I became a nurse because I am compassionate, bright (honour roll student), and would like to do nothing more than help people achieve good health, and get better. All that I've gotten from nursing is a decline in my own health and self esteem!!
It's true they do eat their young. And if they get proven wrong, because another nurse, or nurses stand up and say, that this particular nurse you are hazing is actually doing really well, they will resort to lying, and even threatening.
I was told I would deserve to be hit by a patient even though I was trying to de esculate as another nurse watched with a smirk on her face.
Why should I subject myself to this when I can do less stressful jobs for just a few bucks less, or do a job that pays more, but at least my health and self esteem are not targetted? Why? I did it because I LOVED my JOB, I loved working with my paatients and I worked DAMN HARD in nursing school and paid so much money to become one.
I draw the line here. Another nurse that will become INACTIVE because there are so many jobs out there that might be hard, but at least you don't get eaten, and lied about and manipulated on a daily basis. You know I can transfer my credits and get an accounting degree and make MORE MONEY. I can become an Architect and make more. I can work as a secretary and make only $7-8 buxz less than what I make with less stress (I've been a secretary before). I can get a goverment job and make wicked money with great benefits. What the hell am I still doing here? Because I love my job and patients? Yes but it's not worth my health and self esteem.
For those of you eating .. you are FAT COWS who will get waht you deserve.
For those of you who put up with it .. my condolences, there are opotions.
For those of you who think I'm CRAZY .. you are crazy for working in a place that promotes this ********, just becaause it didn't happen to you, I'm sure you saw it happen to someoen else who didn't deserve it!!
Am I mad .. HELL YEAH !! The nursing profession just lost an amazing nurse today. If most of the staff can admit to me doing a fine job, and I have to put up with 3 people (less than 95%) of the staff make up lies about me and get away with it, then nursing doesn't deserve good nurses like ME!! I am ready to stand up and take waht I deserve, which is to be treated like a civilized person, and not some dumbass freak that can be mocked at, belittled, ohhhhh and hit at :).
This proves that nurses contribute to their own shortage. I left my last job due to a new asst nurse manager that was always writing me up for nothing. One day i finally had enough and refused to sign the write up and stormed out of her office. She followed me and told me just because im white doesnt mean i can do what i want.
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
The work is tough and if you've run into some turbulence along the way, try to realize that all nurses get tried by fire. This profession takes a lot of mental and emotional stamina as it does critical thinking. The nurses you're working with have been well-honed and may show some grizzle now and then but it's how they have managed to survive short staffing, ungrateful and sometimes violent patients with impossible demands. They've seen it all. You must find your own survival mechanisms if you are to remain in this profession. There's no shame in moving on if nursing's not for you. You won't hear me telling you that you should stay. Only you can weigh that out.
Fat Cow was not meant literally. I am talking about nurses eating other nurses, not literally though.
I think the OP said 'fat cow' in a moment of passion and didn't mean to disparage the thousands of overweight nurses in America and beyond. I think she meant they were 'fat' in a figuative sense, from 'eating their young'. Didn't she apologize for having offended some?
I think continuing to ruminate over this slip of the keyboard is pointless.
My first nursing job, I swear that the unit manager had more psych issues than the patients...and it was a psych unit, so that was going pretty far. She told me at one point that I should consider going back to waitressing b/c there was no way that someone as stupid as I was was going to ever make it long term as a nurse. I was humiliated and cried on my way into work every day. I left that job not long after, and the unit fell apart....her bullying caused over 75% of her staff to leave in a single month. We planned it ahead of time amongst ourselves; we took three months for everyone to get new jobs lined up and left at the same time. She (and the facility) lost a lot of kick ass nurses, and that unit ended up closing down.
I've been at the same place now for over five years. The difference is amazing...it's pointless to "eat" the newbies, how does that ensure that the patients are well taken care of and retain staff? The whole culture where I'm at now is focused on taking care of each other. Yeah, there's still some cattiness that goes on, it's gonna happen whenever you have a bunch of women and their hormones to deal with. But on the whole we're a nurturing bunch who look out for each other.
