difficulty with bureaucracy

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Okay. I have been a nurse for almost four years. Not very long in the scope of things, I know. I also know that I am young and if I am going to make this decision it's now.

Lately I've been feeling more and more uneasy with what nursing has turned into and what it should be. I knew it wouldn't be easy, and I knew it was a very difficult job sometimes. I cannot take another piece of paperwork though.

Almost every day I hear about a new policy from state or corporate and some other piece of paperwork is added to the never ending land of paperwork and computer charting. There are things that get charted 4x maybe more, by the time things are said and done. I know in school they really advocated not double charting due to the liability it can cause, so what the heck is quadruple charting doing!? Nursing school was way too hard to risk my license this way dang it.

Also, between all this computer crap (in my opinion) and paperwork I really find the lack of time in have left over to spend time with patients disheartening. I have worked in two nursing home/rehabilitation places now and I know I spend less and less time with my residents than I like no matter I try. You can only cram so much into a shift.

I am seriously thinking of going in a different direction soon. I'm 25 and capable of doing it, I just would like some advice. Thank you.

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As someone who's in nursing as a second career, I can tell you the grass is always greener. In my previous career, I had problems with corporate policies, OSHA oversight and endless reams of paperwork and reports. Even teachers, in addition to their normal teaching/planning/homework routines have to deal with additional paperwork added to workload.

However, I agree with you charting and paperwork is out of control. They recently added a full mini-cog, frail scale and readmission assessment to each new admission on my medical/oncology unit. If you love nursing, I would recommend you get involved with a committee that has the ability to promote positive change in your workplace, and if you don't have an outlet like that try to start one! Maybe look into a career in Nursing Informatics where you would have a say in creating and advising on computer programs that can help all of us.

Yes bureaucracy sucks, but in nursing, I do not see it going anywhere!

Good luck!

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