Just need to vent.....

live4today, RN · Sep 8, 2003

Oh our dearest Dawn! ((((((Dawn)))))) :kiss

Nursing is cruel! I've learned HOW cruel this time around after returning to the field after a six year absence from it. Is it just nursing, or people in general of late that are more cruel and cold towards others? I'm willing to bet, it's in every occupation, on every job, in every social setting, etc. But, since we are nurses, we can address the uncaring cold behavior recognized in nursing today.........NOT all nursing atmospheres..........but certainly in enough for it to be discussed here.

I'm glad your dad is doing well now. If I had been in the same situation, I would have gone to my parents side too. What caring child wouldn't have gone? Even your BOSS would have gone, so don't beat yourself up over having done what any caring child would do for the people who gave them life...not just a job mind you, but a LIFE. :)

We have to accept the fact that we are judged (evaluated) based on biases from those who have the authority over us to do so. They are no more perfect than we are, yet because they are our "bosses", they can choose to evaluate us fairly or poorly based on their own perception ... regardless of how cloudy and unfair their perception of us is.

If they took the amount of time they take to tear us down and pour it into building us up as nurses, we could possibly turn nursing around for the better! So what...you missed a day at work. They didn't honor your reasons. You ticked them off for even having the guts to follow your heart and do what was right by your father. We don't stop being who we are just because we become someone's employee. We still have families, lives outside our jobs, and pressures that no one knows about that pulls at us on a daily basis. You did what was right. I commend you for it. Evaluate yourself. You stated you did a great job, so say Amen to that and don't give it another thought.

Perfect belongs to God. We can strive for "perfection" in life, but we will never attain it as human beings. I "FEEL" you my dear. Keep being the wonderful nurse you believe yourself to be, and pass on to higher ground with yourself. We're here for you! :kiss

MandyInMS · Sep 8, 2003

"A warm body to fill a slot"..think that's how we all feel sometimes :/ I'd have gone to be with my Dad in your shoes and wouldn't of cared who liked it or didn't.Shame people are so cold hearted.Glad he's doing ok now(((hugzzz)))

seanymph · Sep 9, 2003

Thank you so much Cheerfuldoer and Mandy. I don't regret for a second going to be with my Dad. I lost both my Mom and my Husband very suddenly and didn't get to be with either of them at the end. I learned that my family is way more important and precious than any job can ever be. Time is too short. My Dad is 76 yr and I love him with all my heart.

Just makes me mad that I bust my butt at work and take extra shifts when their own call in sick and I get a "satisfactory".

Oh well, I know I am a good nurse and my patients tell me I give them some of the best care they ever get. I'll move on.

Thank you again , and bless you.

BarbPick · Sep 27, 2003

Dear Dawn,

I just accepted my first travel assignment, I start next week. I was told by a few other travel nurses that it matters not for what reason, never take a day off, sick, family, doesn't matter. Heart and understanding has nothing to do with it, you are being brought in to cover empty shift slots. A travel nurse must be an android, feelingless, emotionless.

I hope it is better than you described, Dawn

Barbara

rncopper · Sep 28, 2003

I have to disagree! We are NOT androids! We have feelings, lives, families, illnesses! We are NOT JUST FILL-INS! We should DEMAND respect in our assignments; not to be jerked around just 'cause we are travelers!

Yes, we are there to help them out! But not in deference to our health and well-being.

If I am sick, I CALL IN! Of course, I only do it if I am really bad off, 'cause I don't get paid if I call in sick! I will also complain if I am scheduled 1 on, 1 off, 1 on, 1 off! That kind of schedule is not good for me or my health!

The pervasive thinking that travelers are just fill-ins and that hospital can do what they want with us is JUST RUBBISH!!!!:angryfire Any traveler who participates in promoting that type of thinking from facilities does ALL TRAVELERS A GREAT DISSERVICE! :crying2:

By the way, I have traveled for over 2 1/2 years! And I have NEVER been an android!

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2003

Dawn I am glad your dad is doing better. renerian

BarbPick · Oct 4, 2003

I am far from an android. I said my friends told me that is what is expected. I personally don't know what to expect. It is now tomorrow morning, so last night I took a dry run to the new hospital. Looks all they said it would be. We parked and walked. Security kept my nursing and driver's license and allowed me to take a look see. I went to my assigned unit, PCU, and I saw a comforting site. One nurse was at the desk and a few had "snuck" over to the waiting area to watch the 8th inning of the Marlins (go fish!) San Franscisco Giants baseball playoff game.

All were dressed in white with colored warm up jackets. They told me "Nights" can wear what they want to".

I learned where the snack bar was. I found out the nurses have blood in their veins as my first impression. I am looking forward to Tuesday's orentation. After that, all bets are off.

Anyone care to comment about hints to make a smoothe transition, I remember when I used to orient people, it turned me off to hear "when I was at Mt. Sinai, we did it this way!"

rncopper · Oct 4, 2003

Unfortunately, when I wrote the subject :Traveler's are NOT androids", I did not know that it would show up in all BOLD type!

I did not mean to put you down; I just wanted to emphasize that travelers are people too (it came accross in the written world WAY too harsh!). But travelers should not go into a facility and be a robot. Personality, willingness to help, ability to ASK for help, to say "I don't know how to do this" when you don't, and get along with the way things are done at the facility and get along with the staff: these are some of the keys of being a successful traveler. By no means, though, am I saying to compromise yourself and your standards or your beliefs.

You did a good thing by going to the unit before actually working. I do that all the time. Hints: "observe" the staff dynamics the first couple of days. And offer to help anyone that needs help. Be upbeat, be interested in them and their facility. Moreover, have fun!

I wish you all the best. Traveling has been a life saver for me! I have been doing it for over 2.5 years and will NEVER do anything else!

Good Luck!!!

ainz · Oct 4, 2003

Unfortunately healthcare is a business lke any other, driven by the laws of economics in the good ole USA. I think you wil find the kind of cold, hard, strictly business attitude in any other setting and it is not just because you are a nurse and the evil administration is heartless. Not that you said that but that theme is prominent on this BB and in nursing in general.

I think any of us would have done the same, go be with family in a time lke that. Anyone would unless they are E. Scrooge. Glad to hear your dad is doing OK..

We, like any other employee in any other field have to make decisions that will affect our jobs every day, it is not just because we are victimized nurses. This attitude is old, tired, and pathetic. Can we not get over this?!?!?!?!

gypsyatheart · Oct 5, 2003

Barb! Are you in San Fran??! That's where I'm TRYING to get to!!!

Brownms46 · Oct 5, 2003

{{{{{{{{{dawnc}}}}}}}}} I'm glad to hear your dad is doing well, and I'm sorry to hear the hospital held it against you. It was wrong of them to do that, as it should've been no negative reflection on the care you gave, or how well you work as a team member in that unit!

Not all units are that way, and not all facilities are unfeeling either. On my travel assignment in Oregon, we had the best of the best! And I would have stayed if I could have! We had a traveler who was out so much, d/t newly developed seizure activity. Let me tell you not only was the staff nurses assisting her, but the NM, the residents, the clerical staff, and faculty!!!

Not everywhere is the same, and there is a better way, then expecting people lives to end, when they take a position somewhere! And you know?? That traveler stayed there and went fulltime, and I believe she will be there until the day she stop working:D!