I’m someone who is looking into the field. This subreddit has been amazing for allowing people to vent + giving me a reality check about what it’s really like to be a nurse and shitty things that can happen which I’m very grateful for.
That said, I was wondering: what DO you love about nursing? What got you in it and what keeps you still doing what you do?
I have been looking to get my bsn and doing research on programs. I'm having a hard time deciding what program because everytime I look up programs people report having issues with the school. Cappella you can move fast but the clinical portion sounds like there's issues getting it done. Sorta similar with WGU. Walden has a RN to MSN program where you can skip the BSN but looking that up it sounds like some people have harder times getting jobs because its looked at as a degree mill and not as desirable. I just want to get my bsn for not a crazy amount of money and not have to have a run around to do so :/
Hi guys! My question is for the nurses in the US, Canada and Australia. I am from Turkey and just got into university exam. I am thinking of studying nursing in English here since i heard about how it is easier to move abroad and they get a really generous salary compared to my country. It is not just for the salary but you get me 😅
I am asking cause in my country nursing is not really a respected job and the system doesn't really work for our favor. My biggest dream was always to move abroad for better circumstances and opportunities.
Before you ask i alread have B2 level english (i am 18) and i will be working on it more in uni! The unis i consider are in Istanbul and in English. Plus they have accreditation.
Happy belated July 4th my nursing awesome colleagues- hope it was joyful and safe!
I am over 60 and have physical reasons why I can no long do bedside nursing (worked at the VA for over 11 yrs- not a Veteran). I have been looking for even part-time nursing (non-clinical) for over 2 months- a lot of ageism out there 😒.. ..social security- not an option..
I need money now! I am praying hard on this one… where can I can get money to live on/help pay my rent?… very embarrassing to ask (not unusual for an RN! 💕) for help and my family is not an option…Thank you for your kindness and compassion from the bottom of my heart 🙏🏻
Hi! I have an opportunity as a home health nurse. I’ve mostly done LTC/rehab both as an LPN and RN. Some med-surg experience after I got my RN. Anything I need to know? I gotta get out of this Rehab Unit Manager position, it is literally eating me alive… I know home health is much more open and you make your schedule. I won’t speak on my opportunity, but it will be happening. Are there any videos I can watch online to “learn” how to be a home health nurse, learn about OASIS, etc?
Thank you!
is it possible to make 120-200k as a RN if you specialize or something similar? I originally wanted to become an NP but i’m not sure if I can handle it. I’m a new grad and only making 50k ish. I also got kicked out at 18, so I have been struggling through the adn at community college holding shitty jobs but finally have my license. But i’m so worried i’ll be stuck here, I have big goals and want a big salary to prove myself that I can make it out and live the life I want. Side note- I have some accommodations needed under the ADA and such, so I am unfortunate limited to less physical nursing roles. If not, I am willing to go back to school if anyone has better jobs for me (i do not want an office or corporate/finance adjacent job). Thanks!
So I passed my LPN nclex in September of last year and got my first job at a SNF I used to work at as a CNA, before I worked at my local hospital as a CNA for 5 years.
I am at this SNF for 3 months. In that time, a resident was able to pull all of the aides off of the floor for hours at least 2, having the entire floor short and 2 aides having to take care of 50+ pateints. I didnt say anyting but it was dangerous to say the least
After 3 months I applied at another SNF and when accepted, put in my 2 weeks. My DoN asked for feedback and I told them about this resident, as well as a CNA that was causing issues with other aides and about the drama that was going on. I left it at that and started at the new SNF. (I made 0 med errors, was never written up, or verbally warned. The Don said she was sad to see me go but never made any attempt to keep me, neither her nor the Administrator)
I started in Febuary and was there until may. During this time at this SNF, I had 3 med errors that were not issues to cause harm. I was never written up, nor verbally warned. In all actuality I was placed on the floor with 50 patients at night, with 3 adies and just myself as the nurse in the entire building from 10PM-5AM. I got 4 days worth of training and was told by the ADON that I didnt get enough training and I had to come in early for more training as i didnt get enough.
