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Mar 14, '10 by nursekimmi
You're right. I am new to the site, and just learned how to navigate my way through...
I apologize if that irritated you. I really hope what I said didn't hurt your feet when I stepped on your toes...
Hospitals closing??
What about PEOPLE DYING?
It's bad enough that nursing has had to succumb to the direction of DONs with zero knowledge
of what ACTUALLY goes on on our units, but it is downright disheartening to hear that flagrant attitude come from
someone who is supposed to be a patient advocate...
I would never want a nurse at MY mom's bedside who didn't care about whether if she had a
bedsore, or if the vital signs that were taken are real, or if she is responding appropriately to her
tx plan...or something as common as dry skin... - Mar 14, '10 by nursekimmi...btw, I will never respond to anyone's appeal for an argument..
My point is simple: Patient first. Business second....
That's all I am really saying.
Nursing schools as well as hospitals have money as the
primary purpose.
Meanwhile there are killers being sent out into the patient
population who can chart on time, but don't care for their
patients at all because half of them view the profession
as a means to a personal financial crisis.
They drive nice cars, wear expensive jewelry, but hate
their jobs....
and this is very sad.
Re: compensation...
What my point was meant to be was how can someone
place a value on someone caring for them while they
potentially maybe dying. That is worth waaaay more than
50/hour to me!
My breath alone is worth like, 1000/hour...
All I am saying is we as a team do something miraculous
every shift...and I believe we are undercompensated, unless
we're CRNA's who make more than doctors now...
I hope you are not offended. I tend to be very blunt.
Years of seeing neglect have made me feel sorta
iron faced about this subject. It's painful to watch...Thankful.Heart.RN likes this. - Mar 14, '10 by GM2RNQuote from nursekimmiNo, you didn't hurt my feelings. And I get what you're saying...to a point. But in my opinion, it has nothing to do with a person's motivation for going into nursing. Others have pointed out that you can actually hate what you do and still be great at it. The point has also been made that if money is THE ONE and ONLY reason for going into nursing--however unlikely that may be--the process of becoming and working as a nurse will weed them out.You're right. I am new to the site, and just learned how to navigate my way through...
I apologize if that irritated you. I really hope what I said didn't hurt your feet when I stepped on your toes...
Hospitals closing??
What about PEOPLE DYING?
It's bad enough that nursing has had to succumb to the direction of DONs with zero knowledge
of what ACTUALLY goes on on our units, but it is downright disheartening to hear that flagrant attitude come from
someone who is supposed to be a patient advocate...
I would never want a nurse at MY mom's bedside who didn't care about whether if she had a
bedsore, or if the vital signs that were taken are real, or if she is responding appropriately to her
tx plan...or something as common as dry skin...
As for people dying, why is it that that happens? One reason is that nurses are frustrated and burnt out from being stretched to the max now. They can't adequately care for patients because they are expected to take care of so many. The responsibility and accountability are enormous, ESPECIALLY considering current compensation, and if people are kept out of the profession because they want to make a good wage, you will see many more patients die for the lack of nurses to provide any kind of care.Thankful.Heart.RN likes this. - Mar 14, '10 by GM2RNQuote from nursekimmiNot offended here...just passionate about the subject....btw, I will never respond to anyone's appeal for an argument..
My point is simple: Patient first. Business second....
That's all I am really saying.
Nursing schools as well as hospitals have money as the
primary purpose.
Meanwhile there are killers being sent out into the patient
population who can chart on time, but don't care for their
patients at all because half of them view the profession
as a means to a personal financial crisis.
They drive nice cars, wear expensive jewelry, but hate
their jobs....
and this is very sad.
Re: compensation...
What my point was meant to be was how can someone
place a value on someone caring for them while they
potentially maybe dying. That is worth waaaay more than
50/hour to me!
My breath alone is worth like, 1000/hour...
All I am saying is we as a team do something miraculous
every shift...and I believe we are undercompensated, unless
we're CRNA's who make more than doctors now...
I hope you are not offended. I tend to be very blunt.
Years of seeing neglect have made me feel sorta
iron faced about this subject. It's painful to watch...
Nursing schools and hospitals can't keep their doors open for long if they operate in the red. SOMEONE has to think about the money. It's impossible to NOT place a value on patient care! You may feel that your breath is worth $1K/hour, but can you afford that??? Can hospitals afford to spend that kind of money if you can't pay for it? Do you expect nurses to take care of you for nothing? I know I won't.
Where is the discussion about DOCTORS who provide less than stellar care? Or do you assume that they are all passionate about their professions and will provide expensive care regardless of anyone's ability to pay, and that none of THEM go into the profession for a good wage???
