If You Can't Handle the Heat, Get Out of the Kitchen!

[GreenApplesauce]

Hi all,

I am a new grad-ish, I have been working the hospital for 6 months on a med floor. I am run ragged on a daily basis and hardly get my breaks. I know this is normal. If I get one break I consider that a success just as the other nurses do on my floor.

I got a written warning a couple months ago because of a documentation error, no patient harm. Just a bad day, so stressed I forgot to document.

I love caring for patients, hey I even had a couple cool moments with patients that made me think "Hey I have something to hold onto that makes this job worth while.'

But sometimes I feel my days are numbered at my job. At weak moments I desperately search and apply for non-hospital jobs looking for a way out. But when potential employers call, I don't respond...because by the time they do i have pepped talked myself back in staying at my job...."Just hold on for one more day..." Wilson Philips

Even though I keep my patients safe, I am just not going fast enough for management, I am expected to put up with poor staffing conditions, and abusive patients with a smile...welcome to nursing.

That's cool, I get it...the term "If you can handle the heat, get out of the kitchen!" slaps me in the face every time when I want to complain to myself about my job. Millions of nurses see the BS and they still do it. When I reflect upon my career path...lol...Scrubs some how deceptively guided me, foolish me.Too much day dreaming. Hospital nursing is like scrubs but with out the cool docs like Elliot or Turk. Just Dr.Cox with no charm and humor. Truth be told that is nursing, if you can't handle it you better get out because things are not going to change any time soon. Big fish eat little fish and keep it moving. Things move so fast, no one has time to mourn your untimely termination if it happens...on to the next one. The well of mercy in this world is desolate and barren.

I knew when i went into nursing it was not going to be easy...but I did not think it was going to be this hard and though squeezing a tear out of me is like squeezing blood out of a rock...I have a had moments on the floor in which the lump in my throat threatened to push the tears gates open. But with many deep breaths I have pulled my self together.

I want to be an ICU nurse, I know I am still very new to this game. I was elated when getting this job on the medical floor....my first step towards ICU then CRNA... I wanted to put in my years in med and serve my time but now I just want to get mine and ditch this place now that I have 6 months experience. I was willing to give them 1-2 years....but

The heat in the kitchen is hot and it is not my patients that concern me, it is management. I feel like I am a dime a dozen. If they fire me, there are a 1000 other willing applicants eager and ready to take my place. The world will un-remorsfully keep turning. Just another nurse who could not hack it. Sure they lose a little cash with the money they invested training me but they will be fine...but what about me? Start from the bottom again..?

I don't know if i will be fired but darn...I rather not wait to find out. A written warning...I have a feeling my supervisor has it out for me. She exaggerated everything in our meeting. That's fine, they got me. I take responsibility. But I don't think it needed to goto this extent. I am over medical. Documentation trumps patient care any day.

Sorry for the ramble but I need some answers...should i just start applying for ICU jobs and try and get out ASAP or try and tough it out some more and gamble not to be fired. Jumping to another medical job would be like starting at the bottom. I am okay at medical but i think with the right training I would be great in ICU. Many new grads do residency in ICU and succeed...Can't I as well with my med experience with a good icu training program?

I figure let me use this job as my leaping ground to get to ICU fast. I am not normally this cold. But I don't see why I should give my best years and energy to a place where the rewards are so few. They don't care if they suck me dry...."just work faster...harder...but go home on low census so we don't have to pay you' It does not seem like a good deal. This job is sucking me dry with no mercy. I might as well get what I can and get out with no remorse.

It is a doggy dog world in the hospital I work in.

Your thoughts....

[llg, PhD, RN]

I knew when i went into nursing it was not going to be easy...but I did not think it was going to be this hard ...

This is the line that stands out to me. I see and hear those words so often from new grads. It's as if they don't know what the definition of the word "hard" is.

I think that many people now-a-days aren't emotionally prepared to handle "hard." They think of "hard" as something they see in a TV show or movie -- it's somebody else, and it's over in an hour. They say that they know it will be difficult because they have heard that it is, but they really aren't prepared to actually make sacrifices and to suffer to any degree for any length of time. When the going gets tough, they bail.

There are researchers studying concepts such as "hardiness," "resilience," and "grit" -- and their influence on a person's ability to succeed in life. I think they are onto something important because these are the characteristics that seem to determine who succeeds and who doesn't. I have come to look for those qualities when I am hiring - and I don't see it as much as I used to.

Of course I do meet people (of every generation) who have those qualities. Those are the ones I hire. Those are the ones I respect.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

This is the line that stands out to me. I see and hear those words so often from new grads. It's as if they don't know what the definition of the word "hard" is.

I think that many people now-a-days aren't emotionally prepared to handle "hard." They think of "hard" as something they see in a TV show or movie -- it's somebody else, and it's over in an hour. They say that they know it will be difficult because they have heard that it is, but they really aren't prepared to actually make sacrifices and to suffer to any degree for any length of time. When the going gets tough, they bail.

