Where are we headed?

[love-d-OR]

I have not being around the forums as often as I have in the past, so maybe this is not a new issue, but recently I have noticed an increased amount of posts asking for quick and easy ways to becoming a nurse, advanced practice nurse or getting into a "less competitive" program. Coupled with the fact that there are commercials on TV advertising 8 month long nursing schools and " you don't need a high school diploma" to apply, I wonder if we are sending the public the wrong message.

We have worker so hard to be recognised as intellient professionals, to educate the public on our role, and gain the respect of our colleagues and yet we still discuss nursing as though it was a degree one can just earn overnight, with little to no effort. Sorry, but if you want something easy then you are looking into the wrong field. I hope I am not losing my point here, but where are we headed? If you want to be a nurse please stop asking for easy schools or the best way to do the minimum. If you want to be a nurse, then sacrifice your time and energy like everyone else. How often do you hear MDs, PTs, Pharmacists or even OTs talking about the easiest school? I get that schools are impacted and that there are some who have wanted to get into nursing really badly, but come on... Don't you want to get the best education? Don't you want to be knowledgable? As an advance practitioner don't you want to be able to handle your own if you will be the PCP? How can you not expect an MD to read/hear this and wonder how competent you are?

I guess I'm just tired of nursing being seen as an easy job that anyone with two hands and ears can perform. Every one wants to be a nurse now, before we know it even birds are going to be talking about how " I'm wonna get my RN"! You don't get an RN, you get a nursing degree/diploma!! Nursing is a profession, so let's keep it that way. No moving back, just forward.

Finally, I empathise with those that have repeatedly tried to get into a nursing school with top notch stats only to be told there is a wait list (something I do not personally agree with). Keep trying, as I know you have given it your all.

To those that are seeking a quick and easy route, I strongly suggest you shadow a RN for a while or just change fields. Getting into nursing school does not even come close to the difficulty of being a practicing nurse.

Enough said!

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

I completely agree... Its very annoying to hear pre-Nursing students saying " im going for my CRNA, I don't want to waste my time with that RN stuff"

Prospective Nurses should do their research and realize that Nursing school is HARD work and there is no quick way to become a competent Nurse.

[futurenurse310]

Honestly, I could care less what other people say, want to do, and why they want to do it. Whatever the reason, if they want to do it, then so be it. It doesn't affect me at all.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

I think most people lump up all the different types of nurses together like CNA, LVN/LPN, RN, NP, CRNA etc... when they say NURSE. I find it very hard to believe there is an accredited 8 month RN program. When people know there are clear distinctions between the different types of nurses and their different scopes of practice then they will finally appreciate the complexity of the profession. I mean there are a lot of people looking for the quick way into nursing, they look at programs available and see CNA which is like a semester course. Honestly the level of difficulty between CNA and RN courses is massive. The higher up the education ladder you go, the harder the material covered. In terms of supply it is faster to build CNA so it is reasonable that most people encounter those types of nurses and therefore hear about quick entry. Where as if they heard the brutality of

CRNA such as the BSN requirement and advanced sciences needed then those same people would better appreciate the level of dedication and commitment it takes to be a professional.

People need to know the word NURSE doesn't mean one license. They need to know about each license and specialty. In doing so we can bring more respect to the profession.

[ColdChief]

Unfortunately it seems that as long as "Nurse" is part of the name for all of these qualifications and positions, confusion will continue.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

You have put your point very well. I was trying to explain this to a friend recently. :banghead: I tried to explain how hard the classes are and that she needs to have some sort of experience even if it was just volunteering to get an idea. Basically she told me I had no idea what I was talking about. :rolleyes: She wanted the easy way and boy was she surprised her first semester of pre nursing classes!

[EmergencyNrse]

I don't care about public's opinion. With every new program that turns out uneducated, incompetent "nurses" it only solidifies my position in the job market.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy. The shortcut people will get theirs. Keep moving forward on your path to a quality program. You'll be better off in the end.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Well..for those trying to get the "easy" way in...they're not being hired. My hospital for the past two years, only hire experienced people.

That's 5 hospitals in our network. Yup. ONLY experienced--that includes those with advanced degrees...so, I think those on that "easy" road will find...it "aint" so easy..

[KayRN910]

Honestly, I could care less what other people say, want to do, and why they want to do it. Whatever the reason, if they want to do it, then so be it. It doesn't affect me at all.

Well, yeah, I would say it kind of does affect you. What if you are a patient? Or what if you are working with one of these people? This attitude of "well, this isn't my problem and will never affect me" is kind of crap in a profession like this. We help each other out, share experiences, teach each other, rely on each other. And somebody that goes into this just because they want a job and the title Nurse but doesn't want to learn and put in the work to be good at it, isn't that kind of scary? It kind of is to me.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

What I have found that is even more scary than the fast track RN wannabes, are the new nurses who have no honor or integrity. Who take more breaks than they do caring for their pts. Who make mistakes and then try to cover them up without a care for their pt or the harm they have done them. Who believe protecting their job comes before "doing the right thing".

Is it just me, or do those of you who have posted here for years find there are more threads about nurses making mistakes and lying about them than there used to be. Not only that, but there are more posters who support the person covering up the mistake and telling the lie.

Nursing is considered the most honest profession by polls done yearly. I wonder what people who responded to those polls would think if they could see some of the threads here about mistakes and the cover ups that go on daily.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

How often do you hear MDs, PTs, Pharmacists or even OTs talking about the easiest school? I get that schools are impacted and that there are some who have wanted to get into nursing really badly, but come on... Don't you want to get the best education? Don't you want to be knowledgable? As an advance practitioner don't you want to be able to handle your own if you will be the PCP? How can you not expect an MD to read/hear this and wonder how competent you are?

It's happening in all areas. Haven't you heard of doctor wannabes going offshore for med school?

If the demand is there, some entrepreneurial-type will supply. Anyway, going the more traditional route does not guarantee a good nurse. I know a few from traditional, competitive programs that I wouldn't hire to nurse my dog. However, I realize your point is that it is more likely to produce an excellent nurse from a more competitive, tough program. I tend to agree with that.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I agree.

A special note to all you too quick to jump to CRNA.

I have heard from an MD I know that a hospital network near me is putting the big ol brakes on the CRNA thing. You will be vetted. He says due to the popularity of this as easy money they are seeing poorly trained clinicians come into the system and they are now closely monitoring those that are currently in the system... Basically, unless you have lots of nursing experience prior to your CNRA, and the majority had better have been critical care, you will now not stand a chance of a job.