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!
Well, they aren't letting incompetents graduate at my school. Of the original 50 who began with me in level one, only 23 made it through and graduated. They really tried to kill us with logical and analytical thinking, especially in the third level. That's where many failed out. The 2nd and 3rd levels were designed to weed out all but the most die-hard students. And the NCLEX DOES fail people. I passed after 75 questions. I also graduated 2nd in my class. I've always been a very scientific thinker and love critical thinking (although you wouldn't have heard me admit it back in the third level.) Anyway, the NCLEX has evolved more than you know. I realize that a while back it used to be divided into different sections and on different days, which is tough also. But this generation's NCLEX is composed differently. Besides all the regular questions, it also has those "alternate format" questions. In these, you have to either select all that apply, click on the appropriate area of anatomy, drag and drop items, etc. And it's computer adaptive testing, which evaluates more efficiently which level of ability you are functioning on by adjusting the questions to suit how you answered the previous ones. It was NOT easy. I don't know how the people you describe are getting into nursing, but I am sorry it is happening. Good luck!
I can tell you that where I work all of our new grads passed the NCLEX. I have a hard time believing it's 'harder' than the 2 full days of testing that was the norm in years past. (OK, dark ages!). What I am seeing though, is nurses that can't start IVs, can't mix IV meds, mix up drugs, hook up a simple 3 lead EKG monitor wrong, have no idea about foley care, etc. etc. etc. Even worse, some of them don't ask, but 'pretend' to know- and this can be a very dangerous situation. We have had to let several new grads go due to what management called "incompetence"- passing the boards does not a nurse make. Good preceptor programs are a must, but if the basics aren't learned in school new grads are at a disadvantage w/out that solid foundation. I would advise any new grad to take an EKG class, IV cert. class, and whatever else your hospital offers- this is far more useful than the socialization I'm seeing around the nurses station lately!! There seems to be a lack of seriousness about the profession - too much joking/levity- - this is the time to learn- ask questions- research, school may be over, but working is where the real learning begins!!
Nursing is about caring, but it seems as though if a fellow nurse (or future prospect) talks about entering nursing becuase of the money they get shuned.
Hmm - could it be that we are responsible for caring (yes, really) for people who are at their lowest ebb - unable to make their own decisions - unable to maintain their own bodies - desperately needing contact with a fellow human being - an advocate to steer them safely through the very scary and dangerous world of illness.
People can't shop around for the service we provide or take their business next door. They are at our mercy (literally) when they come into our world. We bear witness the their most profoundly human experiences. I consider it a privilege.
I hope that when I need a nurse it turns out to be someone who shares my own ethos.
It may be that for some people who have already passed the NCLEX, it seems like the world would be a better place if most students failed the exam, yet if someone makes it through the rigors of nursing school, most people should pass it. If not, then their school program is failing them or the test is inappropriate. I for one would be quite upset if I worked hard to make it through school only to have failed the NCLEX and not be able to work.
Face it, the NCLEX is what it is. It's an exam to ensure that graduates have a clue about safe care and can be properly oriented to do a reasonably safe job. It is supposed to test for the minimum requirements of safe care. It's not meant to weed out only the top graduates of a nursing program, and to heck with the rest of them.
I graduated engineering school with some people I considered exceptionally smart, and some who got good grades, but lacked any sense of critical thinking skills. It's too bad that some less motivated and less brilliant nurses get hired to care for patients, but the fault for that lies with the people who hired them (or the lack of ability to find better qualified candidates).
I can tell you that where I work all of our new grads passed the NCLEX. I have a hard time believing it's 'harder' than the 2 full days of testing that was the norm in years past. (OK, dark ages!). What I am seeing though, is nurses that can't start IVs, can't mix IV meds, mix up drugs, hook up a simple 3 lead EKG monitor wrong, have no idea about foley care, etc. etc. etc. Even worse, some of them don't ask, but 'pretend' to know- and this can be a very dangerous situation. We have had to let several new grads go due to what management called "incompetence"- passing the boards does not a nurse make. Good preceptor programs are a must, but if the basics aren't learned in school new grads are at a disadvantage w/out that solid foundation. I would advise any new grad to take an EKG class, IV cert. class, and whatever else your hospital offers- this is far more useful than the socialization I'm seeing around the nurses station lately!! There seems to be a lack of seriousness about the profession - too much joking/levity- - this is the time to learn- ask questions- research, school may be over, but working is where the real learning begins!!
Please dont lump all of the "new nurses" in that category. I am a new nurse and I didnt know how to start an IV when I began nor was I comfortable mixing up IV meds. But boy could I write a wicked APA formated paper!!
Fact is good or bad, nursing school is not what it used to be. Clinical time is tough to come by--think of all the nursing schools out there, think of all the students, there are only so many hospital floors where clinicals can take place. So that means nurses today need a good preceptor. Yet hospitals today need a nurse to hit the ground running, they look at staffing and in many hospitals if you have those magic initials RN behind your name then you can fill a hole in the schedules. It doesnt say RN (who has yet to start an IV) it just says RN.
New nurses need encouragement, they need to be told "Hey suzy-you ever see an thorecentisis? Dr Bhaja is getting ready to do one in 485, go watch" They need to be told "Suzy-you ever zero an Art line-here come with me"
I love to hear the stories of the more senior nurses who actually lived at their nursing schools which were in the hospital. I couldnt imagine. They came out of nursing school being house supervisors. Nursing school is not like that now, that is not our fault, just the way society it. The schools make money by having more students, they get in as many students as they can and then we have to battle with other schools for clinical floor time, that is a scarcity.
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!
Let me hear from you. Thanks for reading!
just one question. why do you continue to work in your current environtment?? 10 patients?? that's insane. and your screen name is ihatemedsurg.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Please dont lump all of the "new nurses" in that category. I am a new nurse and I didnt know how to start an IV when I began nor was I comfortable mixing up IV meds. But boy could I write a wicked APA formated paper!!
Fact is good or bad, nursing school is not what it used to be. Clinical time is tough to come by--think of all the nursing schools out there, think of all the students, there are only so many hospital floors where clinicals can take place. So that means nurses today need a good preceptor. Yet hospitals today need a nurse to hit the ground running, they look at staffing and in many hospitals if you have those magic initials RN behind your name then you can fill a hole in the schedules. It doesnt say RN (who has yet to start an IV) it just says RN.
New nurses need encouragement, they need to be told "Hey suzy-you ever see an thorecentisis? Dr Bhaja is getting ready to do one in 485, go watch" They need to be told "Suzy-you ever zero an Art line-here come with me"
I love to hear the stories of the more senior nurses who actually lived at their nursing schools which were in the hospital. I couldnt imagine. They came out of nursing school being house supervisors. Nursing school is not like that now, that is not our fault, just the way society it. The schools make money by having more students, they get in as many students as they can and then we have to battle with other schools for clinical floor time, that is a scarcity.
That is the point I am saying. I am working on a family tree and discovered the census information on my grandmother, who attended Lincoln Hospital's nursing program in New York. She also lived on campus-and I wish she was around now to share her stories. Better yet, I wish I had taken the time to ask her when she was alive (I was a teenager when she died and didn't have the same appreciation of history as I have now). Yes, they learned so much better.
Preceptors, in my place did it for the prestige, rather than to encourage the new nurse how to cope with the transition. In many cases, it is poorly done and decreases retention.
