I am writing this totally heart broken and at my wits end.
I started my career as a nurse receiving compliments on what a good job I did. I felt that I was one of those people that had to do my job well and couldn't settle for any less. I had to chart well and provide the care that patients and families were more than satisfied with. They had to know they could count on me and that I was going to be there for them.
After 15 years and multiple hospital settings I have come to realize that it doesn't matter. Over the years, I have witnessed that many of hte units are run by managers and assistant managers that couldn't handle floor nursing and yet their demands on their employees are unrealistic. The people that they choose to be in charge and manage the floor are picked based on friendship and loyalty rather than hard work.
I have worked side by side with techs who run the unit and force nurses to do their work while they find time to sit on the internet or phone and then get out on time while we are stuck over finishing our work. I have walked into many patients rooms to pass pills only to find they had no water, haven't been turned or need urine emptied from urinals or pans that are overflowing. I can't tell you how many pans I have see stained with urine or feces because they don't get rinsed. How often patients are tied up in lines and cords.
I find myself picking up the slack and doing all of the jobs that countless others do not. Why can't people untangle lines? Why aren't pans rinsed from urine or feces? Why won't the techs do tech jobs and make sure people have water or that other needs are met?
In the end, what you get is punished. Punished because you couldn't get your work done. Punished because you couldn't meet everyone's needs and a patient or family felt you took too long to get to them and there was nothing you could say or do to make it right when you knew in your heart that it wasn't your fault. Instead, the blame is on the fact that there is too much for you to do or there is a major imbalance of productivity amongst workers.
The reason for the nursing shortage? Overworked and not appreciated and abused. You can't stick up for yourself, you can't tell them why you couldn't get things done - you can't say nothing. 15 years and nothing to show for it. I have tried nearly every hospital around and I find the negative complainers and the staff that knows how to socialize are the people that are respected and appreciated. It's not about the people that are out there busting their tails. Everyone knows there is a shortage and why but no one does anything and the biggest culprits are the administrators of the hospitals. The majority of those couldn't handle floor nursing or hardly ever experienced it at all.
I leave behind a lot of families and patients that thought I was a great nurse. But when you can't please one in a hundred or more you are a bad nurse. People don't understand the level of demands on a nurse. It is a downright abusive field with little to no appreciation surrounded by many people who are disappointed with their jobs and their choice in the career.
My final blow: After 3 years of sweating to please my last employer and taking the abuse of never hearing anything good - only bad. I went back to agency and went back to a hospital that I worked at 3 years ago. I knew that this hospital had a bad reputation for poor bedside care. Half the staff of any unit could easily be float and agency. The regular staff on the floor was made up of mostly young girls in tight spandex and inviting clothes working on socializing with doctors and hanging out at the desk all day long. Call lights were on non-stop but these girls would not answer them. The techs were busting their tails here. The agency nurses were working but the in house floats were sitting and socializing too. I ended up with a patient with a very bad attitude that was a complainer and law-suit happy. She was furious that for 4 days not one person followed through with obtaining her records from another hospital. It fell on me. I also had a patient admitted with respiratory distress which she shared a room with and could see I was busy. With her personality, she was angry at the moaning of the elderly lady who couldn't breath and was determined to get me to stop and cater to her to get on those records. When I got my respiratory patient stablized, I did just that. Turns out that the other hospital never received any fax requesting the information. This lady hated every person she had contact with at that hospital and wanted to call an agency to get them shut down. I'm sure you know the type by now. So....guess what. I was told today that I was not welcome back because of her complaint. I would literally pull a chair up and sit next to this lady and let her vent. I gave her my heart and I got booted. The nurse that she had the next day was a guy that sat around socializing and didn't care one bit about her. He was regular staff and he was NOT going to go out of his way. They all get to keep their jobs but the nurse that took the time out to take care of her is out the door.
I need a job or I wouldn't take the abuse. But, I know for a fact that this hospital is never going to get it. They were like that 3 years ago and now they have more floats and more agency staffing them. This is a big and reputable hospital.
The hospital I worked at for 3 years was dumping more and more tasks on the nurses and they were all unhappy and complaining. We lost good hard working techs and they were replaced with people who didn't want to work or nursing students who were tired when they came to work and were kicking their feet up taking it easy. Management loved those people.
I suffer from spinal degeneration and pain and I never get to sit down. My job is harder because they are not pulling their weight.
