Would you seriously consider quitting nursing

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Jan 12, 2005

when a physician asks the time when i call at night i just say, "2"17 am."
asked why i am calling at that time of night?
"because your patient needs a doctor" or "because i want your patient alive."
if told, "don't call me again!" i ask, "should i write that as an order? let me read that back."

ask him/her too, if they would like that order with fries. ka-chang!! i love it!!! :rotfl:

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Jan 12, 2005

In spite of all the proof to the contrary, the Nursing Board, which could have simply dismissed this and SHOULD HAVE, WROTE ME A LETTER OF CONCERN BECAUSE MY REACTION TO WHAT HE DID WAS INAPPROPRIATELY EXCESSIVE. (I HAD WRITTEN HIM A LETTER STATING THAT I BELIEVED THAT HE WAS A VERY POOR DIAGNOSTICIAN , HE TOLD THE BOARD I CAME IN WITH A SPRAINED ANKLE; AND I SAID THAT I ONLY HOPED THAT SOMEDAY HE WOULD BE IN A POSITION WHERE HE WAS IN SEVERE PAIN AND WAS UNABLE TO GET RELIEF am ready to quit nursing because everywhere I go I have to explain that there are 2 marks against my license even though one is a non-disciplinary action (whatever that means). I called the board and even though the doctor's complaint was unfounded, it still had to be listed as a complaint. Even though a MD can be rightfully sued for malpractice, if he settles out of court it doen't go on his record. But for us nurses, even if we are found innocent (and believe me they checked out every employer I ever worked for which I am sure made them wonder why the State Board was investigating a "drug related" complaint against me.) I can no longer go back to any of the places I used to work and hold up my head; I feel soiled; my reputation is ruined and as the psychiatrist said to me (the Board made me see one):
"The Only thing wrong with you is that you are suffering from righteous indignation at the Arizona State Board for destroying your good name and casting doubt in the minds of all of your former employers." As nurses we are sitting ducks out there.

It's just amazing that the Boards of Nursing are allowed to get away with crap like this, while it has been well-documented that incompetent doctors are allowed to pack up their bags, move out of the state that they've been defrocked in, and set up housekeeping in another state....literally unscathed. Unbelieveable. :angryfire

markallen · Jan 29, 2005

if you were treated badly--yelled at, disrespected, verbally abused--by the doctors you work with?
How does this treatment affect you? Does it affect patient care?

Doctors need to be informed when their behavior is inappropriate. If we don't speak up nothing will change. I will use various comments like " please don't talk to me in that tone of voice. Can we talk about this when you are calm? Why are you being verbally abusive to me? I understand you are upset but I don't appreciate being yelled at. Do you talk to your pt.s this way? I'm always appropriate

I would suggest using your psych skills to effectively communicate to others how THEY are coming across and how YOU feel when they say or do such and such. I don't always confront a MD. It depends on the circumstances. I have found that when you appropriately let someone know about their behavior you will often have less problems in the future, plus you frequently gain their respect. Ask yourself "Why do I allow myself to be mistreated?"

While I sometimes become upset I will not allow it to affect the care of my pts.

I love nursing but if I knew then what I know now I would have chosen a different career path. There is more time spent on paperwork than on pt. care.

paytonsnana · Jan 29, 2005

if you were treated badly--yelled at, disrespected, verbally abused--by the doctors you work with?
How does this treatment affect you? Does it affect patient care?

Have I ever thought about quitting? Yes. The stress just isn't worth it anymore.

Believe it or not nurses have feelings too. I get headaches, have nightmares about meanspirited peers, DR's, DON, BON, etc. Screaming patients, family members, and the general staff . I know I an a good nurse, not perfect, there have been times I felt great about the care I gave in a day and times I felt very inadequate.

Does it affect patient care? You better believe it does. If you are not up to par how can you give good care? If you have to question every step that you make, you become insecure. There is nothing worse than an insecure nurse in an emergency.

I know I have even saved a few lives. I do not know what will fix the system. I am tired of writing letters, making phone calls and defending my every move. When the health care system falls completely apart and we put it back together, maybe then we can start to fix what is wrong. Until the "powers that be" even start to recognize that there is a real problem, nothing will change. I salute all nurses.

:crying2:

iliang · Jan 30, 2005

got this attending in the unit that every nurses dreaded to work with..he is well known to underestimate capabilities of new nurses..though ive been working there for a year now..I always have the feeling that he doubt my assessment skills..one day when we were in a team mtg..I reported that the evening nurse documented that the patient has lice and nits because the ordered shampoo arrived late she passed it on to be applied on my shift which i didnt apply because the patient has no lice and nits..the MD in front of everybody asked me..how confident are you in your assessment? I told him you could check it yourself and we could start from there and besides lice and nits are soooo common in the Philippines we even put them in bottles...he covered himself with a laugh..now he is saying that with all the new nurses coming in I am already a senior nurse..he is still as arrogant as he is but I don't let his attitude ruin my day..

dazzle256 · Jan 30, 2005

Call the Doc's house and ask to speak to their spouse. Tell them what kind of behavior is going on and ask the spouse how they handle the outbursts at home!
I had a credit agency after me one time for money I didn't owe. I found out who the manager was and tracked down his home phone. Talked to his wife several states away and told her how I felt about her husband's behavior. Must of scared the guy that I could or would do such a thing. Never heard from him again.

