I graduated from nursing school 13 years ago and now I'm wondering, sheesh, can anyone can get into nursing? Can anyone get a license to work? Is the NCLEX failing anyone?
Pretty good pay attracts many and schools seem to be passing anyone through to fill the job openings. It is not an academic group so far in my experience which I think is so weird because I think medical issues are very complicated and difficult-- pathophysiology and understanding multiple organ system function/failure-- heavy stuff.
I am sadly disappointed by the caliber of some of the nurses. I've been working over 10 years in the hospital setting and I still feel I don't understand so much and someone with 1 year experience acts like they know it all. So what is in their head? I think taking care of sick people is a huge responsibility. So much to be on top off. Just being aware of what changes to be concerned about-- you know, when someone is going bad. Much responsibility. This is a serious business, nursing and most go to work to socialize. It makes me so angry.
Second issue, but not less important is that the majority don't want to take care of patients- they whine and complain -- so much negativity. Yes, if it wasn't for the money, they'd be out of there. They don't appreciate having a job and not being unemployed-- come on, have they looked at the unemployment rate? Too many have gone into nursing for the pay. The "caring" factor is down at the bottom of their list or just gone. I feel sorry for the patients. I have very hard shifts- up to 10 med/surg patients sometimes and it is so stressful. But really you gotta try to treat the patients like you'd want your family to be treated. Bring back the :heartbeat to nursing!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I think that current nursing education focuses more on theory and pumping information to prepare the students for the EXAM (NCLEX), but do not really seem to focus on the clinical component. And, I noticed that compared to the past, clinicals are only a day or two on the unit with just a few patients. Not realistic! I can see for the initial exposure, but I believe that as they move on in the program, the amount of clinical time and patients should (realistically) increase. There is a 10 month vocational school program (LPN) that has two weeks of class and two weeks on the unit. Those girls graduated and work rings around many of the other new grads, because they were used to it by then...only having to adjust to a particular facility. Many nursing programs years ago in my area focused that way as well.
I assume this happened because of the non-competitive wages of clinical instructors (amoung other things) that slowed this down. A student that was deluded to think that life is that easy with their two or three patients are suddenly slammed with as many as 12 on a med-surg floor (this is what is happening with the RNs in my hospital). And, along with dealing with the apathy of the senior nurses, they are being confronted with "What did you learn in school??". Our education is far different than theirs and it shows in many cases the minute you hit the floor. I felt that I knew nothing!! It took my own critical thinking skills to survive. Sure, I see many nurses seeking for plush conditions to work in because I think that some of them are deluded.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Yes, the NCLEX is failing people. I've been told that it's actually gotten harder over the last few years.
really??
i'm glad to hear that.
at least some standards are being raised.
you know, after 12 yrs of in-the-dirt nursing, i have to say these days, money is becoming the major attraction for me.
yes, i recognize the emptiness that has dominated my-once-fueled-spirit.
but-
it's not my pts who are experiencing my discontent.
rather, it is my pts where i seek refuge from.
no, their care is not affected at all.
but still...
when i think of jobs these days, i have come to conclude that a supportive environment is next to non-existent:
and that only a premium wage will console me....
for now.
who knows what my future holds?
leslie
I am hearing that many are getting more than 20 of the 'pick all that apply' questions. They are hard..I had about 7 or 8 in a row for my exam. But, to be honest, I never felt that NCLEX assured the public of a competent nurse-they just show (in my humble opinion) that this nurse can tell you what you want to hear..
I remember getting very difficult questions on that exam, and I ruled out to obtain my answers by saying (on more than one question) "THIS looks too stupid, insane and unrealistic to work in real life, so, I'll choose YOU". Passed with minimum questions in 40 minutes. I did plan and try and work where I do the best that I can with the situations provided, however, I knew I had to get past that exam in order to do so. There are so many more that just feed people with what they want to hear and not care what actually happens to the patients or the integrity of the nursing profession.
I think that current nursing education focuses more on theory and pumping information to prepare the students for the EXAM (NCLEX), but do not really seem to focus on the clinical component. And, I noticed that compared to the past, clinicals are only a day or two on the unit with just a few patients. Not realistic! I can see for the initial exposure, but I believe that as they move on in the program, the amount of clinical time and patients should (realistically) increase. There is a 10 month vocational school program (LPN) that has two weeks of class and two weeks on the unit. Those girls graduated and work rings around many of the other new grads, because they were used to it by then...only having to adjust to a particular facility. Many nursing programs years ago in my area focused that way as well.
