Hi. The campaigns that began maybe four years ago stating that nurses would soon be in very short supply were impressive. They were launched or supported by J & J, state health departments, hospitals, and schools. And I believed them.
After two solid years, from prerequisites all the way to Med/Surg 1, I have seen and heard enough to realize that what they said is not true. I've had many a frank, hushed conversation with RNs, LPNs, resp. therpists, etc. There are lots and lots of nurses but many have LEFT hospitals or nursing altogether. The working conditions in hospitals are inhumane, totally absurd, and unfair as heck.
I don't know what to do now. I know I will not become a RN but wish to stay in the healthcare field. Serving the underserved is what I will do, somehow. I am 45 and have alot to give.
Do you have any suggestions? Is anybody else in this situation?
think (am not sure) that an LPN does not have the same burden as an RN because there is no passing narcotics, hanging blood, and other similar highly stressful tasks.
Depending on the state laws.
At least getting yout LPN would give you a better idea if nursing is what you want to do or not.
LPN's can have just as much stress as an RN. I do primary care, assess, admit, discharge, do narcotics, everything my provincial practice permits. There are days its just not worth it.
I'm doing the OR tech certification, I've seen them at work and its more for me. I enjoy bedside nursing, I usually only have five beds, but I'm finding that its the politics of the job and dealing with families that is wearing me out.
My hospital doesn't hire LPNs, and our nurse to patient ratios are great. We spend a lot of time with the patients. But yes, nursing can be a stressful job.
I'm in the same boat as you. Fortysomething, starting a new career, and looking at it thinking "what have I gotten myself into" as well. But, I've realize some positive things about this new career:
-I won't have to worry about getting a job
-I don't have to worry about getting laid off
-I can move anywhere I want
-I can work in the US, on a cruise ship, in Australia, in a school clinic, whatever I want to do.
-I am not "stuck" working in ONE hospital doing ONE thing.
There is a nursing shortage-if there weren't those nurses you talked to wouldn't be doing 12 hours on/6 hours off and being called back to work. Is it right? No. Can they say "no" to the call back? Yes-and they should. People set expectations for their employers. If you think you're going to be overworked, unpaid, and in adverse conditions-why would you work THERE? That doesn't mean every place has the same issues.
Additionally, I agree with the poster that stated it shouldn't stop you from finishing your degree. So you don't want to do the kind of nursing you're doing right now? Then don't. Think outside of the box. You are the only one that puts limits on what you can do. Nursing isn't glamourous but it is a broad ranging, far reaching career with LOTS of opportunities. You have a 3.4-finish school and you'll find your niche!!!:)
I've been an RN for about 20 years now, and have lived through several of the media campaigns to recruit people into nursing. Actually, it isn't just "spreading negativity;" there has been a legitimate (but hushed) debate for a long time in nursing about whether there is really a shortage of nurses, or just a shortage of nurses who are willing to put up with the crummy work conditions (there are old threads on that topic on this BB). Lots and lots of nurses get burned out or fed up and leave the field (or, at least, leave hospital nursing), so employers need a constant supply of "fresh meat" to replace the people who are leaving.
For some reason(s) I don't understand, state and Federal legislators are always willing to pass bills to make it easier or provide funding for people to go to nursing school, and potential employers are always coming up with programs to help make it easier for people to enter nursing, but no one seems to have any real interest in figuring out what would be needed to keep experienced nurses in nursing. Go figure ...
I've been an RN for about 20 years now, and have lived through several of the media campaigns to recruit people into nursing. Actually, it isn't just "spreading negativity;" there has been a legitimate (but hushed) debate for a long time in nursing about whether there is really a shortage of nurses, or just a shortage of nurses who are willing to put up with the crummy work conditions (there are old threads on that topic on this BB). Lots and lots of nurses get burned out or fed up and leave the field (or, at least, leave hospital nursing), so employers need a constant supply of "fresh meat" to replace the people who are leaving.
For some reason(s) I don't understand, state and Federal legislators are always willing to pass bills to make it easier or provide funding for people to go to nursing school, and potential employers are always coming up with programs to help make it easier for people to enter nursing, but no one seems to have any real interest in figuring out what would be needed to keep experienced nurses in nursing. Go figure ...
Yup. I concur 100%...well said! :)
The ANA has been sending out emails urging us to back initiatives that will increase funding for nursing school programs. I actually wrote back to them and declined, explaining my reasons clearly- the same as yours: Let us invest in experienced nurses, improve their conditions, and retain them.
Hi. The campaigns that began maybe four years ago stating that nurses would soon be in very short supply were impressive. They were launched or supported by J & J, state health departments, hospitals, and schools. And I believed them.
After two solid years, from prerequisites all the way to Med/Surg 1, I have seen and heard enough to realize that what they said is not true. I've had many a frank, hushed conversation with RNs, LPNs, resp. therpists, etc. There are lots and lots of nurses but many have LEFT hospitals or nursing altogether. The working conditions in hospitals are inhumane, totally absurd, and unfair as heck.
I don't know what to do now. I know I will not become a RN but wish to stay in the healthcare field. Serving the underserved is what I will do, somehow. I am 45 and have alot to give.
Do you have any suggestions? Is anybody else in this situation?
Well, there is still a shortage. There's also a shortage of CPA's now, i've read. Maybe try that?
The way I look at it, even if I decide I don't like floor nursing (which I do not anticipate), getting your RN is the foot in the door to the healthcare industry and there is always a job there. Myself, I already a BA in HR and experience in that field, so I look at my BSN as my in to a lot of options. There are companies like insurance, workman's comp, home health agencies, hospital administration etc. forever that can use people with nursing knowledge.
As for the naysayers you ahve been talking to, well, I have heard some of them and as someone going into nursing and admittedly not there yet, I alwyas ask them, what other careers have you had and most have said NONE. They are comparing their situation to this ideal they think is out there. You can always find a flock of negativity if you look for it.
... no one seems to have any real interest in figuring out what would be needed to keep experienced nurses in nursing. Go figure ...
:yeahthat:
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely agree that we need to keep infusing new blood, but I think a contributing factor to burn out is that there aren't enough senior/experienced staff to support the less experienced nurses - when there are experienced staff, they're so stressed out they can't teach, support etc
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
Depending on the state laws.
At least getting yout LPN would give you a better idea if nursing is what you want to do or not.