There is nothing left. I still owe for my loan and I am scared to death to take another nursing job. I know it is not going to be any different. I hurt. I lost my insurance and after all that I worked for I have nothing to show for it but bills and a destroyed ego and heart. I feel as though I am the misfit. I am the one who isn't right. I am wrong. I can't even bring myself to waste time on another application since I don't want anything to do with this career any more. I am going to lose my home, my vehicle and everything else.
I have noticed that the field is being taken over by young graduates who are more worried about looking sexy and socializing than working. Patient satisfaction has gone down the tubes and the senior skilled nurses are getting nowhere in this field. There is nothing anyone can do. We all know it is happening but we can't do anything about it.
Well, trust me, it's not every CNA (some are just SO AWESOME!!), and it's not just in nursing/medical fields. You find it everywhere.
No you're right even on our unit there are a couple of superstars. In the end it is the patients that suffer though, which is sad because it reflects on your quality of work as an RN not on the CNAs. Even when the CNAs get in trouble for stuff they CC it to whatever RN was working with them. What sucks is that the unit manager doesn't work the night shift so we can't go cry in her office like day shift does when stuff doesn't get done or gets done halforifice and believe me it happens often enough. I always thought of it as a revolving "I'll scratch your back you scratch mine" deal for patient care...but I'm realizing it doesn't really work that way...although ideally it would..
BrokenRNHeart, I hope you are still reading the replies, 'cz I have a little good news for you.
There are many nursing students and recent grads who care very much about patient care. I'm not sure of your location, but in my area there are at least 5 major hospitals and several schools turning out both RN, RN to BSN, BSN, and MSNP students/grads. True, some just want to have a job to make money - isn't that the way the world sadly is? Otherwise, I know several hundred other students from my time as a student who are people who have a degree in a non-nursing field but who went back to school - started all over again - to become nurses, because they felt the call to make a day to day difference in patients' lives. On that account, please do not feel so discouraged. :wink2:
You mentioned the nursing shortage. Indeed, there is a shortage not just within the United States, but all over the world, and sadly and wonderfully, we are considered a hot commodity, us U.S. educated nurses, so some go abroad. However, the real issue with the shortage is the big bottle neck which is going to get worse for a while: not only are nurses retiring, but nursing FACULTY is retiring. This leads to thousands of would-be nursing students being turned down for admission. In my program alone, several hundred were turned down even with GPA's of 3.3 and higher, plus plenty of community volunteer work. Nursing schools simply cannot turn out the nurses fast enough to keep up with retirement of nurses and nursing faculty, and the nurses on floors are feeling the strain of being caught in the middle. I am sorry for this awful feeling of needing help. There are decent people training to be nurses even now as we speak. :heartbeat
Something else you mentioned was people not untangling others, not turning others, not listening to their patients, etc. Indeed, I have found this to be the case as well. The truth is, some people (wherever you go, whatever field you go into) do not do what they are there being paid to do. It is difficult, but you must try to remind yourself that simply because someone ELSE did not untangle the wires does not make YOU a bad nurse. Because someone else did not empty the bedpan does not make YOU a bad nurse. YOU are doing what you should, and I beg you to remember that there are patients who will remember you and be thankful for you and even say prayers for you years later, as I do when I remember the nurses I have had over the years. I remember the good ones who held my hand when I was scared, who brought me a blanket when I was cold before surgery, who jabbed at my arm 5 times and left me black and blue before I finally said ENOUGH, GET ME SOMONE ELSE... and the next said he would get it in one shot or call someone else - and he DID get it! Remind yourself that just because there are jerks out there making your job near impossible, people do notice, the patients, the coworkers, God/the universe. It is not all for naught. *YOU KNOW.* Sometimes you wonder why you try so hard, why you can't stop yourself from caring. Keep caring, but don't just care for THEM, care for YOU. You are doing good things. Loving things.
Another thing you mentioned is these people who don't do their jobs. Sit and socialize, etc. It is important to document this at home, and to report it at work. If your supervisor is a member of the group, then to another supervisor or to human resources or an anonymous card or however you need to do it. In addition, it is important to remember that just because you were told not to come back, it could be a blessing in disguise. By that I mean, have you ever been fired for no wrong doing on your own part... and found years later that it was really the best thing to happen to you? What does it mean? It means God or the universe is saying, look, lady, you are too good for this place, to be treated this way! DO NOT GO BACK! And if YOU are going to insist on going back, well, lady, I WON'T LET YOU!!! Look at this as a wonderful wall being put up that you are not to return to such an awful environment; it is no good for you, and you are needed elsewhere!