I went into nursing for many reasons-I lived with my grandmother who was a notable nurse in her time. I do remember some of the many stories I overheard, and my mother was a CNA. I went the same route, and now, I am an LPN. I chose to become a nurse because along with the caring, I also wanted to have other options to do things that interest me and nursing does that. I wanted security-there will always be a need for a nurse. However, what I have also seen is the dark and ugly side of working in the medical field, which chases a great deal of people away from it. Based on the things that I do see, if I decided to return to school at all, it would not be for nursing because of the horrible politics and backstabbing. More responsibility in nursing to me =more stress. I am sad it is coming to this.
if i have to choose a profession that pays well, i wouldnt go into nursing. with only one job i would not be able to support myself. i have two jobs, i work 7 days a week and i make a decent amount. almost all nurses i work with have two jobs.
While I haven't read the whole thread my response to the initial poster is with the competition to get into nursing school today and the time invested I don't think its just all about the money.
However pay for nurses in my home country is not that fantastic (NZ) so I chose not to major in nursing at that time for the simple reason if I was going to spend time and money on my education I wanted a return on my investment.
Now I'm an american citizen I have revised my attitude towards nursing based on the fact that the pay is a little bit more equitable. That and I see in nursing a whole host of opportunities.
If I were just in it for the money I would be back studying accounting or law.
I am going into nursing because I really can't imagine myself doing anything else. I graduated with a BA in English and Philosophy/Religion and worked at an advertising agency for three months.... and it made me miserable. Now I'm finishing up my nursing prerequisites and will be starting school next spring or fall.
Was money THE deciding factor in my decision to become a nurse? Absolutely not!
However, I do plan on getting married and having a family someday, and know that I need a job with a good income so that I can support myself and my children on my own if necessary. I really hope I won't ever have to go through a divorce or lose my husband, but I am choosing to take these worst-case scenarios into consideration because I feel that financial independence is very important.
I realize that nursing will be a very difficult/exhausting profession, but I know it's what I want, because if I'm not working together with others and helping those in need, I feel like there's something missing from my life.
I am volunteering on an oncology floor right now, and am required to volunteer a minimum of four hours a week.... this past week I volunteered sixteen hours because I missed the patients! .....so no, it's not "just the money", especially since I'm not getting paid yet! :loveya:
i was checking out the university of michigans 2007 employee salary chart (they are forced to release it). rns were consistently among the top paid employees (short of physicians and professors). they were usually paid much more than pts, ots, rts, and non-health professions like hr and accounting. salary outlook is subjective, but i personally think nursing is far from being poorly paid.
that being said, i think money definitely is a factor for me choosing nursing. i'll be making more than any of my friends when we graduate from college --and they're all liberal arts/business majors. i think the reason nurses have fought for decades for a fair wage is because of this nightingale attitude of being an indentured servant where "money" is a filthy word. nurses do need to stand up and demand what they are worth. do you think accountants or doctors chastise each other for thinking about money? of course not! it is important to care about your patients and give them the best care possible (obviously), but it is irritating when i hear nurses accuse one another of doing it for the money -- everyone should consider pay when choosing a career. i'd be worried about them if they didn't.
Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP
477 Posts
Well, they aren't letting incompetents graduate at my school. Of the original 50 who began with me in level one, only 23 made it through and graduated. They really tried to kill us with logical and analytical thinking, especially in the third level. That's where many failed out. The 2nd and 3rd levels were designed to weed out all but the most die-hard students. And the NCLEX DOES fail people. I passed after 75 questions. I also graduated 2nd in my class. I've always been a very scientific thinker and love critical thinking (although you wouldn't have heard me admit it back in the third level.) Anyway, the NCLEX has evolved more than you know. I realize that a while back it used to be divided into different sections and on different days, which is tough also. But this generation's NCLEX is composed differently. Besides all the regular questions, it also has those "alternate format" questions. In these, you have to either select all that apply, click on the appropriate area of anatomy, drag and drop items, etc. And it's computer adaptive testing, which evaluates more efficiently which level of ability you are functioning on by adjusting the questions to suit how you answered the previous ones. It was NOT easy. I don't know how the people you describe are getting into nursing, but I am sorry it is happening. Good luck!