Are all nurses overworked and underpaid?

Nurses Relations

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I'm a new nurse in West Virginia and must say it has been a disturbing and eye opening year to the poor treatment of those working in one of the most demanding professions today.

I would like to hear from other nurses to find out how they deal with assignments that are impossible to do "by the book"

How do you deal with all the changes in medication packaging to prevent mistakes?

How do you get all the paperwork done with any time left over to actually take care of patients?

How do you do 16 hour shifts and stay clear headed enough to do your work?

I think that only a woman would allow these working conditions to continue because we sacrifice ourselves for others.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
You came out of nursing school this way? The OP clearly stated she was a new nurse so I understand exactly where she's at. The past 30 years have seen a dramatic escalation of things that separate the nurse from patient. Slash and burn of ancillary staff. Escalation of protocol over common sense. Profit as the measure of success rather than quality. My advice to bluebird is to find a mentor, someone you trust and respect, and ask their advice. If your workplace is toxic and you can't find the support you need find a job where you can.

Yes, I came out of nursing school this way; I went in eyes wide open how challenging nursing can be as well as healthcare being a business; I seen 50% of hospitals close in my area due to the corporization of healthcare in the mid 1990s; I was warned to "not go into nursing" when I was in my teens due to a bleak economy and changes in reimbursement (sound familiar?). I choose nursing based on objectivity, and it has a fit for me; my objectivity has helped me prepare policies and contribute to honing nurses practice; I don't blow smoke; I create fires to get things done, and have done so successfully.

I live by the philosophy to have expectations for yourself; it prepares me to define my reaction and be the change I can seek or go somewhere else.

I don't know the OP's sex; I am a female, and to state that we ALLL roll over to horrible conditions is not accurate; to think so denies individuals such as Norma Rae who fought for better working conditions.

I answered the question based on my experiences, which were shaped by NURSES, and it wasn't by some flaw to bow down to "conditions", or whatever.

There are plenty who are in this business that do the same, contribute to change, as past historians did.

We have the power to change things, it's only up to us; the OP can DO that, even as a new nurse, honing their practice. :yes:

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Women and men are fundamentally different. There has never been a strong workers rights movement for women in this country, in contrast to men. Women are less likely to strike, less likely to aggressively negotiate better wages, etc. The unions during the industrial revolution that arose in the USA were, historically, composed of men, even though women were also working in factories at the time.

Pretty sure Norma Rae was female.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Pretty sure Norma Rae was female.

She immediately came to mind when I read that post too.

I am so "contentious" in other threads I thought I would let it pass.

Thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.
Pretty sure Norma Rae was female.

That's a movie. Also, exceptions do not invalidate something that is generally true. That's why they're called "exceptions."

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Specializes in Emergency.
That's a movie. Also exceptions do not invalidate something that is generally true. That's why they're called "exceptions."[/quote']

Ok, Crystal Lee Sutton if you like.

I don't think being mostly female has held up my union any, check out the news from Eastern Canada, those ladies are about to kick some butt (hopefully).

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
That's a movie. Also, exceptions do not invalidate something that is generally true. That's why they're called "exceptions."

Not everyone's story is recorded or documented; so we REALLY don't know "exceptions".

I have come to know and witness advances in our professions by people, that happen to be women, that have made advances for the better, including better working conditions; so, not everyone is running to the media to tell their story. :no:

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
That's a movie. Also, exceptions do not invalidate something that is generally true. That's why they're called "exceptions."

The movie was based on the true story of Crystal Lee Sutton.

Or, how about Karen Silkwood.

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