Anything you'd like to change in your work environment

Sonjailana · Feb 3, 2009

a) not having the supplies I need when I need them (everything from syringes, Vitals machines, Respirex, you name it)

b) not having a daily uninterrupted break

c) not being able to complete a conversation with a patient without five interruptions/phone calls

Fiona59 · Feb 3, 2009

Strict enforcement of visiting hours. I know that some people work shifts and the set visiting hours can be difficult but when most people are in for under 36 hours, round the clock visiting isn't necessary.

If a nurse or NA asks a visitor to step out of the room, it's for a reason.

Common sense, who brings a new born onto a unit with MRSA?

I guess what I really want to see changed is the idea that the patient and their family are gods and must be listened to on all matters.

For pity's sake you're in hospital for a reason.

rn2bn07, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

#1. I believe that psych nurses should be able to treat med surg patients too, having 6-8 pt's is not easy to deal with and having a pt on the floor admitted for diarrhea and is in a manic phase of bipolar, please treat them in the psych unit!

#2. IV pumps and poles should automatically be connected to the walls in the pt's rooms. Looking for a pump or pole and then having to order them and waiting for them can be dangerous and life threatening when the pt needs Cardizem or placed on a Insulin drip right away.

#3. Beepers should only buzz for real ekg interpretations, NOT ARTIFACTS :angryfire, omg, my beeper goes off all day from my pt shivering in the bed, or sneezing.

#4. Doctor's need to show us some respect, especially midnight shift, we need you and you need us. We are a team, so don't get mad when I call you at 3am to get or clarify an order.

I know there's more but I can't hog the page...

JB2007, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

In my opinion one thing would bring about a lot of positive change. Give me some respect as a intelligent professional nurse. Patients treat us like we are there to treat them like they are in a highend hotel. Family members that have absolutly no medical back ground treat us like we are stupid and that they can talk to/yell at us any way they please. Doctors treat us like we are stupid and we are calling them for grins and chuckles. CNAs/techs are insubordinate. Even other nurses treat nurses like they are no better than the gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe.

So there is two things that will bring about great change in the nursing profession: 1. Nurses demand respect for our profession. We are intellegent professionals that deserve respect! 2. Others need to respect nurses.

I love my profession, but I do not love being treated like crap on a daily basis.

gulRNBSN · Feb 4, 2009

yes, I agree. It's always hard to find a pump. I've noticed it in clinicals too. The nurses on the unit said they use the pump only in extreme cases due to availability issues

chicookie, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

In my opinion one thing would bring about a lot of positive change. Give me some respect as a intelligent professional nurse. Patients treat us like we are there to treat them like they are in a highend hotel. Family members that have absolutly no medical back ground treat us like we are stupid and that they can talk to/yell at us any way they please. Doctors treat us like we are stupid and we are calling them for grins and chuckles. CNAs/techs are insubordinate. Even other nurses treat nurses like they are no better than the gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe.
So there is two things that will bring about great change in the nursing profession: 1. Nurses demand respect for our profession. We are intellegent professionals that deserve respect! 2. Others need to respect nurses.
I love my profession, but I do not love being treated like crap on a daily basis.

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

travel50 · Feb 4, 2009

Amen to all of the above. What dimwit brings a new baby into a room when a patient has MRSA? Some people should not be allowed to breed...(oh, that was tacky!)

Let's see...Nursing homes (where I am the DON) are for some reason expected to change dressings without dressing supplies, hang IV meds with no pump, and clean trachs without trach kits (how many times I have made the 20 min drive to borrow them from a gracious hospital).

I have to leave the building to get a break...and then they remember that I have a cell phone. And as noted above, we can't talk to a patient without being constantly interrupted.

I am very fortunate to be close to our doctors. They are very good to all my staff. Matter of fact, one doctor was so upset that he felt he had yelled at my midnite nurse on the phone that he called back and apologized to her. Then called me in the AM to confess and apologize. The nurse insisted he had not yelled.

But what bothers me the most is the backbiting, criticizing, hurtful gossip, and refusal to help each other among nursing staff, both nurses and aides. Why do they "eat their young" or those just new to the facility? I periodically line them up and "throw a fit" about this, then they do better for awhile. Then they do it again. And why!!! They are very attached to me, and I to them. They will do anything I ask of them. Except for this one point. It is almost like they feel compelled to treat each other this way. I'll be delighted for any advice on this.

Riseupandnurse · Feb 4, 2009

I think one reason nurses backbite and tear each other down, especially new nurses, is that the structure of health care is so paternalistic. it brings out all the old issues we had with our brothers and sisters trying to get mommy and daddy to love us best. You sound like you do a great job, travel 50, but it is the nature of the beast of health care, and probably of human nature, to try to feel better about yourself in a subordinate position by making others look bad in comparison to you. Sign me, oldest of 5.

gulRNBSN · Feb 4, 2009

First, I'd like to thank everyone for their responses!

And here is another thought:

What do you think about the hourly nursing rounds that some of the hospitals started to implement?

Tait, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

When cutbacks happen, I would love it if I didn't have to pick up everything that someone else used to do.

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 4, 2009

I envy well designed workspaces and I would love a few layout changes for my unit.

Newly built hospital spaces have wider hallways, plentiful sinks outside patient rooms, no blind corner rooms, no semi-private rooms, enough desk space in nursing stations even after computers have been installed, well-located nursing lounges(not too far away, but far enough for a retreat).