Hey y'all!
Long story short but I've been working as an EEN for about 3 years now and since the first day I started work I was continuously told to go do my RN's and that I'm better off getting my degree considering I was young then and the quicker the better. I've been stalling for the past 3 years because well I'm not happy with nursing and I do it mainly as a side job while I get to focus on my hobbies. The pay may not be on the larger scale as an RN and above but it's enough for me. EN does limit my career growth to branch out into other parts of nursing such as team leader and/ or management if ever, but I can do with just working on a ward.
Lately my co-workers have been coming onto me strongly to do my RN's and I quote "why do the same job as an RN and get paid less?" I can't commit to two years of uni I have a lot of anxiety and personal issues that restrict me from doing it. One one hand I know mentally I cannot handle the strain of additional studies while working and dealing with my own mental health. On the other, I know that they are right in the sense if this is what I'll be doing for the next 5 years isn't it ideal to just get your degree?
I can say I'm fine being an EN but it's as if others make me feel lesser than an RN but I know I work equally as all my co-workers. Why do people put a label to your worth based on the how long you've studied... They make me feel terrible and ashamed at times. Like I'm not worthy as a nurse that at times I wear my jumper to hide my top that tells others I'm an EN. It's knowing that if I do my RN's it's not because I want to it is just to shut others up.
I want to know is there any EN's that are still in their 20s who are happy to be EN's or are you guys planning on doing your RNs?
