CONTINUED IN WHAT IS THE MAJOR REASON Why are they all leaving?

fd5151 · Nov 24, 2006

The upside about being so busy that you can't take a bathroom break, is that you probably have not consumed any liquid either, so you are less likely to need to go. Of course when you notice your urine is bright orange, you might want to look at your intake!

Not to mention that when adrenalin kicks in the last thing your body is thinking about is digestion and excretion. Now that you mentioned it, i didn't feel the need to stop during my crazy day!:smilecoffeecup:

Sheri257 · Nov 24, 2006

No.. I am not an RN YET. Will be starting school in Jan. and I look forward to it. I do not work in a hospital, BUT do work in a TV newsroom where I am the "brains" of the operation and run the newsroom. All the stories that get on air.. I make happen. All feeds, live shots, stories, VOSOT's etc. Yes.. I do not deal with sick or dying people directly, BUT I do deal with people shouting over the phone that their holding on for one more day then going to slit their wrists (had that today and was trying to calm her down over the phone as she was sobbing uncontrollably)... or a mother crying on the phone that her child has been abducted... and yes.. I get calls from family members screaming over the phone line that their house is burning down. I can hear the Moms shouting at the kids to get out... get out!! So nope.. I am not a nurse, but do deal with what you could classify as emergencies on a daily basis.

No, actually, you don't.

Sorry but, I worked in the news business for nearly 15 years. There's no way you can make the same comparison.

I'm not an RN either but, I'm getting ready to graduate and I've externed enough to know you're totally comparing apples to oranges. I think that's why so many RN's here have taken offense to what you said.

What you fail to understand, and what you will learn is ... even if you do the job very well ... a patient can still die on you. And it's totally your responsibility in nursing.

It's NOT your responsibility if someone dies when you're in the news business. You're not the police, you're not the paramedics. You're still just reporting on what's happening. You're not going to lose your license and you're not going to get sued if someone dies when you're in the news business.

The key stress in nursing, IMHO, is that the same drugs that we give to make patients well can also cause tons of problems ... whether it's insulin, BP meds ... whatever. You can totally follow doctor's orders to the letter but, that patient can easily bottom out with hypoglycemia, low blood pressure or whatever because the meds work too well ... the desired effect goes to the other extreme and if you're not watching the patients carefully, really bad things can happen.

And when that happens, it's totally on you. Nobody else.

On top of that, it's much more difficult to watch these patients carefully when RN's are dealing with totally unrealistic patient loads. So no ... sometimes you can't take a break or go to the bathroom. That, unfortunately, is a fact of life sometimes.

I'm not saying I'm an expert but, I know better than to say it's the same thing as being in the news business. The comparison, quite frankly, is totally absurd.

:typing

steve0123 · Nov 24, 2006

I'm 24, and have been nursing since I was 17 (straight after I left high school). I worked as a nursing assistant through my uni degree, and have been a registered ("professional") nurse for a bit over three years. In my seven year nursing career, I've worked my up the ladder in a variety of clinical areas, and am now at a stage where I can call myself a specialist critical care nurse and earn a lot of money doing that. The thing is, I decided to leave nursing too (I'm doing a law degree, because we all know that society needs more lawyers than nurses).

I'm not leaving because of the money or conditions (I have the potential in my current position to nett about $1500 to $2000 a week, and taking my contracted entitlements such as breaks etc has never been an issue, I just take them).

I'm leaving because I feel the way many of my colleagues do: that for a so-called profession, we don't seem to work as (or be treated as) true professionals. My motivations for entering nursing were fairly honourable: I wanted to help people in a meaningful way, and commerce/business was never an option. But I also had certain career expectations - namely, to be respected by my patient's and allied professions for the work that I do, and to be able to practice my profession with genuine autonomy.

Society views the medical profession as the experts in healthcare - they diagnose and treat illness, while we help the person through the experience of that illness - and because of that, we are always destined to work under the direction of the medical profession. I can't think of the times I've disagreed with a discharge decision because from my perspective the patient isn't ready, or a treatment regime that serves to prolong life where there is no quality of life, but had no real say because the entire system places the balance of power and authority over such decisions in the hands of the medical profession.

In short, my reason for leaving is because I want to work in an occupation where my professional opinion is truly valued, and I can provide my services without being undermined by another profession.

