I need opinions!

jmb410s · Aug 14, 2008

I need help guys! I am just a few shifts away from being done with a contract I have been really unhappy with. We have had some really bad outcomes there and have had several issues occur that I have tried my best to keep my mouth shut about. Main point is that my co workers have no support in any of these situations, even from the manager who I feel should be our greatest supporter! I dont know if I should keep my mouth shut or just get the heck out! I just feel I have the least to lose out of all my co workers and feel that somebody should say something because no one has any clue as to what is going on there.... this is not a place that I would be interested in for a full time position in the future, so I feel I cant burn any bridges. Any suggestions?

On one hand the benefit to being a traveler is that you do not get involved in the hospital politics. Do your job to the best of your ability and then get out.

On the other hand, what do you care if you are not going back ever and expecially if something unsafe and harmful to a patient is occuring.

Just be sure it won't come back and bite you if you have to have a reference from someone at the hospital for future jobs.

SheaOBRN · Aug 14, 2008

I CARE because what is occurring is not in the best interest of the patient on a regular basis (thats why I became a nurse-to help people get the best care and results!) and because I have bonded with the girls I work with and see how miserable they are with no where to go for assistance...I feel I am the one who has the least to lose with speaking up. I realize that probably the best perk is that we don't have to get involved in the politics, but I have been pulled into that due to a possible lawsuit. Good point about the references....but I have people I can use there if needed!

jmb410s · Aug 15, 2008

I CARE because what is occurring is not in the best interest of the patient on a regular basis (thats why I became a nurse-to help people get the best care and results!) and because I have bonded with the girls I work with and see how miserable they are with no where to go for assistance...I feel I am the one who has the least to lose with speaking up. I realize that probably the best perk is that we don't have to get involved in the politics, but I have been pulled into that due to a possible lawsuit. Good point about the references....but I have people I can use there if needed!

I hope you did not take my post the wrong way when I said what do you care.

I was saying you should care always if a pt has the potential to be harmed, even more so since you will not be going back.

Hope everything works out.

Jolie, BSN · Aug 15, 2008

On one hand the benefit to being a traveler is that you do not get involved in the hospital politics. Do your job to the best of your ability and then get out.

I agree with jmb up to this point.

If the quality of care at this facility sinks to the level of being dangerous, then make an anonymous report to the State Department of Health. You know that the facility administraotrs are not interested in improving the situation, or they would already be working on it. Hearing comments from you, even constructive ones will not "nudge" them into action. It will make them defensive and likely to lash out at you, which brings me to my next point: "this is not a place that I would be interested in for a full time position in the future, so I feel I cant burn any bridges."

These are famous last words. Parting on bad terms, especially as a traveler, will follow you in one way or another. You may not want to return to this facility, but you don't know that the staff and/or management there won't move on to other facilities where you may cross paths. Over time, things may improve at this hospital, and 5 years from now, when they have the best L&D unit in town, you don't want to be on the outside looking in because you upset the wrong person.

It is my opinion that the duty of travelers is to provide the best possible care to patients under their supervision, while attempting to be suppportive of the environment in which they are essentially guests. If you believe you can and want to "make a difference" on this unit, then apply for a permanent position. If not, then focus on what you can control, which is your own patient care and your relationships with others, and leave the politics to the permanent staff.