Read this.....

cfnp2b · May 18, 2000

Hip, Hip, Hooray! BRAVO! You Go! When you get into the real world, you post some ideas that lead to administrative action and show the rest of us how it is done! Good Luck. I look forward to seeing your comments on future BB postings.

justanurse · May 19, 2000

And, what have you done so far? (I don't mean to be rude either.) Many of us have good ideas. The main one is to have adequate staffing of our facilities to provide adequate care to those people who are paying for it and deserve it. But, many administrations aren't following our suggestion. Wonder how many other ideas we all have? I bet plenty, and I'll bet administrations don't want to hear them either.

I am not lazy! I am worn out to the bone! Sick and tired of working like a dog and feeling brow beaten after a hard day's work. Who has time for activism when I've already got my plate heaped full with "life"? Good luck to all who has the activist spirit!!!!!

mcrow · May 19, 2000

It's nice to hear from someone with such enthusiasm. It reminds me of myself when I first got into nursing about 10 years ago. I am sorry to say that after many years of trying to change things, and your ideas being turned down or pushed aside, my spirit has suffered. Instead of feeling like beating my head against a brick wall, I deceided to go my own way. I am leaving nursing and working for myself where I know my ideas are appreciated, and that is where my enthusiasm lies now. I wish you luck and I truely hope you can change the world of nursing.

midnight · May 19, 2000

I also agree that its great you have such great ideas and enthusiasm in bringing forth change in nursing......however you will soon learn as I did that you will not get the recognition from your administrator that you are hoping for. I have great ideas, and I am a strong patient advocate...my administrator makes it very clear that in todays health care system I need to learn reality...follow instructions despite my objections...nursing is no longer patient oriented it is money oriented....We need changes hopefully your voice will help...good luck

TRN · May 19, 2000

Maybe it doesn't work with administration, but has anyone tried other avenues? If you are unhappy with bedside nursing, how about all the other fields in nursing that are possible? You don't have to be a bedside nurse if it's that bad. Instead of people encouraging my enthusiasm I get the feeling I am being told there is no hope. With that defeated attitude, I guess not. I would have hoped I had more responses saying,"okay..let's get together and brainstorm." But I feel more negativity than anything. Well I will keep trying

OB4ME · May 19, 2000

I think that what keeps us "tired" nurses at the bedside is the little bit that we get back from our patients...the few real "thank you"s that let you know you really are making a difference in your patients lives. You won't get that in many of the other areas that you can branch off into as a nurse.

Being a nurse is very similar to being a teacher (putting aside the fact that nurses are often also "teachers"). It's probably one of the most important jobs out there-but often "thankless"-and overworked and underpaid. But we stick with it.

Don't get me wrong-I LOVE my job. I enjoy being at the bedside with my patients!!! But there are some days when I (briefly) consider changing to some other career. A career where you get respect for your education, experience, and opinions. A career where you can work 9-5, Monday to Friday, all holidays off. A career you leave at "the office" when you go home...

But then, I remember why I became a nurse-to make a difference in people's lives! And I realize I wouldn't be happier (or as happy!) doing anything else!

God bless you in your enthusiasm! Let me know when you get the boat offshore, and I'll help paddle!

CANRN, MSN, RN · May 19, 2000

I agree your energy is high, BUT I can assure you, it was for all of us at one time. It is hard to fight for change when your voice is not heard, it is hard to stick your neck out only to have it chopped off.

After witnessing the destruction of health care first hand, I personally, could not handle it anymore. There is more than myself to think of, I have a family. For that reason, I made a decison to strike out on my own and now work at home, but do PRN nursing, Who says you can't have your cake and eat it to???

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mcrow · May 20, 2000

TRN, it is not that things can't be changed. Some things can. Work toward those as best you can. It is "the bigger picture" that is so hard to change. It really involves money, budgets, and cuts, that they give nurses no control over. Everyone has their jobs to do, it's managment's to find the money. They usually find it in having less nurses. I already realized that bedside nursing was no longer a safe area and that is why I started my own home business. There are also other areas to get into just as you mentioned. Everyone just needs to find what makes them comfortable. I can see by your other posts you are looking for something comfortable for you. Be true to yourself and be happy. Best wishes to you.

lita1857 · May 20, 2000

TRN, well I actually haven't heard such fire in a long time..a whole host of emotions got triggered...but the best one was hope...maybe the profession will go on and grow in a manner Id always hoped. I've been a nurse since 1977 and I'm 43yrs old, well paid but not at the bedside for almost 2yrs, regretfully so.I really am lucky I have 7 close nurse friends who are awesome...we meet for lunch once a month and cover EVERYTHING in nursing/personal lives, professional lives etc. We all have different jobs but we are very close-best friends-tell each other everything and admire the heck out of each other for various reasons.I wish that for you TRN and any one listening...i'm not really good with the computer yet. it was the best of times....it was the worst of times...but it has been THE TIME OF MY LIFE.....Fondly, Pam McCormick

angelnurse · May 23, 2000

First of all trn, I am a housewife who is neither lazy nor nagging. I graduated from nursing school last year with a BSN degree. While attending nursing school, I became pregnant. I delivered my baby 3 months after graduation. It was for the well-being of my child that I choose to become a housewife, who is neither lazy nor nagging. I don't know if you have kids trn, but nothing takes the place of seeing those few little bunny rabbits that greets you every morning. Nothing takes the place of seeing this kid crawl around in circles and clapping his hands at the sound of the sesame street song. ( I can go on and on )

I understand you are presently in nursing school. Well trn, it is very easy to say what you are going to do when you are on the outside looking in. These nurses are there sweetie. They KNOW administrators are not listening, they KNOW nurses are eating their young etc. If anything, you should feel appreciated for having some insight about the "INFAMOUS REAL WORLD" your instructors are presently drilling in you and stop being so harsh.

I personally believe if you have some magnificient ideal that can change all of these current complaints and problems that our fellow nurses are enduring, POST IT! Let them try it first and see if it works. That way when you (and many others students) graduate and I enter the field, IT WOULD BE TOTALLY DIFFERENT AND PROBLEM FREE. After all, your exact words were "I am going to make a difference." So why not start now, we are all eyes and ears.

Thank You

Originally posted by TRN:
I have a question......why is it that in all of these message forums I see nurses complain about their work but fail to suggest any ideas for improvement? I read many of you speaking of unions....have any of you tried to implement your ideas??? No wonder we are not respected. We sit and complain, but do nothing. Who would repesct that?? Let me give you some advice....DO SOMETHING and stop complaining. Write letters to the government, join ANA, get petitions started....anything to show administration we are serious. I don't mean to be rude, but you all sound like a bunch of lazy, nagging housewives. Remember Nurses...we are trained professionals who are educated to DO something. Write to newpapers about the horrible conditions. Anything! I'm a student nurse and I see the situation is bad, but I can guarantee you I will find ways to change it. And no, that is not idealistic, it's proactive. The ones who sit back and complain but do nothing should be ashamed of themself. Sorry if this message sounds harsh but I've heard enough and the truth may hurt...but maybe this will motivate someone to ge a little more involved. Do you think doctors or lawyers would sit and do nothing? No, because they are educated....as we all are. PLease ladies and gentlemen, let's start discussing ideas and pull together. We should be proud of our profession.

CANRN, MSN, RN · May 23, 2000

Well said Lita!

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