I cant take nursing anymore

Justhere, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2009

I don't think even the managers can change the process. We now have a Manager over our unit manager, and she is not even a nurse. I believe she was a speech pathologist or something like that, and she is the one now telling us how to do our jobs. That we must stay to our grids. But the grid in the nursery is just not right. I just want to say. So Ms. So and So if we have 10 NICU babies you are telling me 2 nurses can handle it. NO. Our nursery is a mixed nursery. We do both NICU babies and well babies. The other night we had 2 NICU babies, 3 Intermidate babies (V/S q 3 hrs with feedings) and 3 well babies, and only 2 nurses, they said we didn't have enough even to have a PCT come and help. So the other nurse said she would take the 2 NICU babies and another INTER baby since it was staying in the nursery since its mom had gone home, then I had the other 5 and anyone else that might come in the door. And it never fails the nights like this none of the moms keep their babies, they send them all back, and then you have to have the one breastfeeding mom that wants you to suffle the baby back and forth from the nursery to their room in for their 20 minute feedings and then they send them back expecting you to keep the screaming kid who is hungry, but we can't give them a pacifier or bottle to calm them. So needless to say after about 30 minutes I take them right back to their moms. They hold them for 30 minutes and then call wanting you to come back and get them. And then the process starts all over again. They get back to the nursery and start screaming again.

Don't get me wrong, I breastfed all 3 of my kids. But they also stayed in the room with me at all times. And if I could not have gotten them satisfied with a breastfeeding session they would have had a bottle to follow up. I would not have expected the nurses to take care of my screaming fussy baby.

Jean1313 · Mar 8, 2009

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. Like everyone else has mentioned, I've seen it too. A couple weeks ago my first pt passed away. It had been a hideous night shift. I was behind in my charting, and even though he passed away on the morning shift, the next nurse had called off, so I was called to the code. (I was the only person there that knew anything about him.). After everything was done and I was leaving, I started crying in one of our less-used rooms. When I pulled myself together, I noticed another RN crying in the break room. Even though I haven't been a nurse very long, I've noticed what people mean by saying that nursing has changed.

In a lot of my posts I've been frustrated. But one thing that has helped are the pts. Yesterday a.m. a pt thanked me. He said "Thank you for all you did. You were so nice to me. I mean it." Tears were in his eyes. He was in for GI issues and alcohol withdrawl. It warmed my heart. That's why I am a nurse. We may fight Drs, fight management, fight for our meds, not get to eat/pee, but that made that whole week worthwhile for me.

That being said, I agree with the other posters. I will leave med-surg. I hope you find what's right for you. And I'm wishing you good pt moments in the meanwhile to get you through!

(sorry so long!)

emmalou* · Mar 8, 2009

I understand completely. My feeling about med/surg nursing (I did this straight out of uni and for around 4 years in Australia) is that it is the worst type of nursing. It may not be the most stressful, have the most responsibility or be the most highly specialised area (although these days it is getting pretty specialised and stressful, let's face it) but by god, it is one area of nursing with the least amount of support. Just about anything can come through the door and you often feel grossly unprepared.

My suggestion is to think about an area of nursing you might be interested in, a speciality and think about transferring if you can. Critical care, theatre, midwifery areas are highly specialised and may seem overwhelming but you usually get good training and support in these areas (at least I would hope so!).

Are you able to speak with someone from HR or your Employee Assistance Service (workplace counselling)? I now work in HR as a rehab consultant assisting employees with injury back to work and I can tell you that you, and others in this thread are suffering from extreme stress at work which could lead to psychological or even physical illness. You must take care of yourself.

One good thing about nursing is how many different areas there are. Have a look at some areas you might be able to transfer to or look at another related discipline you could work in.

Bugaloo · Mar 8, 2009

I am so glad to see such support for the OP. I started to post my own little "pity party" last week when I had a little meltdown at work.

