The Nursing School to Welfare Pipeline

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am sure many people have heard of the social issue/ cause "school to prison pipeline" that many civic groups are trying to eradicate. I am here to draw attention to a similar related problem , the college to welfare pipeline.

Due to an intricate , intimate, and covert relationship between big government politicos, higher education, Bureau of Occupational affairs, and the Federal/ State Department of labor, we have a serious student debt problem in the nursing field that is only going to get worse. Nurses need to wake up and take note of the LPN to RN hoax, and the RN-BSN hoax. These are all well publicized , propaganda driven falsities that are crushing nurses into debt driven higher education requirements. These propaganda driven requirements brainwash nurses into believing that without the extra education, they will not be employed.

And to a certain degree, they are correct, but its important for nurses to see the pitfall, before taking the dive. There is little to no difference in responsibility or pay rate from LPN to RN, and most RNs are taking the lower wage, just to have a job. There is zero difference in job responsibility or pay from RN to BSN, but the dollars spent to get there are substantial. The RN to BSN pipeline is a grotesque narrative that is being sung, for the sole purpose of enriching nursing schools. The NCLEX exam is identical for RNs and BSNs, the scope of practice is identical, and so are all the pay rates. A staff nurse is a staff nurse, is a staff nurse, too.

So why go for your BSN? Its because the hospitals and other various 24/ 7 institutional care providers say so. They have all built a united wall against the ADN RN. We are becoming an extinct species, because no one will hire us. Is the BSN a job guarantee? Of course not. Is any higher education a job guarantee? Nope. Big government politicos want student debt to skyrocket , so that they can fly in and save everyone with free bailouts, loan forgiveness, and thousands of more votes on election day.

May the buyer beware, until that utopia comes to fruition. In the meantime, take a serious look inward into the pitfalls, tricks and traps of higher education in the nursing field. The powers that be want you to keep jumping hurdles , spending more and more money, hoping to get hired, and falling deeper and deeper into debt, during the process. The higher you jump, the more you spend, and the less you earn. For many nurses who fell for these schemes, the financial devastation has been both swift and severe.

Specializes in Critical Care.
6 hours ago, Forest2 said:

Yep. Did the same, still the same.

What gets me is when nurses are getting there MA to be educators and clinical instructors and don't realize most jobs are adjunct, part-time, paid by the class, less than minimum wage and usually with no benefits! They will find themselves cobbling multiple teaching jobs together just to make ends meet and if they are lucky will qualify for medicaid!

Specializes in Critical Care.
7 hours ago, Luchador said:

Why do you feel you can't relocate? You sound like the most miserable person in the world. Maybe try an SSRI

In my years working as a nurse, I've witnessed several nurses literally have breakdowns and truly in my heart, I don't believe they would have fallen so low if not for the terrible working conditions of the job. You can believe me or not, but I only share what I and my coworkers have lived, seen and experienced working in the trenches.!

Specializes in Neonatal Nursing.
25 minutes ago, brandy1017 said:

Good luck you'll need it, you're well on your way to twisting yourself into a pretzel to show the world how great you are and how great any and all nursing jobs you get. Just remember you were warned!

Maybe. But I don’t see how going into the profession with a negative attitude will make any situation better for myself.

Specializes in Neonatal Nursing.
21 minutes ago, panurse9999 said:

I'd love to see the expression on his face when he gets that dreaded phone call. He's been framed for misconduct in his workplace, told not to report to work, not allowed on the property, until further notice. No due process, no information about who said what to who, or who did what, or what was done to whom. No timeframe. No ability to respond.

Nada. nothing.

Enjoy!

Well, that escalated quickly...

5 minutes ago, CastiMcNasti said:

Well, that escalated quickly...

Think it cannot happen to you? Just wait. Did I tell you when I was actually furnished with the complaint? 8 months later at the unemployment hearing. I won the case.

