Nursefriendly.com (homepage)
About Us
Add URL
Contact Us
Gifts For Nurses
Linking Policy
Privacy Policy
Search Our Sites
Top Nursing Topics:
A to Z Nursing Topics
About Nursing:
-
Certified Nursing Assistants, CNAs
Disabled Nurses
Impaired Nurses
LPNs, LVNs
Registered Nurses, (RNs)
Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs)
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Ask The Nurse
Associations (Nursing)
Authors (Nursing)
Nursing Blog
Boards of Nursing (State)
Burnout (Nursing)
Businesses (Nurse-Owned)
Brainteasers
Care Plans (Nursing)
Careers In Nursing
Case Studies (Malpractice)
CEUs (Nursing)
Commonly Used Drugs
Chat (Nursing)
Clothes (Nursing)
Colleges (Nursing)
Current Events, Nursing News
Degrees in Nursing
Discussions (Nursing)
Downloads (Nursing Torrent)
Drugs (Commonly Used)
Education (Nursing)
Employment (Nursing)
Entrepreneurs (Nurse)
Equipment (Medical)
Forensic Nursing
Gifts For Nurses
Going Shopping
Health & Wellness
Health Insurance
Healthcare Unions, Nursing Unions, Organized Labor
History of Nursing
Hospitals, Medical Centers
Informatics Nurses
Intravenous (IV) & Infusion Therapy
Jobs in Nursing
Jokes (Nursing)
Journals (Nursing)
Long Term Care, Nursing Homes
Male Nurses
Malpractice Cases
Medical Centers, Hospitals
Medical Equipment
Medical Humor, Nursing Jokes
Men in Nursing
Nurse Training
Nurse Entrepreneurs
Nursing Associations
Nursing Authors
Nursing Burnout
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing Careers
Nursing (CEUs)
Nursing Boards
Nursing Clothes, Scrubs, Uniforms
Nursing Colleges, Schools
Nursing Degrees
Nursing Discussions
Nursing Education
Nursing Employment
Nursing Entrepreneurs
Nursing Gifts
Nursing Homes, Long Term Care
Nursing Informatics
Nursing Jobs
Nursing Jokes, Medical Humor
Nursing Journals
Nursing History
Nursing Malpractice Cases
Nursing News
Nursing Pay
Nursing Programs
Nursing Refresher Courses
Nursing Research
Nursing Resumes
Nursing Salaries
Nursing Scholarships
Nursing Schools, Colleges
Nursing Scrubs, Uniforms
Nursing Shoes
Nursing Shortage
Nursing Students
Nursing Torrent Downloads
Nursing Uniforms
Nursing Unions, Organized Labor, Healthcare Unions
Nursing Wages
Paychecks (Nursing)
Prescription Drug Indexes
Puzzles, Quizzes
Refresher Courses
Research (Nursing)
Resumes (Nursing)
Salaries (Nursing)
Scholarships (Nursing)
Schools of Nursing
Scrubs, Nursing Uniforms
Shoes (Nursing)
Shopping (Going) on the Internet
Shortage (Nursing)
State Nursing Boards
Student (Nursing)
Torrent Downloads (Nursing)
Training (Nursing)
Traveling Nurses
Uniforms, Scrubs, Nursing
Unions (Nursing), Organized Labor, Healthcare Unions
Wages (Nursing)
Work At Home Opportunities
Being a Nurse is a career you can be spiritually, emotionally and financially satisfied with. In this day and age this is a unique opportunity, but it is not for everyone. A special person with qualities such as empathy, compassion, intelligence and above all patience should only apply.
During your career you will encounter many wonderful and terrible experiences from a death to a birth. It is a paradox of sweet and sour. You must have the ability to manage your emotions during these extreme times and be able to perform with confidence and accuracy. You will be responsible for life and death situations and must be able to be alert and conscious of your actions at all times.
During my career as a nurse, I have encountered other nurses who have neglected patients let them sit it pain, not offered water or even basic personal hygiene. You will encounter this unfortunately as a nurse. You will assume the role of patient advocate, at times you will be the only voice they have. This will put you in a difficult position with your peers. There may be times you have to be the "bad" guy.
