. It is much different when you put your heart and soul into something, no matter what the circumstances you take confrontation or conflict personal because your heart and soul are in it! And tension is much higher because as nurses we are introduced to patients when their sick and THEIR lives are at stake. Therefore emotions are rapid from the get go and so are their family's. It's not impromptu emotions like when their goods, clothes, or supper are not just what they anticipated. Their LIVES are involved and it's personal! If you choose to go through the profession dwelling on the negative things you will never grow. I like to think like this.. I'm always a winner, never a looser. As long as I can grow or learn from any little aspect of negative situations I still come out a winner. And by thinking that I can come out a winner in every situation, no matter the outcome, I have earned a respectable reputations amongst my peers and even physicians. Just today I had a physician tell my director "if only I was as smart as she is at her age, I would have conquered the world". Back to the point.. I find that accountability and professionalism is important for nursing students to learn because the "mean, negative, don't care" attitude of my nursing instructors taught me this. Of coorifice at the time I felt much like you and didn't understand the purpose. But we as adults and professionals have to learn coping mechanisms. The more situations we are involved in the better we become in handling situations as an adult! Everyone has their own strategy in getting this point across to students and not all do it productively, I agree and apologize to you for that.
Now, with this said I went into nursing with no intent of becoming a NP and frankly when new nurses or students tell me they are only going to nursing school to be a NP or CRNA it bothers me. These positions are highly respected and are leadership positions in the profession. It's kind of like what you said about the giving and earning of respect. How can you be a respected leader of the profession if you can not lead by example and perform the roles of those under you? Do you think facility physicians would be respected by residents if they had never had to go through residency? Do you think that a BSN prepared nurse is entitled to more respect than the ADN nurse just because of their "title"? Their licenses read the same, RN. Period. Going back to NP school for me was not about the "title" or "reputation" it is about my desire to gain more knowledge about the nursing practice.
The difference between nursing and medicine is that nursing is a philosophy and medicine is a science. Medicine is cut and dry, nursing is so much more demential than that. It is holistic, philosophical, and emotional!! You have to earn your status, it doesn't come with the license. If one's desire to go to nursing school is to be a nurse practitioner because of what they do do at their job everyday and to go to school to be able to diagnosis and treat, then medical school is probably a better choice. I'm assuming that it's less philosophical . Good luck to you!
DeepBreath
68 Posts
I guess we will all laugh later when I pass the NCLEX, get my first job, and become that speciality NP position my heart desires at the time.
Because bet your bottom dollar I will do this whether I have children ,get married, move, etc. Come what may.