Agian I want to point out that I was never verbally warned nor was I ever written up. About 2 months into my time there, they hired another RN as PRN as there were no open positions. He said he hoped it would turn into a full time position etc in passing to me. During my time there, I had suprapubic catheter oozing liquid from its site, and inside the tube was completely green. Like it had a green sludge I had never seei nebfore in my 13 years as a CNA. At night, being a new nurse and have never changed one before, i waited for day shift to get another opinion on what should be done, as this patients vitals were all within normal limits and the patient had zero complaints ((I found this at 3AM. Not sure why an aide didnt see it sooner)) I decided it was best to wait the three hours and monitor. Day shift comes in, and an LPN who didnt like me when me and here were aides at the hospital, berates me on why I waited and I should have changed it or sent the patient out if her vitals were out of wack which they werent.
I never changed one before but I told her I only waited to get a second opinion. She told me it was "Normal" and to change it. So, I did so then I left. This was one issue that I can think of that may have caused what happened to me to happen. I wasnt rude or mean like she was, I mearly explained I had never done it before and upon her explaining how, I changed it.
The next issue is, Vancomycin balls that connect to ports/IV. My facility had a patient with that antibiotic order. In my state (Utah) LPNs are not allowed to administer those nor are we allowed to even touch a port. I did mention this to the ADON and when we recieved a medication, I picked it up and said "Hey uh, we got some medications I cannot do and there isnt another RN on to do these when they are due". He didnt seem concerned and told me to ask the other LPN on shift to help which she did. It was Port, not a regular IV btw.
Now I understand that LPNs and such are sometimes asked to do things outside of our scope. I guess I could have handled that better but I am super literal, like to a fualt. I dont break the rules, not for anyone for any reason.
A few nights later in the evening, A CNA had a conversation with a few people t about men getting with younger women. It was a normal conversation and asked me what I thought. I said that whatever 2 consenting adults decide to do, is not my business. I have a friend who is 40 and his wife is 20, not my business. She said it was wrong and I guess may have taken offense? I heard nothing of that since.
Now we come to May 20th. I am called into work and the DoON and ADON call me into the office and say
"Heya sorry but we have decided to go into another direction."
The Don hands me a paper to sign and another paper about a medication with no patients name at the top. The medication time and date and such is filled out by me, but the top portion is filled out by another nurse who was helping me learn to access and use the pixis machine, which broke that night in question, and I had zero training on. I was able to pull the med and then it broke somehow. I signed the bottom and went and gave the medication. As I was walking away the Nurse told me she would fill out the top. I said ok and never saw that paper again. ((My mistake which I told the DON when she handed me that paper. It hade the date and time so it would have been reletively easy for me to backtrack and find the patient and fill out the name on the paper, as I my charting was always done, on time for every patient)).
To sum it up I was told that I was being let go "Due to going in another direction, and unsatisfactory work performance". Thats it, never been written up, never been verbally warned nothing. I apply for unemployment and they determine that I am allowed unemoloyment as "Unsatisfactory work performance" without detail isnt a justifiable reason to let me go. So they mark it as that I was let go at no fault of mine.
Then we come to my current situation. I am offered a job at another SNF. They tell me they are going to run a background check. Three weeks go by and as I heard that this can happen, I only called about the job once in that time.
i get the follwing txt, Word for Word
"Sorry its taken me so long to get back to you. We had a few people reach out to me and (The administrator) regarding some concerns with your previous employers which prompted us to take extra time to look into a few things. Unfortunatlye we arent able to proceed with onboarding at this time. I am so sorry as I know you were loooking forward to working with us!!"
I explain to the hiring DoN that I am confused, and wasnt even told as to WHAT I did at my previous job. I also sent her a picture of the paper from my state showing that it was detarmined that "You were not at fault in your dicharge from work"
This was her response
"I'm sure you're super confused but with the information we were given, I have to look out for my current staff and the decision was made from the team to not proceed!!"
