Different perspectives, same job

calivianya, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2015

No, pretty much everyone at my job is universally unhappy. Everyone I have talked to is either new or searching job boards for other hospitals.

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2015

No, pretty much everyone at my job is universally unhappy. Everyone I have talked to is either new or searching job boards for other hospitals.

Same. Everyone is miserable on my floor. See my latest post for one reason why .

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2015

The vast majority of my floor is very content for the most part. Nothing is perfect, but it is a good floor, good team work, good management, good pay. There is one who complains a lot but that just seems to be a bad habit or her nature. She isn't jumping ship or anything.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 14, 2015

Do you see your coworkers at opposite ends of job satisfaction and/or performance for the same position?

Yes.

To what degree?

Some are completely unsatisfied and only sticking around until they find something else. Others are planning to stay until retirement and only occasionally complain (with good reason).

What do you think are the main factors?

Personality is a big reason. I work in OR, which is known to attract some of the stronger type A personalities. It's not an environment that all personalities can succeed in, and requires a lot of strong teamwork. Then there's the massive amount of call my specialty has to take- for some, it doesn't sound too bad when they interview for the position but then they get to experience it.

If feasible, what measures might bring more to the positive end, to be more content and successful?

Stable management. We just had a new manager take the position after several months of another department's manager covering. Call pay commensurate with what other facilities in the area are offering- we are currently $4-$6 less per hour just to carry the pager, although the call back pay is pretty much the same (time and a half, 2 hours' pay minimum). Expecting people to give up a lot of freedom to do what they want to take call and paying a measly $2/hour doesn't really cover the inconvenience. Honesty up front- some of the new hires were told one thing about required off-shifts but management is not following through with what they were told.

Farawyn · Mar 14, 2015

I will speak to my last job as I am the only RN in my current position.

We were all unhappy, and the main reason had to do with management. We were getting paid well, plus OT, hours steady and patient load very high, but doable. It was not the work. We are nurses, we know how to work, and being busy makes the time go faster, right?

The constant fear that was fed to us was nuts. In talking to friends across the board in ANY job, that kind of work environment seems to be the killer and deal breaker for all- whether male or female, white collar, blue collar or what have you. The threat, implied or not, that one false move and you are gone.

I've had amazing managers that I have worked to the bone for.

Libby1987 · Mar 14, 2015

Responses are really across the board. Can't *like* the ones who are unhappy but appreciate the sharing.

Speaking to my job experience prior to a transition we're in the middle of, I was very happy in just about every aspect and found the job not only doable but also enjoyable. Of course there are those days and those situations but they weren't constant.

But while I'm thinking I've got a great situation I have some coworkers who struggle to keep head above water. It's particularly tough at the moment but even when I thought we were in good times others didn't share my experience.

Then I read others' job experiences here, (I know people tend to post vents rather than sunshine), and I wonder what the future holds for me. Will I run into the same situation with another company where I have a different response to my particular job requirements or do I have a once in a lifetime gig going and I'm going to get a harsh awakening?

I'd like (hope) to think that the nursing positions in general are doable given a good personality and knowledge/experience fit and that while some struggle others find it less difficult.

Realistic or dreaming?

bbyRN, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2015

Well said. I have worked in a couple of industries with people who loved what they were doing and worked hard. Some very successful internally and externally. The poor management destroyed the effectiveness of the teams and departments. Some managers were visibly fatigued and physically suffering due to the policies that were negatively effecting their people and that they had to enforce (some left, some even left and started new companies and hired their old teammates). One of these policies was the constant fear - of when their number would come up - of being down-sized and let go - in spite of the fact that the company was doing well, quite well. The business decisions were unrelated to people's competence.