Be honest: do you feel valued by your employer?

[sunnyskies9]

Every company I have worked for since becoming an RN has made few to zero effort(s) to make their employees feel valued. I only have 5 years experience. Is this really what I have to look forward to for the rest of my 40+ year career? Are there any companies out there that still maintain their integrity? All I can say is thank God for outstanding coworkers.

[LadysSolo]

One word answer - NO!!! Longer answer - We just received a corporate letter basically informing us that others have it worse. Makes you feel good that your employer strives to stay just above the bottom in how you are treated, doesn't it? Never strive to treat your people the best, strive to stay just above the pit.......retirement can't come soon enough......

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Do I feel valued by my employer? Not even a little. I don't work in a profit-driven system but I'm tired of always working short, of knowing that although my assignment might not be too bad, there are others whose assignments are about as unsafe as it can get. I'm tired of the constant barrage of calls from staffing asking me to come in 'for anything over the weekend" or whenever. I'm tired of doing the work of several other disciplines (pharmacy, unit clerk, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietary, housekeeping for starters) because although I can take on their tasks, none of them can take on mine, so by default it's all my responsibility. I'm tired of spending an hour or more out of every shift looking for things, calling other units to see if they have what I'm looking for because our unit has used all of our allotment for the week... because as we all know, we're able to control the number of patients needing that item. I'm tired of receiving patronizing emails from our immediate management expressing gratitude for our dedication and commitment to providing excellent patient care "in spite of the obstacles in our path". I'm tired of filling out surveys asking my opinion on issues which are then totally ignored. I'm tired of change for change's sake. I'm tired of being expected to maintain the hospital's reputation at great risk to my patients and myself. And most of all, I'm tired of hating a career I used to love.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

They only value DAY-SHIFT workers at my facility. If you work nights or evenings, you are ignored. All the rewards or recognition are given to day-shift people, period. Or the same ones get chosen for everything, regardless of ability, experience, or education. Sorry if I sound bitter, but I have found that the ones who do the least, get the most. If you work extra, anytime you are asked, swap shifts when needed, never call out sick, you get shafted. The ones at my facility who call out weekly, refuse to work an extra shift, refuse to get pulled to another unit, etc., are the ones who get paid the most and get the most recognition. So do I feel valued by my employer? No.

[Beldar_the_Cenobite, CNA]

I know a few new grads who have about a year in but decided to take up med school. Is this one of those reasons? The lack of being appreciated?

[KandidNurse]

My current employer does a great job of letting us know we are valued by having us commend each other on a weekly and monthly basis through shout outs and employee of the month awards etc. So I guess we are valuing each other! Also the hospital system itself practically spoils us with goodies, very grateful

[futurenaijaRN, BSN, RN]

I guess is just me, but I really don't care whether or not the value me. I'm that type of person that could careless about an AH/s top people. If you see me, I see you. If you don't see me, well hun you can KMT for all I care. I just care about my pts, money, and good co-workers.

[LetLoveNReasonUnite]

My current employer yes.. my last employer no. When an organization is so disorganized and the communication is so poor, there's no way they can possibly get to know their employees, let alone value them. Seek out an employer that sees you as a person, not just a body.

[mslove717]

Short answer, no. And I don't see that ever changing. Which is why I focus on 2 things: My patients and my paycheck.

[jtk57]

I do feel valued. My manager makes a point of saying so regularly. The leadership of the hospital do the same; it's a great atmosphere in my hospital (I work in an outpatient clinic). As far as CEO compensation, I usually make it a policy to not dwell on what other people make salary-wise. I love my job, I will never be a millionare working as a nurse but I never thought I would be anyway. As a career changer I just feel absolutely blessed to have found a career I love and that has so many opportunities to learn and grow as a professional. There are a lot of people who never achieve that.

[Calalilynurse]

No. We no longer receive critical need bonus for coming in extra when units are 2 or more nurses short. We get a tacky $20 giftcard for Christmas which this year they taxed as a fringe benefits. We get bucks to trade in for rewards giftcards, meal tickets, movie ticjets. Those giftcards are also taxed. So our rewards are basically taxed. Our nurses float and take patients on other units and their nurses are techs if they even send us anyone. Our nanager has gone to the department head who pretends she had no idea it was an issue. Our unit is so overstaffed if we didn't float or come in extra we would never get a full paycheck.

[kpk11]

My manager - absolutely. Best manager I've ever had, even compared to non-healthcare jobs I've had. My employer - hell no. But That's been true of every job I've ever held, whether I was making sandwiches in fast food or saving lives in a hospital.

This is true for me too. My boss seems genuinely like a good person who treats us with respect and works with us like we're all part of a team (and because of that I am willing to "go the extra mile" when he needs someone to cover a call-out or weekend shift or stay later), but the company/people in charge higher up the chain are the same greedy bastards as in any other company and they view us as completely-disposable machines who were put on this earth to make them even richer and that's it.

[smith.slm2007, CNA]

Absolutely not. I just worked 2 weeks straight alone with 35 individuals in my memory care. People quit left and right leaving me and one other individual as their only FT employees. Only one manager besides my supervisor has stopped to say anything to me. No thank you, no incentives to stay. My residents are more understanding, theyre currently the only reason I'm anchored to this facility till I complete my year of employment there.