As a nurse you generally have some specific traits that attracted you to become a nurse, you are kind and like things to stay peaceful. This will be difficult to do when you have to choose to stand up for a patient at the expense of someone possibly losing their job. This is only one example of how difficult it is to be a nurse.
This is a special profession like none other.
You are trusted with very personal information. You see a person at their most vulnerable time. Some of your patients may feel humiliated or embarrassed for you to see them unclothed or needing help with activities of daily living such as feeding, toileting and personal grooming. It is up to you to make that person feel comfortable and in doing so you will become a trusted confident.
As a nurse you will held in confidence by your patients with whom in turn you will develop close relationships. You cannot let these relationships alter your professional decision making.
It becomes difficult when you lose a patient. This is where some nurses are really tested. Some people can accept this and move on while others may find it difficult and try not to get as close to a patient again to avoid that pain. However, this is part of the job and people need that special attention.
For many of your patients you may be all they have at this most difficult time. They may have no family or friends to look in on them to see if their needs are being met. You patients may be frightened and feel alone and look to you for comfort. This is an enormous responsibility which cannot be taken lightly.
The Nursing profession as a career will cause strain on your professional as well as personal life. In short, being a nurse is not a job for you if you are looking for a weekly paycheck.
Being a nurse is more than a job, more than a career, it is a way of life. So Good Luck and choose wisely.
Sincerely,
Kristina Rzanca L.P.N.
The Shortcut URL To This Section Is http://www.nursefriendly.com/views/
In this section, you can hear from Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, etc, new and old on why they would or would not recommend going into Nursing as a career. Our articles are frank, uncensored and brutally honest. We hope they'll help you make your decision if you're unsure about nursing being for you.
It is not our intent to "scare you off" from Nursing, some of our reviews are quite positive. It is our intention to help you go into Nursing with "open eyes" and aware of what you can reasonably expect as students and entry-level nurses.
See also:
Licensed Practical Nurses,
http://www.nursefriendly.com/lpn
Registered Nurses, http://www.nursefriendly.com/rn/
To Stay In Nursing or Not:
http://www.nursingdiscussions.com/stay
Nursing, Not For Everyone, Not For Most People by Andrew Lopez, RN
Nurses are Licensed Professionals who's practice is regulated by Nurse Practice Acts, and the State Board of Nursing of each State. Nursing is a ...
******************************************************
The Beauty of Nursing by Rebekah Hinton, BSN, RN, Virginia Nurses Views of The Nursing Profession:"I have been a caretaker for as long as I can remember. I am the oldest of four daughters and have always been a second Mother to my siblings. Going into nursing seemed to be a logical choice for me. As a student I was eager to learn and worked very hard to get the best education possible. I entered into a Bachelor of Science in nursing program without knowing the difference between a RN program and a BSN program."
******************************************************
Nursing: How Do I Find Out If It's For Me? by Angela Eichenlaub, RN, BSN:"The face of nursing has changed" or "Nursing is not what it used to be" are phrases I often hear from seasoned staff. I wish I knew what nursing "used to be" so I could compare! My own personal advice to anyone considering a career in nursing is to take your reason for entering the profession into account. Some go into nursing for money, some because they have always wanted to and some people go into nursing because they don't know what else to do."
******************************************************
To Be Or Not To Be, by Sharon Jones, RN, Ohio Nurses Views of The Nursing Profession:"To Be…Or Not To Be… was never the question for me. I had always been a caretaker of sorts even at a very young age. The decision to return to work was based more on a career that I could relate to and be employed at. To be it was… and I started school at a local college for a Registered Nurse program. Almost two years into school, all my pre- req. courses completed and a waiting list to get into the nursing classes (a very unbelievable thing looking back- too many students- many had to wait) forced me to change course of action that lead to LPN school."
******************************************************
Twenty Years of Nursing by James E. Meekins, North Carolina Nursing Views:"Thirty years ago I walked into the Navy recruiters office; laid off, without a real skill and signed up to be a Navy Hospital Corpsman (medic). I learned basic patient care---and basic first aid; and learned to work under the direction of a physician or nurse. I enjoyed what I did, the pride of being part of a team; accomplishment of a common goal, first aid in the field with Marines, or care of a patient in the hospital. . . ."
