Things noane told you about nursing

[Aly529]

Hi everyone. This question is mainly for already licensed and working RN's but students are welcome to answer as well. I like hearing "inside" info from those with experience so my question is what are some things that you found out along the way that you didn't know and weren't told about working as an RN.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[glutton4punishment]

I was not told that families would be such a pain in the butt! I am working on it, but it is my #1 complaint right now. Seriously people. I know what I am doing (most of the time.) You don't need to come and get me for every little thing that your loved one does. I am trying to hide behind this pillar at the nursing station so I can do some paperwork, get out of here in a reasonable amount of time so I can be back in the morning with a good attitude and a smile to deal with you again. No, I am not going to call the doctor today because your mom is sweating, it's a Saturday, and this unfortunately would mean that I would get an ass chewing from the doctor, and I like my ass the way it is. While I appreciate you spending 30 minutes, 2 days a week micromanaging me, if you call me one more time to ask if I will cut the food a certain way so your mom will eat, I am going to scream. Your mom is 84. She has no interest in eating, though I will continue to encourage her to do so. If you care so much, then come up here and spend some time with her. This is a hospital, it's a business, we are all getting paid to be here, and while I care about her, I have 6 other patients. You are wearing me smooth out and I wish you would stop.

whew. Thanks. I feel better.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

Ditto .....

I never realised how difficult families can be. And I never realised how much of my time they would take up and how little responsibility they have to take for their behaviour

[McGyverRN]

no one told me that being a waitress was great training for being a nurse. instead of delivering food, you're delivering medications. the similarities are creepy.

That is so true! I have done both and they are almost exactly the same, except nursing is more intimate and we don't get tips!! Some pts/families treat us like waitresses and it irritates the heck out of me. In fact, one time a pt called me "waitress." When I was done with her, I asked here where my tip was!

[BrookeeLou_RN]

Since they will most likely never go for unions.. I think we should push for the ability to actually get tips. Why not? We do not get adequate wages, get pulled all over the place in the business, and the better our care the better the business grows.. Yes I know the whole "We are professionals" Hair dressers are licensed professionals and they get tips. I know the waitresses I ask for in every dining establishment I go to treat me very special because I give big tips and then if anything is wrong, they make it right.. no questions asked. Yes waitresses get blamed for food not being right but nurses get blamed for everything that happens.. way beyond their jobs too. And frankly we have just about the same amt of job security!