There are researchers studying concepts such as "hardiness," "resilience," and "grit" -- and their influence on a person's ability to succeed in life. I think they are onto something important because these are the characteristics that seem to determine who succeeds and who doesn't. I have come to look for those qualities when I am hiring - and I don't see it as much as I used to.

Of course I do meet people (of every generation) who have those qualities. Those are the ones I hire. Those are the ones I respect.

Completely agree with llg's points.

Another thing that stands out to me is the running theme of posts from newish nurses who are "devastated" by some form of correction/discipline. This seems to apply to the OP here as there are repeated mentions of a write-up for a documentation error which occurred months ago. There is no mention of a more recent write-up, but the OP is ruminating on that event.

This stands out to me because the thinking that appears to underlie it is a lack of recognition that a new nurse's performance might be less than stellar. The documentation error might indeed be "just one small thing" -- but if it is an omission that affects the record of care provided to the patient -- it WILL be called to your attention. It does not necessarily mean that management is out to get you, that the unit is wrong for you, or the entire specialty area of nursing is wrong for you. It just is what it is -- that on that particular day you omitted an important piece of documentation, so don't do it again. And that maybe you should adjust your thinking to take yourself off of the "can do no wrong" pedestal.

[GreenApplesauce]

You know, I believe faith with out works is useless. That is why I am here. I did not even apply for ICU jobs as a new grad. I wanted to go straight to ICU to make my path much quicker but I knew I had to start slow and build momentum. I know myself, I am the type to build one by one, start with a crawl and build myself up to a walk. That is why I applied to the Med-surg. I took the advice of my elders and now I am on my path.

Yes I rage....but this rage is justified...may be my rage will put on some light bulbs for many others who are going through the same things and need some answers as well. This issue is not talked about enough....Everything is so hush hush. It is annoying. Keep you mouth shut and swallow all the BS. Then people wonder why new nurses go into med-surg for a year, get what they want and quit as soon as they find something better, people wonder why nurses use goto ICU as their leaping ground to better pastures...if they can make it...

It is one thing,if I am a lazy worker who is making excuses for poor work ethic. But here I am getting barely any breaks, have my patients taken away mid-shift to be given a whole new set of patients, get yelled all by others who are just transfering their aggressions on to me on a daily basis, being blamed for things that are out of my control....and if I don't do that with a smile...'I am not a good fit.' Ha! It is insanity what nurses go through and it is even more insane that it is accepted.

Even the laws that govern the nursing profession are one sided. The nursing Commission is just out there to punish nurses. Guilty until proven innocent and they will do nothing even if the truth is right in their face to prove you innocent. You are treated like a criminal even if someone...anyone makes a blatant lie against you. I took the time to goto my state's Law's on the nursing profession and all that is there are rules on what nurses should not do and what will lead to disciplinary action. Nothing is in there that addresses false accusations, or nurse abuse....which is common from doctors, to patients, and even vertical violence from other nurses; or what nurses can do to defend them selves...Yes yes Documentation is your only savior...but what about in the cases where documentation has nothing to do with it. Where you are false accused?

At my last job...some idiot that works in the training department sent a letter to the Board of Health stating that I was terminated from my job...which was I lie because I was still happily working there. The Nursing Commission sent me a letter that there were allegations of unprofessional conduct but no evidence was found do the investigation was dropped...but if future evidence pops up they will re-investigate. This dude sent a short letter stating I was fired. Nothing else...the commission told me...based on that letter they interpreted it as unprofessional conduct. It was a fiasco getting to the bottom of the issue...but I was treated like I did something wrong and the person who did it...got away with it scot free. One woman at the nursing commission even told be that the laws are there to protect the public...I asked her "what about nurses? Are they not part of the public...are they not citizens?' This woman said "no, they are not." Welcome to nursing people!

The nursing Union...sure they are good to an extent. They will just tell you your options based on the situation. I have dealt with them and it was better to just have a lawyer. She told me everything i already new and basically was of no help...but morale support. I am big girl...i need more than that.

So now i have insurance just in case. I never thought these things would happen to me...but they have and you never know what malicious person is waiting to throw you under the bus.

[GreenApplesauce]

I hope I love the ICU too! The thought is exciting. I thrive in those environments. I am just building my momentum. i thank you all for the responses so far. You have given me a zest to work even harder at my job....get what I want....then get out. I will continue to bust my butt so I can get my wings.

I wont be bullied out of this opportunity.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

What you're describing now, including run-ins with the dept. of health and the state board of nursing, appears quite different from your initial posts describing a difficult med-surg environment and ruminations on a previous write-up.

Wishing you well.

[starlisa14]

supportive managment means everything.

[GreenApplesauce]

When I say hard...I am not refering to the work load. I can handle that...I may be exhausted by the end of the day but I am satified that I took proper and good care of my patients.

When i say hard...I am referring to the emotional and psychological abuse. New grads can handle the work...we all know how hard nursing school is from crazy professors to sleepless nights studying without end for our exams.

The problem is the feeling of being bullied, not supported. To feel you have some sort of safety net as a new nurse when everything is still so new. To not feel you are going to lose your job on a daily basis. I could handle missing all my breaks all the time.

