Does nursing really suck that badly?

LithEruiel · Jan 17, 2014

From my experience I would say yes to all of your questions - it is that bad. Of course that's not everyone's experience though. I've been a nurse for two years and have worked in two different hospitals (one for 3 years because I was an aide there also and one for one year). I had LOTS of jobs before that (I did a lot of temp work after I got my first non-nursing degree because that's all I could find) and I've NEVER worked with so many toxic, nasty, petty, childish, shallow, and selfish people before I worked in a hospital. Of course no one every likes everyone they work with, but these types of people have never been the majority of my co-workers in any other job. At my first nursing job everyone was nice to me, but then talked about me behind my back, including telling my manager every time I felt overwhelmed...who doesn't feel overwhelmed sometimes in their first nursing job (or in any nursing job), especially if no one helps you when a patient is going bad. My manager, as well as upper management, expected everyone to do everything perfectly all the time...there was no allowance for being a new nurse. And I'm not talking about things that caused harm to a patient or were grossly neglectful - I mean stupid or easily fixable mistakes like forgetting to chart that this person was a high fall risk one hour, even though you charted it the rest of the 11 hours (yes we had to do that) or when I was a nurses' aide leaving three pillows in a room after the patient was discharged instead of two. Every mistake she treated you like you're stupid, lazy, a horrible nurse/nurse's aide, and a horrible person.

At my current job everyone says whatever they want right to your face. Patients and families have complained because a screaming match will break out at the nurse's station or in the hallway. I've had patients' family members come up to me and ask if I was ok after witnessing me being screamed at by a coworker about stupid things like they don't like their assignment (even if I didn't even make it!) I've never worked with such unprofessional people. My manager at this job is a nice person and doesn't treat you like an idiot if you make a minor mistake, but she's too nice and doesn't do anything about these people. Yesterday I was in charge and everyone tried to coerce me into doing what they wanted (like refusing to take admissions), so I went to the manager and she sided with them.

Some of these nurses (at both jobs) are actually good nurses and are nice to their patients even if they're not nice to coworkers. Some of them treat their patients like crap too. I've also worked with people that are good nurses and nice people, but the other types dominate everything. As far as doctors go it's been about 50% nice, respectful, collaborative doctors and 50% doctors that yell and throw things at you.

The acuity on both units I've worked on is way too high for the nurse to patient ratio. Currently I work in a very high acuity rehab and often patients are just too sick to be doing intensive therapy. Also, I worry about my license because we get in trouble if patients aren't ready for therapy on time and I feel that I'm rushing through giving meds in the morning.

I can pretty much deal with anything the patients do and I've dealt with a lot - patients trying to grope me, I've been scratched and hit, and like you said being treated like a slave. A lot of them are confused and don't know what they're doing, so I get frustrated sometimes, but don't take it personally like I do with coworkers who are supposed to be professional and work together for the patients' best interests not their own. Usually when I get upset about things patients do (like getting out of bed on their own, pulling tubes out, etc.) I get upset because we're understaffed and there's not enough people to make sure they're safe or because my coworkers just don't want to help.

Also, I don't post here very much, even though I might want to, because I always get nasty replies. I don't know why so many nurses are such toxic people, but I really can't take it anymore. My goal is to eventually get a non-patient care position where I can just do my work and be done with it for the day, I'd especially love a work at home job. The sad thing is that I like helping people and my patients tend to like me, but I can't deal with all the other crap that goes along with working at the bedside. I've been crying off and on all day and last night because of my coworkers and I don't know what to do and I'm sick of it.

Edit:

I take online classes for my BSN (I'll be done in May) because I'm hoping it'll help me find something that's not beside nursing in the future. In most of the classes we have to introduce ourselves and talk about our experience on the message board. In every class I've had almost every other person says they love being a nurse and I'm usually the only one that doesn't gush about it. So are they telling the truth or just BSing? Are people that are happy with nursing not on here replying because they're happy in their jobs and don't need somewhere to vent like we do?

NurseFrustrated · Jan 18, 2014

I've been a nurse for almost 9 years and yes, it can suck that badly at times. I wondered the same thing before I became a nurse. How can it be that bad to have job security and make decent money? Well, you will never understand until you do it. Unfortunately in most of my hospital nursing jobs the bad days at work have far outnumbered the good days. I'm always grateful to be employed at all in this economy but I'm still hoping to one day find a job with coworkers with good work ethics, management who actually give a crap about their nurses, and decent patient ratios. Does one exist?