I see that you work in ICU. You have 15 years experience, so there must have been times when you have either refused to triple, or you have had to take that third patient and all you can do is pray that you make it to the end of your shift with all three still alive. That has nothing to do with your desire to provide good care, it has to do with not having appropriate staff to care for those patients.
Just because people consider the potential financial benefits of nursing doesn't mean they will suck at their jobs and patients will die because they are only in it for the money. People going into all professions consider the potential compensation to some degree and there's nothing wrong with that. Frankly, I'm tired of nursing being the only profession where we are expected by some to be altruistic and throw the idea of good wages in the wind, especially by fellow nurses.
BTW...you won't see a discussion of this sort amongst doctors. Something to think about... -
Mar 14, '10 by wisco111Quote from nursekimmiYea thats bad I get it, but not that many people think this way, you cant just sign up do be a nurse and start that day, going on hating your job. Its a profession, and you make it sound like half the nurses in a given hospital hate their job like ticked off McDonalds cashiers. People may gripe about their job every now and then (its a tiring job you are on your feet all day and are in a stressful environment) but I really dont think many of the nurses out there today are just in it for the money. Every nurse is bound to make a mistake but a downright neglectful person wont keep that job very long (as with any career)....btw, I will never respond to anyone's appeal for an argument..
My point is simple: Patient first. Business second....
That's all I am really saying.
Nursing schools as well as hospitals have money as the
primary purpose.
Meanwhile there are killers being sent out into the patient
population who can chart on time, but don't care for their
patients at all because half of them view the profession
as a means to a personal financial crisis.
They drive nice cars, wear expensive jewelry, but hate
their jobs....
and this is very sad.
Re: compensation...
What my point was meant to be was how can someone
place a value on someone caring for them while they
potentially maybe dying. That is worth waaaay more than
50/hour to me!
My breath alone is worth like, 1000/hour...
All I am saying is we as a team do something miraculous
every shift...and I believe we are undercompensated, unless
we're CRNA's who make more than doctors now...
I hope you are not offended. I tend to be very blunt.
Years of seeing neglect have made me feel sorta
iron faced about this subject. It's painful to watch...
Like I said a few posts up, It isn't exactly the smartest idea (lets even assume you could care less about a single patient AND are certain you will keep your job as a nurse despite all of your poor performance) to start over and go back to school to become an RN, it isn't just a midlife decision anyone would make during a financial crisis. It takes years of full time school, and sure, some people may not fit the profession as well as others, and maybe they find out after nursing school that it isnt the right job for them at all. But nobody entered the field JUST for the money or job security.
And How would you go about means-testing these people. I feel that the 3-5 years of school and clinicals already did that, and if someone is that determined to still take the job for monetary reasons (wow), I don't think they will keep the job very long. I guess I can go up to any nurse and tell them that they dont care enough about their job, but who am I to judge? The compensation anybody in the healthcare field receives comes in the forms of money, job security, and most importantly the satisfaction of helping others. Besides, I think that there is no better judge of a nurses level of commitment than their employer. Any nurse who has gone through with all of their schooling and training has every reason to go above and beyond; and they do; and that takes a lot out of them which may lead to a little bit of negative attitude here and there, but there is definitely no shortage of that on this forum either.
And those CRNA's making more than primary care physicians article refers to base pay, meaning a doctor fresh out of school vs. a new CRNA. The CRNA already had a ton of experience in the nursing field on top of going through with more schooling. After a few years of work the physician will be making more, especially an anesthesiologist.GM2RN likes this. -
Mar 14, '10 by nursemikeQuote from nursekimmiI don't entirely disagree with everything you've said, except to say that I haven't met many uncaring nurses. A few, perhaps, but my experience has been that the vast majority of human beings do have compassion, and empathy, and a conscience. Often, those who may seem lacking in those qualities are so pressed by their own problems that they become self-absorbed, and their own pain, worry, or fear overwhelm their better instincts. Which isn't to excuse them. I'm just saying bad people are rare, and even some of them aren't as bad as they seem.
What? I am giving and taking insulin at the same time? I'm smoking a cigarette, and teaching my patient about the effects it has on the respiratory system at the same time? I'm giving Effexor, and taking some at the same time? No! There SHOULD BE some sort of battery testing that goes on to NURSING STUDENTS that will determine if a person is even suitable for the profession! 
Whether I can do dimensional analysis, or can read and write shouldn't be the FIRST testing that I receive! Am I a CAREGIVER?~~ should be the first question asked! I am so sick and tired of going behind these people who got into nursing because their mom did it, or they came to this country to buy a house, or they want to drive a Hummer...
