I feel sick when I wake up for work. I feel sick on my drive home. When I get home, I often cry, because I feel that I did not provide adequate care to my patients. The hospital that I work at (a teaching hospital with an excellent reputation) is supposedly commited to "quality patient care." However, I can clearly see that money is the only object and staffing is kept at minimal. Last night, I watched a great nurse with 30+ years break down in uncontrollable sobs. At the end of the shift another nurse asked, "Why is it acceptable for nurses to be abused, what other profession would allow this, it reminds me why there are child labor laws." Three newly hired nurses have quit in the last month. I ask myself, how long I can I work 12-14 hours with one fifteen minute break, if I am lucky. I often have trouble functioning out of work, because I am so stressed and tired. I seriously consider leaving the nursing profession that I love and begin to wonder if hospital nursing is like this everywhere. I would like to hear from other nurses.
