[myfanwy]

:frustrated: Hi,
This is my first time on this board. I have been a Registered Nurse for 28 years now. I have mostly emergency and oncology critical care experience. I have worked in 4 different countries. Started in the UK then USA, Ireland and now Canada.
I love nursing, it is now well paid and is a passport to travel. You will never be without a job.
However, I am becoming increasing disillusioned with the path my profession is taking. It used to be that the senior nurses were just that, nurses who had experience in their field and had developed skills and communication that can only be learned by practise not from books. They were the solid foundation that younger inexperienced nurses could rely and depend on. They cared for their staff with a passion and were not afraid to tell you off, but that was where it finished.
Then the goal posts changed ! These people were rejected and nolonger valued. Now we have the university degree seekers those that study the books to learn inter personal skills. Being a hard subject to learn without at least 10 years practice. They soon become abrasive, and bitter.
However, papers now make the person, not merit so these are the souls that rule the industry. Those with time and money to spend on their own needs, because that is a fact that has to be recognised. Not all of us are able to spare the time or the finances to keep getting degrees and other qualifications. We have however been in the work place learning and improving our skills as we do a good job.
We are ruled by these people who for the most part do a piss poor job. They have and academic vison of the work place and no idea of how to prioritise. They creat forms to solve problem and confuse talk with action. They want to be incharge, but take not responsiblity for the cosequences of their orders.
I feel these people should be labled for what they are clerks with a degree in Nursing. They are not nurses and are the reason Nursing is so short staffed at this time. Lets get back to basics and start taking care of the patients first.

[MagRedC5]

:welcome1:

IMHO, work experience is a cherished commodity. I admire & respect those, such as yourself, with years of nursing experience.

However, I also admire those RN's which hold degrees of higher education. The MSN & PhD RN's have given scholarly credibility to the nursing profession. Education is knowledge, and knowledge is powerful.

Bedside nursing to nursing research... it is all important in the final goal of successful patient care.

[myfanwy]

I understand your point. I too have my degree but that did not equip me to deal with the public in difficult and emotional situations. The university of life is the best most under rated educational encounter of all. I would never not consider a person for a position just because they have not attained a degree. If they are the right person then the degree can come later. Just as the patient comes before the paperwork or computer entry.
Just because someone has degrees coming out their ears does not make them good at their jobs or the best choise to lead others,:firedup: