Be honest: do you feel valued by your employer?

sunnyskies9 · Dec 31, 2016

Upstanding employers are not unheard of, though. Look at Huffington Post, for example. They are very focused on their employees' wellness and see value in keeping happy, healthy employees, as it increases productivity and creativity. In the past I have felt valued from my immediate supervisors, however, it seems like those days are gone, as my hospital has recently been doing more with less.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2016

I felt more valued when I worked retail. My current employer sees me as an ungrateful ***** because I stand up for myself and am a patient advocate. They've cut my shifts, denied me bonuses I've earned, screwed me out of insurance, etc. I stay because I'm done with school (ASN) in a few months which will open more doors around here, than my current LPN license.

guest974915 · Dec 31, 2016

Upstanding employers are not unheard of, though. Look at Huffington Post, for example. They are very focused on their employees' wellness and see value in keeping happy, healthy employees, as it increases productivity and creativity. In the past I have felt valued from my immediate supervisors, however, it seems like those days are gone, as my hospital has recently been doing more with less.

This description more closely aligns with my definition of 'respect'-I don't feel that it necessarily is about verbal praise, recognition for doing the job that we're hired to do, cheap trinkets and doodads at Christmas, or even monetary compensation-although that's important also! To my mind, workplace attitudes, ethics, and policies are all areas in which respect is truly reflected. Things like; Zero tolerance of any forms of discrimination (age, gender, race, sexual orientation...), Supporting nurses and nursing, (even if that conflicts with high revenue generating physician's needs/wants), and strictly enforcing safe nurse/patient and practices. Most hospitals that I have worked, give voice to these same lofty expectations, yet do not embody them in their managerial culture and are just empty words. Some nurses have commented that financial compensation is enough, and their only expectation, but I guess I want more for our profession. Just being paid for a service, disrespected, and then expected to go quietly away-doesn't that sound more like the world's oldest profession? Am I wrong?

sunnyskies9 · Dec 31, 2016

This description more closely aligns with my definition of 'respect'-I don't feel that it necessarily is about verbal praise, recognition for doing the job that we're hired to do, cheap trinkets and doodads at Christmas, or even monetary compensation-although that's important also! To my mind, workplace attitudes, ethics, and policies are all areas in which respect is truly reflected. Things like; Zero tolerance of any forms of discrimination (age, gender, race, sexual orientation...), Supporting nurses and nursing, (even if that conflicts with high revenue generating physician's needs/wants), and strictly enforcing safe nurse/patient and practices. Most hospitals that I have worked, give voice to these same lofty expectations, yet do not embody them in their managerial culture and are just empty words. Some nurses have commented that financial compensation is enough, and their only expectation, but I guess I want more for our profession. Just being paid for a service, disrespected, and then expected to go quietly away-doesn't that sound more like the world's oldest profession? Am I wrong?

I completely agree. I don't need extra monetary compensation or gifts. I want respect, and it would be nice that my employer has my back and cares about each person. I want to be able to place my full trust in management as well.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Dec 31, 2016

Extremely valued, but heck I value me......)) sorry little cocky((

AceOfHearts<3 · Dec 31, 2016

I say no, because if they truly valued me they would improve staffing ratios.

Palliative Care, DNP · Dec 31, 2016

When I was a floor nurse I never once felt valued where I was employed. The only thing administration seemed to care about was a pulse & a license. No one cared that you were stretched too thin, overworked, underpaid, and constantly short staffed.

Now as an APRN in the hospital, administration can't bend over enough to make sure that I am happy and have the tools I need to be successful. It has been an eye opener for sure.

Rexie · Dec 31, 2016

My manager has told us how much she appreciates and values us. Whatever she can do for us, she has. This seems mostly related to scheduling issues, though.

As far a the upper managaement goes, absolutely not. They've cut back holidays, vacation accrual rates, etc. And then they had the audacity to send out an email that pretty much told us that the low wages we earn are pretty much the norm for our area so that's it. (Which is not true. Other hospitals in the area are known to pay better).

My wonderful manager is the reason I stay for now but if the right position opens up elsewhere, I'm gone.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 1, 2017

And then they had the audacity to send out an email that pretty much told us that the low wages we earn are pretty much the norm for our area so that's it. (Which is not true. Other hospitals in the area are known to pay better).

Do we work for the same employer? We've been told that too, as well as with our pittance of an on call rate that hasn't changed in over 25 years. Over $8 less/hour than one nearby hospital.

Aunt Slappy · Jan 1, 2017

Do we work for the same employer? We've been told that too, as well as with our pittance of an on call rate that hasn't changed in over 25 years. Over $8 less/hour than one nearby hospital.

If you subtracted $8 from my on-call pay, you'd be at - $4.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 1, 2017

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've felt valued by all of my employers.

erniefu, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2017

During this Christmas, the CEO offered to give staff a free Christmas dinner to those that worked. Of course, none of the nurses on the floors got one as the dinners ran out before the nurses could get off the floors for break.