God bless!
:heartbeat
But I really do have to disagree with the quoted paragraph. First off, I don't see how taking a medication precludes giving that medication. Are you saying taking insulin is evidence of a character flaw? A lot of the patients I take care of take insulin, and I don't look down on them for it. I know there are those who might say an obese person with Type 2 diabetes is paying the price for their own bad choices. As it happens, I am an obese person with Type 2 diabetes. I don't feel I owe you or anyone else an apology, nor do I feel my patients owe me an apology. If I wanted to judge, I'd have gone to law school. My patients don't need me to show them why they have no one to blame but themselves, nor do they need me to be a shining example of good behavior. The need me to care about the person they are and help them make the best of the hand they're dealt. And that generally keeps me busy enough.
I don't dispute that being a caregiver is important. I can't imagine how anyone could test for it. And while I share some of the frustration that started this thread, I do think it is entirely possible to be caring and conscientious without feeling a holy vocation. I'm a nurse. That's a big part of what I am, but it will never be all that I am, and I had a number of perfectly decent qualities before I ever dreamed of being a nurse. I was a kind, caring carpenter, too. One of the kindest things ever done for me was by an IRS agent. Nurses have no monopoly on caring, but in certain situations, we do have the practical knowledge to put caring into effect. And that's special enough, in my book.GM2RN likes this. - Mar 14, '10 by DPCVTI am so happy to hear so many nurses out there who really have a passion for what they are doing. I chose to get into the health field by attending an LPN program a couple of years back. It was extremely hard for me....I knew at the time my heart wanted me to stay with the program, but it was too mentally stressful/combined with having no healthcare experience..boy, did I feel very overwhelmed! I chose to leave the program, regretfully. I was so depressed over it, because I, like you, really had such a strong feeling in my heart for this, and sadly, the feeling in my heart wasn't enough at the time. My brain could not handle the excrutiating hours of studying/juggling family. So, I switched schools, attended a cardiac tech program which was easier, finished and have been working in a hospital as a cardiac tech for a little over a year. I love every minute of my job, but I find myself wanting to stay longer with the patients, and my job doesn't allow me to do that. I hate leaving them. I am also interacting with nurses all day long and I find myself listening to them converse throughout their day...wanting to do the same things that they are doing. I have decided to re-apply to the original nursing program all over again. My timing wasn't right, but when it's in your heart, it won't go away. You should want to help/care for people. I feel so good just bringing them an extra pillow or a cup of water! It makes my day. I commend the nurses out there who really care about what they are doing. I see it where I work. Some nurses seem better with the patients than others. You can see who really loves what they are doing. You should love it, or you shouldn't be in the profession. These are the lives of living, breathing individuals. You should want to make a difference. At least that's how I feel. I have been wondering all this time to myself whether or not the feeling in your heart/calling you feel even mattered. Now, after hearing many of you, nurses for years yourselves stressing the importance of truly caring and wanting this for the right reasons means alot to me. You made me realize I am not crazy for wanting to try this once again! Just what I needed to hear today! I thank you! You should very proud of the kind of nurses you are!bijou likes this.
- Mar 14, '10 by nursekimmi...RE: [B][I]What? I am giving and taking insulin at the same time? I'm smoking a cigarette, and teaching my patient about the effects it has on the respiratory system at the same time? I'm giving Effexor, and taking some at the same time?
I believe that I can teach good health when I'm in good health....seems less hypocritical...
I know it happens everyday, just making a point about the importance of nursing ourselves first, then our patients. - Mar 15, '10 by GM2RNQuote from nursekimmiI can see your point with smoking and even agree, but you're way off base with insulin because that may not be something a person could ever change. I'll leave my opinions about antidepressants out of this discussion--they would open a whole other can of worms!...RE: [b][i]What? I am giving and taking insulin at the same time? I'm smoking a cigarette, and teaching my patient about the effects it has on the respiratory system at the same time? I'm giving Effexor, and taking some at the same time?
I believe that I can teach good health when I'm in good health....seems less hypocritical...
I know it happens everyday, just making a point about the importance of nursing ourselves first, then our patients.nursekimmi likes this. - Mar 16, '10 by seaflower12Hello my name is Gisele.I live in orlando, FL right now Iam a CNA/HHA/CMA but still can't found a great job, so I was looking at becoming an R.N. but scared that iI'll not pass the teas test. I was looking for someone in Orlando who is a R.N. or who pass the teas test that can help me . I can be reach @ giseleduracin@gmail.com or be reach @321-3049762 please. Thank you. ps my number can always be change