Simplepleasures · Nov 24, 2006

Hurrah for you steve 0123, if you definatly dont want to stay in nursing, yes please do go into the legal field , what a treasure you could be to employees, especially nurses who have had to deal with unsrupulous administration.My daughter is an employment/ labor lawyer and I am so very proud of the work she has done to advocate for nurses ! As a former nurse you could really do alot of good out there, GOOD LUCK and my Best Wishes in your new endeavor.

Sheri257 · Nov 24, 2006

Amen! Let's allow Epona to speak and not jump down his/her throat!
I am a student nurse, and I had one clinical instructor who worked straight med-surg many years and she went on and on about this. Yes, you can take breaks. Yes, you can almost always go to lunch. It's about time management and, more importantly, setting boundaries. Now I KNOW you have someone who is assigned to cover you. You have to go to the trouble of giving report and getting report again from them before and after your breaks, but it can be done. If they don't do their job, you have to speak to them about it and then follow the appropriate channels to get them spoken to by someone higher up if they don't cover you properly. That is not easy and won't necessarily make you popular, but it will slowly affect a change on your unit.
Also, I work as a student RN and I'd say most nurses on the med-surg floor I'm on take lunch every day-an a full 1/2 hour at least. Those who don't are 1) the new grad who is gonna burn herself out fast and just can't seem to get it all done and 2) the woman who cannot delegate and has trouble prioritizing. I'm not at the level of either one of them (!), but from the comfortable position of a student I can see where they are going wrong.

To me, at least, this is also absurd.

As a fellow student, I think we need to quit lecturing RN's about the way things are because, quite frankly, we really don't know until we're in their shoes.

When instructors say things like this, the first thing you have to ask is ... if things were so great then why aren't you still at the bedside? The fact is: they got out for a reason. I've asked my instructors this same question and, most of the time, they've fessed up. Teaching is a much cushier job ... and they know it. They tend to forget what it was like once they get into academia.

And btw ... when RN's take their lunches when you're externing, part of the reason for that is ... you're externing and helping them with some, if not alot of the work (at least if you're not a total novice.) Ask them if they're taking lunch on days when they don't have any extra help.

I've been externing in California where ratios and working conditions are better than most places. And it's still very tough. These patients are so sick and the acuities are so high ... try taking lunch when one patient's blood sugar is plummeting, another's BP is dropping like a rock and yet another patient's temp has jumped to 103.

Meanwhile, management is riding you to discharge this patient and admit another so they can make a few extra bucks. And, even if the other patients are stable some of them are patients from hell who are riding the call lights like crazy and management will write you up for not answering the light in two seconds flat because of their customer service criteria BS.

I'm sorry but, as a student ... I feel I need to say this: SHUT UP until you're actually doing the job with YOUR LICENSE ON THE LINE.

Because neither you nor I know what it's really like.

:typing

Gromit · Nov 24, 2006

Again to all the nurses who care & treat this profession as a calling on our finial breath St Pete will give us all pedicures, facials & pedicures & we really will know where we are HEAVEN.

Interesting thought, Barb. Still, if its all the same, I'd like to trade in my uh, pedicure, facial and whatever for a fine cigar, a good beer and a big motorcycle (my particular version of heaven) :) Otherwise I think you're dead-on! AS I said before, each person must find their own reasons for being in this field. I love it -even with the ups and downs.

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2006

To me, at least, this is also absurd.
As a fellow student, I think we need to quit lecturing RN's about the way things are because, quite frankly, we really don't know until we're in their shoes.
...
I'm sorry but, as a student ... I feel I need to say this: SHUT UP until you're actually doing the job with YOUR LICENSE ON THE LINE.
Because neither you nor I know what it's really like.
:typing

Amen, lizz, you have great insight and will do well as an RN as you know exactly what to expect.

Great post.

DeLana :)

Gromit · Nov 24, 2006

Aye, and believe me -although it may not seem like "soon enough", you will find out "soon enough" Sigh, in a way, I envy students because they still have the eagerness to get involved, and the territory is all still so new and uncharted (no pun intended) -savor the nervousness and anticipation where it exists -you're getting ready to participate in a very diverse and open field. It can be amazingly daunting, but equally rewarding.

