Finally broke 1 year -- and on my 3rd hospital!

[imanedrn]

So I made 1 year in January. After the first couple months after the 1 year mark, I stopped counting. I'm onto my 3rd hospital and, until I tell people that I've been a nurse for "only" just over 1 year, they never would know. (I always love hearing that, of course.)

After being at my 3rd hospital, because I kept thinking the next would get better, that the grass IS greener, I've finally realized that all med/surg units are essentially the same. (I've been on several different types within the 3 hospitals.) There is absolutely some wiggle room to this statement, but the bottom line is that med/surg is a tough unit in which to work, and it's hard to change the status quo -- no matter where you are or what you're doing.

I have to admit that going to nights has been an amazing transition also. I am writing from a computer at work, at this very moment -- something I would NEVER have been able to do on days. I love knowing I have more time to breathe in addition to actually "caring" for my patients. As much as I wanted to be a doctor for the insane knowledge aspect, I chose to become a nurse because I love caring for people -- whether I know them personally or not. And I love that I have more time to do this on nights than I ever had on days.

Also, I get some sort of twisted satisfaction out of bothering doctors at night -- esp when it's for a med request that could have easily have been made on days!

[oramar]

Thanks to the people that can handle night shift. What would all us people that can't hack the wee hours do without them? Glad to hear everything going well with you. There is no shame in having to make several attempts to find your slot.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

congrats and welcome to nights! now that you realize that the grass is not greener in other facilties, i am happy you are able to find a good shift and enviroment.

in my experience (limited as a nurse) all units, even the specialty ones, are bad except for maybe the icu, or, or ob because those nurses do not have as many patients to think about at once... do not get me wrong, i know that those nurses work hard as well, but one to two patients to think about in the icu, one patient to think about at a time in the or, or healthy patients to think about (who cares how many) is far different then 4-6 seriously and critically ill patients at once on days or 6-11 of those patients at nights (i know of a floor at my hospital that attempted 11 patients for one nurse at night for a bit... that of course did not work out)! also, the stress level at night is so different then days for a variety of other reasons as well.... good luck to you!!

i am switching shifts back to nights and so i am happy. the night crew all over my hospital rocks!

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Absolutely yes ranaazha. As previous posters have stated, you should not knock yourself for trying to find a happier place for your own sanity. If you've ever flown in an airplane and have listened to the pre-flight 'schpeel' - When the oxygen masks drop down, you've got to put your own oxygen mask on first before you help anyone else put on their oxygen mask.

It's the same theory in nursing. You're going to run out of steam and be unable to be a therapeutic nurse to your patients if you don't look out for yourself in the process. This is why many nurses develop thick skins over time.

The more you look out for yourself, the better of a nurse you will be to your patients.

Med/Surg is mentally and physically taxing because you've got to juggle the needs of many, many patients, and family members, and other staff, and administrators, and policy/procedures with a very limited precious commodity (your time).

Just like any other precious resource, everybody's got their own idea of how to make the best use of it, and not one person seems to think that you've got a handle on how to best use it.

I work ICU now, but I spent many, many, many years working med/surg and tele.

The main reason why I like ICU is because of a wonderful drug called propofol, and limited visitor access (just kidding!!....sorta). My patients are very critical, and I have more autonomy to keep in control of that very precious commodity (my time). One patient can have me running my buns off all shift - but I am able to stay more focused because I've got all those numbers and factors floating around in my brain for only one or two patients....not 5 or more patients. (Just because a patient is not critical, doesn't mean that there's less 'going on' with the patient that you've got to keep track of in your head)

My heart absolutely goes out to you. I would love to reach out my hand to you and pat your back and give you a caring shoulder to rest your head on, because you deserve to have more control of your time and deserve more respect than management is likely giving you.

Hang in there. When it bothers you the most, it shows that your hearts in it, and your patients are likely to come out ahead because of it. :redbeathe

[SQueenRN, BSN]

switching to nights, for me, has made ALL the difference. it's such a different pace and the night crew on my floor are all SO helpful. good for you for finding your place. =)

haha i also love called MD's at midnight or 1am and hearing how sleepy they are.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I'm on my second hospital in about a year and a half. However, the grass *really* was greener! It's much better where I am now ...I'm at work right now, too...never could have done this on days (most nights I don't either, but I'm in isolation tonight with easy kids..) Days really aren't my thing.

However, I don't really like late nights calls to the doc, but ours are 99% of the time awake anyway.