What would you change about Nursing to make it better?

CandyGyrl1985 · Aug 22, 2009

working with hospice patients, i have noticed that a few (small number) of nurses, sugar coat a patients diagnosis. for example, just a few days ago i had a patient who was critical - it was clear that he was not going to pull through much longer. the nurse didnt want to hurt his wife and told him that he would pull through and live at least another year. he died the next day.

my own father died - and was critical and the nurse told me that he would pull through. as it turned out the doctor charted that he had about 24-72 hours to live at best- (he was severely septic, bleeding out from a hole the cancer ate in his bladder somewhere, his b/p was down and his pulse was through the roof- at the time i had no nursing experience) she even told me that my dad was moved to icu bc they didnt have enough beds in the imc unit. he died 4 hours after i left the hospital. she later told me - when i confronted her - that she wanted me to have a peaceful nights rest and that is why she lied.

so - i would educate nurses better regarding a patients/family's feelings and rights in death/dying. i believe that the patient has the right to know they are going to die to come to terms with it - as i am sure most of you also agree. of coorifice the doctor will be the one to iniatially give the news- but sometimes family's are in denial and search for hope and ask the nurses their opinions. i think that some nurses - who mean well want to offer some hope and that is how these situations occur. so, i would offer a training class for nurses to give tips on "bad news" and on the patients right to be aware of the circumstances. as well as remind the nurses that the patient and family wont like the news- but its better to be prepared for the worst- than to expect the best - in these situations. being honest is a key element of nursing.... or at least that is what i believe.

RedCell · Aug 22, 2009

There are a few things I would like to see change.

1) Get rid of the complaining chronically depressed I hate this job types.

2) Mandate a bachelors degree as the minimum requirement for all entry nurses.

3) Cut out all the additional educational titles seen on name badges. Ex: Gaylord Focker RN BSN LMAO ACLS BLS CCRN ACRN CDDN CWOCN CRRPTC. Really, is all this crap necessary? I have always found it annoying. How about Gaylord Focker RN.

4) Get rid of all the waste of time classes (cultural diversity, theory etc) and fill that space with some science that will ACTUALLY BENEFIT YOU in the real world of nursing. Unfortunately, the BSN programs tend to fill their students with more of this useless crap than the ADN programs.

roser13, ASN, RN · Aug 22, 2009

I would:

1) Get rid of the time clock. Nursing is a profession and it's demeaning to be lined up at the time clock twice a day. Perception is everything. A salaried position conveys a higher level of respect than a position that punches a time clock. Administration would staff adequately in order to retain their valued salaried personnel. (Remember, this is a wish list.)

2) Accept the realities of this day and age and the fact that BSN-prepared nurses will likely not be the norm. In order to keep up with the aging baby boomers, discriminatory conduct/attitudes toward ASN-prepared nurses needs to disappear. The nursing profession needs them. The American populace needs them. The nursing profession should be glad to have them. As long as all pass the same state boards, an RN is an RN.

CandyGyrl1985 · Aug 22, 2009

There are a few things I would like to see change.
4) Get rid of all the waste of time classes (cultural diversity, theory etc) and fill that space with some science that will ACTUALLY BENEFIT YOU in the real world of nursing. Unfortunately, the BSN programs tend to fill their students with more of this useless crap than the ADN programs.

I couldnt agree more! I just complained to my husband the other day about a couple of pre-req RN classes that just didnt seem necessary. For our RN program you only take 1 math class the entire time. I know l once you are in the nursing part of the RN program you have more math - and required 100% math tests... but why not can some of the needless pre-req classes classes and put in another math - like an algebra or something..... Or just make less pre-reqs and add somemore nursing lectures and clinicals.

StrwbryblndRN · Aug 22, 2009

The biggest thing I want to see change (on top of a list of others) is to allow nurses the ability to do a job without the extra BS. I can't seem to figure out why new paperwork is developed and adm thinks it is better.

For example, hourly rounding. It is not a part of the permanent chart (at least not at our facility )and I already chart that I have seen the pt or done some care on the permanent charting anyhow, so why would I need to initial and fill out another paper. Yes I hear it is to reduce falls. It is just paper, nothing magical. You can fill it out without actually seeing the pt too.

This is one of many. Yet I can't write anymore. I have to go to work in an hour and I want to start my day off right.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2009

Lol, I wont even go there or you'll be reading all day!!!! After 30 years believe me I have alot I'd love to see change.

ruralgirl08 · Aug 22, 2009

I think people are demanding more and expecting more, then is physically/emotionally possible from nurses in this day & age. I think nursing would improve, if nurses were allowed to have a little more power, or backing by management in regards to setting boundaries with pt & families. I wish the rules about visiting hours where I work, were not so flexible (unless of course pt. is very ill or palliative). I think all the customer service BS & the customer is "always right" idea brought into nursing has really brought it down. I believe in holistic & family centered care. But I sometimes feel like I have to kiss ass to really mean people who I are verbally/emotionally abusive, who make your shift miserable. As a nurse, you always have to worry about complaints. It's important to protect the public from bad health care providers, but who protects nurses from bad families/pt.s?! Feeling forced to play doormat sometimes get to you. I know its not supposed to be like this, but sometimes it is.

ukstudent · Aug 22, 2009

Make nursing activites billable. Bill for the IV's, foley's, NG's, etc. We shouldn't be lumped in with the room rate, housekeeping, food services etc. It would change the way hospital administators veiw us. Instead of a drain of money we would be money generaters.

Mulan · Aug 22, 2009

working with hospice patients, i have noticed that a few (small number) of nurses, sugar coat a patients diagnosis. for example, just a few days ago i had a patient who was critical - it was clear that he was not going to pull through much longer. the nurse didnt want to hurt his wife and told him that he would pull through and live at least another year. he died the next day.
my own father died - and was critical and the nurse told me that he would pull through. as it turned out the doctor charted that he had about 24-72 hours to live at best- (he was severely septic, bleeding out from a hole the cancer ate in his bladder somewhere, his b/p was down and his pulse was through the roof- at the time i had no nursing experience) she even told me that my dad was moved to icu bc they didnt have enough beds in the imc unit. he died 4 hours after i left the hospital. she later told me - when i confronted her - that she wanted me to have a peaceful nights rest and that is why she lied.

so - i would educate nurses better regarding a patients/family's feelings and rights in death/dying. i believe that the patient has the right to know they are going to die to come to terms with it - as i am sure most of you also agree. of coorifice the doctor will be the one to iniatially give the news- but sometimes family's are in denial and search for hope and ask the nurses their opinions. i think that some nurses - who mean well want to offer some hope and that is how these situations occur. so, i would offer a training class for nurses to give tips on "bad news" and on the patients right to be aware of the circumstances. as well as remind the nurses that the patient and family wont like the news- but its better to be prepared for the worst- than to expect the best - in these situations. being honest is a key element of nursing.... or at least that is what i believe.

in my case, with a family member, it was the doctor who sugarcoated (lied, if you like) not the nurse, the nurse did the right thing.

Debz1117 · Aug 22, 2009

I would like to see a change in the way health care workers are instructed by administration in how we must communicate with our patients, ( I mean our clients) with scripted phrases and a customer service attitude that sometimes feels demeaning and make pts. feel like we are there to serve them and their visitors,and cater to their needs that are not related to their immediate care. I realize that healthcare is a business and hospitals are struggling to survive, but a line has to be drawn between nursing care and catering to the non-medical needs of pts and their annoying, demanding and sometimes crazy family members.

JeanneRN83, BSN · Aug 23, 2009

Better nurse-patient ratios

No back biting. I see very few MD's back bite.

Jeanne