Best quality care cannot be provided

[uniqueguy34]

After working as an RN at a hospital for a month, I came to a realization that providing quality healthcare to patients is a total BS in this kind of setting.. When we as nurses, always in that rush mode.. We're being on charting, passing meds.. We have 5+ patients to chart on.. And dealing with unexpected disruption all day long.. Guess what.. This is money driven industry.. What I was taught in nursing school cannot be applied in real situations.. Is there anyway to cut on the charting and make more time available to actually be more attentive to patients? Am I wrong? Do you guys agree with me? Wouldn't it be a lot better to work with fewer patients and not feel overwhelmed that you want to leave on time.. I am really considering working in different setting. However. I will not be learning as much.. But I will be providing focused care.. I won't spend my day charting.. It's a shame.. Your input is welcomed..

[nutella, MSN, RN]

That is why nurses need to unionize. I know you say the word union and people start bristling, but when you have no voice you need to band together. I know union dues cost money, but they help you stay longer in the game. Right now unions are lobbying in congress to control patient to nurse ratios. None of us has the money to hire lobbyists on our own. Think again if you think union dues are expensive. ANA and other organizations have done **** for nurses so far. Tell me one bill they helped pass.

Just to let you know - controlling nurse to pat ratio does not automatically translate into less work load, higher quality of care, or less stress. In fact, employers just re-arrange and hire less CNA or more LPN or less experienced nurses that cost less. Plus the patient acuity gets more. There is a huge difference between 4 walking patients and 4 full care drains/tubes/q 2 hour meds ......

[monkey205]

When I started nursing 20+ years ago, I worked on cardiac step-down and used to do all my own AM care for my patients (we didnt' have aides) I bought in great smelling baby soap and lotion, and while doing their bathes, I did my full assessments. I did this for few years until my manager advised me to 'pick my priorities' as bathing was not one of them. She didn't get that a) complete assessments were completed by the time all care was given, and b) once my patients were washed - they were energized to get out of bed and begin a new day. Nursing now is pushing meds and papers - nothing more. Sad!

[sarlou]

It's everywhere.....the pts. aren't the #1 priority (except to us as nurses). I changed from 33yrs in LTC to a rural hosp. Changing jobs helped my attitude (for now). Who knows where all this will end.

[Kssrn404]

Thanks to all of you for the replies.. I'm just very chocked. I've done homecare.. It wasnt bad depending on the case of course. What I really liked is school nursing.. You don't chart at all.. You sit there and students come to u. Not overwhelming.. However the downside to not working in a hospital is that you do not keep up with skills.. But again I think about it.. That I worked so hard for my license.. And I have paranoia about losing it.. But in homecare or school settings.. U almost can never lose your license.. In the hospital you're prone to mistakes.. Lots of interruptions.. I agree with all of you.. I guess. Eventually it's about finding that perfect balanced position.. Maybe lab cath, or ER, or specialty unit.. But working on the floor is not easy.. Ugh. Also sometimes dealing with rude co-workers..

Thats why I prefer working in the heart recovery unit. Eight beds. Although it's tough because the pts are very sick I know everything about my one or two pts from head to toe. I round w each doc and get to do full assessments. I'm not saying it's any harder than the floor. I've done both. I'm more in control over the situation. The family doesn't interrupt me for their own selfish things like "can "pt" go down outside w us to smoke?" Yeah, I've gotten that one many times. Or a fifth cousin twice removed at the nurses desk asking me about the pts condition while I'm trying to pass meds to six people. Don't get me wrong, I love working with immediate family members but not all of the nosey friends and relatives.

[uniqueguy34, BSN, MSN]

i would like to thank all of you for leaving replies. I am on orientation and I am starting to think about quitting. I am just afraid that i wont be able to do it. 5 ICU patients,. on ventilators. extremely sick. multi-organ failure. full mess. lots of following up with doctors. and charting. i feel that i dont have time to do lots of things. but again. i really like management. its small hospital you know everyone almost. and i am getting paid for orientation.. quiting now makes me feel bad. so im going to see how i feel after im done orienting. if i feel that its unbearable. I am going to quit.