Well, I have never felt better. I finally just said ENOUGH.
I realized that I am doing the job of at least 11 people. Yes I am an RN. So WHY and HOW am I expected to be a secratery, transporter, pharmacist, housekeeper, doctor, customer service rep, social worker, case manager, CNA, and waitress. (I could add dietitian, nursing student instructor, and PT/OT)
There is NO HUMAN way to play all these roles with a smile and no overtime. Just NO POSSIBLE WAY to do hourly rounding, give report in the rooms, chart in the rooms, and answer the phone and call light at the nurses station. I would like to meet the SUPER NURSE who can physically be in TWO PLACES at once. (and not pee or eat for 8 hours)
I am a good nurse. I care that my patients have to wait 30 minutes for pain medication and 6 hours for a post op walk. I care that STAT meds and STAT lab draws sometimes take 2-3 hours to get done. I worry, because as a good nurse I KNOW that some of my patients belong on tele or in ICU.
I realize that 90% of my job consists of rounding up the proper people to FORCE them to do their job. I also realize that 99% of my job consists of DOING other peoples jobs because they are "At lunch, on a break, too busy, have too many other patients to see, don't feel well, are pregnant/breast feeding, or are on facebook."
If I could go to work, do assments, treatments, medications, catch changes in condition, and chart my findings, I would be the happiest person on earth. I would be a NURSE.
No I am not rich. I have to work to help support my family. I finally realized that my mental health and well being comes before the money I make. Yeah....I am going to be broke as hell before I find another job. It is going to suck. I don't care. My husband and children support me 100% I have shelter, food, water, and love in my life.
Now I have time to find a job as a NURSE. Or who knows what will happen.......