The reason I didn't is because, invariably, when a thread like this is started, there are a few members that feel as if they need to make us feel guilty for being disappointed in nursing. I especially like to hear from the nursing students who have yet to work on a Med-Surg floor, telling veteran nurses, "Well, thanks for being so supportive (in a sarcastic manner). Then I think to myself, "I give you two years, max, to work a Med-Surg floor, then come back here and tell me how awesome it is!". :bluecry1:

One of my best friends is a nursing student, soon to graduate with her ADN. She plans on then continuing her studies to become a NP in a NICU-type setting. Because she is a CNA, she is fully aware how hard nurses work and she still wants to do it. I support her dreams entirely, and am one of her biggest cheerleaders. I have also warned her how to take care of herself while taking care of others. :bow:

I guess my point is that this is a nursing forum, and we should all be allowed to vent, rage, and discuss things without making others feel guilty. :banghead:

Just remember before you post: Be supportive if at all possible

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2009

"Working at MacDonalds looks better everyday" :chuckle

One day I was watching the girl at the GAP fold shirts with that cardboard thing and I thought.... wow how peaceful... I could do that!! Seriously, I can relate, as most of us can. I'm sorry you are having such a hard time! like others have said- maybe another department would be better. Or maybe an urgent care or docs office? Try and change it up..... and hang in there! :nurse:

sunray12 · Mar 8, 2009

i am so glad to see such support for the op. i started to post my own little "pity party" last week when i had a little meltdown at work.
the reason i didn't is because, invariably, when a thread like this is started, there are a few members that feel as if they need to make us feel guilty for being disappointed in nursing. i especially like to hear from the nursing students who have yet to work on a med-surg floor, telling veteran nurses, "well, thanks for being so supportive (in a sarcastic manner). then i think to myself, "i give you two years, max, to work a med-surg floor, then come back here and tell me how awesome it is!".
there's no one size fits all for anyone in any profession. my mentor is a ltc nurse and would not consider working in a hospital. btw she's in her 60s and still working because she wants to work. my point if med-surge isn't for you then take your license and use it in some other way.
one of my best friends is a nursing student, soon to graduate with her adn. she plans on then continuing her studies to become a np in a nicu-type setting. because she is a cna, she is fully aware how hard nurses work and she still wants to do it. i support her dreams entirely, and am one of her biggest cheerleaders. i have also warned her how to take care of herself while taking care of others.
i guess my point is that this is a nursing forum, and we should all be allowed to vent, rage, and discuss things without making others feel guilty.
^^ well although the tag line of this board is nurses helping nurses i would say that this board is about 90% unhappy nurse, nursing student, etc. you have to spend a lot of hours troweling through this board to find people who are happy with what they do, so i see no evidence where people were prevented from venting. i also don't see how internet handles representing people you can't see could make you feel guilty about how you feel. your feelings are your feelings and you don't have to apologize for them. i'm of the opinion that no one should be miserable about their work. but if the guilt factor is there it is probably within - not something any of us have the power to make you feel.
just remember before you post: be supportive if at all possible
and likewise you guys should be supportive of the newbies and all the people who come by because they're pre-nursing, etc. some of us are old enough to analyze and extrapolate from what we read here but imagine if you were a teenager logging in here to research a career in nursing - this could be scary. for example op says mcdonalds is looking better and better every day. okay so she's upset and when people are upset they may say things they don't mean. but seriously - working for 1/4th or less the wage of what she's making now with no benefits and no job security looks preferable to being a licensed and experienced professional?? maybe this statement is qualified by the fact that she has a rich so and doesn't need the money - but most women in today's world have bills to pay and children to feed and shelter so objectively speaking working at mcdonalds cannot be better than nursing. just my 2.5 cents. as i said - no one should be miserable in their work, so i hope you find something where you are happier. at least you should be able to use your nursing license to do that.

abundantjoy07, RN · Mar 8, 2009

Please... pleeeeease all-powerful pharmacy tech, I BEG you PLEASE send me the Lyrica I asked for 2 hours ago so my patient stops freaking out on me!:plsebeg:
I'll clean your car i'll change your kitty litter... ANYTHING just PLEASE send me the DRUGS!!!

God forbid you ask for your now or stat order to be processed in less than an hour.

Pharmacy seems to be the same regardless of where you work...a pain in the :angryfire!!!!

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2009

Just my two cents:

Bugaloo and OP both work M/S. I dont think this is coincidence. I've dont M/S 3 1/2 years now, two as staff and the rest as a travel nurse. When I left my first job as a staff nurse to become a travel RN, I was pretty much done with nursing. Fed up with balanceing 8 patients on daylight, keeping everyone safe just to be told I was terrible at what I did because I didnt make time for a meeting with case management or I didnt realize pt. #7 was thirsty and their water pitcher was not "fresh". My attitude was "Hey, there is a nursing shortage, not a pt. or hospital shortage. You dont like how I do things, here is my two week notice, have fun replaceing me." That hospital is closed down now. Not because of me leaving, but because of a great number of people like me leaving.