Ok, now that I've waxed poetic (and my wife would roll her eyes about now) I'm gonna crash so I can get ready for tomorrow nights' shift.

momdebo, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2006

Just had to put my 2 cents in. I have been an RN for 10 years and have practiced everywhere. I can count on one hand the number of breaks I have had in those 10 years. There are a million reasons. My personal favorite is when you have a team of 9 patients and between those 9 patients you can be dealing with over 20 different doctors!!! and if you get real lucky (like me) they all round on the same shift. Or you are busy admitting and discharging like there's no tomorrow or the ER patient that is on the way, the surgical or cath lab that's coming back quickly, etc, etc. and if you do manage to get into a bathroom without someone tackling you first then they can always call you on any number of little devices that they make us carry. Some days I felt like a banded bird being tracked!! or sometimes in tele or critical care you have someone who is trying out every different ectopic beat known to man and as soon as you even think about taking a break they're going to go into thier big finale! O.K., I'm done now. Thanks for listening. For all you young nurses and new grads, good luck girls. I've been trying to talk my daughter into nursing and she tells me I'm nuts, she's been watching me through the years and wants no part of the hours or the "torture" as she puts it. Bless you all and good luck. (I work in an office now by the way!):nuke:

Ronna · Nov 24, 2006

As an outsider looking in, you need to do something that has you less up tight. Everyone has something stressful to deal with, and begining a RN does not make yours special. Someone can be sympathetic to your issues. No, I am not a nurse if that's your next question, but I do have common sense. Everyone knows nurses have a very difficult job, but this is the career you have chosen. The person you are upset with is not on this post. You might need to apologize:crying2: :crying2:

As an outsider, looking in, you are blind as a bat. You think that nurses need to be less "uptight"!!!! I wonder how layed back and chilled you would like the nurse that was taking care of your loved one that was in cardiac or resp arrest. I can promise you she won't be taking a bathroom break, you should apologize and sympathy does not change a thing. signed Ronna, sorry, but now you've given me a headache and my cheeks are red

Ronna · Nov 24, 2006

To me, at least, this is also absurd.
As a fellow student, I think we need to quit lecturing RN's about the way things are because, quite frankly, we really don't know until we're in their shoes.
When instructors say things like this, the first thing you have to ask is ... if things were so great then why aren't you still at the bedside? The fact is: they got out for a reason. I've asked my instructors this same question and, most of the time, they've fessed up. Teaching is a much cushier job ... and they know it. They tend to forget what it was like once they get into academia.
And btw ... when RN's take their lunches when you're externing, part of the reason for that is ... you're externing and helping them with some, if not alot of the work (at least if you're not a total novice.) Ask them if they're taking lunch on days when they don't have any extra help.
I've been externing in California where ratios and working conditions are better than most places. And it's still very tough. These patients are so sick and the acuities are so high ... trying taking lunch when one patient's blood sugar is plummeting, another's BP is dropping like a rock and yet another patient's temp has jumped to 103.
Meanwhile, management is riding you to discharge this patient and admit another so they can make a few extra bucks. And, even if the other patients are stable some of them are patients from hell who are riding the call lights like crazy and management will write you up for not answering the light in two seconds flat because of their customer service criteria BS.
I'm sorry but, as a student ... I feel I need to say this: SHUT UP until you're actually doing the job with YOUR LICENSE ON THE LINE.
Because neither you nor I know what it's really like.
:typing

Thank you so very much for your support, some people just never ever get it, no matter how many times or how many different ways you explain it. Thanks from Ronna

martinadacosta · Nov 24, 2006

:smackingf :smackingf The reason for so many nurses leaving, is because it's the most! abused profession.When no one else can do it; off! course the nurse can.Actually we all ought to be complemented for being the know all;specialist, engineer,computer pgmme.human rights resourse manager.....

Insted of the Nurse Mary or Nurse Diane; like the Dr. prefix.. We should have a Saint Nurse Mary or St.Ns.Diane..as we are also expected to do the multi faceted tasking attached to nursing with "a tight lip and suffer all the abuse in silence" Like completing the Physicians Prescription, because the pharmacist is unable to read his writing, and get him that awful cup "coffee. do errends, like pass the forms or get the name of referring what ever... take flak from patients, and other paramedical staff.

You know we are an absolutely talented group of people whom God has chosen. To do any type of work which the mentally and physically retarded folks of this world cannot manage to cope doing. So there you go.. consider your self privileged.. and hit back when you need to.

Saints also do it..

Hooo! Blast..