about CO nursing

athflvr · Jan 8, 2008

Thanks for the info. I am finding our that there is so much more to learn than just what they teach in school... the policies, politics, cultures, ect... Thanks!!!

~BlueBug

Ain't that the truth. When I was first hired into my job I was in nursing school and the nurse manager that hired me told me - if you can learn to work this floor you can learn to work anywhere. (She was the best manager. She started as a floor nurse then an ICU nurse and then an ER nurse before she was promoted. She always made sure we had sufficient equipment and help etc. So of course she got fired. She wasn't so good at wanting to walk that line for management.)

I have to say though, that for all the problems we have, our floor has never had a huge problem with backstabbing or nastiness to each other. We tend to look out for ewach other as much as possible. Not that it never happens - you always have those types that come and go but luckily they've always seemed to go!

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2008

I relocated here from California lived here a little over a year now, my friends warned me of how nursing in other states are different. I gave it no regard, now I realize what they mean. I came from a state that has a loud voice and strong representation for nurses, better benefits/pensions, and don't put up with management abuse. I came to realize that management have so so much power here, they make nurses feel "easily replaceable" and just a "hired help". One minute you have a job next day you don't, no matter the number of years of loyalty you have provided in the system. Not to sound paranoid but I feel that management is eager to take your license away, I don't feel protected here even if you are doing your job right. Nurse-patio ratios what's that! it's scary. I work in the ER Dept you can have up to 7 pts and who knows what u guys get on the floors. It's scary to practice nursing here. I give you fellow Colorado Nurse much props for putting up with crap and unsafe working conditions each and everyday. We all know we work too hard to get our license. For those of you thinking I'm just a spoiled Cali Nurse many native colorado nurses agrees with me. Nursing in this state needs a louder voice a better back up from legislatures and the state. Management here have too much power.

"m sorry but after almost 32 years, working on both coasts, and many states in the middle, CO is not better or worse, or any different than any other state. Just do a search and although some of hte complaints are different, there are as many complaints about things going on in CA. I enjoyed my timein CO, I've been gone for a little over 6 months now. I had a good scope of practice, made enough to pay my bills and have a little left over to play, and heaven forbid, save for retirement.

I realy can't compare CA now because the last time I was there was the late 80's, but I remember that during some of that time frame, I actually spent a year working as a medic, because I made more money, and worked only part time as an RN. But things have changed a bit since then.

Plus I"m not sure what you mean by "management is eager to take your license away" last time I checked it was the BON that did that. I've worked under some BON, that would put you on probation for things that to me looked minor.

Besides having a group of co workers who I loved working with, and a group of supportive Docs, I remember looking out the window and seeing the mountains and remembered why I loved working there.

Boy that rambled. Proof you should never write posts after waking up from working night shift.

athflvr · Jan 9, 2008

You know, on looking back, I should never have posted after the weekend I had two weekends ago. In all honesty, more often than not, we nearly always have 5 patients. We've lost some good staff lately (nurses and CNAs) which puts a bit more strain on those who are left. However, one we lost was a bit of a troublemaker so - you give some you get some. I work in a hospital where the vast majority of the doctors respect the nurses, actually speak up on our behalf, and will ask your opinion (and mostly use it). And the doctors who don't respect the nurses are usually the same ones that don't respect their peers so it gives that "us against them" thing a whole different feel.

You know how things go in cycles - That weekend was the culmination of several weeks that just got worse and worse. We had patients who required security on the floor periodically and a patient whose spouse seemed bent on making everyone's (from the CMO to housekeeping) life a living hell. And a person who took an enormous amount of narcs on a daily basis who was the rudest person ever to walk (or try). YOu can imagine his pain control issues. When you kept adding one after another and no one left.... It was not a good weekend. You know when you just feel everything is out of control! Thankfully things have gotten back a bit closer to normal. Our patients don't tend to be easy patients - those patients for the most part just aren't hospitalized anymore - but at least the whole place doesn't feel like you're barely holding it together.

In looking around I realize that the place I work is no worse than most and a hell of a lot better than many.

candida · Feb 7, 2008

imho, the only way for change to happen is through legislation; when colorado nurses have had enough of high acuity,high patient ratio's, mandatory overtime, no lunch breaks, etc. maybe they will request their political leaders to takeaction. sadly, mangement will never change.

:cheers: