head ---> meet brick wall and repeat (rant)

Peri · Jun 24, 2008

For me, it isn't the patients that cause me problems - it is the politics, the managers, the lack of support, the stress and the erosion of patient care.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2008

For me, it isn't the patients that cause me problems - it is the politics, the managers, the lack of support, the stress and the erosion of patient care.

Agreed! AND the documentation via computer that seriously cuts into patient care. If if comes to caring for the patient in a emergency or babysitting the computer, I will take care of the patient. But I know I am playing with fire, because the "if you don't chart it, you didn't do it, " BS.

I may someday end up in court because I didn't chart something, but it won't be bacause I didn't take care of the patient. That is the main reason I am cutting my hours and trying to cut my expenses to the bone and decrease my time at work.

I will not leave nursing, but it may leave me!

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2008

Yeah, it's rough and it's not for everybody. Thank goodness--someone has to do the other stuff too. It's good to find your niche; not everyone is supposed to be a bedside nurse. God knows we NEED bedside nurses but if you're miserable there, then it's not your place and I'm glad you've found an environment you'll thrive in.

For some strange reason, I love the hospital environment and all of the above you've said I've lived through too....I've been spit on, bit, punched, slammed against a wall, cursed at, screamed at, threatened, splashed, hurt lifting obese patients....And that doesn't include lateral violence, physician insults and administrative demands, lol. Still...I *want* to work in the hospital. Heh. :)

loricatus · Jun 25, 2008

That pretty much sums up my experience with nursing. Seems like every small task turned into a huge challenge. I've been cussed out, hit, kicked, splashed with every imaginable body fluid and exposed to all sort viruses and bacteria.
I've worked at 3 different hospitals and 1 home health office. Each has been miserable in their own unique way.
Time to move on from pt care, I have found it to be very frustrating, stressful and at times depressing.
I just excepted an office position with an insurance company and I think it's going to be a great fit. I was an office manager prior to becoming a nurse and miss the office atmosphere. No more on call, weekends or holidays!
I found this site prior to nursing school and remember reading all the rant posts with nurses leaving the bedside. I never imagined I would be joining them. I also never could of imagined how bad the atmosphere and conditions in which nurses have to work. Hats off to all of you who do and somehow manage to enjoy it!

You are not alone.

Will get away from pt care as soon as I can find something. Actually, I love the pt care part, it's all the rest of the BS that is driving me away.

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2008

It wasn't just the pt care, it was all the other things mentioned. I think I could have dealt with the nasty pts/families/MD's if I didn't feel like I was always surrounded by chaos.

Seemed like I was always surrounded by people who were also just hanging by their finger nails. It always amazed me how disorganized the hospitals were. Morale was always low with 1/2 the staff wanting to quit. The atmosphere was toxic, turn over frequent. I'm tired, burnt out, and of course my back hurts. I've been a nurse for 4 years and I feel it has aged me 10. There were many times I felt like shredding my license and mailing it back to the BON. (seriously)

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It feels so liberating to get all of this off my chest!

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Jun 25, 2008

good luck with your new job. you deserve only the best !