NurseFrustrated · Jan 18, 2014

From my experience I would say yes to all of your questions - it is that bad. Of course that's not everyone's experience though. I've been a nurse for two years and have worked in two different hospitals (one for 3 years because I was an aide there also and one for one year). I had LOTS of jobs before that (I did a lot of temp work after I got my first non-nursing degree because that's all I could find) and I've NEVER worked with so many toxic, nasty, petty, childish, shallow, and selfish people before I worked in a hospital. Of course no one every likes everyone they work with, but these types of people have never been the majority of my co-workers in any other job.

This.

NurseFrustrated · Jan 18, 2014

From my experience I would say yes to all of your questions - it is that bad. Of course that's not everyone's experience though. I've been a nurse for two years and have worked in two different hospitals (one for 3 years because I was an aide there also and one for one year). I had LOTS of jobs before that (I did a lot of temp work after I got my first non-nursing degree because that's all I could find) and I've NEVER worked with so many toxic, nasty, petty, childish, shallow, and selfish people before I worked in a hospital. Of course no one every likes everyone they work with, but these types of people have never been the majority of my co-workers in any other job.
I couldn't agree more. I could have written this myself.

HeartRN13 · Jan 18, 2014

I know this discussion has likely been hashed and re-hashed several times. However I wanted to discuss not only my concerns but my specific situation. Here is some background information on me: I recently graduated with a non-nursing bachelors degree. For the past two years, I have had my heart set on entering an ABSN program. But, I wanted to finish my bachelors first as I felt since I was almost done, I could apply for a one year accelerated program and essentially not "waste" my almost completed degree. I am taking A&P2 and Nutrition this semester and Chemistry and Microbiology in the fall with hopes of applying for two ABSN programs in my area. Here are my concerns: I read so many negative things on here about nursing. Whether it is someone complaining about their boss, a high patient to nurse ratio, backstabbing co-workers, patients who treat you like a slave, managment that doesn't get it, concerns about losing nursing license, etc etc. I understand that NO job will ever be perfect. I understand that people come here to vent. I am not judging the nurses who complain on here because everyone needs an outlet to release stress. My fear is that I will get into a career that I hate. My fear is that I will be chewed up and spit out. I am already at a cynical point in life where I see employers in general as crapping all over good employees and rewarding the bad ones. I am at a point where I am so tired of my government internship that I will do ANYTHING to get away from it. I love the idea of helping people. I love science. I've thus far enjoyed the academic pursuit of nursing. Additionally, I consider myself to be a compassionate, loving person. I can take a lot of things in stride but I have my limits. Is entering the nursing field really that scary? Are hospitals really that toxic? Are co-workers really a reincarnation of that evil witch and her possee from junior high? I could really use some advice from some of you RNs who are already "there" and have been in the trenches. -Signed- Someone who wants to help others and wants to be a nurse but is terrified of the future[/quote']
My feelings/input on your post: being a nurse is not easy. It's a profession with overwhelming liability, responsibility, and MANY other things in between (including, but not limited to politics and childish drama). It's the little moments that happen every once in a while; a patient expresses genuine gratitude, or you know that you've made a difference in this persons life without them even having to declare it. Those are the moments that keep me going, and truly remind me why I chose this profession. Even after all of the crap, sacrifices, and times that I felt like giving up, I couldn't imagine going a day without the satisfaction of knowing that I helped someone, and made them feel better when they needed it. There are some things that really are priceless.

RainMom · Jan 19, 2014

Thurs, yes, really sucked

Fri, well kinda rocked

It's usually a tug-of-war for me. Super challenging & rewarding, love/hate relationship. After a few days off, I find myself looking forward to going back to work.

Humaneclowninscrubs · Jan 31, 2015

Exactly right on.

They sell it as science, but I don't call myself a nurse. We are all medical laborists.

We ******* do pure labor. No brains involved LOL.

We apply zero science.

I know. Pretty sad. We help the the institution make money and doctors get paid.

Money overrides value for life in all job sectors.

This is one reason why people drink alcohol and some go as far as drugs.

Welcome to Adult life of sex, crime and money LOL

To present my humble opinion, I think that nursing schools make you believe that as a nurse, you are going to be very focused into science, autonomy.... well that was a bull's dung. Throw autonomy out the window, and the profession is not science focused, but 100% task oriented, because all we do is carry out orders. Draw labs, medicate, npo for procedures, get consent, admit, discharge, chart, chart, chart, task after tasks. I don't believe I have seen "science" or autonomy in my profession.
To be frank, I am not one of those people who came into nursing just to help others; I mean sure, everyone SAYS they want to help others, and who doesn't? I do too myself, but who wants to associate their work life surrounded by bunch of complaining, whiny, negative patients and some coworkers who make you want to assess their brain function? I haven't found my niche yet, but I truly do hate my job, and with current healthcare policies, future seems bleak.
Unless you can really really be sure of yourself that you are dedicated to helping life of others like Albert Schweitzer, Nightingale, or someone who really feels happiness of life by helping others (and not that typical "oh ya, I became nurse to help others" that everyone says) then yes nursing is for you. But if your compassion level is like that of a regular human being (that would be me), and you want to help others, but also in it for financial security, let me tell you there are many other jobs you can get that are much easier than nursing and make equal or even better money. I just learned today dental hygienist starts at about $31/hr. If I could go back in time, I 100% would have chosen different career, something like CPA or lawyer, or work in some kind of corporation. Please think well before you choose nursing because if you hate your job, life certainly is miserable.

