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.
I agree with other posters that have pointed out that ALL professions are experiencing this. Due to the economy, many, many people are looking to go back to school and boost their employability. Look at all of the internet schools, or fast-track programs available now.
Even though it may be annoying to hear the naive talk about their nursing goals, understand that their is nothing wrong with having these goals. It's great to hear people wanting to further their education. You are so right that most will have a great shock when they hit nursing school, and will probably never make it to post-grad studies. That doesn't mean they should start wandering around complaining about how hard it is to become a nurse. I would much rather hear the blind enthusiasm.
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.
"This attitude of well, this isn't my problem and will never affect me is kind of crap in a profession like this."
What?? I don't know if you misinterpreted my comment or what. What I am trying to say is, who am I to tell a person to NOT go to nursing school because of their own personal reasons, whether financial, or anything. It doesn't irk me at all.
wee_oneRN
120 Posts
I agree with other posters that have pointed out that ALL professions are experiencing this. Due to the economy, many, many people are looking to go back to school and boost their employability. Look at all of the internet schools, or fast-track programs available now.
Even though it may be annoying to hear the naive talk about their nursing goals, understand that their is nothing wrong with having these goals. It's great to hear people wanting to further their education. You are so right that most will have a great shock when they hit nursing school, and will probably never make it to post-grad studies. That doesn't mean they should start wandering around complaining about how hard it is to become a nurse. I would much rather hear the blind enthusiasm.