LOL..........I think thats the best advise I've ever gotten on this board, and, I have the perfect doctor in mind.

Gorngi · Jan 30, 2005

I just quit my hospital job a few days ago because of 2 abusive (female) doctors who were making sport of making me miserable. Why did they do this??? Who knows. Management just said it would take time for me to "prove" myself to them as a competent nurse........which is bullcrap in my opinion (thanks for the help management). I didn't have trouble with any other doctors. I was browbeaten in front of family of pt's.............who took up for me btw, told not to call anymore to "clarify" orders because their orders shouldn't be so confusing to a good nurse (this order needed clarified by pharamcy as well because it did not make sense). I've told these two about pt's conditions that were very significant and had them say "yeah, so what." (this was advanced tele unit). I've taken telephone orders from them only later for them to say that they did not give me that order. Oh, my I could go on and on. I just couldn't take it anymore. Seems they find someone to pick on and it was me at that time...........I wasn't willing to wait around for them to decide on a new victim.

So, I quit...........good news is I found a better nursing job in LTC with way better hours and way way better pay and a sign on bonus too. So, things worked out. I'm not ready to quit nursing. I love being a nurse. But I refuse to continue to go into a workplace week after week and be miserable. It affects my whole family when I'm not happy...not to mention that the stress lowers my immune system big time.

Anyhow, my advice is if you are stuck in one of these crappy situations, then get out..............there's so many avenues for a nurse. I don't think the docs are going to change.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

i just quit my hospital job a few days ago because of 2 abusive (female) doctors who were making sport of making me miserable. why did they do this??? who knows. management just said it would take time for me to "prove" myself to them as a competent nurse........which is bullcrap in my opinion (thanks for the help management).

i love that!! every place has a nurse, doc or cna that you have to tiptoe around and earn their respect!! :angryfire it's a bunch of bull!!! what are we in, a sorority?? (never been in one, but that's what it feels like sometimes, from what i've heard of them) or is it the military??

Silverhawk · Jan 30, 2005

I found that in community nursing, the doctors were respectful, responsive, and open to our suggestions re: treatments (just a couple of phone calls involved inappropriate doctor responses). Whenever I would call and idenitfy myself and organization, the receptionists would always put me through to the doctors. I guess I'm just suggesting - consider community nursing as an option. I have only good to say about my (former) community nurse co-workers - I do not recall hearing ANY negative remarks from co-workers about co-workers. Actually I heard positive. I even remember saying to one of my psych nurse co-workers (when I went to work in psych for a while and heard this complaining about "no respect") - I replied "you'll get respect if you work in community nursing" - and that was my experience. I would definitely consider going back into community nursing!

What is community nursing? I work in LTC and am begining to H A T E it!

mattsmom81 · Jan 31, 2005

I am currently taking a 'breather' from nursing so I know how you guys feel...my DH would prefer I NOT return to nursing, he feels it is a huge part of my problem with depression. So right now I'm being a housewife, learning about my new town/state/neighborhood, relaxing, thinking of my options, etc. It's a good thing. :)

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2005

I'm a community health nurse...sort of an Occ Health hybrid. As much as I love this job, I have to warn those interested: I make a whole lot less money in it than I did as a hospital nurse or a case manager. Just important for anyone to know before they get jazzed up about the field. I do "career day" speeches to local nursing schools...always lots of interest until I say how much I make.

In my job, I do planning and analysis of policy for my state's 4 million drivers. I oversee older driver programs and anything health related that impairs driving (diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's etc). I do 1:1 case management, about 40 public speaking events per year, teach inservices to DOT staff, testify to the legislature, keep up on research, run a crisis line etc. It is an RN job but I do no hands-on care. I work M-R, 6 am to 4:30 pm. I love it but it wouldn't be for everyone.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2005

i am currently taking a 'breather' from nursing so i know how you guys feel...my dh would prefer i not return to nursing, he feels it is a huge part of my problem with depression. so right now i'm being a housewife, learning about my new town/state/neighborhood, relaxing, thinking of my options, etc. it's a good thing. :)

i'm soooo jealous!!! part of me loves my profession, it's not that i mind working. but it must be nice to get to know yor neighborhood and enjoy life. people who are not in the profession cannot understand what it is like to be a nurse. it's is emotionally draining!!