to stay in nursing or not?

[medi]

I'm glad to hear you stood up for adequate staffing and the DON actually came in (that time) Jane. Are you on a travel nurse assignment to that hospital?

[Kryss88]

Jessica, I HATE needles. My point of view. I have excellent IV skills, and always do my best to inform the person why they are getting a shot, and the benifits of it (adults of course.)

The way I see it, they are going to be stuck, that is not the issue. Who sticks them is. If I can start their IV in 1 stick, and make it a little easier on them, I feel like I have made a difference. I talk to them give them ways of coping, (my favorites have been...wiggle your toes real fast.... or its a race, count to 20 lets see who wins.... or just.....yell all you want, as loud as you want, but just dont move your arm) These seem to take some of the tension out of the situation for the patient and myself.

Just remember why you are doing something. That will make all the difference. Good luck.

[Dwayne Stringer]

It seems that burnout is all around. I left the field of Behavioral Psychology to go into network marketing. Not only can I make all the money I want to make, I am my only employee. Stress=0 cherokee@zzip.cc

[Hallrunner]

I'm leaving. I spend almost all my free time engineering an escape.

I've been an R.N. for 14 years: ICU 10 yrs, 2 years on the registries and home health, and the last 2 years in general med surg at a large county hospital.

I cried all the way home tonight from a 3-11 pm shift. I handled 6 ortho patients, very demanding, one a 22 year old peds patient (with mommy at the bedside) who decided to tantrum for 8 solid hours.

Did this do it? Nah. It was the unbelievably mean spirited charge nurse who called the nursing supervisor to write me up for not reporting constipation in a patient she was getting on night shift--a condition, by the way, which was three hours old. I was asked what I did for my patients for the last 8 hours. Excuse me? You gotta be kidding. I mean, you really gotta be kidding.

I've had it. I'm tired of incredibly nasty night nurses who waltz in and proceed to rake you over because--heaven forbid, they might actually have to WORK. Why didn't I work their shift for them? I don't know, it must be because I was busy working my own, doing complete primary care for 6 patients screaming constantly for pain meds and assistance.

You may not like to hear this, but I am tired of taking care of drunks and drug addicts. I'm tired of being called a bitch by someone I just met because he didn't get whatever he wanted out of the last nurse he ran off. I'm tired of being called "lazy" because I didn't instantly produce something for someone because I had to wait for an actual ORDER for it.

I'm tired of the incredible abuse heaped on me by both the patients and my so called colleagues. I feel like I am going into combat every time I work. The new rule is that per diems have to float before staff--so I haven't seen my home unit in weeks. I show up there to get my float assignment. I am no longer part of that unit. Everywhere I go I am an outsider. I float four hours here, four hours there, and then get raked for not having had the foresight of working 8 hours with a patient.

I don't know if I am going to have a job tomorrow. I need this job, so I am torn up and living in h-ll. I triaged my patients the best I could. I worked without a break. I ran here, I ran there, but it wasn't enough, never enough. No one should have to work like this. I would never counsel anyone to enter this profession. For those already stuck, I would say, plan what other job you're going to go into now, up front. My problem is, I never planned to do anything but nursing, and believe it or not, they won't hire me even in a factory. Too qualified.

Qualified to be kicked, I guess. By everyone. So, I am finding a way out. Before you say good riddance...I was once like you, proud of my skills, determined to fix that problem, whatever it was, loyal, true, and caring. I am a kind person. But I can't express that now, and it's killing me. It's not worth it.

[medi]

Hallrunner....
Believe it or not I understand where you're coming from & how you feel pretty well. I think being forced to float from unit to unit has a lot of impact on how you feel emotionally and how you get treated by the units you get stuck in here & there too. Floating is a real morale killer!
Before throwing in the towel on your career though have you given any thought to a change of scenery instead? One of the best facets of our profession is the versility involved.
If floor nursing's got you drained how about a switch into something different like ICU, NICU, Nursery, or ER? With that many years experience to stand on I'll bet there's a unit director of a different hospital out there who would gladly see to it that you got into the critical care courses to get ACLS, PALS etc and would be glad to hire you in one of the specialty areas. Would you like to try a different aspect of nursing rather than give up on the profession altogether?

[Hallrunner]

Medi,

Thank you for your reply.