What gets me is management breathing down our necks all the time because they are monetarily driven..investigatory meetings, talked to because of not clocking out on time because your patient load was so busy you had to spend extra time charting after you gave report to the next nurse, or being blamed for things that are out of your control, or a lazy charge nurse that wont help even if they can. The only come around when you don't need their help...but are no where to be found when things really get busy on the floor. Or abusive patients...does not matter if they are manipulative or blatantly lying...management never takers the nurse's side.

We new nurses can handle the work load. It is the emotional and psychological abuse that makes many run for the hills. The lack of support from management, that is the problem.

Nurses are not only expected to give their bodies, smarts, knowledge,etc to our jobs...but we are also expected to be caring and emotionally connect to patients as well. What other profession is so demanding? They want everything from us...everything...and nurses do give their everything to care for patients. Every one from the patients, to the docs, and management continue taking from nurses and all nurses do is give give give.

I think management needs to change their approach in how that nurture their new hires and how to make them successful and feel like they are on the right path to staying and being great nurses.

[GreenApplesauce]

Yes...I was making a point on my previous point about the failings of the nursing profession and why things will not change. The nursing commission...i am done dealing them. Nursing is a victum profession. All you can do is pray it does not happen to you.

That is why I will do everything in my power to get out ASAP. Med, then ICU, then good-bye nursing then onto CRNA or NP.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Yes I rage....but this rage is justified...may be my rage will put on some light bulbs for many others who are going through the same things and need some answers as well. This issue is not talked about enough....Everything is so hush hush. It is annoying. Keep you mouth shut and swallow all the BS.

Oh, please. As a brief aside, my many gay friends remind me from time to time when theirs was a love that "dared not speak its name," and now won't shut the frick up. :)

So too with this whine. Isn't talked about enough? Do you, like, read AN? You can't swing a (metaphoric electronic) dead cat around here without hitting this sort of thing.

I agree with the posters above who says we see a lot of people who ruminate (remember the cow's four rumens and what they do with them) over a written "you did this wrong, don't do it again" for months and years, who scream and cry "NETY! NETY!" anytime they aren't praised to the skies for their special snowflakeness that somehow all the crusty old bats don't recognize, who think all their classmates telling them what awwwwwwwessooommme nurses they will be really know what they're talking about, and on and on and on.

We all know that these people are, praise be, not in the majority of new grads, and thank goddess for that. But we also know that there are more and more of them. GA, the problem is not always with everybody else. You have gotten an awful lot of feedback, trying to be helpful and then getting more and more exasperated. There's a reason for that. Remember-- and try to take to heart-- the Emerson quote that my friend Esme has so generously put in her siggy line for all to see: “Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.”

After all this rambling and increasingly inchoate ranting, you still think you'll go to ICU and then to CRNA (or now, we learn, NP)? OK. You'll get a lot of experience along the way, but I fear it may not be the kind you anticipate. Another quote from the classics: "Experience owns a dear (meaning, expensive) school, and a fool will learn in no other."

Good luck to you.

[GreenApplesauce]

You see, that is why management and floor nurses can never be friends. It is the approach management takes. It is never two sided story...always one sided. Where the nurse is treated like the criminal and has to defend herself. Management never asks them selves what they are doing wrong to make these situations come to play.

If you say that...then you are just quickening your fast departure. One girl I used to work with was very vocal about management and the poor staffing conditions. She is an awesome nurse and worked as a nurse for many years. She was new to my place of work...suffice to say she did not pass the probationary period and she was let go.

What-evs. Things are not going to change.

[GreenApplesauce]

What-evs GT,

It is what it is. I am going to ride this train until I get what I want. I did not spend 4 years of my life and thousands of dollars on nursing school to let my life end here. I am going to climb my way to the top. I invested in myself and I aim to get what I want.

I know my words threaten the convictions that many nurses have about nursing being so great. I know it has struck a cord with you... I can read the not-so-thinly veiled annoyance...what-ever, that is your prob.

I speak nothing but the truth about what is going on in nursing. I know the truth is a bitter pill to swallow.

My issue of nursing is not the work...we can handle the work...it is dealing l with poor management and vertical/horizontal violence on a daily basis. GT you just don't get it. But i really don't care if you get it. Moving on to brighter bulbs.

Those that are wise will follow my suit, get the hell out of nursing, or understand the BS accept it and swallow it and continue their lives.

Thanks...but i don't need LUCK to get where i am going. I just need hard work and dedication.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

I could write a really long post, but I won't because I'm on my phone, and it will probably only get skimmed. So 1: a manager isn't supposed to be your friend. They can be friendly, sure, but you won't catch me going out for drinks with my boss. Simply not professional. And 2: if managers are so one-sided, I haven't seen you try to look at this from their perspective. Management isn't easy and you will never catch me shooting for that job. They get intense pressure from their superiors, who have either never been at the bedside or haven't touched a patient for years. And there is the pressure from staff such as yourself. Some get the big picture, others don't. I get that "horizontal violence" exists I'm many workplaces, but what is your plan? Are you going to gripe, are you going to leave, or are you going to try and change it?