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by FireStarterRN Premium Member

Updated Jul 15, 2007 at 06:05 PM by FireStarterRN

I worked a nightshift last night (no I didn't call in sick). One of my patients was a non-practising RN. She was my age. We had a discussion. I asked her why she quit nursing. She got her nursing license back in the late 70's.

She told me that as time went by the government and regulators started making it harder and harder to actually take care of the patients. She said that back in the 70's it was present, but it didn't interfere with patient care. She just lost her desire to work in the profession. Now she does part time work as a medical transcriptionist.

I totally agree with her, this is the major factor for burn out for me personally. I'm tired of the government making a one step process a 5 step process. The computerization of everything is making my job more difficult, and if the Joint Commission throws one more inane rule down my throat, I'm quitting.

I recently went to half time, thank goodness for my husband's income. But more and more I'm starting to think "How can I get out of nursing?" even though I love many aspects of it.

[earle58]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

your concern is shared by many.
this would explain the pervasive burn-out and high turnover.
and i don't see any notable changes in the near future.
the most realistic salvation would be mandated staffing ratios, and even that would be a slow process.

sigh....

leslie

[ktwlpn]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

Originally Posted by jlsRN

...She told me that as time went by the government and regulators started making it harder and harder to actually take care of the patients. She said that back in the 70's it was present, but it didn't interfere with patient care. She just lost her desire to work in the profession. Now she does part time work as a medical transcriptionist. ...I totally agree with her, this is the major factor for burn out for me personally. I'm tired of the government making a one step process a 5 step process. The computerization of everything is making my job more difficult, and if the Joint Commission throws one more inane rule down my throat, I'm quitting.
..I'm starting to think "How can I get out of nursing?" even though I love many aspects of it.

LTC is horrible,too-many of us feel the same way.What we are doing everyday is about as far from traditional nursing as we can get...I think I'll make soap in my garage.

[Idon'tcodgerdodge]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

I worked on a med/surg floor right out of school for about a year and a half. I liked it, but definitely didn't LOVE it, not having enough techs (these were ortho and neuro) was really hard. I felt as if I'd sprout gray hairs any day now (im only 22!). Through a friend, I met a manager of a cancer institute and she offered me a position in oncology research. I love it so far. I still have some patient interaction, but mostly office work. Maybe that's one alternative to floor nursing you'd be interested in....good luck!

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

Originally Posted by ktwlpn

LTC is horrible,too-many of us feel the same way.What we are doing everyday is about as far from traditional nursing as we can get...I think I'll make soap in my garage.

Several years ago, I talked to a friend who had left the hospital to work in LTC. He told me that they had started putting mattresses on the floor so that when a patient rolled/climbed out of bed, they only 'fell' a few inches. They did so because the state inspectors informed them they could not use siderails or restraints. (even the tray on a geri-chair was now a no-no) He said one of the inspectors told him that the residents "have the right to fall".

No wonder our healthcare system is going to hell in a handbasket.

[pagandeva2000]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

As stated, to make a one step process into a 5 makes nursing less desirable than ever. I am a bit disillusioned about nursing since I earned my LPN license last year. I worked with nurses for many years as an aide, but had no idea of how intense it was until I was right in the foxhole with them.

At times, my stomach hurts when I get up in the morning and at the moment, I lost my quality of life because when I get home, I am so TIRED (and it is more mental) that I climb into bed almost as soon as I get in. Weekends are the same; I remain bed. Developed heel spurs in a short period of time as well.

I do love nursing, but it is the politics and the backstabbing that gets to me. At the moment, meditating does not do the same for me as it did in the past. I have to find a new way to decrease stress. I think that the patients are getting the raw end of the deal because of the lack of resources, especially where I work, a hospital that accepts undocumented and poor patients. I think that the only reason why our facility gets away with as much as they do is because these people do not have the resources or knowledge to demand what is due to them. I try my damnest to do right by the client, even when they get on my last nerve because I keep thinking "What if this was me or my loved ones? Wouldn't I want a nurse to do their best towards them?". That is what keeps me going...but I can see burn out easily.

[pagandeva2000]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Goldstein

Several years ago, I talked to a friend who had left the hospital to work in LTC. He told me that they had started putting mattresses on the floor so that when a patient rolled/climbed out of bed, they only 'fell' a few inches. They did so because the state inspectors informed them they could not use siderails or restraints. (even the tray on a geri-chair was now a no-no) He said one of the inspectors told him that the residents "have the right to fall".

No wonder our healthcare system is going to hell in a handbasket.

The right to fall...obtain more injuries and remain sicker for longer...okay...right...

[FireStarterRN]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

The "Right to Fall"! Now I've heard everything.

[earle58]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

there's a zillion regs in ltc.

my concern is with bedside nursing becoming progressively more stressful, many will leave to work in those areas that don't involve the floor.
to add to our existing shortage, there will be another shortage on top of that.
and that's exactly where it's headed.

leslie

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Re: Why my patient quit nursing...

Originally Posted by jlsRN

I worked a nightshift last night (no I didn't call in sick). One of my patients was a non-practising RN. She was my age. We had a discussion. I asked her why she quit nursing. She got her nursing license back in the late 70's.

She told me that as time went by the government and regulators started making it harder and harder to actually take care of the patients. She said that back in the 70's it was present, but it didn't interfere with patient care. She just lost her desire to work in the profession. Now she does part time work as a medical transcriptionist.

I totally agree with her, this is the major factor for burn out for me personally. I'm tired of the government making a one step process a 5 step process. The computerization of everything is making my job more difficult, and if the Joint Commission throws one more inane rule down my throat, I'm quitting.

I recently went to half time, thank goodness for my husband's income. But more and more I'm starting to think "How can I get out of nursing?" even though I love many aspects of it.

I started as an LPN back in the early '80's. Yeah, it has changed, and not for the better IMO. Seems I spend so much time dotting my i's and crossing my t's with duplicate and triplicate charting that there is no time to actually spend with the patient. It sure looks good on paper though

Combine that with hospitals bending over backward to kiss butt and pretending they're 5 star resorts, while at the same time not standing behind their employees against inconsiderate, rude, demanding and flat-out abusive visitors (and patients), and it's beyond ridiculous.