When will being an RN stop sucking?

Nurses General Nursing

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Why does it suck to be an RN these days, it is everywhere, in every area, I am so tired of being treated like dirt! We nurses do most of the work and the docs and big hospital systems treat us like peons. When did we lose the professionalism? WHen did being an RN become a negative profession? Where did all the jobs go?

Specializes in Dialysis. OR, cardiac tell, homecare case managem.
SO what do you do? I've been switching, but have not found happiness (I did like ICU, but can't do the hours due to family,) Please share, because i am sick of being miserable going to work everyday

that is my point exactly, I keep switching and try new areas but each time you move it makes you look like a job hopper and has a negative reflection. then you get grilled by hr if you are lucky enough to get an interview, so frustrating. What do you do?

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Specializes in Dialysis. OR, cardiac tell, homecare case managem.

I don't have a problem with the "dirty" stuff, I actually like woundcare, I help clean up patients etc. that is not my issue. My issue is you try and try like I posted earlier I have moved to diff jobs and then get grilled as to why did't i stay. I worked for the same hospital system for 20 years and still get grilled, its a no win. I do agree I need to do something and further my ed, I would like to get into ER or ICU but I keep getting no. I need to find a diff path I guess

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Work at a Magnet hospital they are known for treating nurses with respect. I work and one and wouldn't have it any other way. I have previously worked at non Magnet hospitals and there really is a difference. Second thing you can do is find another area to work in. Maybe you haven't found your niche yet.
After working at two other hospitals, I've newly joined a Magnet hospital and completely agree with your assessment. It's night and day. Like anything, though, it really depends on the attitude behind it. My facility seems to really take it seriously and strives to create a good work environment. It's got it's problems, like anywhere, but it's a really healthy place to work... doesn't suck at all.
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If it hasn't stopped sucking after 15 years, it's not gonna stop sucking. Time to think about a change.

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Why does it suck to be an RN these days, it is everywhere, in every area, I am so tired of being treated like dirt! We nurses do most of the work and the docs and big hospital systems treat us like peons. When did we lose the professionalism? WHen did being an RN become a negative profession? Where did all the jobs go?

I agree with Marshall on sept 8. before moving to a more rural area i worked for a larger healthcare system of multiple hospitals, each one headed by, ready, a NURSE. each VP had started on a floor somewhere and worked their way into their position. Always felt my job, and me, as a person, mattered! 4 years and one move later I was ready to quit nursing. understaffing happens everywhere. doctors acting indifferent and god like when really the nurses do all the work happens everywhere. But the hospital i have been working for never showed any real appreciation for nurses. a plate of cookies for 3 shifts for nurses week. When any awards or accred. were rec'd, it was always the admin people in the paper-never a staff member from the receiving dept. I have been burnt out in 4 yrs quicker than all my years of medical work combined. Decided commuting would be worth it and am starting a new job in a system that appreciates nurses on many levels-again run by people who worked in medicine, nurses included!

So I guess my advice is-if you love being a nurse and do not want to give it up, look around and consider options. I don't want to commute but love being a nurse and just am not ready to give it up. As i tell my co workers now, it does not suck entirely everywhere! consider your options and talk to other nurses.

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Specializes in Med surg.

I have been a nurse for 2years. I love nursing. I hate the politics. I had an issue today at work that made me very angry. I try not to take it personal but i do. I want to try different areas of nursing but it is so difficult to find someplace that will train into a speciality and I am not sure what route I want to go..

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Specializes in LTC, medsurg.

Never! As long as we are RNs, we're going to have crappy days for the most part. Wish I could quit. I had to call in after only the first day of my shift because I was exhausted, yes, only after the first day. It sucks being an RN unless I'm lucky enough o get an 'easy group' of patients! Not 6 pts wanting dilaudid q3

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Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.
SO what do you do? I've been switching, but have not found happiness (I did like ICU, but can't do the hours due to family,) Please share, because i am sick of being miserable going to work everyday

How about HH/PDN?

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Specializes in All areas of Critical Care, ED, PACU, Pre-Op, BH,.

You got it! That is it exactly. When the non-medical, non-nursing people came in and started ruling over nursing....................we got in the mess we are in today. They have absolutely no understanding of our role.

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After 30 years of nursing I have retired. Could not make it to 65. I have worked in different areas of the same hospital which may be a "non profit lol" in a high priced area where small one car garage homes start at over 1 million US dollars. Thus there is a ton of money here and yet we are always fighting for help. The care continues to go downhill and we are constantly audited. The computer has to have perfect charting. People are being fired. They will not let us cut back hours and everyone who is hired is full time. It is a brutal job. Have to look good and be accommodating to patients families. Ridiculous. The job has gone down every few years and nurses are basically doing a lousy job. Few if any elderly pt gets oral care. A diaper is changed twice if that.

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Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.
You got it! That is it exactly. When the non-medical, non-nursing people came in and started ruling over nursing....................we got in the mess we are in today. They have absolutely no understanding of our role.

Nursing has always being subservient, those non-medical people also keep the lights on allowing for your pay check. You have no understanding of their role yet you accuse them of not understanding yours? Before you get mad please consider this, I am merely pointing out the fallacy in your argument not attacking you.

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Specializes in All areas of Critical Care, ED, PACU, Pre-Op, BH,.

No, you are totally wrong. When non-medical people come in and tell nurses and physicians how to do their jobs they are messing with the well being of the patient. They totally do NOT understand patient care or medicine. There is absolutely no coordination with nursing and medicine of things they know nothing about. You talk about them being able to keep the lights on? Do you really think I'm stupid? I've been around a very long time. It is all about the top administrators making a profit. They make cuts to nursing to save their own paycheck.

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