So I lost my job, not even sure what the cause is, and now I cant find another one. Was it the med errors? Many nurses made much worse error's especially with antibiotics while I was there. Was it the one CNA who may have gotten offended by me saying it wasnt any of my business what two adults do? Was it that they thought I stole a medication? That would be odd as I would take a drug test immediately. I havent taken anything besides an Ibuprohen for the past 10 years or so. Was it because they hired an RN and wanted him in my spot? If that was the reason, then why would my old job make a big deal about calling me new potential employer? Why would the new job be worried about "protecting their current staff"? Makes me sound like a criminal or something. Also my license is current, and nothing is happening with it.
As a new nurse. I may just give this whole career up. I became a CNA in 2014 to help people and kept with it. In 2025 I graduated nursing school, took my NCLEX right after my dad passed and continued. ATM I am contacting employment lawyers in my state to see what I can do to remedy this situation. Thank you. As a new nurse, I really thought people would be more understanding in this field.
Stressed LPN.
Hi everyone,
I’m currently exploring different career paths and looking into moving into an outpatient clinic role here in Australia. I’d love to hear from nurses who are currently working—or have recently worked—in this space.
For those in outpatient clinics (whether public hospital clinics, private specialist clinics, or community health):
What are the biggest pros and cons of the role?
I’d really appreciate any insights, realities of the job (the good and the bad), or advice you might have for someone considering making the switch.
Thank you in advance!
Hey everyone, I’m in a major dilemma and could really use some outside perspective from anyone who has balanced a doctorate/NP program, a newborn, and work.
I’m a new mom to a nearly 3-month-old, and I'm also halfway through my PMHNP-DNP program. Clinicals are scheduled to start in about a year. I’m currently on maternity leave from my part-time psych RN position (M/W/F, with some weekend flexibility).
I need to decide whether to return to work, but our childcare situation just fell apart:
Our planned childcare facility closed down.
Other local centers are quoting around $2,000/month just for part-time care, which feels incredibly steep.
**My Options & Logistics:**
Go back to the RN job: I would miss my job and the income, but between the $2k childcare cost and the DNP coursework, I know my stress levels will be through the roof. Also, what I make would be very minimal and wouldn’t cover all the childcare costs.
Stay home with the baby for the next year: Am I crazy for considering this? My mom lives an hour away and has her own life, but she has offered to come over for a couple of hours a day to watch the baby so I can grind out my doctoral schoolwork.
The potential middle ground: My academic advisor mentioned a virtual TA (Teaching Assistant) position might open up in about 6 months. Since my long-term goal is to eventually become a professor, this feels like a perfect resume builder. I could do it from home, utilizing those few hours of help from my mom.
**If I stay home, I’ll have a 1-year gap in my RN nursing experience right before clinicals start. If I go back, I'm looking at financial strain from childcare and massive burnout.**
For those who have been through a rigorous NP program with a baby—what would you do? Did you pause working before clinicals? Is a 1-year gap a bad look for PMHNP clinical placement or future hiring?
**Thank you in advance!**
Passed my NCLEX in April 2026. I want to take a few months break. Maybe start in January-March of 2027. So almost a year break, will I struggle? Will anyone take me in to work?
Hi, can anyone provide some insight into their day to day as a diagnostic radiology nurse? How’s the workload? What specialty were you in before radiology? I see some positions require ICU/ED experience, is that something that really comes into play in this setting often?
I’m a night shift person diem pct, my dream is to get a new grad position here after I graduate. However I don’t see management due to being night shift and I work once a week… how do I stand out?
third year on the floor. my feet are the first thing to go, then lower back starts around hour eight. i'm so tired after work i have no time for leg repair exercises. tried compression socks and didn't work well.
do you have any ideas?
Seeking career advice. I’m on the pre-requisite portion of my education. I originally was working towards being an RT, and at the end of July I’ll be done with pre-requisite and simply take my entrance exam to get into my schools RT program. I have a 4.0 gpa.
