An admin vent of sorts

Nurses General Nursing

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I feel so stressed right now. Have to go back to work tomorrow. I'm off today but called in sick yesterday and haven't felt well since Sunday - felt really lousy Sunday; it was a good thing I already had it off! I'm learning the unfortunate ...can't think of the right word...It's the separation between administration and those on the floor. And unfortunately, while admin may be just fine and personable and kind on the outside - away from work, away from the stresses of schedules and write-ups and interdepartmental feuds - within the working environment they're miserable to be around. ...Their seemingly only function, their only importance that involves me is that I fill a space. I fill a staffing ratio. One thing I've learned over the past 8 months of working in the medical field is this: ADMINISTRATION IS NOT MY FRIEND, AND ANDMINISTRATORS DO NOT HAVE MY BEST INTEREST IN MIND. They have their best interests in mind which means filling gaps - finding bodies to at least appear as though the jobs are getting done. I'm realizing just how expendable I am. And this isn't to say anything against them as individuals - God knows that is the absolute last job on this planet that I want! I'm sure outside of work they're pleasant, empathetic individuals who would encourage anyone (outside their realm) to call in sick if they truly are sick. But I've learned to separate myself from admin. I'm learning that as unfortunate as it may be, there really is a hierarchy within the medical community and I'll be kept around as long as I show up to work, don't question them ~too~ much, and don't yell at pts.

Maybe this is me accepting my situation. I don't feel angry about it, although that's not to say I haven't in the past and won't again, but as I finish this I feel sad that that's the way it is. Writing has helped with stress, too. I no longer feel overwhelmed about tomorrow. Fortunately I like (most of) my co-workers. That makes all the difference!

Thanks for reading.

Specializes in icu,ccu, er, corrections.

I love being a nurse, but hate the politics.

Try traveling....not a bad gig.

One more reason to go nocs!

Hey ertravelrn, I have this image of travelers being treated like garbage. So what's your scoop? What makes the difference for you?

Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.

I just saw a presentation of "magnet" hospitals last week. It sounded like a lot of noise, with no real work.

I worked in the Fire industry for a while and Magnet status seems to be a lot like things being NFPA approved: it doesn't really mean much except a sticker.

Pat

Welcome to Nursing.

No real suggestions here. Your assessment is right on, unfortunately, judging by my own experiences over a lot of years.

Actually, I do have a suggestion. It might be time to get out of Nursing, not that some other profession might not be just as bad.

My original post disappeared so I have to redo it. I reread your post. You are disillusioned. Me too. Happens to those who discern the difference between "job" and "calling". Your first post on this thread sounded like I could have written it myself at this point in time. The startlling truth is this: no matter what you think, admin/mgmt are not there for you any further than you serve their purposes. I made the same mistake. It is too much for an indiv who is pt centered, rather than selfish. At some point in time you will realize where you figure into the great scheme of things. I wish you luck. You have to find your own way to maintain sanity and get what you, yourself, want from your job. Never fall into the trap that makes you believe that mgmt cares more than you do about a pt's well-being. Take care and approach ea shift w/your pts as if it were your last. Peace.

Thanks for the imput. Yeah, I've been wondering if where I am in nursing's just not where I need to be. I love being in the medical field - it's the only place I want to be - but there're so many opportunities out there, so many different "types." The lengthy list of specialties on these boards is proof enough of that, and I'm sure there are more that don't have forums just for them! Thanks for your encouraging words... I have definately become disillusioned over the past...probably three months more than others, but through my disillusionment I've come to realize this is still where I want to be; just maybe in a different type capacity.

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

My manager is an extreme micromanager who wants to tell us exactly what to do and when to do it. Oh, and how she's done our jobs in the past and had absolutely no problem doing everything perfectly. She reprimands staff in public areas. If you say something good about a team member, she'll say "yes, but," and then say something negative about that person. She will tell one member of the team that another member has had complaints about them.

Wow- I think we've worked for the same manager. I swear, my former manager was one of the most negative people I have ever met.

Specializes in icu,ccu, er, corrections.

Stillpressingon, by traveling I am not required to go to meetings, and by working the night shift I am not around management very much. By traveling I am allowed to come in and take care of my patients without having to worry about the hospitals issues (continuing problems that they have not worked out, budget issues, staffing issues). I have traveled on/off for the past five years, I have taken two staff positions at hospitals that I traveled to. Once I became staff, I was required to join committees, charge, etc. I am not against being responsible for my self or being responsible with the hospitals resources, I just don't want that to be my focus..........I want my patients to be my focus and traveling allows me that.

Here's the link to ANCC/magnet hospitals:

http://nursecredentialing.org/magnet/

I believe that how well a department functions and how happy the staff are is in direct relationship to how well management/administration does their job. I refuse to work at a place where management is not good - it just never works out for me. I unfortunately don't live in a state with a magnet hospital, but if I did, I'd be camped out at their HR office. I'm in an MSN program for adminstration, which is how I learned about magnet hospitals. I've also become a NURSE advocate along the way - we need to protect and support ourselves and each other.

I have found that HR will not be an advocate for you either, remember HR is also an employeee of the corporation and will do their bidding, they are not to be trusted.
Stillpressingon, by traveling I am not required to go to meetings, and by working the night shift I am not around management very much. By traveling I am allowed to come in and take care of my patients without having to worry about the hospitals issues (continuing problems that they have not worked out, budget issues, staffing issues). I have traveled on/off for the past five years, I have taken two staff positions at hospitals that I traveled to. Once I became staff, I was required to join committees, charge, etc. I am not against being responsible for my self or being responsible with the hospitals resources, I just don't want that to be my focus..........I want my patients to be my focus and traveling allows me that.

Hey ertravelrn what company do your work for? I have been thinking about traveling but i am not sure how to find the company's in my area or company's that service my area i live in Cadiz ky and i would like to check out this possibilty can you help me out?

Thankx

Leah

Specializes in icu,ccu, er, corrections.

ldixn1217,

I actually travel with a company that many complain about. It is Intelistaf. I have never had any problem with them and they have actually gone out of their way to help me during a crisis. Perhaps this is due to my recruiter.....and not the company. I have used another company called q-shift, and they were fine, nothing extrodinary, but okay.

Hope this helps.

Specializes in LTC, Home Health, L&D, Nsy, PP.
Canoehead how right you are! And if you're lucky you won't even get the memos, b/c as we all know, night shift ain't worth admitting that they even exist! So of course they forget to leave the memos for night shift, per standard procedure!

Too funny! I know what you mean. At Christmas we had a contest for decorating. The nightshift did EVERYTHING! Our unit won and the day shift got the prize! :uhoh3:

Does anyone else get tired of getting memos because ONE person screws up badly? Instead of talking to the person who messed up, they send blanket memos which sound like they were written for a first grader! Most of the time the person who screwed up doesn't even know that THEY are the one the memo is addressing! AAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!

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