I am sorry that you are feeling frustrated. I think it is very important that you shared your thoughts here, and I hope that you are open to the good things coming your way in life. I don't remember nurses' faces, but I remember nurses' actions and their hearts I recognized underneath. People may not write you thank you notes or come back to see you, but I guarantee those you touched 15 years prior or 10 years or last year... they know. Indeed, perhaps you were asked not to return because that woman appreciated your action and said something like 'why could she get it done but none of YOU ALL could?' and they were embarrassed. You just never know.
I appreciate you and I don't even know you. Thank you for being a good example for all of us newer-ish nurses. Keep on keepin' on, lady!
There is no shortage in the US. With The Dept of Labor stats, this is a proven fact. The shortage is of nurses willing to be abused by hospitals.
Remember- there is a surplus of licensed RNs in the US.
What's funny is that there are three open RN positions on my unit alone, and no shortage of applicants, yet the positions go unfilled. I guess those three positions get reported as there being a "shortage" despite the hiring freezes that occur all the time
good point- there wont be any left. we were discussing this on my unit today- cardiac stepdown, gtts, full care pts- today we had 4 nurses and 1 tech. thats it-for 26 pts mgmts answer - "sorry" we cant close ed just cause you dont have staff- today i had 7 pts- doesnt sound like much on a med surg floor- but thats with no tech support( so own vs, ntg gtts, heparing gtts, cardizem gtts etc. and when i told the off shift directer that i was taking the assignment under protest- all she said was i know, but we cant do anything about that. I of course brought up how convenient it is that if ANYTHING goes wrong- it is MY ASS on the line- my license, my livelyhood, etc.May I remind you guys, the NURSE is resposible. That is why we are licensed. Since we have no say in our assignment- the hospital will just say- gee well they shouldnt have taken that assignment( this has actually happened to another nurse i work with), but the nurse also couldnt refuse the admits. The Hospital will NOT stand up for you. They will not support you in any way. I hope like hell i am never sick enough to ever have to go to a hospital- cause i know i will not get taken care in mine!
I just hope i can get out in time before a catastrophie( sorry sp?) happens- at this rate it is bound to happen soon. Its too bad hospitals dont care about their employees, and there will be more nurses not working in these conditions where they are the SCAPEGOAT. Hopefully this comes to a head soon.
You poor thing! I cried reading this, because I know what you mean. I am a new grad, but I have been a CNA for 10 years. I have worked so hard, harder than the other CNA's and nurses I worked with, to be the best. I couldn't leave the floor in the kind of mess you described, because my conscience would bother me. I finally made it through nursing school because I figured it was the only way I could make things change in the hospitals I worked in. I figured if I were in charge, everything would be done right, and the patients would get the best care possible. (I'm sure that's not going to be the case, but I'll still try!)
I am sickened by most of the new nurses I have met over the past few years. The big draw for the nursing field right now is money. Thats all most of these people are in it for, and let me tell you (those of you who are in it for the money) it will not take you far. You are right, most only care about looking good and having fun, but when it comes down to it, this isn't Gray's Anatomy!! I am tired of those who are in nursing for the wrong reasons (i.e. my sister-in-law want's to be a perioperative nurse because she saw it on Gray's anatomy and thought (insert valley girl accent here) "it like, looks neat!").
I honestly think they should give every potential nursing student an intense psychological evaluation before they are allowed to enter the nursing program. This job is one of the most emotional, high stress, high responsibility jobs out there, and they are taking teenagers fresh out of high school, with no coping skills, or work ethic. I have witnessed (and reported) numerous cases of abuse and negligence from nurses who obviously couldn't handle the job.
The hospital isn't the food court at the mall, it isn't Macy's, it's not the 7-11. You don't come to work to hang out! I want to work with professionals who show up on time, don't screw off while on the floor, can maintain a good bedside manner, provide excelent patient care, and can be pleasant with other staff.
I am really understanding why they say "nurses eat their young". I think there have been too many experienced nurses treated poorly by new nurses, that they have to stick up for themselves somehow... Not that I agree with that or would be mean to a new nurse...
Don't give up, the world needs more nurses with a great work ethic like yours!! I wish we could all get together and work at the same hospital. I saw a comment about home health, you might give that a try, I like it.
One option for your student loans is the Indian Health Service. They repay your student loans (up to 20000.00 a year I think) for signing a contract with them. It means relocating to an indian reservation, but for some people it's worth it. I lived on the Navajo reservation with my mom while she worked for IHS, and it was one of the best times of my life.
