"How can we retain nurses?" This question was queried at my last staff meeting by the director. We currently are using 17 or more travel nurses in our approximately 150 bed hospital with at least 20 or more openings for full time, part time and seasonal nurses posted. I heard that one nurse said something to the effect that no one in admin listens to us so why ask? Hospital positions were always the "sought after" positions for new grads. Now they leave after 1 year to find something more tolerable.
When things go right, when we get complimentary letters and "good" patient satisfaction scores we are told, "good job", "keep up the good work", but when one patient or family member complains, when there is one fall, one problem there is a verbal or written (or God forbid a final written) warning that stays on your record for a year and a required essay as to how you're going to fix the problem.
And yet here we are day in and day out dealing with abuse, criticism and complaints from patients and family members, and a workload that is frequently impossible to complete in a safe or sane manner. The other day admin bought everyone pizza because the day was so bad. Really!? Is that what you think will fix the problem?
I've had it. We are NOT appreciated. If we were, YOU would back us up instead of pandering to the ones who complain. YOU would hire enough staff so we weren't completely fried.
Sorry for this rant. I just had to vent. And, yes, I am looking for another job after many years of bedside nursing.