******************************************************
Nursing: Pros and Cons by Christy Picton, RN, BSN, Illinois Nurses' Views of The Nursing Profession:"I struggle when asked whether I would recommend the nursing profession as a career. In the end it comes to down to a weighing of the pros and cons. Let me begin by introducing you to some of my patients, my "pros" so to speak. . . . "
******************************************************
"One of The Lucky Ones" by Christine Cruz, Minnesota Nurses Views of The Nursing Profession:"My name is Chris. I have been an RN for ten-years. I have worked in a wide variety of nursing settings, from home care, long-term care to telephone triage, clinics and nursing management. Upon graduation from nursing school in, May, 1993, I had eagerly anticipated a new RN position at a local hospital, in one of its med-surgical units. . . ."
******************************************************
You Want to Be a Nurse? -- Better Leave Your Heart Behind by Pennye Diane Morgan Shaw R.N., Texas Nurses Views of the Nursing Profession:"So you're thinking about being a nurse? You probably are a person who wants to make a difference, to help others, to be a compassionate healer. Are these are the same reasons I entered the nursing profession about 9 years ago. I had been through the emotional experience of watching my father being diagnosed with colon cancer. I had been by his side though radiation therapy, and though surgery and recovery. I watched as he struggled to cope with the drastic changes to his body as he tried to return to a normal life. . . . "
******************************************************
My Advice for New and Potential Nurses, by Pam Lowry, Illinois Nurses Views of the Nursing Profession:"According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), "The United States is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is projected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows." They also state enrollments in nursing colleges are at a six-year decline. According to JAMA there will be a shortage of 400,000 nurses in the U.S. by the year 2020. AACN goes on to state there are declines in nursing faculty leading to limitations on enrollment, the population of R.N.'s is the lowest it has been in 20 years, and vacancy rates at hospitals are high. . . "
******************************************************
An Insight Into Nursing by Leah Stockdale, R.N., B.S.N. Maryland Nurses Views of the Nursing Profession:"Although I am extremely proud of being a nurse, I will have to say that I am not sure if I would choose the profession if I could go back. At the same time, I probably would not choose any career in the health care industry. In my opinion, as far as hospital nursing is concerned, the negatives outweigh the positives. That is why I am currently in the process of applying my nursing skills and education to another field. . . "
******************************************************
A Letter To A Future Nurse by Kristina Rzanca, LPN, Michigan Nurses Views:"Being a Nurse is a career you can be spiritually, emotionally and financially satisfied with. In this day and age this is a unique opportunity, but it is not for everyone. A special person with qualities such as empathy, compassion, intelligence and above all patience should only apply. . . . "
******************************************************
To Be A Nurse Takes A Special Kind Of Person By Vicky Oliver, LPN:"As an LPN for the last ten years I believe I could give some insight on my experience as a nurse. I am the type of person who is always doing something for others instead of me. My experiences in nursing consist of Medical Surgical, Doctors' Office, Emergency Room, Surgery, GI Lab, Urology, Utilization Review, Recovery Room, and the Nursing Home. Anyone that goes into the nursing profession needs to be a very caring person, someone who wants to give to others and someone that is very dedicated. . . "
******************************************************
After Fourteen Years As An RN, I Am Not Sorry For My Choice By Lynn Kash, RN:"Would I recommend the nursing profession? That is a good question that requires a lot of thought. Nursing was not my first choice of careers. I studied accounting in college, and after working in the business world, decided it was not for me. I fell into a job as a nursing assistant and found patient care to my liking. I then started nursing school and the rest is history. . . .
******************************************************
A New York BSN's Point of View, By Melina Begun, BSN, RN, Clinical Administrative Liaison Nurse:"Nursing is suffering. Thousands of caring people enter into this profession every year only to become disillusioned by its reality. When I first started to study nursing, I immediately felt a connection with its history and our potential to be leaders in the medical community. Excited by all of the knowledge and skills I acquired in my Ivy league nursing program, I was astonished by the harsh reality of nursing in today's hospitals when I started working as a staff nurse. . .