I have written extensively on the problems in nursing. I was severely bullied, and framed for misconduct more than once. I have had to take rotten nursing jobs, parttime, night shift, and crap home health care agencies, just to keep the wolf from the door. This is mostly some 20 years ago.

It's nothing new. All of this in a era when there was supposedly big shortage.

I sympathize to some degree, but I was able to make it work for me anyway.

Specializes in Critical Care.
15 minutes ago, CastiMcNasti said:

Maybe. But I don’t see how going into the profession with a negative attitude will make any situation better for myself.

But if you listened to the OP and many others we went into nursing with hopeful, idealistic positive expectations. We did not start out negative, demoralized or cynical.

I don't know the answer, I don't have the answer, but I don't believe we are crazy when we speak out about the negative experiences we've had in nursing. In truth, a majority of the posts on this website are filled with the anguish of many nurses suffering in silence and this is the only place we can speak the truth. Sadly, even the unionized facilities tend to be no picnic either, many times strikes are needed to get management to even begin to listen, and it is usually not so much about pay as about working conditions and poor staffing ratios!

What I find funny is the nursing students and new grads who have just secured a job but haven't actually worked as a nurse criticizing fellow nurses for daring to speak out about the poor working conditions. These nursing students and new grads haven't even begun to walk in our shoes, yet want to throw stones that we are negative or delusional and it can't be that bad. But like a horror movie it really can be that bad!

2 minutes ago, brandy1017 said:

But if you listened to the OP and many others we went into nursing with hopeful, idealistic positive expectations. We did not start out negative, demoralized or cynical.

I don't know the answer, I don't have the answer, but I don't believe we are crazy when we speak out about the negative experiences we've had in nursing. In truth, a majority of the posts on this website are filled with the anguish of many nurses suffering in silence and this is the only place we can speak the truth. Sadly, even the unionized facilities tend to be no picnic either, many times strikes are needed to get management to even begin to listen, and it is usually not so much about pay as about working conditions and poor staffing ratios!

What I find funny is the nursing students and new grads who have just secured a job but haven't actually worked as a nurse criticizing fellow nurses for daring to speak out about the poor working conditions. These nursing students and new grads haven't even begun to walk in our shoes, yet want to throw stones that we are negative or delusional and it can't be that bad. But like a horror movie it really can be that bad!

My first job out of nursing school 20 years ago, and for 10 consecutive years afterword...

It cannot be this bad everywhere, I'll find another job. (Finds new job. Starts new job. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat)

10 years ago to present....

Its bad everywhere. I'll take any job. But there are no jobs. Market saturation puts each job advertised 1:100 chances of getting hired.

One place hired me, and on my first day, made me watch anti union videos as part of "orientation". Not kidding.

Specializes in Neonatal Nursing.
2 minutes ago, brandy1017 said:

But if you listened to the OP and many others we went into nursing with hopeful, idealistic positive expectations. We did not start out negative, demoralized or cynical.

I don't know the answer, I don't have the answer, but I don't believe we are crazy when we speak out about the negative experiences we've had in nursing. In truth, a majority of the posts on this website are filled with the anguish of many nurses suffering in silence and this is the only place we can speak the truth. Sadly, even the unionized facilities tend to be no picnic either, many times strikes are needed to get management to even begin to listen, and it is usually not so much about pay as about working conditions and poor staffing ratios!

What I find funny is the nursing students and new grads who have just secured a job but haven't actually worked as a nurse criticizing fellow nurses for daring to speak out about the poor working conditions. These nursing students and new grads haven't even begun to walk in our shoes, yet want to throw stones that we are negative or delusional and it can't be that bad. But like a horror movie it really can be that bad!

I am in no way saying that what you (and others) have experienced is untrue. Nor do I think it is okay. And my intention is not to throw stones. You're absolutely right that I have not experienced first hand working as a nurse, yet. I absolutely believe that there are many nurses, and other healthcare workers, suffering in silence. But I also believe there are nurses out there who work in a (mostly) positive environment and enjoy their work. Every person has their own experience, their own story. For you and panurse, nursing has not been a great experience for you. I understand that. And I wholeheartedly believe both of your stories. I just feel there has to be a more productive means of resolving both your personal dilemma and the issues plaguing the profession rather than attempting to perpetuate a negative outlook for aspiring and new grad nurses.

