Cursing Ourselves

Farkinott, RN · Oct 4, 2003

Too true! Alin all we need to cut the *****iness and start sticking together and up for each other!

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2003

Agreed

renerian

mayberry · Oct 4, 2003

Ditto

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by ainz
We (nursing collectively) have developed a reputation for being difficult, angry, bitter, resentful, irritable, and just no fun to work with. No matter what your profession or job, the human part of us is immediately turned off by this and communication shuts down.

Excellent post, worth thinking about.

I'm not sure however, I 100% agree with this statement. While we are not all happy shiney people, we have good reason not to be, I don't think we're all bitter, angry, resentful people and have a reputation as being so.

ainz · Oct 4, 2003

In the eyes of administrations, corporate leadership, believe me, we are. Unfortunately, these guys currently have the power.

I received criticism lately that I advocate that a positive attitude is all we need. To that I say this in the words of Zig Ziegler:

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE WILL NOT LET YOU DO ANYTHING. . . . . BUT IT WILL HELP YOU DO EVERYTHING BETTER!!!!!!!!!!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by ainz
I say this in the words of Zig Ziegler:

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE WILL NOT LET YOU DO ANYTHING. . . . . BUT IT WILL HELP YOU DO EVERYTHING BETTER!!!!!!!!!!

I'll take that ! :)

It doesn't change a THING... except how YOU feel !!!

And how I feel makes a world of difference in how I treat others (patients/coworkers) , how I approach my day... even how much I am able to accomplish... and how I feel about myself at the end of the day.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2003

Originally posted by jnette
I'll take that ! :)

It doesn't change a THING... except how YOU feel !!!
And how I feel makes a world of difference in how I treat others (patients/coworkers) , how I approach my day... even how much I am able to accomplish... and how I feel about myself at the end of the day.

I guess that what I was trying to say jnette, that there are a lot of us like you, that despite all the stress, etc. approach nursing with a positive attitude. It's the only way I survive day to day.

That administration can't see or appreicate us is a great loss, just because we're asking for what we need.

What has really helped this hospital is that they are actually looking at things like staffing. Our staffing is much better in the midst of this nursing shortage more than it ever has been. Happy nurses, make happy patients and happy doctors, lesser lenght of stay, more patients admitted, more money in the pocket. When our VP of nursing quoted the study that proved better ratios means safe outcomes, and was striving towards that, I nearly passed out. We've a long way to go though. But during that process I refused to get all whiney. Doesn't mean I won't vent my frustrations. Doesn't mean I'm not going to ask for what I need for "my" nurses and my patients either.

Teshiee · Oct 5, 2003

Well I agree to an extent but how does one get to the point that they are bitter and angry? Throughout history it is has always been people in power will abuse you if you let them. Why do you think there are unions? If bosses their value employees and treatng them fair from the start people wouldn't have to picket and go on strike. Nurses are no different. We may like what we do but we don't work for free I get sick of administrators telling us to bend over and kiss ass to the consumer when we are the one getting screwed from behind w/o lubrication. Spending exuberant amount of money on customer satisfaction but continue to make the nurse overworked with measly salaries. You can't have it both ways. Telling us to come to their get no where meetings and when you bring up an legitimite concern, like a politician dances around the issue can't deliver a real answer so I say Bull****! screwing the common man seems to be the American way and we are suppose to smile and take it? It is sad when history always seem to repeat itself. The bottom line is people are tired of being dicked around. Stop overloading nurses with bullsh** and make working conditions favorable so nurses can be nicer to one another and patient customer service can flourish. What is so hard in doing that without all the political redderick I keep hearing.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 5, 2003

ainz, i hear what you are saying.

perhaps youcan conduct a class here on the "language of administration" so we CAN learn to communicate our concerns in a way that is heard. I am open to learning......and growing.

Being no different, I, too am sick of seeing monies put into fancier facilities and eye candy and big-fat bonuses for CEO's while we can't get working equipment and supplies adequate to do our job....let alone have to fight for decent patient/nurse ratios and pay/benefits.

I am listening ainz. You have my attention. Teach us the way.

Brownms46 · Oct 5, 2003

I don't agree that nurses have no power! I will say that they don't use it effectively!

And you do need more than a positive attitude, you need to know how to defend yourself, and how to work smarter, not harder!

sjoe · Oct 5, 2003

ainz writes: "The "conflict" seems to boil down to management/administration versus working nurses. Two sides that have drawn some fairly definite lines in the sand with the usual anger, bitterness, and frustration that goes with a scenario like this. "

What you significantly leave out of your analysis is that establishing and maintaining a cooperative and supportive working environment is one of the tasks of management. Demonstrating competent leadership tends to create this kind of environment. These are simple basics of functional organizations, obvious to anyone familiar with management literature, business consulting, or fundamental psychology.

Given the near-total lack of REAL leadership and of competent management, the present dysfunctional state of many healthcare working environments is no surprise.