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.
I truly feel for you. I work at a small hospital, and it is no different. I left the hospital, I love outpt, I work infusion and wounds and the other job I loved was home health. If you are in an area with these type of options, with your experience you should be able to find something, good luck!
I realize this is an old post, but maybe people will get re-interested in it.
I currently work in digital marketing going to school at night for a career change into nursing. I hate to say it but, I experience the exact same thing in my field (can't get it all done because I'm doing the work of the rest of the team while they goof off then the slacking socializers and happy-hour'ers are the ones who get raises while I make the least). Not to undermine the feelings of the original poster, but after a few career changes, I'm beginning to feel like most fields are like that.
And as a "whistleblower" (term used very loosely) at my current job, I feel like I am the one who, in my boss' eyes, is seen as the difficult one to work (because I'm carrying all the weight, exhausted, frustrated, and not getting the recognition or compensation for my efforts).
I regret to hear that nursing has the same issues. Do Advanced Practice Nurses deal with this issue as much?
I realize this is an old post, but maybe people will get re-interested in it.
(can't get it all done because I'm doing the work of the rest of the team while they goof off then the slacking socializers and happy-hour'ers are the ones who get raises while I make the least).
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i dont know if there is a LOT of slackers - i know we have some but the majority of nursings problem is not slackers so much as management plain and simply not giving us enough to begin with............in my opinion ayhow.
Wow. What a powerful, emotional thread this is. I find myself nodding in agreement and understanding so much. I would love to hear from BrokenRNheart and see how she is doing today. I hope there has been healing for her and that she has happiness and a job that she loves right now. Thank you to all who participated in this thread.
I am probably one of the most positive people in the world, but from what I have seen in less than 2 years of nursing on an acute floor, I, too, will most likely be contributing to the shortage also as soon as my contract is up.
BrokenHeart could easily be describing MY unit, to a "T." Lazy beligerent techs sitting on the internet while you are running like mad, cattle prodding managers who won't support you, getting blamed for EVERYTHING, yet being whipped to leave at a reasonable hour, which is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE if you are to DO THE JOB RIGHT. I work like a dog, yet it's never, ever enough. Our unit has gone from a start up to a JACO award winning unit, yet our managers still can't find it in themselves to treat us decently, staff us right, or care about anything else except the "hotel service." I have caught them gossiping about me and other co-workers behind their closed doors, all while we are all out on the floor busting our butts -- something I find absolutely horrid and cowardly. You are also constantly dodgng the caustic co-workers and secretaries, hoping upon hope that you aren't written up for whatever piddling offense they can pin on you. I could go on and on. Never in a million years would I have even dreamed nor believed anyone who told me how bad nurses are treated. It seems sometimes worse than someone would treat an animal.
I am thinking and thinking lately of my next step. I have a former degree, and I will now most likely get out of the hospital setting, or leave leave nursing altogether, never EVER to return. I also could care less if I lose skills at this point -- I will at least have saved my health and my sanity. I am starting to have chest pains, anxiety, insomnia, and I'm eternally exhausted. Just not worth it.
AT this point, I'd rather do two part time jobs for less money. That is where I'm at. No, even three. Perhaps an immunization clinic, or home health, or private nursing, as someone mentioned. There ARE options.
I just don't know how it's gone on this long in this day and age of so-called "women's liberation." Nurses just absolutely have NO rights. I feel as if I could never EVER speak up at my unit -- I'd be totally blackballed. Our manager has made one nurse's life a living hell because he/she spoke up. We all see it and see him/her as the example, so the rest of us are now just squashed. It's insidious. I have no idea where they get these manager types -- they are like evil drones from H**l.
Specializes in Navy Nurse, Med-Surg., OR, Psych, Rehab.