Specializes in Neonatal Nursing.
29 minutes ago, panurse9999 said:

Think it cannot happen to you? Just wait. Did I tell you when I was actually furnished with the complaint? 8 months later at the unemployment hearing. I won the case.

I know that it absolutely could happen to me. It happens to people all of the time. And it is not exclusive to nursing. I was just thinking the situation you described came out of nowhere. But I do realize it is a scenario that could happen.

Specializes in Critical Care.
4 minutes ago, CastiMcNasti said:

I am in no way saying that what you (and others) have experienced is untrue. Nor do I think it is okay. And my intention is not to throw stones. You're absolutely right that I have not experienced first hand working as a nurse, yet. I absolutely believe that there are many nurses, and other healthcare workers, suffering in silence. But I also believe there are nurses out there who work in a (mostly) positive environment and enjoy their work. Every person has their own experience, their own story. For you and panurse, nursing has not been a great experience for you. I understand that. And I wholeheartedly believe both of your stories. I just feel there has to be a more productive means of resolving both your personal dilemma and the issues plaguing the profession rather than attempting to perpetuate a negative outlook for aspiring and new grad nurses.

Honestly, I was warned not to go into nursing by my childhood friend who had been a nurse for five years already. I did it anyway. It has never been easy or pleasant, but for a long time, I denied the truth to even myself because my identity was so wrapped up in being a good nurse. And back then working conditions were actually good! I actually worked in what was considered one of the best hospitals in the city as I was regularly told by other travelers and agency nurses. Things have changed so much for the worse since all the corporate mergers and takeover of healthcare.

I wish you luck in finding a decent job. I think it will take the National Nurses United and federal staffing ratios like California has to make that a reality for the majority of nurses.

As for me, I'm just trying to make it to retirement in one piece with a sound mind and body.

Specializes in Pediatric Specialty RN.
20 minutes ago, brandy1017 said:

But if you listened to the OP and many others we went into nursing with hopeful, idealistic positive expectations. We did not start out negative, demoralized or cynical.

I don't know the answer, I don't have the answer, but I don't believe we are crazy when we speak out about the negative experiences we've had in nursing. In truth, a majority of the posts on this website are filled with the anguish of many nurses suffering in silence and this is the only place we can speak the truth. Sadly, even the unionized facilities tend to be no picnic either, many times strikes are needed to get management to even begin to listen, and it is usually not so much about pay as about working conditions and poor staffing ratios!

What I find funny is the nursing students and new grads who have just secured a job but haven't actually worked as a nurse criticizing fellow nurses for daring to speak out about the poor working conditions. These nursing students and new grads haven't even begun to walk in our shoes, yet want to throw stones that we are negative or delusional and it can't be that bad. But like a horror movie it really can be that bad!

This has escalated ridiculously. The OP is miserable in nursing and I certainly hope that I don’t have experiences that lead me to be that way. But I didn’t speak towards working conditions, administration etc...I ONLY said that not everywhere has the BSN push and new grads are getting jobs. I didn’t criticize anyone for stating their experience. I stood up when MY experience was ridiculed. That’s an entirely different thing.

My mom was a nurse for 50 years. She made sure I knew the good, bad and ugly in this career and I’m happy she did. I know what I’m getting into. I understand that MAY be the motivation of the OP and others here (to explain the pitfalls of the career), but disrespecting others experiences and then expecting respect in turn is not genuine “warning”. What it is is a not so subtle ego problem where they believe their experience is the only one.

I clearly can’t speak about the pitfalls in nursing: all I can do is say that in my neck of the woods, the nursing job market is not at all what the OP describes . If saying that makes me a “know it all” or a Pollyanna, so be it but That wasn’t my intention

+ Add a Comment