Ever have such a bad day/week, you've almost quit?

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  1. Ever feel like you can't go back to work???

    • 20
      Yes...but I did!
    • 6
      Yes...and I never went back!
    • 9
      Yes...due to physician attitudes, behaviors
    • 14
      Yes...due to management or administration lack of support
    • 3
      Yes...due to patient interactions
    • 15
      Yes...due to staffing problems: inadequate for patient numbers or acuity
    • 4
      Yes...due to equipment and supply problems
    • 1
      Nope! I have the perfect job

72 members have participated

Staffing? Patients? Doctors? Oblivious Management? Equipment? Layout?

Ever have it ALL become overwhelming?

Ever think you cannot come back the next day?

After 20 years on my unit, I left sobbing, feeling I could never go back! And, I haven't!

Patients unappreciative, patient care minimally adequate, patients complaining after all you do.

Physicians who have such a 'me first' attitude, regardless of unit activity, patient's preference, or staffing. (You know, the 'STAT' c/s so they can get home for dinner...the 'let's section the 28 week triplets in an hour but NICU is on divert...the 'let's push the pitocin' even though the patient really wants natural childbirth)

Broken or missing equipment (you know, reaching for O2 mask and finding none; no IVs in the stock room...and your patient is bleeding out; bed controls that don't work anymore, etc.)

Management whose goal is to fill the beds and keep the doctors happy...regardless of the nursing staff work load, acuity of patients, etc. Bringing in elective inductions as soon as beds are emptied & cleaned...before breaks or lunches, etc.

Please, help me find the courage and strength to go back to work!!!:o

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That's terrible Hazek! Have you ever considered changing to another unit/hospital? There are places where things are better, if you can find them.

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HazeK - I have, for several of the reasons listed, felt like I either wanted to tell by boss where she could put my job, or have gotten home to honestly feel like I could never return. These are the things bad days are made of. I'm lucky to only have to work part time. So when I have days like these, I go home, have an adult beverage, unplug the phone, and take advantage of my 3 or 4 days of to "recharge." I'm usually able to return with a fresh attitude.

I'm sorry things are so bad for you. If you don't have something coming up, it sounds like you're in need of a few mental health days. Please take care of yourself!

Heather

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Haze,

You know I don't work OB but I also told you about another opportunity out there when we met in Vegas in March. And, I know there are other hospitals. You can do something else. You have just lost your confidence since you have been there for so long. There is lots of opportunity for you in Vegas, just take a couple of deep breaths and get going. You can do it, I know you can, and you know you can, you just need to step back a minute and realize (again) how important YOU are, YOUR value, and YOUR expertise! No one can take that away from you. I saw it, I heard it, I know it is there, so find it and then tell them where to stick their attitudes, job, and problems - move up in the world! And, besides, you could always come back to Texas!!!!! Now if that doesn't motivate you, nothing will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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and the simple answer is yes

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER

HazeK - ........... So when I have days like these, I go home, have an adult beverage, unplug the phone, and take advantage of my 3 or 4 days of to "recharge." I'm usually able to return with a fresh attitude. Heather

Hmmmmmmm....pour one for me, Heather! I'm assuming that adult beverage you speak of is the kind that numbs the pain? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

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Ahhhhh yes Renee! I'm on my first glass right now! Had a crappy day. Gotta go back Monday, but then I'm off until the weekend.

99 bottles of beer in my fridge....

Heather

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Honey, I could fill your ears with hell stories about bad days. I left those facilities and haven't gone back. Best decisions I ever made.

Look, why do you need to find the courage to go back?? HONESTLY?? WHY??? If it's that bad....I mean bad enough to make you sob, cry, feel nauseated, and get tired just at the THOUGHT of having to return, honey, it's time to bail. I'm sorry, I just don't see the logic in staying at a hellhole, no matter HOW long you've been there.

You don't need the stress and you don't need the heartache. There are better jobs and better places to work out there, and with 20 years experience, you're prime nursing material.

IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT. I have left 2 extraordinarily hellish facilities, and I was much, MUCH happier for it. No place is perfect, but there is ALWAYS something better than total crap, know what I mean?

Feel better, rest up some more, have some 'adult beverages' (lol, Heather....), and look for work somewhere else.

YOU KNOW YOU DESERVE BETTER. :kiss

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

(((((((Haze K)))))) boy have I ...I know your pain. Hang in there. All i can do is offer hugs and support.

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Have you noticed no one said "No, I have the perfect job"?

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It was all I could do not to quit each of the last few days I worked. Full patient load with extremely high acuity, challenging families, being resource, filling sick calls for nurses/aides/sitters -- filling the beds as soon as a patient is discharged -- you name it. This story repeats itself every day -- but the last few days -- things have been over-the-top. I know I have options, but really don't know if the grass is greener. Work with great staff -- but lately I think of quitting daily.

Sue

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i worked at one hospital, and always got stuck with the difficult patients or families, or with the deliveries that were expected to go bad. i quit after having 3 fetal demises in a row! had 28 weeker on wed,39 weeker on friday and to top it off a 39 weeker for a couple that had been trying for 18 yrs to get pregnant,finally got one, went to dr on wed everything was fine came in friday told me i think i am in labor mom told me you are in labor when you dont feel baby move. well that was about all i could take , i turned in my resignation,and took time away from L&D and OB. I finally started missing it and went back. but still have very difficult time dealing with and getting over fetal demises.

anyone want to offer anysuggestions on how to deal with this problem?

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