God, that's a scary thought... sad, too... I guess I'm one of the lucky ones... the floor I work on (med/surg) is very team oriented & we work well together, if someone is having a horrid night we all jump into help out. I'm glad I found a place to be welcomed & appreciated the staff was short before I arrived... but I had worked as an aide before at the same place & my previous supervisor told me of the opening & asked me to come back. We even have a supervisor, our scheduler, that has been working the floor to help out when we are short... I think it's awesome...
I guess I'm a naive newbie... but I love my job & the place I work for... I did not realize there is some much controversy & disention in the field... things must change or we will forever be working understaffed & overstressed!!
actually the schedular unless it is your DON or administrator is not a supervisor no matter how you look at it other than they have your time slot in thier hands. i have seen many cnas turned schedulars and ward clerks etc being forced to work the floor because they have the cna certificate. they are right in the same place the rest of us are - and the managers are the jerks that put them and us here,. i have not worked anywhere in recent yrs that ANY manager ( ie read - DON or administrator - ) take the floor when itis short staffed- and the excuse is alwasy though they hold an RN license they are not ALOOWED to work the floor being a manager. go figure- managers used to picth right in and get dirty if needed. thier rational is they dont "know the floor" - well - to bad neither do most oif the traveling nurses- if they can use traveling they should be able to help.
Wow. I am headed into nursing school at 37 years of age after losing a child to cancer. I can assure you no part of me is concerned with looking "sexy" in my career.
It sounds like I would be better off shooting myself than becoming a nurse. Maybe in 15 years in the field I will see things your way but I really hope not. The nurses that cared for my son were amazing and I can't wait to affect people's lives the way they affected mine. Even though he died, I am still so grateful to the men and women that helped us through that horrible ordeal.
I refuse to believe its all bad and refuse to believe I can't make a difference. And I don't think that all new nurses want to flirt and look sexy and not work.
for me i just can hope that you stay in when you get here and see what goes on. honeslty i dont see the trying to be sexy bit a lot - some but no more than any other job - its the BS that goes on and the lack of training for new people and lack of continuing ed for those of us already in that cant afford it on their own - teh lack of consideration for us and our families =- the lack of supporting us in times of distress - the lack of believeing in us instead of coddling tothe pt who causes trouble-
i will welcome you to the profession with a glad heart and pray you do notleave soon after as so many new grads do and have done.
Definitely a long break and perhaps some professional counseling to get rid of the garbage Yes, this board is a fantastic place to vent and get the support you need. I was nodding my head thru much of what you wrote and sadly have had the same experiences BUT
I am confused as to the agency work. Don't you get to say, "I will not return to such and such a facility" and instead get to choose the ones that are less abusive? That's one thing that I really liked about agency the way I experienced it - and also didn't have to get involved in the politics ...
I hope and pray you have some nice quality quiet time with yourself to recuperate - and find yourself doing what you love in a way that does not destroy you. God bless.
this is what i have experienced in agency BUT i have heard of people who have not been welcomed back - they get on a "list" at theplace and are not allowed back - usually from what i have heard between the lines :) it seems usually some personality conflict with a regular staff member and then the staff member complains and then they wont bring em back just for that. doesnt seem right but it happens.
Remind yourself that just because there are jerks out there making your job near impossible, people do notice, the patients, the coworkers, God/the universe. It is not all for naught. *YOU KNOW.* Sometimes you wonder why you try so hard, why you can't stop yourself from caring. Keep caring, but don't just care for THEM, care for YOU. You are doing good things. Loving things.
Look at this as a wonderful wall being put up that you are not to return to such an awful environment; it is no good for you, and you are needed elsewhere!
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Yes, this board is a fantastic place to vent and get the support you need. I was nodding my head thru much of what you wrote and sadly have had the same experiences BUT
november17, ASN, RN
1 Article; 980 Posts
No you're right even on our unit there are a couple of superstars. In the end it is the patients that suffer though, which is sad because it reflects on your quality of work as an RN not on the CNAs. Even when the CNAs get in trouble for stuff they CC it to whatever RN was working with them. What sucks is that the unit manager doesn't work the night shift so we can't go cry in her office like day shift does when stuff doesn't get done or gets done halforifice and believe me it happens often enough. I always thought of it as a revolving "I'll scratch your back you scratch mine" deal for patient care...but I'm realizing it doesn't really work that way...although ideally it would..