I wish all the washed out tired nurses would retire.

agent66 · Oct 20, 2007

You are most welcome!! :lol2:

ck2007 · Oct 21, 2007

I agree with NC. I too wish all the grouchy, miserable, tired nurses would retire. Everyone wants to defend the nurse that is burnt out, and isn't looking out for the patients best interest. I understand people get stressed and tired, but it makes me angry to see someone taking there frustrations out on the patient. If the patient was my grandpa, and the nurse was one of the 2 nurses I have personally seen with this problem, I think I would be arrested.

I'm sorry that 25-30 year nurses are tired. But honestly, I'm more sorry for the non verbal patient who cannot do or say anything about it.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2007

Well, I had one who would come in with Hair by Weed-whacker and Shmatas from Rag Bag with Rips Couture. Hey, take a needle and thread and an iron to those rags. There's no excuse for that. My A&Ox3 old folks always commented on how I looked, and cared about it. It meant that I respected and cared about them enough to look nice. Simple, but basic civilized behavior in any environment.

I have to say- I've worked with a lot of techs (dialysis) who come in to work disheveled, wearing wrinkled scrubs that look like they were taken out of a hamper, dirty hair, etc. Although, I find that it's usually the younger staff who are not well groomed.

I have many, nice srub tops and pants, most are custom made. I iron my outfits for the week all in on shot on my day off.

I always wear my hair up in a bun, and have jewelry (small earrings, pendants and barettes) to coordinate with each scrub outfit. I wear coordinating watches, as well. I wear white nursing shoes which are machine washable, and I wash them 3-4 times a week, with bleach. Between washings, I wipe them down with Clorox wipes.

My patients regularly comment on my outfits, saying things such as "Oh, you got all dressed up for us."

I agree- the way staff are dressed and groomed really impacts how pts perceive us.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 21, 2007

i started a job as a nurse in a nursing home about a month ago and there are about 3-4 nurses that i take report from that are run down, negative, desensitized and really could give a rats a** about the patients. it makes me so freaking mad to hear the patients say "oh shes so mean because she refuses to give me my prn mom because she says all i will do is mess all in my diapers." just the other day, one of my patients said "my nurse would not give me my nitroglycerin when i was having chest pain, she said i should try to tough it out. boy did i have a terrible night." ***. i know in my heart i will never get so worn out and complacent in my job that i will treat my patients like that. i was a cna for 14 years and had the best attitude. the nurses in my facility have been there for 15- 25+ year and are lazy, rude and just worn out. they even look ragged. all their clothing are faded and and dull and their hair looks dull and unkept. i wish they would all retire and stop making their patients lives h***. just my two cents, vent is over.
overall i really like my new job. its tough but very doable. so much better than being a cna and the money is great. i love my residents. when i come on they treat me like i'm the next best thing to sliced bread. one of my patients said to me "i like you because you really seem like you care." that really made my day.

i know this won't come as a total shock, but some patients lie. some manipulate. some are confused and don't understand. could be the patient didn't get ntg because they were hypotensive or because they were having stabbing chest pain in the same general vicinity where their grandchild's toy truck was found pressing into their skin. just a thought. and perhaps the mom was held because the patient had a high magnesium level, was already having loose stools or some other equally valid reason that the patient didn't understand.

you've told us that you think you had the best attitude. would your co-workers concur. think about this one -- if you're this negative about your co-workers to us, what are they sensing? and don't be so sure you will never be like them. none of us knows for sure what we'll do in a situation until we get there. you haven't been a nurse long -- are you so sure that what you're seeing is "worn out", "complacent" and "not caring a rat's ass about the patient"? and supposing that they are worn out -- does that automatically translate to complacent and uncaring? perhaps they're worn out by trying to get the best for their patients from an uncaring management.

i have to say that your complaint about the attitude your co-workers exhibit is one thing, but then to go on and complain about their looks is another issue completely. is there something about them that you find positive?

i usually try to let venters vent on vent threads rather than trying to rain on anyone's parade. i haven't met any perfect people yet, and i'm guessing you aren't perfect, either.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 21, 2007

Well, it is true, we have some nurses that are desensitized in the true sense of the word, and then there are others that are tired, ill themselves, don't jump until they have to (out of years of experience) and many other reasons. Take a look at them for awhile before you come to a conclusion. When I was an aide, I looked up to certain nurses, some for appearance and poise, but when I became one myself, I found that some of the tired looking ones were that way because they were picking up the slack of the cutesy ones that left work undone, and some of these same cutesy ones were really dangerous to work with.

Only time will tell what sort of nurse you will end up being as the years roll along. Do your best, and try and think that there may be more reasons why some of them are the way that they are.

scallywags · Oct 21, 2007

I feel that this is applicable to so many professions and at all ages. Unfortunately, people go into a profession and realize it is not what they imagined. They become grumpy and just mean over time. I always said that if I ever become "that nurse" that my friends will have to tell me straight up!

Yeah, we all have bad days, but we need to learn to brush those feelings to the side and put our best out there. Others are directly influenced by how we behave and need to have a positive experience in their health care.

graysonret · Oct 22, 2007

I know a couple "fresh out of nursing school" nurses, who are uncaring and cranky. They're more interested in their cellphones and lounge than in the patients. I suspect they won't last long in this field. I guess you'll meet them no matter their age or experience. Just do your best; it pays off in the end.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2007

I know a couple "fresh out of nursing school" nurses, who are uncaring and cranky. They're more interested in their cellphones and lounge than in the patients. I suspect they won't last long in this field. I guess you'll meet them no matter their age or experience. Just do your best; it pays off in the end.

Unfortunately they WILL last and become management. The nurses that you describe here have NO intentions of working in patient care. They are simply biding their time. Furthermore it is easy to judge when you are brand new to a thing. I also worked as a CNA and nursing is very different. The burnt out tired nurses are usually that way because they actually CARE and spend countless shifts WORKING. I do have a pet peeve about appearance and do the colorful uniforms that I iron up for the whole pay period but I also do not have children yet and i do have a very helpful hubby so i can't judge. Be careful, you just never know what life can throw at you. Try encouraging them by bringing in coffee and cookies or even suggesting a spa day for the nurses. I did that and it went over like free money. Everybody was refreshed, looked great, and got to understand each other and their problems a LOT better. Its a lot harder to help than to just complain to a bunch of people who can't do anything about it. I'm just saying.:monkeydance:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2007

I'd rather work with a bunch of burned-out, washed-up nurses than have to endure the bedside all by myself. If you're competent and willing to lessen the workload for all of the nursing staff, then I'll work with you no matter how washed-out you are.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2007

Amen to that commuter !!

ari3sdog · Oct 25, 2007

u have to be empathitic not sympathetic. your a good nurse. ask your indorse nurse regards patient concern. find out why they hold the MOM. Communication skills is the best way to clarify things. also solves problems. remember, the first step of nursing process is DATA COLLECTION, finding out both side input, then come with a solution that both parties win. Not just one side. this what we call leadership skills. i know it is hard to see other evil nurses, but being the best you are is making a difference.

ari3sdog · Oct 25, 2007

its hard to change others. but dnt force them to follow you, show how good you are, this will attract others and follow you instead. this is the best way to lead nurses. lets be a good nurses starting within ourselves. GOODLUCK!