Now, after working M/S as a travel nurse, I have come to the realization that M/S just is not for me. I certainly have seen things much better on different units, but I've seen them worse too. Everywhere I go, M/S is the part of the hospital that is just neglected and expectations are not at all realistic. I realize all units have their evils, but M/S has a very unique wickedness to it that can affect you emotionaly and physically.

Problem is, M/S units dont make money for hospitals. The other units do. So, you are a necessary evil and the care given to the majority of patients on the unit is of no concern to administration and management. They cant let it be known they feel this way, and will beat you over the brow on a daily basis to give the impression of having a desire for a well run M/S unit, but there is nothing in it for them and they will never spend money to make a M/S unit function properly.

My advice, dont give up. Find something outside of the M/S fire ring as soon as possible. In the meantime, bite your tongue at work and tredge water upstream putting up with it. When you get the opportunity to do better, do it with no regrets.

AnnaMary · Mar 8, 2009

I work in general medicine in the UK. Same problems with pharmacy and every other department....horrific nurse patient ratios etc. I have never been so scared as I am when I am at work.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 8, 2009

Problems like yours are everywhere. I have worked in ER, Tele, PICU, Peds and NICU in various forms. The problems are the same. Understaffing, clueless management, lab losing samples to the point of it being routine (Um, no, I won't redraw blood from a 300 gram-er whose total blood volume is around 25 ml just 'cuz you can't find it....)

Pharmacy loses orders, takes forever to make stat drips, the aides disappear all day instead of stocking, etc. I have to take my patients personally to MRI/CT/nuclear and pray that someone else is watching my other kids, because there is no one else to go.....

I just take it in stride, waiting for the day that I will finish my NP and not have to deal with this same set of issues. Granted there will be different issues, but hopefully not nearly as many.

Bugaloo · Mar 8, 2009

Just my two cents:
Bugaloo and OP both work M/S. I dont think this is coincidence. I've dont M/S 3 1/2 years now, two as staff and the rest as a travel nurse. When I left my first job as a staff nurse to become a travel RN, I was pretty much done with nursing. Fed up with balanceing 8 patients on daylight, keeping everyone safe just to be told I was terrible at what I did because I didnt make time for a meeting with case management or I didnt realize pt. #7 was thirsty and their water pitcher was not "fresh". My attitude was "Hey, there is a nursing shortage, not a pt. or hospital shortage. You dont like how I do things, here is my two week notice, have fun replaceing me." That hospital is closed down now. Not because of me leaving, but because of a great number of people like me leaving.
Now, after working M/S as a travel nurse, I have come to the realization that M/S just is not for me. I certainly have seen things much better on different units, but I've seen them worse too. Everywhere I go, M/S is the part of the hospital that is just neglected and expectations are not at all realistic. I realize all units have their evils, but M/S has a very unique wickedness to it that can affect you emotionaly and physically.
Problem is, M/S units dont make money for hospitals. The other units do. So, you are a necessary evil and the care given to the majority of patients on the unit is of no concern to administration and management. They cant let it be known they feel this way, and will beat you over the brow on a daily basis to give the impression of having a desire for a well run M/S unit, but there is nothing in it for them and they will never spend money to make a M/S unit function properly.
My advice, dont give up. Find something outside of the M/S fire ring as soon as possible. In the meantime, bite your tongue at work and tredge water upstream putting up with it. When you get the opportunity to do better, do it with no regrets.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!:wink2:

Ayvah, RN · Mar 8, 2009

Oh, how I empathize with you. I had a horrible last two shifts. When the shifts just started, multiple people had very bad loads, and there are always admissions coming in so you know it will be worse than what the day starts off as. And the worst part about this.... is that management called off two nurses one of those days, and one nurse another one of those days, knowing were were starting off with terrible patient loads!

Management told one of my coworkers that her staying late to help stabilize a patient was not an excuse for her overtime.

Yes, there were a lot of tears these last few shifts.

I'm about ready to resign. I can't keep living like this. I feel its like the death of my dream, because I can't be the type of nurse I want to be. It is feeling dangerous at times too. I've been clinging to strands recently hoping this job will work out. I've spoken with management multiple times to no avail.