Dreading Work Again!

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Apr 30, 2004

It's not you. It's the staffing ratios. A mandated 1:4 nurse patient ratio ought to be standard of care on these crazy med-surg units.

nurturing_angel · Apr 30, 2004

hello my fellow hardworking nurses. i'm just feeling *blue* and frustrated with work lately.i dread going in, as it seems like everytime i come in, it's like walking into the front gates of hell. we are usually working with a skeleton crew of staff patched together by floats, registry & stragglers from other shifts. the previous shift's charge nurse doesn't know which way is up, and the reports i get are enough to make me want to run screaming from the nurses' station. you know the routine- the typical floor nurse scenario with nonstop call-lights, isolation patients from here to the horizon, needy families lingering in doorjambs, phone ringing off the hook and orders piled to the moon and back. i am beginning to think that i need more than a vacation...i need a vacation from hospital nursing...permanently! :angryfire
thanks for letting me vent. i am not sure if i can stand it much longer (heh heh; i have said that before, but i really mean it this time). i just feel so burned out! i want a cushy job where i work regular hours (i'm sick of the variable shifts), get an uninterrupted lunch break, and all the holidays off. i want to work with kids, the elderly or animals. i do not want to be responsible for everything under the sun! i want enough resources to get the job done! just for once, i'd like to come to work without having to put out fires and soothe over a million problems.
i love my patients, but i really hate nursing right now. i already cut back my hours, and no, i'm not depressed. i love my life (when not at work that is).
i wish the solution was as simple as taking a vacation...i'm just not sure if i can continue in nursing anymore. what can a burned out rn do with herself?

"front gates of hell".......sounds like my job....right down to the description. i don't understand how one can go from loving being a nurse to crying as she drives there....i definitely need that vacation you were talking about.

lady_jezebel · Apr 30, 2004

My med-surg floor has a mandated 1:4 ratio, and often we have only 3 pts, but I still dislike my job. I don't like the feces/urine/vomit, complaining/dependent pts, arrogant/rude MDs, constant interruptions (phone calls, new order, etc...), and high liability/potential for error. I also feel like a waitress much of the time, a job I've never liked.

Would OR work for me? Aren't most surgeons real pains to work with? What are some of the satisfying aspects of OR nursing? Does it involve any problem-solving, observational skills, patho knowledge? I'd love to know more.

orrnlori, RN · Apr 30, 2004

My med-surg floor has a mandated 1:4 ratio, and often we have only 3 pts, but I still dislike my job. I don't like the feces/urine/vomit, complaining/dependent pts, arrogant/rude MDs, constant interruptions (phone calls, new order, etc...), and high liability/potential for error. I also feel like a waitress much of the time, a job I've never liked.
Would OR work for me? Aren't most surgeons real pains to work with? What are some of the satisfying aspects of OR nursing? Does it involve any problem-solving, observational skills, patho knowledge? I'd love to know more.

First thing I'd like to invite you to do is to go to the operating room nurses section of this board and read the posts. You'll get a good feel for our job there.

Where I work, because it's a teaching hospital, the doctors are not a pain to work with (there's a couple of stinkers but not many). The atmosphere is to teach so they are used to things in that context. It's very much a team atmosphere. The doctors NEED the nurses and treat them pretty well. We actually become friends with the doctors and pretty tight as a group. Doctors consider you part of their team and treat you as a team member rather than someone who is bothering them. Problem solving? You bet, everyday, all the time. Requires lots of ingenuity, prioritizing and telepathy :chuckle . No two days are the same.

Actually I could write a book but I have to go to work now. Go to the OR section of this board and read there. Post questions there if you want. I think if you just read those posts you'll see why we love the OR and why we prefer it over having 6-10 patients, family, etc.,

jkaee · Apr 30, 2004

I don't think LTC is the answer....so many state regulations/stress/unrealistic requirements.....conflicts with really being able to connect with the patients.....necessitates long hours off duty to even get the job done to meet state regs....etc..........extra stress for much less pay............

Just 2 cents from a LTC nurse.....

What you stated isn't necessarily true. Yes, we have a lot of state regs, and no, it's not like working in a hospital where there aren't as many regs and rules to follow, but I do have time to spend with my residents, and I connect with them better than I ever did when I worked in the hospital setting.....I don't stay long hours over.....most times the only reason why I don't leave "on time" is because there are 3 nurses on my shift giving report to the one night shift nurse.......the day shift floor nurses are always out on time (can't say the same for the charge nurse, but that's a whole other job). As for much less pay, the LTC facilites that I worked in my area pay the same if not better than hospitals......the last place I worked had a weekend program, and RN's made $45/hr......and this wasn't in a big city or even near one. I realize that every area and facility is different, but I know a lot of nurses that work LTC because it is MORE money and less stress than the hospitals.

LTC isn't for everyone, and I like it much more because I only work part time, so I don't get involved in all the other bs that one could get caught up in if they work FT. But it might be something to check into, it's a whole different atmosphere, and you residents truly love you. I wouldn't change it for anything........well, most days anyway!

Good luck!

bargainhound, RN · Apr 30, 2004

I am in Oklahoma....so, I guess PA is different in many ways....must be.

welnet66 · Apr 30, 2004

hello my fellow hardworking nurses. i'm just feeling *blue* and frustrated with work lately.i dread going in, as it seems like everytime i come in, it's like walking into the front gates of hell. we are usually working with a skeleton crew of staff patched together by floats, registry & stragglers from other shifts. the previous shift's charge nurse doesn't know which way is up, and the reports i get are enough to make me want to run screaming from the nurses' station. you know the routine- the typical floor nurse scenario with nonstop call-lights, isolation patients from here to the horizon, needy families lingering in doorjambs, phone ringing off the hook and orders piled to the moon and back. i am beginning to think that i need more than a vacation...i need a vacation from hospital nursing...permanently! :angryfire
thanks for letting me vent. i am not sure if i can stand it much longer (heh heh; i have said that before, but i really mean it this time). i just feel so burned out! i want a cushy job where i work regular hours (i'm sick of the variable shifts), get an uninterrupted lunch break, and all the holidays off. i want to work with kids, the elderly or animals. i do not want to be responsible for everything under the sun! i want enough resources to get the job done! just for once, i'd like to come to work without having to put out fires and soothe over a million problems.
i love my patients, but i really hate nursing right now. i already cut back my hours, and no, i'm not depressed. i love my life (when not at work that is).
i wish the solution was as simple as taking a vacation...i'm just not sure if i can continue in nursing anymore. what can a burned out rn do with herself?

hi kona2,

i'm in the same situation you are in!!! i'm scheduled to work tonight and my stomach is in knots!! there are answers though...check out nursing spectum..that web site has the best career advice i've seen yet!

good luck!

nurse_robin · Apr 30, 2004

How about Home Care? You're more independent; have more autonomy , and most patients are a joy to work with. It's nice to be able to concentrate on 1 patient at a time, and they really appreciate you. It's also mostly the elderly Medicare clients. The hours are usually good too...stop at the office to turn in paperwork (only pitfall is lots of it but some companies use laptops and makes it easier) see your patients in the morning; home early afternoon; finish paperwork and start over again. Every day is different, but you get to plan your own day and it can be very rewarding.

Don't give up on nursing.....there's too many options for us! Just may take a while to find your niche.

Robin

inna · Apr 30, 2004

Kona2;

I think if you're not happy with your work you should leave it. I don't think that a vacation (no matter how long) is what you need.. yes, you'll be refreshed but when you go back to your floor..it's still the same. Floor Nursing Craps will always be the same, either you hate it or you love it. I hated it and I can't take it anymore. I've had enough of the overwork/underpaid dramas. Life is too short to be miserable. Now I'm heading towards the last days of my floor nursing and I'm so happy and can't wait to leave my unit.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

kona2,

I have been exactly where you are now. I thought of leaving nursing for good, but switched to another speciality. I am now working part-time in chronic hemodialysis and part time in peritoneal dialysis pt education and case mgmt.

It has it's good and bad days, but is nothing near the horror of floor nursing.

Sounds like OR may be a good area for you to try. Good luck to you. I feel your pain!

MandyInMS · Apr 30, 2004

No advise..just sympathy..I'm dreading these three 12 hr night shifts this weekend..wondering what hell I'll be walking into THIS TIME....bleh :/

RN_Amy, RN · Apr 30, 2004

By the sounds of things you definately need a holiday and change of career direction!

How about anaesthetics/recovery room nursing? I have only had limited experience in this area... but the amount I have learnt so much about the human body and anaesthesia in a few short months.

I did my grad year last year... which involved an initial 6 months medical nursing (6 months too much I say!) and 6 months in anaesthetics/recovery room nursing... which I love!

Even 3 months into my graduate year I was contemplating changing careers. I had pretty much grown to hate the ward environment - disorganization, limited (ie. never enough) staff or resources (we never had enough pillows or blankets :uhoh21: !), patients' families and demanding patients and I just don't mix!

I am just about to start a new job (I have moved states) in the paedatric recovery room... Monday to Friday.... earliest start is 8... lastest finish is 9 (one day a week)... which will be fun!

All the best with what you decide to do.

Life is too short to be unhappy with your job!

Amy