Is Healthcare Still a Promising Field?

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Anne, our paths couldnt be more similar. I graduated with my ADN in '06 and recently finished my BSN and now I'm wondering if I did the right thing, esp since I'm now 50. You've said exactly what I think a lot of RNs are afraid to...about being overwhelmed, unsupported and saddled with impossible demands. I'm glad you were able to find a job within the medical niche...I just hope I can as well. BTW, I did some research and found that the burnout rate for RNs in the US is 5 years! So, something is definitey wrong with this picture...and we can't continue on this way.
Linda

Linda of OR 11:44AM February 25, 2010

I feel for the nurses I just went through a 2 1/2 yr cancer fight with my mom who spent most of the time in the hospital...saw the system first hand it's awfully flawed and the nurses as you say are so overworked that it's a very rare individual who can really stay on top of it and still give the full care really needed...I read that genetic counselors were needed but now don't see that mentioned anywhere...any thoughts ??? i"m looking for a 2 nd career at 45 with an art background (actor/filmmaker), BFA I did do pre-med in school and think maybe I could go back to it?

dunya of NV 12:06PM January 22, 2010

I graduated in '07 at 52 years old. I worked in long term care and in a psychiatric hospital. I was under so much stress. I dreaded going to work and worried on my way home that I hadn't been thorough with my care or my paperwork. I decided that I could not keep up that lifestyle. I now work at a university with a biomedical research scientist. I am using my RN education very little. But I don't care. I thought I would probably have to 'eat' my degree and the money I borrowed to get it. I now think that with work I did prior to nursing, with my nursing degree, I can continue to work in healthcare. When students ask me about nursing, I am brutally honest: You are not supported, you are responsible for everyone's work, and the demands of the job are impossible to attain.

Anne Launt of NY 1:52PM January 06, 2010

I have been an RN for over 30 yrs . I truly love my patients and practicing the art of healing. However, every year becomes harder as we nurses are asked to do more regarding documentation for accreditation agencies , insurance and reimbursement .The various things I am supposed to do to in order to obtain high customer satisfaction in surveys is also time consuming and in my opinion has little to do with actual patient care .We aren't even allowed to state that we're busy so it looks like nurses don't care when we can't get to patients . It seems like nurses are expected to do everything including secretarial work , cleaning , transport , etc , etc and we also take the blame for anything from dietary to Dr errors . The patients are older and sicker, enduring medical procedures and taking medications that tend to make them worse not better . My time with them decreases each year and this distresses me as they are the true victims .
It is not uncommon for me to go without my break and work 14 hours instead of the 12 hours I am scheduled to work . My colleagues are also doing the same .I hate that I am working so hard and feel so stressed. I am seeing some really stressed out nurses and to be quite honest I am not surprised that some are displaying a bad attitude .
I remain hopeful that things will get better but at present I am very glad that neither of my children have expressed an interest in nursing as a career

MH of AR 8:25PM January 05, 2010

I'm a nurse for only 2 years and already disillusioned. I didn't become a nurse to do my job mechanically, but I have no choice. I always try to listen to my patients while doing treatments or giving medications, but unfortunately my supervisors have complained that I can't finish my job on time. I'm expected to hand out meds, do treatments, IV's and more to 40(!) patients. And don't forget the paperwork. IT CANNOT BE DONE IN TIME.
I refuse to be a heartless nurse and suffer as a result. The patients all love me. I get, "God bless you" all the time. But I can't finish my work on time and I'm yelled at as a result.

nurse of NY 9:35PM January 04, 2010

I HAVE BEEN A NURSE FOR MANY YEARS. I AM IN THE 50'S CATEGORY. I HAVE SEEN HEALTH CARE GO DOWN HILL SO MUCH. NURSES ARE UNDER SO MUCH STRESS. THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO GET MEDS PASSED, CHARTING COMPLETED, AND NEVER ENOUGH TIME FOR WHAT WE BECAME NURSES FOR, PT. CARE. NURSES EAT THEIR OWN. DR'S TAKE UP FOR EACH OTHER. WHAT A BROTHERHOOD, WHILE NURSES TURN ON EACH OTHER. WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A NURSING SHORTAGE BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS IN NURSING. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE NURSING FIELD. OUR NURSES WOULD STAY IN THE FIELD.

PATTI ASHLEY of MO 3:59AM January 04, 2010

I can relate to the above comment that was made about the nurses attitude. When I did my externship at the hospital pharmacy, I would have to deliver meds to the nurses station and as I would puit the meds out, nurses would come in and not speak or they would just generally come in with a nasty attitude. I never thought "SOME" nurses had such a nasty repore about themselves.

Cheryl Dooley of AL 9:44PM January 01, 2010

i recently left my job after almost 3 years off abuse and threats, by the nurses.they think they have it hard, well the aides are the heart and soul of the facilities we are the residents family and they depend on us to get what they need. the nurses pop in for 2 seconds to give the meds and run out. im so tired of nurses geting all the credit. 80% of the nurses ive worked with havent gaven a rats a@# about the residents needs and when the aide reports a problem they disregard or take days to get to the problem. ive lost many residents because they needed to get to the hospital but the nurses just blew it off. the cna is a amazing person and they deserve more respect, instead of being treated like crap. your a nurse you need to act like one, if your stressed do us all a favor and come in with a good attitude or get out. your ruin the whole atmosphere and make everyone in a bad mood. being a nurse is more then the money and unfortuatley most are only there for that reason. its sad!

cna of KS 10:59AM December 23, 2009

We have labor laws and courts of law to file criminal and civil lawsuits that will protect the employees.
My suggestion is to use our court system to protect your livelihood and careers.

Bob of TX 11:43PM October 06, 2009

I agree with R. McKinney. I too am an RN (10 years) looking to get out of nursing. Harsh conditions are working so short staffed it is unsafe, and you spend the whole shift worrying about what will happen, and breathing a sigh of relief after giving report to the next shift because you managed to keep your license for another day; being the end of the food chain for giving meds, and the nurse will be the one fired if the wrong med is given even if the doc ordered the wrong med/dose or the pharmacist mislabeled it; less licensed personnel and more unlicensed, so the nurse is responsible for what they do also; too many patients; patients who hit, threaten, throw things at nurses; doctors who treat us as hand maidens (I actually had one say "I liked the good old days when the nurses would give me their chairs and bring me milk and cookies"); there are too many to list. As for nurse to nurse treatment, there is such a tenuous hierarchy in nursing, that any new person introduced in to the situation gets verbally abused. I have had a 300lb nurse yell at me to "get out of my chair!" I have been told by an aide that "you might as well leave, no one wants you here," I have seen nurses make PRN staff cry, I have had nurses refuse to show me how to do something or refuse to show me where something is because "No one showed me, I had to find it myself." It is awful, and I don't know what to do about it. I spent the last 5 years in management, and I spent half my time (usually a 60 hour work week) trying to stop infighting, rumors, etc. I really hate this profession, and can't wait to get out!

Deb of IN 5:41PM October 06, 2009