What is it really like to be a nurse?

LPNs are NOT just like CNAs, I was a CNA for over 10 years and the 2 jobs are totally different animals. I have done just about everything an RN does, I have even been the boss of several RNs, even BSNs... although this is not common. I hardly ever used math, with the exception of while passing meds, sometimes the correct dosages are not given to you by the pharmacy... I am great at math though so this has never posed as a problem. I've had colleagues who simply call the pharmacy when they are in trouble with a math issue. HOWEVER, when you are in school, you will be expected to KNOW backwards and forwards how to figure these equations out, my school required a 98% average in math, period. If you have less of an average, you fail the program. Most all nursing schools have such a policy. If you want a job field with a lot of openings, nursing is no longer the answer. The market is now saturated with nurses, because of the "nursing shortage" myth, and new grads have an extremely hard time finding ANY job. Remember those BSNs I referred to earlier? They were new grads who settled for a job in long term care because they could not find anything else. THESE ARE RNs WITH BACHELOR'S DEGREES. The healthcare industry tells those not in the know that nursing is a great area to get into, because when there are hundreds of nurses with no jobs, the pay scale drops drastically. THEY ARE RECRUITING MORE AND MORE STUDENTS TO SAVE $$. Under staffing is common and deliberate. If 2 nurses are expected to do the job of 3, why pay one more?? I say this because if you graduate with student loans, who will pay them? Yes they are phasing out LPNs, in every area of nursing, not just hospital. I have worked hospital, nursing home, home care, prison, mental health, office, pediatrics and other areas too while agency, they all want at the very least 2 years experience, most want nothing other than RNs, with bachelor's degrees, with several years experience. I know of at least 4 nursing homes in my area that are now totally RN. If higher pay is your reason, nursing is NOT for you. Don't get me wrong, I get paid WELL for what I do, I just know at least a dozen people who have become nurses for the higher pay who lasted about 2 years before they completely switched professions - it really has to be your calling and not a career move. Yes, nursing is extremely stressful, which is the understatement of the year. I've had days where I worked 5 hours or more past my shift ending to finish what I was supposed to in 8 because the workload was so heavy (and I am very quick and efficient). I've gone home more than once and cried myself to sleep because I felt I couldn't do it another day. I've missed holidays, birthdays, weddings and funerals because of my profession. I've been screamed at by doctors for no reason whatsoever, and don't think I've ever actually taken a lunch break. I have had to avoid using the bathroom for over 5 hours because I was so busy. I have worked 16 hours then had the next shift call out and had to stay another 4 so my employer could find someone to relieve me... I could keep typing and typing. If you can not do at least 20 things at once, 100% correctly, skip nursing. One little mistake means a life. I have seen more deaths than I could ever begin to count, yes I am completely desensitized to it. You have your special patients of course, and sometimes that can be a little tough, but your inner (this is my JOB) nurse usually takes over. I quit acute pediatrics because I could NOT handle it anymore, and I have completely avoided oncology (cancer) because I'd never make it in that area.I finally found my niche, which is addiction. I am the Utilization Management nurse for an adolescent addiction treatment facility, which means I work with insurance companies to get coverage for my patients' stay. I work Mon-Fri, no nights, weekends, holidays or on-call. I'm paid salary, do about 4 stress-free hours a day, and get paid for 40. I make almost 6 figures, I had to work 80 hours a week before to make this kind of money, now I work about 20 a week. I do not do any patient care whatsoever anymore. Finding a job like mine is next to impossible, I searched over a decade to find my current job that I L-O-V-E, but I had to work in areas I hated until I found it. My experience has always been what landed me the job, and how good you are at it matters more than you will ever realize. My current job is paying for my BS in Psychology, as well as my BSN. I'm not sure what turn my career will take after that. And BTW no, I have never, even in the deepest pile of BS day on the job, ever regretted my decision to become an LPN.

you do need to do math in your head for meds if someone needs something.and you will be cleaning diapers for some people who need it. it pays pretty good.