AMEN! Nursing nowadays is not what it should be or was meant to be. For me, as a 35 year-old gal, newly divorced and with no kids, I was ready to leave nursing after 19 years of hospital abuse. What I actually did was join the NAVY Nurse Corps, something no-one thought I could do, and which I wasn't sure I could do either. If I knew when I was a new grad waht I know now, I would have joined at age 20, and be already retired! It was the best thing I ever did. While nothing is perfect, the attitudes, profesionalism, mutual respect, and spirit of knowing you do something that matters, are things I had not known in 19 years. The common culture allows everyone around you to know exactly what you mean when you have a gripe, or are missing your family, etc. Everyone has "been there". I recommend military nursing to anyone who asks me. For the opportunities, benefits, experiences and feeling like you are appreciated and respected, there is no better career path in my opinion. The patients, whether Active Duty, retired, or family members are unbelievable grateful and appreciative. It's not for everyone, but if you 're willing to move around, want to challenge yourself, make great friends, and have a great life in general, think about the NAVY. Love it !!! Please don't give in to the craziness out there
AMEN! Nursing nowadays is not what it should be or was meant to be. For me, as a 35 year-old gal, newly divorced and with no kids, I was ready to leave nursing after 19 years of hospital abuse. What I actually did was join the NAVY Nurse Corps, something no-one thought I could do, and which I wasn't sure I could do either. If I knew when I was a new grad waht I know now, I would have joined at age 20, and be already retired! It was the best thing I ever did. While nothing is perfect, the attitudes, profesionalism, mutual respect, and spirit of knowing you do something that matters, are things I had not known in 19 years. The common culture allows everyone around you to know exactly what you mean when you have a gripe, or are missing your family, etc. Everyone has "been there". I recommend military nursing to anyone who asks me. For the opportunities, benefits, experiences and feeling like you are appreciated and respected, there is no better career path in my opinion. The patients, whether Active Duty, retired, or family members are unbelievable grateful and appreciative. It's not for everyone, but if you 're willing to move around, want to challenge yourself, make great friends, and have a great life in general, think about the NAVY. Love it !!! Please don't give in to the craziness out there
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Just was reading the tail end of this thread. I gotta say, I took 5 yrs off and w/ great trepidation went back. I went back to work in an Alzheimer's nursing home and it was HARD, and a bit discouraging, to think I shaved my head for THIS? But then for lifestyle reasons I changed to Evenings. What a difference! I actually GET to be a NURSE, not a babysitter! I actually REMEMBER stuff, and get excited to LOOK THINGS UP that I DON'T, or that are new! Oh thank God! It's been about 6 wks I think since I switched from nocs to eves (I am sure the better sleep pattern helps) and I am so glad I did! Yep it's hard to get tasks done by the end of the shift - I am so easily distracted! and "stuff happens". But this is so rewarding. I am glad I went back! WHEW! Thought my nursing career was over
wow! i wanted to read every single post in this thread, but i gave up at page 7 and jumped to page 27. i'm glad it's still active, because the sentiments expressed here will never go away (although we all wish things were different.) i, too, have 15 yrs of bedside patient care, running from med-surg, tele, step-down, home health hospice, rehab, as well as short term gigs in other areas like pacu, special procedures, etc. i've also done travel nursing and agency nursing over the years.
i always felt if i kept moving around, i would find my niche (sp?), but it never happened. i always ended up feeling just the way our op felt, way back in march of 2008. i am right where she was. i have been hunkered-down and afraid to make a move since i ended my last nursing job in december of last year. i'm so tired of being "less than"; tired of falling short of what is expected of me as an rn. tired of dragging my self home like a beaten-down dog with my tail between my legs. i'm drowning financially, yet the fear of losing everything i have can't even come close to my fear of trying yet another nursing job. they always end badly. how can you keep applying and interviewing for jobs that you know in your heart and soul that you don't want?
i will continue to try and read the rest of the posts in this excellent thread, but i'd like to ask a question for you all. of those of you who have been where i am now, and where so many of us have been (ready to live on the streets before going back to nursing,) what careers or jobs have you found since leaving nursing, and how do they compare? i mean, how has the quality of your life changed? is there life after nursing? have any of you found one of those types of nursing jobs that we always hear are "out there"? is your only regret that you didn't leave sooner? (i know; that's more than "a question", but i can't stop myself.)
has anyone tried being a coder? how about private duty nursing? how did you go about finding patients, determining what to charge for your services, paying for your own health insurance? anyone put an ad on craigslist and just said, "rn for hire"? what happened, if you did?
i will look into the temp agencies, as i read in previous posts. that sounds like a really good plan of action, to get me unstuck for now.
all i want is to be able to pay my bills and not dread what i do in order to pay them. i'm 47 years old, my body is wearing out and i'm tired on so many levels. going back to college is out of the question. my options seem so few, but is that any reason to keep laying myself across the railroad tracks? the train always comes.
i hope to hear from you! keep this thread alive...
I can see where the OP is coming from and I am about 3 years in!! As of now, I still enjoy my job most days but I think it's because I don't identify myself 100% with nursing. It sounds horrible, but you have to separate yourself from this job somewhat or it will eat you alive. Am I proud to be a nurse? Absolutely. But, if I ever reach a point where it is killing me slowly, then I will find a new path. Thankfully, I've always been one of those people who isn't afraid to start over again or reinvent my life.
It also helps me that I don't have patient family and visitors to worry about, and that we get breaks and lunches. But, I relate totally to the people who kiss the butts of management getting all the praise. I understand about clueless administration. Right now, I put up a good fight but what will happen in 10 years or so?
It makes me ill to think that ultimately, the ones who suffer are the patients but people(management) still don't get it. They are so blind to all this-makes you just want to shake them to wake them up.:angryfire
Op, I wish you the best. You are still young. Your life isn't over.Take time to mourn and then sit down and think about what you truly love, where your interests are and go from there. Don't let these money grubbing, nurse abusing idiots have more power over you because this is your life-they've taken enough from you.
ibatwoman
6 Posts
I truly feel for you. I work at a small hospital, and it is no different. I left the hospital, I love outpt, I work infusion and wounds and the other job I loved was home health. If you are in an area with these type of options, with your experience you should be able to find something, good luck!