So don't give up on nursing in entirety just b/c your first job was awful. Go on, find a place that is supportive of you, and become the nurse you know you can be.
You worked so hard to become a nurse. Not all places are like the one you described!! Take a break and try again. Nursing is a great profession and if you can find the right place, you can do what you love. Good Luck
My first nursing job, I swear that the unit manager had more psych issues than the patients...and it was a psych unit, so that was going pretty far. She told me at one point that I should consider going back to waitressing b/c there was no way that someone as stupid as I was was going to ever make it long term as a nurse. I was humiliated and cried on my way into work every day. I left that job not long after, and the unit fell apart....her bullying caused over 75% of her staff to leave in a single month. We planned it ahead of time amongst ourselves; we took three months for everyone to get new jobs lined up and left at the same time. She (and the facility) lost a lot of kick ass nurses, and that unit ended up closing down.
I've been at the same place now for over five years. The difference is amazing...it's pointless to "eat" the newbies, how does that ensure that the patients are well taken care of and retain staff? The whole culture where I'm at now is focused on taking care of each other. Yeah, there's still some cattiness that goes on, it's gonna happen whenever you have a bunch of women and their hormones to deal with. But on the whole we're a nurturing bunch who look out for each other.
So don't give up on nursing in entirety just b/c your first job was awful. Go on, find a place that is supportive of you, and become the nurse you know you can be.
May I say, that was an awesome display of solidarity, I applaud you and your comrades!!!
I agree with jlsRN. Lets move on. There is'nt a one of us that has "sounded off" at some point. I think Runman1914 is correct. We are contributing to our own shortage. I think it is time to recognize and adress this collectively. Susanne Summers once said, "We are only as sick as our secrets". I don't believe the public at large is aware of this problem. I know Joint Commission is because I recently read their position with regard to the "disruptive employee". Many nurses are going to work everyday and trying to get along and do their job under the most difficult circumstances. There is a minority that are making life miserable for those dedicated souls. It's most terrible when this minority create clicks and monopolize the situation. Oftern management feeds right into the insanity. In short....they can be part of the problem. I have seen my share of meaness. When I am in charge of a unit I have 1 rule. "No matter how bad it gets we DO NOT act out against the patient or each other". And trust me...I have been in some bad situations. Thats why I have little problem with anyone that wants to blow off in this forum. Nurses need somewhere to go. The manager most often does not want to hear it. They have little true power anyway. They're driven by the budget.
I will take all of what everyone said into consideration. I am still considering my options and what I want to do.
I rarely use bad language but I am so upset and angry.
I called the governing board, the woman was nice and sympathetic but there are no clear actions being taken currently here to stop the abuse, or protect the nurses.
It sounds like you did the best thing by getting out, but don't let the "eaters" win by quitting nursing if you still love it. Not all places are like this, and not all people are like this. Look around. Sometimes smaller, less busy places are more relaxed. You should only quit nursing if it's what you want-don't let anyone chase you away!:paw:
It was impressed upon me in Nursing School that we are going to have to be accountable to each other. Until we collectively come to the conclusion that there is a real problem and are willing to adress it as individuals supported by others that wish to adress the problem there will be no change. If someone wants to look at why they abuse more power to them. Go to counseling. I do know that until it's openly spoken on as an issue it will not be adressed. These incidences are very ugly and mar nursing as a whole. They also directly impact patient safety according to Joint Commission. Last week I listened to a nurse malign another nurse who has practiced for 40 years. I kindly redirected the maligner. The week before I intervened where I felt a new nurse was being "eaten". I personally am not going for it. I would challenge every nurse to get on board with me. Too many of us are looking the other way in such incidences. Have considered starting a new Nursing organization. N.A.N.A.N Nurses against nurses abusing nurses. Hoping it won't take that march on Washington but if that is what it takes so be it. I'm all for getting this problem adressed.
A follow up note from me then I really must go. This has been a great thread. Have decided that I will stay in nursing until Sept 2009. Some of you are very uplifting and enspiring. Will decide on that march come February:thnkg:
Tippy-ta-ta
253 Posts
I feel your pain and I can understand where you are coming from.
Have you ever considered Industrial nursing? You pretty much work alone I believe.