******************************************************
Tips To A Good Start In The Nursing Profession by Diane Hartley:"My name is Diane and I have been in the nursing profession for 12 years. In those years I have seen very many changes with this profession. One of the first changes was in DRG's. This for those of you who do not know what they are is diagnosis related groups. . . "
******************************************************
See Also: Certified Nursing Assistants, CNAs, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Disabled Nurses, Male Nurses, Men In Nursing, Legal Nurse Consultants, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs), Registered Nurses
Nurses Views Recommending The Profession,
Nurses views Not Recommending The Profession.
Male Gender Bias - Entrance to No Mans Land by Nurseman
Are you a male and thinking about entering the world of nursing? Have you ever wondered why they're so few men in nursing? If you are young, single ...
-
Gender Bias Against Male Nurses:
- Accessories
- Blood Pressure Cuffs, Sphygnomanometers
- Nursing Tote Bags, Carry-Ons, Medical Bags
- Clinical, Medical Supplies,
- Nurses Discount Outlet: Angels, Books, Clothing , Equipment, Figurines, Holidays, Home Decor, Jewelry, Nurses, Office Decor, Scrubs, Shoes, T-Shirts
- Footwear, Shoes, Sandals, Discount, Bargains
- Gifts For Nurses (Nurses Week)
- Hosiery, Socks, Stockings
- Jewelry, Earrings, Necklaces, Watches
- Luxury Spas, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures
- Perfumes, Fragrances, Phermones
- Shoes, Boots, Sandals, Footwear, High Heels, Slippers
- Stethescopes, Nurse Kits, Replacement Parts
- Swimwear (Tan-Through)
- Women's Lingerie
- ER:"Media products under your influence, particularly the NBC/Warner drama "ER," are harming the profession of 2.7 million American nurses by giving the public an inaccurate and inadequate account of what nurses really do to save and improve lives. Research suggests that "ER" strongly and negatively influences the way children view nursing. These products contribute to the nursing shortage, a public health crisis that threatens millions worldwide."
- NBC's "Passions":"NBC's "Passions" solves nursing shortage: monkeys can do the job! Starting in March 2003 and at least as recently as late August, NBC's campy, supernatural daytime soap opera "Passions" has featured an orangutan named Precious in the role of the private duty nurse of one of its characters--a bold step backwards in the already slow...evolution...of the media's treatment of nurses. more..."
-
"Scrubs" defines nursing:""Scrubs" defines nursing: it's all about shutting up and following physician "orders. " Tonight's episode of NBC's "Scrubs," which purports to teach nurse Carla Espinosa that nursing is all about doing what physicians tell you, is one of the most virulently anti-nurse prime time television episodes the Center has ever seen. more..."
http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/ - Are good CNA jobs that hard to find?
- Being A Male Nurse
- Curtailing Workplace Gossip
- Dealing With Confrontation In Nursing
- Degree Vs Diploma
- EKG Classes
- First Year On The Floor
- Horror Stories -- working short staffed
- How Many Hours A Week Do You Work
- Impaired Nurses
- Liability Question for Experienced Nurses
- LPN vs. RN vs. BSN, etc...
- Male Nurses
- Mandatory BSN to practice nursing being considered
- Mean Age of RNs
- Military Nursing
- More Foreign Nurses, Is It A Plot?
- Nurse Entrepreneurs
- Nurses Aides, Can't Live With Them. . .
- Nurses In Recovery:
- Nursing & Adult ADD
- Put Male Nurses In Panties
- Rude Doctors
- Specialty Nursing
- Staff Nurses
- Tattoos In The Workplace
- The Nursing Shortage, Your Opinions
- To Stay In Nursing or Not
- Travel Nurses Talk Travel Nursing
http://www.nursingdiscussions.com/gender
******************************************************
-
Do I want My Daughter to be a Nurse by
Raye
I am not sure why I became a nurse. I enjoy the smile on the face of someone I have helped. I worked Emergency and got quick fixes and instant ...
******************************************************
Is your life worth the BIG BUCKS?
by SurgRN911
Why are patients and families feeling they are getting less attention, and sometimes less than adequate care in a hospital setting? I wrote an ...
