Howdy all.
I joined this forum not long ago, and some of the topics here are very interesting. It is good to read the differing points of view, also to vent off some steam! I am a RN BTW, and have worked in hospitals my whole life in differing jobs (not all nursing jobs).
I am in WA and working through an agency. I gave up studying law (only started the first unit, first semester) to do a Post Grad Dip in Renal Nursing. That was a HUGE decision for me, as I was really excited about doing law.
I was working through another agency but that didn't work out, because they wanted me to drop everything I was doing to run out to work. I told them my study comes first, not their work (which they knew) and the manager was unbelievably rude and obnoxious. I work for another agency now who seem quite good (time will tell!). I took 2 weeks off after being let go from the first agency, as I was so stressed my BP went up to like 180 (I have mild hypertension, am on medication) and looks like I failed my first subject of the Grad Dip Nurs (though final maks haven't been posted). So I am now suffering depression from that. I spent every night working on this unit/subject, & gave my all to my assignments, did heaps of research, listed that in the references, quoted well, etc. I also worked hard at many boring jobs, whilst studying to get my Bachelor and gave up a lot of things - now, I'm wondering if it was worth it.
My main problem is I am totally fed up with nursing. I was studying evidence based practice, and it was so boring, I nearly dropped out, but persevered instead (I usually don't give up on things easily). I hate running out doing shifts, though afternoons is not too bad. I hate being on call. And the government has put a moritorium on permanent nursing jobs, where you need like 10 years experience to get a perm job here.
The agency put me in psych (did a psych special last week), and I am totally fed up with it, though the money is good. I find many of these psych patients don't take responsibility for anything in their life. They become extremely abusive and belligerent when asked to do just one little thing. I think they like being awkward because they like to be waited on hand & foot - they won't do anything for themselves. I am tired of pandering to these lazy, overweight patients. We are not allowed to say: you need to take responsibility for yourself and own up to what you do/are doing. No-one is allowed to say anything like that to a patient. I know many of them get Dx with a mental illness, but I don't think they are as sick as the Drs think they are. Call it lack of knowledge but I have worked in hospitals for a long, long time (not just as a RN). I want to help people but many of the patients (not just psych), say rehab as well, will not do anything to help themselves or change their lifestyle, even in a little tiny way. I find it frustrating we can't say anything to them, and they can treat us how they like. I think these patients are lazy and and need a good kick in the behind. I don't believe in pandering to people's every whim makes them get better; once people take responsibility for themselves, and admit they have problems, I believe it empowers them. I know there has to be a middle way, but it doesn't seem to work. These patients like staying in their drug induced, alcoholic comas and violent relationships, where they smoke endlessly and abuse their children. I am honestly and truly shocked by some of the violent things they don't get prosecuted for. Do you think that if someone is mentally ill (properly Dx I mean), and if they commit a violent, physical act towards say their own child, they should be prosecuted or not? Any comments are welcome.
I am sick of the whole nursing scene. I remember everyone telling me I would love it, what a worthwhile career it would be and how it would open all these doors. The opposite is true. I just wondered if anyone feels the same (I know some people do) and any suggestions of what else I can do? And please don't just tell me to 'change my attitude' - I need mature suggestions.
Someone said on here not long ago that you can only do bedside nursing with a degree. I would have to agree. It is not the magical wand that everyone made it out to be, and does not automatically lead onto another career unless you do like 2-3 more years of a diploma/certificate (even then you have to have experience in the area). In WA you can't work in any speciality area I have been told, unless you have that particular qualification, not even one shift as an agency nurse (too many legal implications).
I am usually a very strong person, but don't feel strong anymore at all. I am fed up with the whole nursing scene. All the chemistry and physics I struggled through, and learning nursing diagnoses, was all a crock as far as I am concerned. Nobody seems to know what you are on about, and they don't use it. And I have worked with many nurses who just plain don't care about any of their patients, and I am getting the same.
I hate becoming cynical - it is an awful feeling, and I don't like being like this. I was going to initially become an EN, but everyone persuaded me a RN job was much better; now I have to disagree.
Should I quit my Diploma or keep struggling to see if things get better? Only thing is if I don't like it, I will still have to pay for the unit/subject.
Sorry for the long rant - needed to get if off my chest!
Any comments are appreciated. :)
sassy_squirrel
76 Posts
Man, hope he never gets work in the Territory doing this 'healthcare' work. I mean, we only just got an oncology centre this year (so now people who have cancer don't have to go south for treatment). :) But then I can't see him ever getting work here for that much money, so I think we should be right.
Hope this week went a bit better for you Carol. Haven't heard from you in a few days.