I HATE bedside nursing

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Ok maybe I just don't care for it too much, but I feel like Im suffocating. I have been in this position for about 10 months now and I cant wait to hit the year mark so I can get out! I feel I might not be cut out for it in the long term because there is just way too much dramatization on insignificant things that add stress to my life which is unnecessary. One nursing attendant reported me to the manager over a trivial issue which had already been solved. I have never been reported to any manager like that ever before in my career. Perhaps she hates me but having to sit in his office and go over matters that have been settled regarding cleaning a patient is beyond me. Especially when the patient was cleaned and the matter was settled. I did not make a med error, none of my patients died, and no one fell. Why I had to remain in his office for nearly 30 minutes after working 12hour night shift is just silly to me. I guess it's the protocol but Im sick of it. I hope I am not over exaggerating but I am feeling more and more like bedside is not for me but I dont want to quit before my year is up. I want to have a solid year so I can move on to do other things that require that much experience. I am so tired and frankly I'm getting bored and unmotivated. How do I rectify this?! Please help. Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

((HUGS)) what kind of facility is this?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Move on...I worked one shift on a hospital floor during my entire nursing career. I'd apply for a job on one of those crab fishing boats like "Deadliest Catch" if there was only bedside care in nursing.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hospital

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for the hugs :)

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I don't understand why the CNA felt she had to report you. Were you unwilling to participate in assisting the clean up of the pt? The most action happens at the bedside, I find it is where I can make the most difference. It is true there is the most controversy at the bedside, but working as a team does make a difference. It sounds like your "team" is more into competition than working together. Try to see why the CNA felt she had to report you. Bedside is not as terrible as you may think!!!

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Start looking for something you will enjoy and when they ask why you are leaving your current job say something like, "I saw this position, its something I am very interested in doing." That's the truth and its not you say "I hate working in a hospital." Worse case scenario they don't hire you because you haven't had a full years worth of experience and you finish out the next two months.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

What was the issue that you got reported for?

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Start your search now. The act of actively job hunting will help your morale.

It can take a long time to find another, more suitable position. Especially during the holidays.

Good luck! Let us know how it's going.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

It's not just you honey, bedside does suck. I told myself I would stay 3-5 years; long enough to get enough experience to never have to go back, and work on my BSN at the same time. As soon as I have reached that mark I am gone. Bedside nursing sets you up to fail. You deal all day long with unhappy, often un-pleasable patients, and/or co-workers who will throw you under the bus for the most minute things I have ever seen in my life. Sick, sick, sick environment.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
It's not just you honey, bedside does suck. I told myself I would stay 3-5 years; long enough to get enough experience to never have to go back, and work on my BSN at the same time. As soon as I have reached that mark I am gone. Bedside nursing sets you up to fail. You deal all day long with unhappy, often un-pleasable patients, and/or co-workers who will throw you under the bus for the most minute things I have ever seen in my life. Sick, sick, sick environment.

Thats sad that you have had such a bad experience. I love working bedside.I love getting a heart felt thank you from people and seeing them get better and go home. My coworkers are my best friends.

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Sabr - at the risk of getting tons of "flame emoticons" from AN....if you don't like bedside care then why even go into nursing? i suppose one can also work for insurance companies or something, but "bedside skills" and most importantly a good bedside manner are required everywhere (SNF/clinic/etc) - including working with nurse assistants (or whatever the facility in question calls them).

Although the issue the CNA reported you about hasn't been stated - i'm guessing the CNA believed you didn't clean or help clean a patient correctly, or something along those lines. cleanliness in my mind is certainly not trivial. a lack of it can lead to sepsis.

I will offer that in this current market, a good two years of acute care experience is pretty much required to move forward. Try to stay where you are and make peace with the CNA. Even if the issue wasn't your fault! CNAs can make or break your career. It's fine if bedside care isn't your cup of tea - just don't leave too early and make yourself ineligible for other opportunities. Best of luck to you

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