However, Im so conflicted between RT and nursing. So much so that I added two more classes to my school plan so I’ll be able to apply for nursing as well(I have all my prerequisite for RT done but need two more to apply for nursing)
So my question is, should I pursue nursing or RT? My husband is pushing towards RT heavily. Prior to the military he was paramedic and had friends go on to become RT’s. RT was actually his goal but then he enlisted. I’m just stuck on the fact that nursing has far more opportunities, yet I know it comes with far more BS. Would love any and all advice!
Burnt out ER nurse here! Been doing this for almost 3 years and switched hospitals 4 months ago in hopes of things getting better. They really have! I like the management, I’m no longer on nights, and it’s a much lower acuity hospital. However, I’m sick of saying no to social outings and family gatherings cause I work every other weekend, I hate having zero routine cause my schedule is so random, and it’s don’t do anything on my days off during the week because everyone else is working.
A got an offer for an outpatient clinic 9-5, no weekends, no holidays, for basically the same pay that I’m getting as a bedside nurse. I feel a little bad leaving a job so soon after starting especially when they have treated me well but I know decent paying outpatient jobs don’t come around often.
For those of you that made the switch, how was the transition? Do you have a better work life balance? Are you bored out of your mind?
Hello! I just have a question from anyone who might have experience in this. I have a full time hospital job right now $34/hr w benefits all that jazz. I applied for a prn position for home infusion but it is independent contractor. It is $47/hr and you pick up as much or as little as needed but taxes are 1099. I have never done that before and wanted to see if anyone else has and if it is worth it so I dont screw myself over on tax season. (Again..I used to be a server and never put money back but learned from my mistakes)
My first nursing job was at a skilled nursing facility. I still work there. I was wondering if it’s true that hospitals look down on nurses who worked at SNFs? I know this sounds odd, but I saw someone comment this on a post and it scared me, since my goal is to work at a hospital one day.
I work in a hospital, not on the medical side. I get dirty looks from nurses and doctors constantly, all day. I worked 24 hours in the last 2 days and I don’t think I can count on 1 hand how many times a nurse/doctor stared me down or just looked straight through me.
My question is, why do nurses and doctors have such poor attitudes and are so rude to people who aren’t a nurse/doctor/lpn/ca or whatever? Y’all are some of the most rude, pretentious people Ive ever encountered. I worked in bars and restaurants for almost 10 years and never had so many negative interactions with random people.
My patient was admitted for a physical issue and even though she was “bubbly” she seemed very depressed & her behavior was odd. I went to the get the psych team and she “removed” herself. It took 4min. I asked an aide to sit with her until I came back and was told that it wasn’t their job to do1:1 without an order. I’m not trying to live in that shoulda coulda woulda mindset but I feel like had I not followed protocol she would still be here.
EDIT: The CNA was willing to sit and wait with the patient but MY supervisor told him that it wasn’t necessary bc there wasn’t an order and he was with another patient when I asked. He’s a good guy/CNA. My supervisor is always distracted & never offers any real solutions tbh but they’re keeping her around for a reason.
*Update: I'm in BC, Canada
I’m looking for some advice and perspective about choosing between going to school to become an RN or an LPN, and how that fits with fertility and life plans.
I’m 27 (turning 28 later this year), working full time and also currently a student working on my prereqs. I likely wouldn't be able to apply for the RN program until late 2027 or early 2028, but the LPN I could apply to earlier.
My main dilemma:
I’d ideally like to have kids in my early 30s. I’m worried that if I commit to an RN program now, I might spend most of my remaining “best fertility years” in school and miss out on a healthier/easier pregnancy.
At the same time, I've heard of many women making it work.
So I’m stuck between:
Questions I’d love input on:
I know this is a very personal decision, but I’d really appreciate hearing personal experiences and especially from those who’ve navigated school/career alongside fertility worries or chronic health/disability.
Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions, much appreciated!