[SLEEPERJC]

It's 2 2/3 years and I've about reached the point of puting a request for transfer.
I can relate to the CRNA wanna bees. My sole motivation for leaving ER (level 1 trauma after 10 years + 8 years pre hospital experience).
Mostly it has to do with confronting the levels of pain and suffering that occur with both patients and families. You just get through with one and here comes another. I'm emotionally and physically drained.

[bluesky]

Originally Posted by jaymz

Chigap
Anyone sleeping during their shift should be fired immediately.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and their license suspended.
This is, at the very least, negligence of the worst kind .

I think rotating breaks so that each nurse can get a nap might not be such a bad idea. I have covered a number of RNs who were not able to rest during the day for whatever reason for an hourlong nap. It wasn't dangerous to the patients and the RN was a million times more alert and competent afterwards.

I think there have even been studies that have shown that fewer errors are made with this type of arrangement.

[bluesky]

Originally Posted by lee1

And then to what? The ones that I have seen that wanted to stay in critical care are now just "residents" and treated as such. Oncall, 10-12hr days, 5 days per seek, weekends, etc. That only lasts but so long also.

Thank You!

Sure, move on up to being constantly doubted and treated like the dumb stepsister by the medical staff while getting paid 1/3 rd what they do and even less than bedside nurses. I'm at year 2 1/2 of SICU nursing and I'm not feeling advanced practice right about now at all.

I really hated the ICU when I was a staff nurse, but going agency has really improved my overall opinion, now that I don't get involved in politics. If they had a team to do bedbaths, I would just LOOOOVE my job!

[RN/BSN/JD/ESQ]

I feel very sorry for all of you.

I work at a very large, very well-known academic medical center (with Magnet status). I work in one of the surgical ICU's (there are several). We have 20 beds. The manager is a dream, and often leaves the office to pitch in on the floor when needed. I know every one of our RN staff (there are about 70), and I can honestly say that there is not one unhappy, negative, and/or ****** soul in the bunch. Everyone helps each other; everyone pitches in. We have extremely high acuity. We have new grads, and they are well-preceptored, even though some have made it clear that they are headed to CRNA school.

We have 24-hour in-house coverage by attendings, fellows, and NP's (as well as residents). Many of our attendings and fellows have PhD's in addition to their MD's. The docs treat us respectfully, like partners, and our professional opinions are valued. Any doc that is less than respectful to the nurses is "talked to" by the medical director of the unit. It usually happens once a year, and not again.

We are very well paid, and the benefits are likely among the best in the US. Frankly, I love going to work. I can't believe that my unit is unique; there has to be others who love their jobs. If I ever were as unhappy as some of you, I would be headed for the exit door. I wish all of you the best (and no, we're not hiring at the moment).

[piper_for_hire]

Wow that was condescending! I seriously doubt such a place exists in reality. Do they really need hospitals in Utopia, Texas? I'm sure nobody ever gets sick there! Seriously though, thanks for the laugh. I love sarcasm! You had me going until the "nobody is unhappy" part. That was over the top. Otherwise a good fish story.

[RN/BSN/JD/ESQ]

Originally Posted by piper_for_hire

Wow that was condescending! I seriously doubt such a place exists in reality. Do they really need hospitals in Utopia, Texas? I'm sure nobody ever gets sick there! Seriously though, thanks for the laugh. I love sarcasm! You had me going until the "nobody is unhappy" part. That was over the top. Otherwise a good fish story.

Sarcasm? Condescending? I think not. If any of our RNs is unhappy, she/he does a good job of hiding it, or the unhappiness doesn't relate to the unit environment. It's unfortunate that you're so jaded from your own experiences to believe that a good manager, who built a new unit from the ground up, can't imbue his/her employees with the spirit that wins accolades from both patients and management.

I'm sure you'll be a great CRNA (does the sarcasm show?).

[Millit]

This isn't a reply to Why do nurses leave ICU? HELP, HELP I am in my last semester nursing school and my preceptorship is in SICU, and now that I am terrified after reading the posts, could I possibly get some good advice on how to manage my time, what my goals should possibly be to get the most out of my 48 hours/ (4) 12 hour shifts that will benefit me the most.

[PANurseRN1]

Originally Posted by Millit

This isn't a reply to Why do nurses leave ICU? HELP, HELP I am in my last semester nursing school and my preceptorship is in SICU, and now that I am terrified after reading the posts, could I possibly get some good advice on how to manage my time, what my goals should possibly be to get the most out of my 48 hours/ (4) 12 hour shifts that will benefit me the most.

You should post your question in the Student Forum, since this thread is geared toward why nurses leave the ICU. There may be venting involved, and the nurses who need to vent should be allowed to do so without having to fear for discouraging a student.

You may find better answers to your questions by posting in the Student Forum.

[AfloydRN]

Well, lets start w/ too many patients, not enough time. No na's or cna's( total care concept) Other RN's too busy w/ their own patients to have time to help you. 12 hour shift turn into 13-14 due to charting you could not get done. And oh yes, your turn for an admission- ER patient who just crumped on his way to the floor....

[piper_for_hire]

Oh - you were serious? My bad. Thought you were being funny.

I think I will make a great CRNA, thanks.