3 Big Issues?

1. Stupid insurance rules that create a barrier to my patients getting the care they need.

2. Alt health practitioners who think they have some special knowledge about health that us mainstream providers do not, and who do things like put patients on daily megadoses of vit A, or tell them their yeast infection is actually a manifestation of systemic candida and put them on a restrictive diet, a "detox" plan and olive leaf extract so they suffer for months and months with an untreated yeast infection until they come to see me. Or they, you know, give a mother echinacea instead of calling 911, when she comes to see you with a child who is so sick from meningitis that the kid is laying on a mattress in the back because they are too stiff to get into the corificeat. And then the child dies. OMG argh.

3. Politicians who create legislation that flies in the face of the consensus medical opinion. This is the big one.

(Currently living the Dream as an at-home, online faculty member- so this is from my recent bedside days)

1) Changing passwords every 90 days. Every system. But NEVER at the same time. And you new password must contain uppercase, lowercase, a special symbol and the blood of a virgin. Like where am I supposed to find a virgin??????

2) Managers who discard you once you stop being the 'engaged' one on the unit.

3) Repetitive charting.

1) PCTs/CNAs and fellow-nurses who pretend they don't hear or see the call bells going off because they are either deep in personal conversation, or really don't want to get off the internet. We have 2 nurses who try to do their entire job except passing meds from the comfort of their chair at the nurse's station.

2) Constant non-work related jabbering at the nurse's station, to the point that it is impossible to concentrate to chart.

3) Not having enough float pool PCTs/CNAs to cover for sick-calls, so we are constantly working short handed.

Thanks cynmrn for your detailed response. I agree that staffing of course is a huge issue in hospitals and elsewhere. The lack of supplies or going on a hunt drives me crazy too; IV poles especially for some reason. My hunt frequently ends up attempting to open a supply closet, only to find it's blocked with 100 IV poles. Seriously? These are the frustrations that can really add up over time lead to burnout, and make me want to scream, "STOP THE INSANITY!!"

Hi BuckyBadger, actually I'm not a student.

After 15 years at the bedside from being an open-heart nurse, to trauma/burn, and travelling for 8 years of those years doing assignments in 20 hospitals nationwide (US) I decided to step away from the bedside and take another path. I' ve always loved working with others and helping to improve their lives, so now I'm gathering the most up to date info on where nurses are currently struggling. My current plan is to be a Life Coach for nurses with a focus on burnout/ resilience. Hope this helps and clarifies why I asked the question I did. Thanks! Matt

1. When Tylenol is ordered based on exact weight instead of per protocol. So I can't pull 500mg from the Pyxis, instead I have to order 495mg from pharmacy.

2. Infusion orders placed mid day for non critical values. Nothing better than a 1500 platelet order for platelets of 23, or IVIG for an IgG of 321. Makes me cross eyed.

3. When your admission gets in forty five minutes before the end of your shift and the next shift gives you attitude for not completing the entire admission.

Hi BuckyBadger, actually I'm not a student.

After 15 years at the bedside from being an open-heart nurse, to trauma/burn, and travelling for 8 years of those years doing assignments in 20 hospitals nationwide (US) I decided to step away from the bedside and take another path. I' ve always loved working with others and helping to improve their

lives, so now I'm gathering the most up to date info on where nurses are currently struggling. My

current plan is to be a Life Coach for nurses with a focus on burnout/ resilience. Hope this helps and clarifies why I asked the question I did. Thanks! Matt

Hey, this is great!!! I NEED a life coach and burnout specialist!!!!

It's still in process, hoping to get up and going within the next few months. Just knew I could have used someone like that while I was at the bedside. Plus so many nurse friends struggle with burnout and the like, just saw a huge need. Will keep you posted.

1) Coworkers who just do not care to the point of endangering or neglecting patients. When certain techs are working, I don't even bother pretending they will reposition and toilet patients, even if I offer to help. I just do it myself.

2) Getting yelled at for calling the on-call physician with a legitimate patient need that can't wait until the morning. Like do they think I'm waking them up for fun?!

3) No support from management as far as time off, changing my work schedule, etc., even for professional/educational purposes that will ultimately benefit the unit. I thought learning was a good thing.

Bonus item! Being short staffed all weekend, taking care of more patients than is safe for two 12 hour overnights, and then having to sit through a two hour meeting about providing better customer service before I could go home and crash. That was soooooo not the time to address that topic. (Yes, I'm bitter.)

Yep

#1. Stupid staffing

#2 Backbiting bit@#y coworkers

#3 Lack of supplies and supply folks leave at 10p

1. Short staffing

2. Short staffing r/t new manager and horrible managerial tactics

3. Short staffing r/t new manager and horrible managerial tactics as evidenced by mass resignation of all full time staff within 2 months of new manager.