Frustrated

Sandcastles, ASN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

I have no advice but can totally relate.I work at a place where we NEVER have supplies to do our job properly.But yet we need to sign the Tars we used this this and this when we basically scrap together whatever we can find!! Its fustrating believe me I know.Also cattiness is at EVERY job you will ever work at.Especially nursing because it is mostly females.I know for my own self I just try to keep in mind Im there for the patients and its not their fault I dont have supplies or someone is gossiping about me ect.I just try and remain postive which I know can be hard if your working with some Debbie downers at times.....

Lucky0220 · Dec 14, 2009

You know, after reading so many of your posts, I think you need to change your screen name. You seem to be anything but tolerant! You have so many complaints about everything from co-workers to suppplies, to just about all aspects of nursing. Nursing is not any easy job, and you can't have everything just the way you want it. There are a lot of frustrations, and you have to be adaptable. Think about it. :twocents:

NeoNurseTX, RN · Dec 14, 2009

Going from paper charting to the most user unfriendly computer charting possible...we STILL spend more time charting than doing patient care! Travelers that are familiar w/ other comp charting systems say ours is by far the most ridiculous.

DusktilDawn · Dec 14, 2009

Going from paper charting to the most user unfriendly computer charting possible...we STILL spend more time charting than doing patient care! Travelers that are familiar w/ other comp charting systems say ours is by far the most ridiculous.

Almost sounds like we work at the same place!! We just replaced paper charting with the most user unfriendly computer charting possible! It takes 2-3 times longer to chart the most simple of things via computer than it did to write it out. Oh and the added bonus of being unable to "lock" other users out, meaning we have to log off and on everytime we leave the computer unattended, that's if we can find one (that properly works half the time). WOW, so much for making our job easier, love how they tell us that. When you hear the words "It will make your job so much easier" be afraid, very afraid.:stone Usually that translates to 2-3 times harder.

Up2nogood RN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

That sucks, I work on a new wing and we have cabinets with locks. They were originally designed with the thought in mind that we could keep our pt's meds for the shift in there too but it's a simple code for all the locks that has never been changed.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

Get a "Pro Pack" nurse pack. You can keep all kinds of items in it that you might need. You can keep 2X2s, blunt fill needles, IV caps, tape, alcohol swabs, etc. in it. Since you know you'll need to flush your patients' IVs, grab a flush for each one at the beginning of your shift. If you use one, replace it. Extra flushes that have not been used by the end of your shift can be returned, so long as they are not opened.

tolerantgirl · Dec 14, 2009

You know, after reading so many of your posts, I think you need to change your screen name. You seem to be anything but tolerant! You have so many complaints about everything from co-workers to suppplies, to just about all aspects of nursing. Nursing is not any easy job, and you can't have everything just the way you want it. There are a lot of frustrations, and you have to be adaptable. Think about it.

I am very tolerant of other people, different religions, cultures, ways of life. I am talking about frustration with how people higher up make nursing much more difficult and inconvenient. when I have to track down a saline flush to flush my patient's pain medication and I am not able to find one, who does that affect? My patient. Have you ever heard of the phrase work smarter, not harder? When I have to leave the patient to look for supplies that we should be allowed to keep in the room, who does that affect? The patient because I am not there. Why should the patient have to wait? They shouldn't.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday. Merry Christmas.

Lucky0220 · Dec 14, 2009

look on this forum to see all the posts about what nurses keep in their pockets. flushes, alcohol wipes, etc. what is so hard about that? you should not be sweating so much of the small stuff is what i was trying to convey. there are so many other issues in nursing to focus on besides "catty nurses and not being able to store supplies where you want them." get some cargo pants with lots of pockets. be flexible!

tolerantgirl · Dec 14, 2009

look on this forum to see all the posts about what nurses keep in their pockets. flushes, alcohol wipes, etc. what is so hard about that? you should not be sweating so much of the small stuff is what i was trying to convey. there are so many other issues in nursing to focus on besides "catty nurses and not being able to store supplies where you want them." get some cargo pants with lots of pockets. avoid the catty nurses. be flexible![/quote
because you shouldn't have to keep it in your pocket. why should we have to load our pockets down with flushes, needles, etc. that is an infection control issue as well. we should be able to use cabinets in the room that were installed for that purpose.

MedSurgeMess · Dec 14, 2009

my suggestion is if you know you need a flush, grab it before you even go into the room to administer the medication. I don't keep them in my pockets either, against my hospital policy. I just grab one as I'm grabbing the med. Problem solved.....

NurseStephRN · Dec 14, 2009

At my hospital, we are also not allowed to keep needles, flushes, etc in the patient's room. It IS inconvenient, but i do agree with it. this is my experience:

I had a pt i was starting an IV on. i set up my saline lock with my flush and my needles, my tape, etc. oh and i had an extra flush, just in case. i turned around to go wash my hands and while i'm drying them, i caught the patient swiping my extra flush and stashing it under the sheets! i took it away and told him that was not ok to do, and i probably documented it in the education record. anyway, we later found out that this guy had fold flushes and stuff in his personal duffel bag and was crushing his PO Dilauded that he "swallowed" and shot it up his ivs! he ended up with cellulitis.

so, although it is inconvenient not to have supplies such as these in the room when you might need them, there is a reason for it. i've heard of pts stealing needles, etc. not safe.

i have a cute fanny pack that where i stash alcohol swipes, 4x4s and flushes. i even have extras in my pockets. it's not that serious. there are better things to be frustrated about. :)

we just switched to computer charting with the most retarded system ever! lol. i'm still getting the hang of it, but i wish i still had my paper charting. i'm not against charting on the computer, i just don't like the system my hospital has provided me with lol. it's so not user friendly!