No, a change will not fix the problems. I left ICU and have no intentions of returning. I tried the alternative practice settings already. I am NOT a primadonna. Believe me, I am willing to go the extra mile. Problem is, they then want two miles. I can't do that for administrative heads anywhere anymore, even for a million bucks (and they are not offering even $1). I have an overwhelming feeling that if I died on shift they would put my body on a gurney in a dark room and start dialing for my replacement. I am nothing but a body filling a slot for them.

I tried to gain my satisfaction from my patients, doing my best and being professional, but, because they're patients, they think I am a hotel maid and that they're doing me a favor by being sick. They don't understand that I have 4 or 5 other sick puppies that also need my attention, and 10 others downstairs waiting for their bed. When I can't give them what they want (usually something easily accomplished by a CNA who isn't there because they are now utilized as sitters to do away with restraints), they are abusive to an extreme. I have often thought that someone should create a brochure explaining to patients how to be sick in a hospital setting.

I'm tired of receiving patients from ER in a med-surg environment who should have been sent to ICU--but came to me because there was no bed. No, I don't know what should have been done with the patient. But running a code on the med-surg floor is a poor idea. And who has time to monitor the patient the way you know he should be monitored? What am I supposed to do?

One of the ICU nurses worked 22 hours straight because no one came to relieve her. What was she supposed to do?

I tell myself that my primary duty is to administer the drugs ordered by the MDs. After all, that is really what is accomplished in the hospital, that and surgery. An RN can at least give the drugs, something an LVN and CNA are not privileged to do. That is my bottom line function, seeing as how I no longer have time to do any nurturing. But I am terrified of making a fatal mistake due to overwork.

I am reducing my hours in an effort to reduce my stress. I am phasing this career out. I don't think it is fixable.

My favorite story: The patient s/p mva with a halo screwed into his head, who went AMA because he didn't think he was getting the SERVICE to which he was entitled. Walked right out and presented to a sister hospital, who shipped him right back to hospital of origin.

Recent happenings: Floated for 4 hours to another floor midshift to discover that one of my assigned patients had gone AMA hours earlier. No one even noticed he was gone. Well, I guess that's better than discovering that he had been dead for hours...dodged another one...

That's the way it is. Thank you for your concern. I have returned to school for some brand new job skills not related to nursing. After all, they drill it into your head in nursing school--if you don't like it, get out. So, I'm getting out. I won't be missed. They will not even notice I am gone. They will hire someone fresh out of nursing school at a lower rate and abuse them until they're finished, and then they will get another.

So, make sure that you get a second, non nursing related job skill to fall back on. You will discover that this is sound advice. Save your nursing salary to start the business that you will surely need later.

[lroaden]

Stay in nursing. It is a great career. I have been a nurse for awhile now... and although it can be difficult at times, it is possible to find a job that you enjoy.
I work at a large university hospital with a great union and an Amazing DON. Nurses on the floor get 4-5 patients. I work in one of the many ICUs and I get two patients, one if they are really unstable. The doctors I work with are respectful. The patients and famillies make it rewarding. The first year is tough... you will not get alot of down time - bring a lunch that is easily eaten while charting! But after awhile, gradually you will get more comfortable and find yourself getting things done quicker. There are so many nurses out there who hate nursing. And to that I say, it is what you make it. I am tired of those who always think they get the worst assignment. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Change is made from the ground up. There is a shortage... we are in high demand. Go on as many interviews as you possibly can. And ask the interviewer at least as many questions as they ask you! Ask to "shadow" a nurse for a half day. It does not take long to see if they respect nurses! If the place wants to give you 16 patients and no lunch-- DON'T ACCEPT THE JOB! Find a place where you can grow and learn. I had wonderful mentors during my first few years. And STICK UP FOR YOURSELF.
I once had to listen to a nurse complain about having a horrible assignment, and having to be Charge nurse, but when I offered to take one of her patients or the Charge duty -- she refused with a sigh "no I will do it" DON"T BE A MARTYER. It does not make for a good nurse. Be a team player.
I love nursing. I get paid well (Do I make a million dollars?, no, but I make a good living and I have great benefits and job security). I have a very flexible schedule, with 12 hour shifts, off shifts and weekends. I do not have to work 8-7 five days a week like so many of my "9-5" working friends. I do not have to hunt for a good job like my engineer cousin. I can work nights and evenings and part time so I use less child care. And when I go home at the end of the day.. my work is done. I do not have papers to grade, paperwork to do, calls to make. And I do not have a stack of work on my desk when I come back from vacation. And above all else: I have the satisfaction of knowing that what I do every day is VITAL and IMPORTANT. I do not care how good your surgeon is, if your post-op nurse sucks, you will not have a good outcome. My new laryngectomy patient can only learn from me how to protect his airway. My post operative craniotomy needs my help to control pain and nausea. And the surgeons rely on me to assess the patient every hour to make sure they are not coming into complication.
NURSING IS GREAT.. and do not let anyone tell you different. the grass is not always greener on the other side, and life is what you make it.
Thanks, and good luck!

