At what cost are we willing to pay?

[1964nurse]

I up and quit my job with notice a month ago. Ive been in nursing for the past 23 years. As an LPN and RN. working mainly geriatrics, homecare, rehab and agency nursing. My last job of 6 years was with the government. Excellent pay and benefits. This last job of mine broke me. Almost every nurse and co worker is on an antidepressant/anxiety medication, myself included to tolerate the toxic work environment we endure. Same song and dance, Supervisors who make 80,000 plus yr. who like to sit in their offices with select employees discussing their love life's, vacations and other employees. Co workers who would throw you under the bus to make themselves look better in said supervisors eyes. Co workers who refuse to help out because their job for the day is paperwork. Co workers who expect you to do their tasks on top of the ones your responsible for. Co workers who would rather come get you to stop a member from falling out of his chair, rather than spend a few minutes with them, co workers who will stand and watch a confused resident exit the unit w/out intervening because it's not their job, co workers who come to work to relieve you that begin by saying, "I hope you took care of everything because I have been having a rough week." Really ???Co workers who are crying because they've just been enforced to work a double at the last minute for the 2nd time this week and they have children to pick up or have a class their taking to make a better life for themselves. God forbid they have a life outside of work. But you see, the government owns you. HR will remind you that when they offered you the job, you were told it may require being forced. And the residents ? If you can talk, and feed yourself, your the favorite. And when you come in for your shift and find a resident lying in a urine saturated bed and find out the last time they were changed was 7 am ? But write it up and turn it in and the situation is investigated... You are the one who's the bad guy, because they were short that day.... Oh and by the way, we don't have a house supervisor this weekend. Your it. Your an RN and your responsible for whatever happens. Responsible for some co workers who you wouldn't have take care of your dog. Yes, take a vacation.... Come back and it's the same crap. Why stay so long under circumstances... The pay, the insurance, the benefits. Well, it's just not worth it anymore to me. I wanted to feel alive again. I wanted to be able to enjoy my time off work. I want a job with a company I can be proud to work for. I want to work with coworkers who really care. Does it really exist ??? Am I unrealistic ??? I've been applying for clinic nurse positions. The process is slow. My experience is limited. Any thoughts, recommendations? I love to hear where others work. What others who feel the same way have done? I don't know where my journey will lead me, but I know God has a plan for me.... I just want to know what it is NOW. 😉

[amt838]

When you find out what the plan is please share.I am so tired of being abused by the administration,patients,coworkers.March was my final straw.I have had a wonderful career since 1977 and did not want it to end this way.Many years in the ED,as a consultant for DMR and finally working for DMH for the state.I didn't know the facility I was working at was suddenly going to be changed to accommodate prisoners from a state prison facility.We would not have COs or extra staff.I was assaulted twice since August along with many of my peer RNs. At 60 years of age PTSD is real along with the physical effects.The state has been horrible trying to discredit myself and other nurse's as "Psych issues are to hard to prove".Our jobs have been threatened.We have had to see state MDs. Our benefits have been cut off as our issues are not related to our assaults.Our union has filed grievances.Our lawyers are active.I am too afraid to go back even if I was mental able at this time.

[robby5313]

I've been a nurse for 23 years working in clinics and LTC. Although my experiences aren't nearly as horrible as yours, I've had my share of toxic work environments, understaffing, crappy management....the list goes on and on. Please believe that there ARE good nursing jobs out there!! Five years ago I began working in a pediatric specialty clinic and absolutely LOVE it! I'm guessing most clinic positions involve taking a pay cut, but sometimes your happiness and sanity are more important than money. Sure, there are times that I'm stressed out and don't feel that I will ever get all of my work done. But that stress is nowhere near the level I experienced in my previous jobs. My husband is relieved that I no longer come home and rant for hours!! Good clinic jobs are out there. I wouldn't go back for ANY amount of money!!