Libby1987 · Jan 31, 2015

With the exception of my first year out of school and another year working for a BSC employer, nursing has never sucked for me.

My coworkers past and present haven't all had the same experience and perception but we also have different attitudes about work. Some of us are high energy and driven with our work also our passion. Some think I'm nuts.

I have a horse sitting out back and a yard that needs love and attention, but I'd rather be out doing my nursing practice. If I had to choose, and I've had the choice back in my stay at home disposable income days, I'd choose my work. I could throw the paperwork out the window but much like my SO likes to design and build I like my job responsibilities. I like the people, all of them. I even like working with the difficult ones. No one has the lion share of difficult patients, if they've been through your unit, they have also passed through my hands. I like the challenge of accomplishing something with the tough cases, I actually like the "I'm going in!" sense of comaraderie.

And my job includes more than tasks, there is so much assessment, coordination, collaboration, advocacy..

My older sister has been a nurse longer than I, she's always worked in the hospital. While she's had to deal with the universal issues in acute care, she loves her work as well.

JWG223 · Feb 1, 2015

That is WAY! too variable.

My job can be tough at times, but I will not tell anyone that it sucks. It doesn't.

My former roommate's job as a nurse DOES legitimately suck. He has to do illegal things or get fired (care for patients he has no business caring for due to acuity, his training, nurse/staff ratio, etc.), he leaves work 2-4 hours late regularly because people show up late and are not punished or reprimanded, etc. His hospital is a cess pit. His job...sucks.

Now, some things that have annoyed me with nursing. Doesn't mean "it sucks", but these things are what I have struggled with:

-You are not there to help the patient. You are there to make them HAPPY. This is in regards to pain meds, dietary compliance, etc. The hospital will not back you for enforcing fluid and diet restrictions if it nets them negative reviews which impact reimbursement. So when you see that renal patient eating McDonalds? You politely tell them "That's got a lot of sodium in it, and I don't think you should eat that on your renal diet if you want to get well as soon as possible" and drop the issue afterward (document it!). Of course, they probably won't listen to you, but that's okay. They are happy, that's what matters. As to pain meds, same story. It's ordered? Get a number out of them and give the drugs. It is what they say it is, whether they are laughing and carrying on and claiming a 10/10 or not. They hurt...it's ordered...make it happen. It is ALL ABOUT SATISFACTION!

To me, that goes counter to my purpose, but, hey...I have bills, so I'm going to tow the line and follow hospital policy so-long as it's safe.

-The patient is not accountable. Nothing they do from punching you to destroying hospital property is their fault. No legal or social ramification is going to occur, and noone will advocate for you. I'm a decently big guy, and used to fight full contact, so I don't really worry so much about being hit, or when an aggressive patient wants to grapple with me. I simply restrain them without harming them and go about my shift. If I take a few hits doing it, that's really no stress to me. To some people though, smaller people, older nurses, this can be a big issue. The best you've got there is workman's comp. The patient, whether oriented or not, won't be troubled about their actions. Think of the patient like you would a desert tortoise.

I think those are my 2 complaints: Zero nurse advocacy/rights. No patient accountability.

But that doesn't make the job "suck". It just means you need to understand those two facts, suck it up, and do your job in spite of them, with a smile on your face. I'm pretty alpha, and it sometimes takes a lot out of me. Doesn't matter, you need to master yourself.

silentRN · Feb 2, 2015

My answer is still the same as it was a year ago when I responded to this post...nursing still sucks, and it's just gonna suck even more.

JWG223 · Feb 2, 2015

My answer is still the same as it was a year ago when I responded to this post...nursing still sucks, and it's just gonna suck even more.

As long as it pays the bills, consider that you only really work half the year, and it's illegal for you to "take work home with you". That alone offsets most anything I have to do for 12 hours in an air-conditioned building that involves me wearing all my clothing! (although I do know a lot of girls who dropped nursing to continue their dancing career. I envy them, but I'm a guy, and so that's not so much a possibility, here, lol!)

englishgeek · Feb 2, 2015

I worried, too. And worried and worried and worried. Like you, I'd read posts on here and think, "Have I made the biggest mistake of my life?!" But then I got into it and I really like it.