[Dixiedi]

Stay in nursing. The grass IS NOT greener on the other side!
I've been 13 years, in 3 different professions and ALL 3 have more cons than pros.

I began driving a truck, fin, saw the country, Oh God did I ever want to be home for more than 2 days at a time!

I took courses and became a certified webmaster. Talk about more players than teams! More unemployment than employment.

Ok, I can take a hint, I took more courses and became proficient in Microsoft office products, took a few more courses in office procedures and what have you... long and short of it, again, there are more players than there are teams to play on! Unemployment AGAIN!

I am returning to nursing and for the life of me, even tho I can recite the reason I left, can't figure out why I thought it was a good reason.

It's amazing what an LPN can do. When I left nursing, I was what we politely called the "desk" nurse. I had a new grad RN on the floor to fulfill state regulations, but I was the charge nurse and was paid as such (the term was changed to desk duty.) It was a small hospital and the pharmacy was not open all night. I mixed my own patients hyper al, thier chemo, everything. My RN and her aide handled the medical side of the floor and I handled the chemo/telemery side with my aide. I understood and had the knowledge to do it and my hospital felt comfortable with me in that position.
It was a great job.

[mercynurse]

Patty,
Being on the other side (I've been an RN for 27 years) is NOT greener! Don't get me wrong...I love nursing! Always have and truely can't imagine doing anything else....but that is IN SPITE of all the faults!
The same problems have always made a cycle and I beleive will continue to do so.
You have to decide if you can live with nursing's "faults" or not.

Good luck...we need all of the nurses and experience we can get...but you have to do what's right for you.

Bonnie

[medi]

Hallrunner,
I did read your entire post, and I understand that you're already going to school again to get some non-nursing related skill, and that's not a bad idea...it can always come in handy.. but.. we all go through periods when we feel burned out from the stress and overload. You might start a different career and then find you miss being a nurse and using those thought processes and skills and want to return to the career field.

You wrote, "I tried to gain my satisfaction from my patients, doing my best and being professional, but, because they're patients, they think I am a hotel maid and that they're doing me a favor by being sick. They don't understand that I have 4 or 5 other sick puppies that also need my attention, and 10 others downstairs waiting for their bed. When I can't give them what they want (usually something easily accomplished by a CNA who isn't there because they are now utilized as sitters to do away with restraints), they are abusive to an extreme. I have often thought that someone should create a brochure explaining to patients how to be sick in a hospital setting."

Well.. I still suggest a change of practice setting as a potential fix! Escape the overload and the whiney patients!
Get into a practice area where you can go to work with a smile and love what you do!

Do you like children?? Ever thought about being a nursery nurse? I'm not talking NICU-- because you need a break from high stress for a while.. I think, right? I'm suggesting regular newborn nursery or level 2 nursery at the most.

Think about it! No heavy lifting- your patients don't weight much at all! *grin* You get your patients deliverd from L&D, get to clean them up, assess them, and present them to happy parents and family members! You see smiling faces for the most part!

When the babies aren't being breast fed you get to sit and hold them, bottle feed them and enjoy wonderful time with your tiny little charges.

On occassion you help stabalize those who need a little supplemental 02, or bili lights or other fairly simple cases, but any serious problems wouldn't be in your nursery but rather in the NICU.

You would have the ability to do patient teaching- to help new mothers learn how to feed and care for their new baby, do to infant CPR etc.. and to feel really good about what you do each day. Wouldn't it feel good to go to work if you could do that? What do you think about that idea?