I'm the one at the bedside all shift, cleaning, lifting, watching for the small changes that matter. But I make less than the RNs and get treated like I know less too, even when I catch things first. Part of me is proud of the hands-on work I do, and part of me feels pushed to go back to school just to be seen as enough.
More people experience this than they realize.
You do the real bedside work but get less pay and respect than the nurses beside you.
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.