I assume this happened because of the non-competitive wages of clinical instructors (amoung other things) that slowed this down. A student that was deluded to think that life is that easy with their two or three patients are suddenly slammed with as many as 12 on a med-surg floor (this is what is happening with the RNs in my hospital). And, along with dealing with the apathy of the senior nurses, they are being confronted with "What did you learn in school??". Our education is far different than theirs and it shows in many cases the minute you hit the floor. I felt that I knew nothing!! It took my own critical thinking skills to survive. Sure, I see many nurses seeking for plush conditions to work in because I think that some of them are deluded.
In the program that I just graduated from, clinicals are two days per week, and students take 50% of the RN's load by the end of the first year. They save all of the management, leadership, delegation, and time management content for the final term of second year, plus we have a preceptorship in which we must take 75% of the RN's load (I ended up taking 100%, since I already work as an LPN and am used to handling a full load). Since they save all of that content for the end of second year, I did not benefit from that knowledge when I obtained my LPN license, and had to learn it all on the job. Now that I'm close to having my RN, I'm so glad I did. I've already experienced the reality shock, so my transition from student nurse to professional nurse will be far easier than for those who did not work as LPNs.
ETA: Since they are changing the program from an ADN to a BSN, the opportunity to work as an LPN will no longer be available to the next batch of students. They've also dropped the admission requirement of being a CNA. I'm thinking these changes aren't going to help future nursing students have strong clinical skills by the time they graduate.
I think that current nursing education focuses more on theory and pumping information to prepare the students for the EXAM (NCLEX), but do not really seem to focus on the clinical component. And, I noticed that compared to the past, clinicals are only a day or two on the unit with just a few patients. Not realistic! I can see for the initial exposure, but I believe that as they move on in the program, the amount of clinical time and patients should (realistically) increase. There is a 10 month vocational school program (LPN) that has two weeks of class and two weeks on the unit. Those girls graduated and work rings around many of the other new grads, because they were used to it by then...only having to adjust to a particular facility. Many nursing programs years ago in my area focused that way as well.
I assume this happened because of the non-competitive wages of clinical instructors (amoung other things) that slowed this down. A student that was deluded to think that life is that easy with their two or three patients are suddenly slammed with as many as 12 on a med-surg floor (this is what is happening with the RNs in my hospital). And, along with dealing with the apathy of the senior nurses, they are being confronted with "What did you learn in school??". Our education is far different than theirs and it shows in many cases the minute you hit the floor. I felt that I knew nothing!! It took my own critical thinking skills to survive. Sure, I see many nurses seeking for plush conditions to work in because I think that some of them are deluded.
I totally agree with you...when you put a diploma or associate degree nurse against a nurse with a bachelor's degree...the ones with more clinical time will most likely do better. At least this is what exp. nurses tell me where I work. I myself question....What did I learn in nursing school? Did I learn anything? There is soooo much responsibility and you really have to be conscientious. I mean theory is great but means nothing if you can't apply it!
Wrong. There's no true nursing shortage, because 500,000 actively licensed nurses in the US are doing things other than working in the profession. There's only a shortage of nurses who would willingly work at the bedside to get abused from all angles, disrespected by many people, and poorly paid by employers.
Really? There seem to be a lot of articles about nursing shortages. There is even a website about nursing shortages. http://www.nursingshortage.info
This may be off current topic but the original question in the title interested me as I think I went into nursing for not your typical reason and have gotten some slack from some die hard I had a "calling" to care for others.
I went into nursing for the hours---call me crazy I know, but as a wife and mom of 4 where else can I work for 25.00 an hour part time nights and weekends? Hooters is not an option for me in my current state of physical let down...lol...seriously, Nursing is a great job for a mom. I work Sat/Sun night so I get weekend premium which is time and half plus 1.00. I work 7p-7a so I can attend my sons football games in the fall, soccer games in the morning, I can have some what of a social life (what ever that is any more) I sleep on Sunday, then nap on Monday.
I get great health insurance--I have a nice benefit pkg. I live all of 1 mile from the hospital I work at, they were generous enough to pay for my nursing school--I worked there as a CNA the summer before nursing school began, just to make sure I really did want to be a nurse.
Even though I went in for purely selfish reasons, I love my job. I learn something new every shift, I get to help families on their brightest and darkest days ( I work in an ICU) I love educating my patients and their families. I love knowing that I am making a difference in someones life, I love that I am their advocate and I honestly do feel respected~~ I know some of the more Sr nurses will differ with me on this, but I have only been a nurse for 6months now, so I still have that "I love being a nurse" feeling and I hope it never goes away!!! To add icing to the cake, I get paid for what I do and it is not a bad wage. I still feel like Iam a stay at home mom, even though I make a decent yearly income.
Nursing is a win win to me.
And before I exit my "I love being a nurse" soap box, I just want to say to those nurses that have said to me I was selfish for my reason to be a nurse, the ones who have told me they dont do it for the money, well then let me ask you??? Why dont you volunteer then?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
really? there seem to be a lot of articles about nursing shortages. there is even a website about nursing shortages. http://www.nursingshortage.info
and, there are many web-based articles about the root causes of the so-called shortage. the truth is that the alleged shortage would disappear overnight if all of the unemployed nurses with active licensure returned to the nursing workforce this evening. don't believe everything you hear about the shortage.
in 2000, nearly 500,000 registered nurses in the united states were not working in nursing. of these, 36,000 were seeking employment as nurses. an additional 136,000 were working in non-nursing occupations, and 323,000 were not employed at all.
TheCommuter, I've come to the conclusion that this is a matter of semantics. For whatever reasons, there is a shortage of nurses at the bedside. Employers need to think about both recruitment AND retention. If working conditions were better, maybe some of those nurses with active licenses who have left bedside nursing would return. Certainly many who are currently at the bedside would not leave. But there will always be nurses who choose to leave bedside nursing for whatever reasons, no matter what the working conditions are like. This is true of any career.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
In the program that I just graduated from, clinicals are two days per week, and students take 50% of the RN's load by the end of the first year. They save all of the management, leadership, delegation, and time management content for the final term of second year, plus we have a preceptorship in which we must take 75% of the RN's load (I ended up taking 100%, since I already work as an LPN and am used to handling a full load). Since they save all of that content for the end of second year, I did not benefit from that knowledge when I obtained my LPN license, and had to learn it all on the job. Now that I'm close to having my RN, I'm so glad I did. I've already experienced the reality shock, so my transition from student nurse to professional nurse will be far easier than for those who did not work as LPNs.
ETA: Since they are changing the program from an ADN to a BSN, the opportunity to work as an LPN will no longer be available to the next batch of students. They've also dropped the admission requirement of being a CNA. I'm thinking these changes aren't going to help future nursing students have strong clinical skills by the time they graduate.
:yeah:Congratulations, Nancy, on graduating from your RN program!!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Really? There seem to be a lot of articles about nursing shortages. There is even a website about nursing shortages. http://www.nursingshortage.info
And, there are many web-based articles about the root causes of the so-called shortage. The truth is that the alleged shortage would disappear overnight if all of the unemployed nurses with active licensure returned to the nursing workforce this evening. Don't believe everything you hear about the shortage.
I am in agreement with TheCommuter...there are thousands of licensed nurses that decided not to compromise their physical condition, ethics and conscience by remaining at the bedside.
I am an LPN, but consider myself to be a 'pseudo-bedside nurse', in the sense that I work in clinics, vaccine nursing and am trying to obtain a per diem assignment in psych because it seems safer there than the floors, where I know I am needed the most. The things I saw tore my heart apart, and I want to be able to live with myself, be comfortable with the decisions I make and to do no harm (to the best of my ability). These conditions lead to short cuts, apathy and the compromising of patient care as well as one's own principals. I am better able to care under my current circumstances, as insane as even they can be than to work on the units where the wildest things have happened just because even the decent nurse wants to survive.
Specializes in ICU/CCU, Rehab, insurance, case manager.
Wrong. There's no true nursing shortage, because 500,000 actively licensed nurses in the US are doing things other than working in the profession. There's only a shortage of nurses who would willingly work at the bedside to get abused from all angles, disrespected by many people, and poorly paid by employers.
you totally hit it on the head!
1. I am not your maid
2. I am not a slave
3. i have feelings.
4. I will not deal with your temper tantrums
I work in the insurance industry now and i love it, no more beligerant families to deal with anymore, no more whiny people. it blows my mind how the public treats nurses. they want to critized everything and be nasty than fine heal your self!
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
I think that current nursing education focuses more on theory and pumping information to prepare the students for the EXAM (NCLEX), but do not really seem to focus on the clinical component. And, I noticed that compared to the past, clinicals are only a day or two on the unit with just a few patients. Not realistic! I can see for the initial exposure, but I believe that as they move on in the program, the amount of clinical time and patients should (realistically) increase. There is a 10 month vocational school program (LPN) that has two weeks of class and two weeks on the unit. Those girls graduated and work rings around many of the other new grads, because they were used to it by then...only having to adjust to a particular facility. Many nursing programs years ago in my area focused that way as well.
I assume this happened because of the non-competitive wages of clinical instructors (amoung other things) that slowed this down. A student that was deluded to think that life is that easy with their two or three patients are suddenly slammed with as many as 12 on a med-surg floor (this is what is happening with the RNs in my hospital). And, along with dealing with the apathy of the senior nurses, they are being confronted with "What did you learn in school??". Our education is far different than theirs and it shows in many cases the minute you hit the floor. I felt that I knew nothing!! It took my own critical thinking skills to survive. Sure, I see many nurses seeking for plush conditions to work in because I think that some of them are deluded.