******************************************************
It's not all bad!
by LauraRN
Wow.. a chance to give my opinion on nursing.. here goes.. :) When I was in college, I thought I wanted to be a math teacher. As I got higher in ...
******************************************************
Requirement: Have an off-beat sense of humor by clooneyfan A review by of my favorite writers (SurgRN911) about the nursing profession prompted me to write my own review. You can read her original review at ...
******************************************************
Nursing Is In My Blood!
by Dunkjam
When I was a little girl I always thought that I would be a singer and marry Paul Anka! I thought I would live a glamorous life and travel around the ...
******************************************************
Where Are Our Leaders? by Moonflowerck
I have been an R.N. for 28 years. My range of experience encompasses nearly all aspects of critical care and pediatrics. I am a bedside nurse; that is my forte. I give quality nursing care; I am a good teacher; I am empathetic and intuitive. However, I am not a leader. My experiences in various leadership roles during my career were neither fulfilling nor very productive.
******************************************************
Nursing: Is It A Career For You? by
Bobstein
When I was faced with choosing a career I wasn't clear exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I enjoyed the sciences and helping people, and with high unemployment rates in the mid-1970's I chose to enter the nursing profession.
******************************************************
10 CONCEPTS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING IF THE NURSING PROFESSION IS FOR YOU
by melissasrn
Pros: The opportunity to make a difference in someone's life; decent pay; flexible schedules.
Cons: Short staffing; floating requirements; little respect; dealing with bodily functions.
******************************************************
An LPN's Story of Progress by:
NJNurse
The Decision to Become A Nurse. When I was starting to decide on a career after high school I wanted to cry.
******************************************************
The Nursing Shortage: Reasons Nurses Are Leaving The Profession by Rebel5877
All across America, There are shortages of Registered Nurses (RN's) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN's/LVN's), and Nurse's Aides entering ...
******************************************************
Response to NJ's work in progress
by jt1013
There is a shortage of nurses. That is a given. I have a large amount of respect for LPN's. My sister is one in Kentucky. She has been one for 32 ...
******************************************************
My Opinion of The Nursing Profession, by emsopinion
I have been a nurse for over twenty two years. In that time I have worked in many
different fields of medicine.
******************************************************
Feast or Famine
by lovepepsi
Pros: the feeling you get when you helps someone
Cons: short staffing, not being able to save everyone
******************************************************
See also:
"Burnout in my 5th year...another nursing statistic", Aboutmyjob.com:"I always knew I would end up in a helping profession. Nursing seemed like the perfect choice. It combined my natural curiosity about health and science with the giving, hands on, human interactions of bedside care. I also knew that nursing offers a great deal of flexability within the profession. You can change specialties, change shifts, and work in a variety of settings.
Before I decided to study nursing, I considered teaching,conservation and journalism. Prior to becoming an RN, I worked in recreation/parks, the foodservice industry, and held a factory/production type job.
I graduated a few years ago with my BS in Nursing. I certainly don't regret having gone that route, but to be honest I feel disenchanted with the health care environment and nursing in general.It certainly is nothing like what I thought it would be.The hospital setting is like a pressure cooker type of environment."
http://www.aboutmyjob.com/main.php3?action=displayarticle&artid=575
"I am getting out of nursing to become a teacher", Aboutmyjob.com:"Hi. I made the decision to get out of the nursing profession about two years ago. I have been an RN for three years. I have floated in ER, ICU, Med/Surg and Labor and Delivery. In the back of my mind I always thought, "working conditions will get better with the more experience I have". I finally have come to the conclusion that my working conditions are not changing, in fact, are getting worse.
