Loyalty to a nursing unit

[New CCU RN]

The other day at work, some of the nurses who'd been on the unit for 15+ were talking about how it was unfair that so many people weren;t loyal to the unit. I was just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

I personally have alot of interests in nursing and advancing my practice. Although I like the unit I work on and the patient population, for me personally I would see it as limiting myself and not doing what I really want to do.

These nurses were talking about how many people have come and gone and how it is frustrating and while I understand their point of view, at the same time I do not. They deserve a ton of respect for being so dedicated, but there personally for me I couldnt imagine doing the same thing for 15 years.

What are your thoughts on this?

[shannonRN, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

show ME some loyalty and I might do so in return. Sorry, but in today's climate where NO one is assured a future in what he/she does and the "golden watch" retirements are a thing of the past...well.....I guess it depends on what you define to be loyalty. Do I show up at work when I say I will, ON TIME and do MY JOB correctly and honestly? YEP! Do I owe them my future when something better comes along to suit my needs? ABSOLUTELY NOT! They would think NOTHING of canning me or very valuable co-workers or screwing with our 401K's and other benefits in times when budgetary cuts are being made. Sorry, in that light, no loyalty is due any unit in my eyes --- and I never signed any dotted lines saying so.

very well said!

[Jenny P]

I've been at my current workplace and on the same unit for 23 years. I never planned it that way; I'd never been anywhere longer than 3 years prior to this. Would I consider myself as being loyal to the facility? Not necessarily, but it has been one of the best places I have ever worked at in my 38 years in healthcare (33 as an RN).

33 of our staff of 80 have been here for 10 or more years; but we see many, many new staff that may be on our unit for less than 2 years and then they move on. Many of these move on to anesthesia school (we are a busy CV-ICU and applicants to anesthesia school benefit with experience on our unit).

It is frustrating to orient someone to a fast paced CV-ICU and have them leave in less than a year or so, but I never begrudge the ones who are going on to anesthesia school or must move because of their spouses having a job change. I do get tired of the "newbies" on the unit that demand to be oriented first on the new machines and devices, then demand better hours and perks than those of us who have been there for a while and then move on when they don't get their way. We try to educate and keep our new staff happy, but it seems as though it doesn't always pay off.

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by Luv cats

Hey.... burnout happens.......loyalty or not. Sometimes you need a change to stimulate your mind and interest in the job again.

This is the WHOLE truth, the ABSOLUTE truth and NOTHING but the TRUTH-hence my name!!!!