You don't just stop being a nurse.

BRAVO!!!!

((HUGS)) Well done!!!!!

wonderful to read this having gone thru much of the process w/ you - yay! Great article!

DolceBellaluna, thank you for posting this. I am in a similar situation....although not identical. Having graduated over a year and a half ago with the much cursed ADN, there isn't a hospital around where I live that will even give consideration to an ADN.I'm venting a little and am emotionally exhaused. I, like so many others, went to nursing school in my mid forties. I have two young sons, husband, home, etc. I graduated cum laude. Nursing always has been in my heart and I still feel lucky enough to have realized my dream of becoming an RN. This past year, I have done a lot of school nursing as a substitute. I really enjoy it, and it isn't the cushy job so many people wisecrack about. It is by no means ER, ICU, etc. But when there is an emergency, it's ME. Not a resident, another nurse, respiratory, etc.To get to the point, I found out late last night that I did not land the 2nd permanent position I have interviewed for. I am so tired of interviewing, getting hyped up about a potential position and then let down.In regards to getting my bachelor's degree, we have been on one salary since I've been in nursing school. I really do not have the resources to start my BS right now. So, I have an RN license that apparently is virtually useless.I have to state this and get it off my chest. How does the current hospital environment negate a woman/man in mid-life that went for and worked so hard for their RN? For years and years, hospitals have been staffed with ADN nurses. Suddenly, we are useless and out-dated?I mean no disrespect to anyone age group or those holding BSNs, but I do know what's its like to suffer a loss, care for a sick child, be a member of a community. The "REAL" stuff life is made of. Why does that get discounted in the eyes of the current hiring environment? Hospitals are so focused on magnet status....that's all it really is, a status. Of course, higher education is valuable and necessary. But when did it become the norm to discount the value of true life experience. Isn't that necessary to care for our patient's? I feel so kicked to the side and useless. I am not a complainer, a quitter or one to feel sorry for myself. I want to help people, care for them and contribute. I just never thought no one would want me to do that.Thanks for allowing me to vent and for sharing your feelings. I'll hang onto your story and words for the reason to keep trying. Best of luck to you!

Thank you so much for sharing. I have had a lot of bumps in the road with this industry. I am now working in the ED which is extremely crazy. I hope that after a year or two, I will be able to have enough experience to pursue becoming a PA. It is getting harder and harder working on the floor and I realize my body can't take it. I also was out of a job for almost a year but my situation was due to being ill. Once I came back I felt in some ways like a fish out of water. Sigh. The road to success is definitely a bumpy one.

Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story...the main theme I picked up was just keep going..After having a period myself, of being un-employed, and applying for well over 80 jobs, and that is not a joke, finally I have found a position. The economy where I live work wise, is quite slow, with something like 90% of RN grads unable to find post-grad work, I consider myself lucky to have found an EEN role, being Nurse Gr3. I deferred RN study this year, and am unsure if I will pursue it at this stage. The road is surely full of up and down moments, but I love nursing, and any job that allows education and growth is a good one.Good luck to all, and thanks again for your story.

excellent!

Quote from MuttloverDolceBellaluna, thank you for posting this. I am in a similar situation....although not identical. Having graduated over a year and a half ago with the much cursed ADN, there isn't a hospital around where I live that will even give consideration to an ADN.I'm venting a little and am emotionally exhaused. I, like so many others, went to nursing school in my mid forties. I have two young sons, husband, home, etc. I graduated cum laude. Nursing always has been in my heart and I still feel lucky enough to have realized my dream of becoming an RN. This past year, I have done a lot of school nursing as a substitute. I really enjoy it, and it isn't the cushy job so many people wisecrack about. It is by no means ER, ICU, etc. But when there is an emergency, it's ME. Not a resident, another nurse, respiratory, etc.To get to the point, I found out late last night that I did not land the 2nd permanent position I have interviewed for. I am so tired of interviewing, getting hyped up about a potential position and then let down.In regards to getting my bachelor's degree, we have been on one salary since I've been in nursing school. I really do not have the resources to start my BS right now. So, I have an RN license that apparently is virtually useless.I have to state this and get it off my chest. How does the current hospital environment negate a woman/man in mid-life that went for and worked so hard for their RN? For years and years, hospitals have been staffed with ADN nurses. Suddenly, we are useless and out-dated?I mean no disrespect to anyone age group or those holding BSNs, but I do know what's its like to suffer a loss, care for a sick child, be a member of a community. The "REAL" stuff life is made of. Why does that get discounted in the eyes of the current hiring environment? Hospitals are so focused on magnet status....that's all it really is, a status. Of course, higher education is valuable and necessary. But when did it become the norm to discount the value of true life experience. Isn't that necessary to care for our patient's? I feel so kicked to the side and useless. I am not a complainer, a quitter or one to feel sorry for myself. I want to help people, care for them and contribute. I just never thought no one would want me to do that.Thanks for allowing me to vent and for sharing your feelings. I'll hang onto your story and words for the reason to keep trying. Best of luck to you!

I have gone back to school part time while continuing to work full time. It is a struggle to balance life. I can't wait for graduation. I have 36 weeks until then. If I did not have such a loving and supportive husband I probably would not have gotten this far without a mental breakdown. Take care of your self and keep healing.