I come home every night with knots in my shoulders from the stress that I go through. I too get physically and mentally strained from being a nurse. Families are so insultive and expect things to happen ASAP. Do they not realize that I am running around with my head cut off trying to keep up with all the requests, duties, and paper work?"
http://www.aboutmyjob.com/main.php3?action=displayarticle&artid=601
"Unhappy in nursing profession too....10 year RN", Aboutmyjob.com:"I have been an RN for nearly 10 years now and I must agree with many of the others who wrote their stories. I always wanted to be a nurse, because I like people and thought I would really want to work helping them. But, the reality of the job is utterly overwhelming. I've tried long-term care,home health, dialysis nursing, physician office and now in-hospital on a Rehab unit. I have yet to really find anything I loved. We are almost always short-staffed both nurses and aides. We are being pulled to other floors now due to the shortage of nurses. I was pulled to a MICU and I've never done that type of nursing ever!! I was a nervous wreck, these patients were very high aquity, on tele, multiple lines etc. I received no orientation, just here are your 8 patients...go to it. It was nerve-wracking."
http://www.aboutmyjob.com/main.php3?action=displayarticle&artid=554
******************************************************
******************************************************
Custom Search
|
Nursing Topics, A to Z: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
To subscribe to our:
Nurse Friendly Notes Newsletter:
Send a blank e-mail to: nursefriendlynotes-subscribe@topica.com
http://www.nursefriendly.com
Nursing Jokes, Medical Humor, Jokes to make you laugh and smile all day.
Send a blank email to: nursingjokes-subscribe@topica.com
http://lists.topica.com/lists/nursingjokes/
Clinical Nursing Cases:
Send a blank message to: clinicalnursingcases-subscribe@topica.com
http://www.nursingcasestudy.com
Inspirational Stories:
Send a blank e-mail to: inspirationalstories-subscribe@topica.com
http://www.inspirationalnursing.com
If your website is not listed here, we encourage you to submit it: Add Your Website/URL.
See also:
Nursing Degrees, LPN-RN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN, Online/Offline College, University and more!:"Higher income. Career mobility. Now, no matter where you live or what your schedule, you can earn your Associate or Bachelor Degree to take your professional life to the next level — without putting the rest of your life on hold!"
If you do any Browsing or Windowshopping online, please visit our online Mall:
http://www.nursefriendly.com/shopping/
Gifts For Nurses:
http://www.nursefriendly.com/gifts/
4nursinguniforms.com:"Choose from Top Nursing Uniform Companies. All sizes, styles and popular name brands available. Large selection of accessories as well: Accessories Blood Pressure Cuffs, Sphygnomanometers Nursing Tote Bags, Carry-Ons, Medical Bags Clinical, Medical Supplies, Nurses Discount Outlet: Angels, Books, Clothing , Equipment, Figurines, Holidays, Home Decor, Jewelry, Nurses, Office Decor, Scrubs, Shoes, T-Shirts Footwear, Shoes, Sandals, Discount, Bargains Gifts For Nurses (Nurses Week) Hosiery, Socks, Stockings Hats, Jackets, Jumpers Jewelry, Earrings, Necklaces, Watches Luxury Spas, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures Perfumes, Fragrances, Phermones Shoes, Boots, Sandals, Footwear, High Heels, Slippers Stethescopes, Nurse Kits, Replacement Parts Swimwear (Tan-Through) Women's Lingerie "
4nursinguniforms.com
Search For Scrubs, Uniforms & More on eBay!
Choose Nursing Uniforms, Shoes, Scrubs, Accessories By Brand: Barco, Birkenstock, Cherokee, Crest, Dickies, Disney, Haflinger, Landau, Nurse Mates, Peaches, Rockport, Romika, White Cross, White Swan
See also:
http://www.nursefriendly.com/ebay/
Nurses' Station:"The idea for the Nurses' Station Catalog was conceived in 1989. After searching the marketplace in response to customer inquiries, it became obvious that there were no catalogs of this type serving the nursing profession. To be sure, there were several catalogs offering nurse's uniforms and a smattering of professional items. But there weren't any catalogs at the time offering a range of gifts, clothing, professional items, name badges, shoes and scrubs for nurses. It took two years of hard work to gather samples and put a together a catalog of the most unique and high-quality items for nurses."
Nurses Station
P.O. Box 388
Centerbrook, CT 06409-03881
http://www.nursefriendly.com/station/
Nursing In The Media, Nursingadvocacy.org
Nursing Chat, Nurse Discussion Forums:
http://nursingdiscussions.com
******************************************************
http://www.nursefriendly.com/nursing/nurses.views.of.the.nursing.profession/rzanca.kristina.michigan.nurses.htm