How does this happen??

CFitzRN, ADN · Mar 4, 2010

That is a good question. I have a theory that stems from my own experience. When I was in nursing school 2 years ago, we got -very little- actual clinical instruction. We got more theory and lecture than we got clinical instruction. I started a total of 2 IVs during school, and did 1 foley. When you graduate and are thrust into the real world of the hospital, it is like culture shock. It is HARD WORK - harder than most people even realize while in clinical. I have to tell you, I was totally overwhelmed, and I was a grown woman who had raised a whole passel of boys. You'd think I'd have enough pluck to deal with it. But nurses are worked into the ground these days (and probably always, but for some reason, there are those of you who just took to it really well). I just about cracked under the pressure. After a few weeks I did start getting it though, even though I was absolutely exhausted every time I left there.

I just think we are not as prepared for a hospital job these days as new grad nurses used to be.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

Being of the "younger generation" of nurses myself, I have been saddened by some of the attitudes I have seen from my co-workers and other nurses I know. IMO, alot of the newer nurses are entering this profession, for the salary, the job stability, and the ability to easily advance to a CRNA or an NP. They think all through school they will find a job in no time, be paid big bucks, and then go on to become a NP or CRNA in no time. They graduate, and realize that it's not just pill pushing and charting to bring home the paycheck. Suddenly, they are doing actual patient care! Somehow many young nurses seem to think that there will always be NA's to do baths and bedpans, which is just not what they signed up to do. These nurses will quickly leave the bedside.

diane227, LPN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

When I was in nursing school (I graduated in 1978, Texas Womans University) we had clinical 2 days a week. But I got my experience from my part time job as a cna at one of Houstons largest medical center hospitals. That is where I learned my organizational skills. When I graduated I went to work at that hospital on a 42 bed post op cardiovascular floor. I was the only RN with one LPN and 2 CNA's. We ran our butts off. But for the most part I was ready. We did not have a paper work requirements back then that we have now but we made up for that in numbers of patients. When you have 21 patients assigend to you, you better get organized! I really feel for people who have not worked in hospitals before they go into nursing or while in school.

Mukfay · Mar 4, 2010

Just out of curiosity, could some of the seasoned nurses chime in and tell us how many of their classmates decided that nursing wasn't for them back in the day. Thanks in advance!

Student2Registered · Mar 4, 2010

New Grad here...and after a long hard day at work I'd like to say that although I still love nursing I can see why some people can HATE it. First of all, we work so hard. We hold our own pee while we empty urinals and foley bags. We hold back our tears as we wipe others' tears. We smell nasty smells but we smile and pretend we don't.

And then as the day goes on we get blamed for the beeping, we get blamed for the TV not working. We get blamed for the pain, the temperature of the room, the doctor not doing what (s)he said they were going to do, we get blamed for the medicine not working, etc.

We spend all day concerned with our patients needs, little and big, we are expected to JUMP when called regardless of what we are doing at that particular moment. And we are "bad" nurses because we cannot fart out a vicodin at any request.

And yet, for me, all it takes is one patient to say thank you, and then I remember that I really do love this job but sometimes it does get a bit ridiculous.

nursej22, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

I agree that nursing students have far too little clinical time. During my LPN training(24 years ago) we did 2-3 days per week for 6 months. Not only did we have a chance to hone skills but we saw a lot more diseases and conditions over days to learning disease progression and response to treatment.

As for how many of my classmates realized nursing wasn't for them? I was in very small classes (12 each for LPN and RN) but exactly the same number dropped out of each: 3.

When I started as an RN we took up to 8 patients each on a medical floor on night shift, no aides. But charting took maybe 10% of your time, whereas now it is approx. 50% of my time. And yes, the patients are much sicker today. People go home sooner and patients who would have been in ICU or dead are on the medical floors.

onetiredmomma · Mar 4, 2010

After I got my LPN I worked in a hospital that had a diploma program affilliated with it. Those students, in their Junior year practically staffed the 3-11pm shift! They served as team leaders, med nurses. By the time they graduated the had tons of experience and required little orientation as employees. I don't remember people talking about how much they disliked nursing. I do remember when BSN programs were dissed for the lack of clinical experience their students got. I also remember, when I got my ADN and started my first job a week after graduation I was always wondering where the heck my instructor was to help me! Huge shock to go from 2 pts to 5+!

CFitzRN, ADN · Mar 4, 2010

And we are "bad" nurses because we cannot fart out a vicodin at any request.

:lol2: :yeah: :lol2: :yeah:

mamamerlee, LPN · Mar 4, 2010

In my diploma program, nearly 40 years ago, we started out with nearly 100 students, and about 30 were gone by the end of the first year. We graduated about 65. No one that I am aware of decided they didn't like nursing after the first year, I think it was due to the fact that we had plenty of clinical time.

We worked full shifts after the first rotation, 7-3:30. I wonder how many students work 12's while they are in school, and take a full load by their senior year.

Little_Mouse · Mar 4, 2010

Got back from work about an hour ago and I have to agree with some of the things said here. I think it's a combination of both culture shock AND all the stuff we have to go through...but emphasis on the culture shock.

I graduated May '09. 2 years of nursing school. Mostly 1 clinical a week. The focus was more on theory/passing NCLEX than hands on. Even during my senior clinical, we'd get the full pt load, but it's still different because the student nurse still has the RN with them and points to them what they are missing, etc. etc. Much of the time, the student is more of an assistant than getting hands on with the nitty gritty (paperwork, prioritizing, etc.) I had 2 weeks of orientation on my floor and thought it was easy to manage. But after 2 days of "being on my own" (I still get help from the other nurses) I am so frazzled and stressed out catching up on paperwork. It is different being on your own. It is a culture shock. Nursing school and even orientation on a unit (if it wasn't a good one) doesn't really prepare you for being on your own. There would always be someone to "hold your hand" and tell you what to do or what your missing. Being on your own is something else.

Not sure if I'm making any sense now...still getting over today.

Keep in mind this is coming from someone with NO nursing background at all (i.e. CNA, LVN)

In other words: lack of adequate clinical and training.

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

I think one of the reasons nurses decided it's not for them is the shock of finding out how rude and ungrateful the familes are, how whiny patients can be over the tiniest thing, and how they want to get you fired over stupid stuff like their Jell-o melted or they didn't get the flavor they wanted.