I have been here reading posts for quite some time now. I have only posted maybe once or twice to this forum because it has the tendency to get mean !!! I just finished reading posts about bullying in the workplace and let me tell you i would be afraid to work with some of you nurses.
The bottom line is this, yes, bullying happens in all sectors of the working world, but I am convinced that nurses are the most vicious, mean, uncaring folks in the world.
I have come to hate the nursing profession over the years. The atmosphere is depressing and negative. Not from the patients but from the nurses, the administration and the conflict that seems to always be present between the two!
I am 41 years old and have had enough. I am outta here! No more nursing for me.
So, go ahead nurses eat your young, eat each other, fight over the internet(!) and good luck to you. I simply can't take it anymore.
Thank you to all of you for your comments. I am confused as to why angelbear took offense to my comments. If this board is a place that people call home, then I should be able to make comments that I truly feel. I wasn't trying to hurt anyone, just tell you all how i feel and look for your input. If you aren't mean in your responses to others then don't be offended angelbear. I am sorry if what I said made you defensive.
I guess I was feeling guilty for giving up on nursing and so was trying to make myself feel better by pointing out the down side of nursing. I do, however, live in the real world and know that no profession is perfect. But, I have to try and see if I can find a career that makes me less angry, sad, and exhausted.
To those of you who gave me support, any kind, it is appreciated. It means a lot to me that you took the time to read my post and respond.
The bottom line is this, yes, bullying happens in all sectors of the working world, but I am convinced that nurses are the most vicious, mean, uncaring folks in the world.
I am often tempted to leave nursing, but there are two reasons I stay: 1) for the patients, and 2) for the comradiery of my fellow staff nurses. While most of what you are saying may be true elsewhere, I have always been blessed with caring co-workers who believe "team-work" is more than just a word or idea. The only area of contention in my workplace is between the staff and nursing administration (a group of "so-called" nurses who have breathed the so many fumes of "happy-speak" and corporate jargon that they are incapable of being effective leaders).
Now, I do resent many aspects of the nursing INDUSTRY, but I love my co-workers, and wouldn't be in nursing now without the ones I have!
Dlgg..I have been where your are, as far as being burned out. Good luck to you in whatever you are planning. When I was at the quitting stage, I had loved ones who reminded me that I absolutely love this wild and crazy ride called nursing. I am ever so thankful that I did not quit. As some of the others have said, we all stick together in the long run. Do think about all the other areas of nursing available in this wonderful arena. god bless.
I don't think anyone can blame you. I do not see nursing as a life long profession for myself either. I've only been in nursing 3 yrs or so and I've worked in several different areas, office nursing, hospital, psych and there's a recurring pattern I've found and that is the nurse is the scapegoat for everyone from the aides to the physicians to management. I like the parts of nursing I went into it for but when there is so much crap throwing from so many different directions you can't see the joy you once you had before you had so much egg in your face. I'm also tired of having my license put on the line because I'm left in a position to carry the duties of 4 nurses where 5 is required. My patient's safety is on the line and my life is on the line and management doesn't care and I'm preparing myself for a change. There are no perfect jobs but who is asking for perfect just doable and somewhat comfortable perameters work in. I'm tired of the "martyrs" of nursing enabling the abuse by others upon nurses. What other "professionals" has to put up with the kinds of working conditions we put up with. We are not seen as professionals by most but as doctors hand maidens, or over-paid documenters, or short order cooks, depending on who is making the judgement. Sure, I actually get a patient here and there that sees that without us nurses they know they wouldn't get the care they need. I try to communicate with nurse supervisors and coordinators and they are so not advocates for us, but for the interest of higher management. They're hands are tied and we are left to either sink or swim and when we swim hard we are never acknowledged for making it thru some of the most hideous working situations without someone dying or crashing. They leave no room for suiggestions on improvment or concern for what we feel are very real patient safety issues.
I have experienced first hand how it feels to have senior nurses stand by and watch you drown. I've experienced the back stabbing and caniving. I've seen "social loafing" time and time again. I've had good experiences and worked with great nurses but it's been my experience that the negative greatly shadows the good. The bad is just epidemic wherever I go. I try to do things to change things for the better, I try to boost team morale but the bitterness and jadedness has infiltrated everyone so much and for so long, I don't see it changing. So I will work as long as it takes until I complete my new major and then who knows.
I think its a shame that nursing has come to this. It has some deep rooted problems that won't be solved with higher wages and some fancy new proposals. Nursing needs an over-haul and some attitude adjustments in all nurses, new and old. If we are ever to gain any professional recognition by everyone, then we need to start acting like professionals and to me that means for a start is to quit being hired on like a pink collar employees and starting selling our services out to these hospitals just like these doctors do and so on.
Well, you can tell its late cause I'm on a soapbox and probably making little sense.
My dh talked about becoming an R.N. He's heard all my stories...but still thinks if he had to he'd become an R.N.
There are bullies....and the bulliness you see more because nursing is very challenging and can be stressful. I still like nursing...I find it a challenge dealing with people. Managers have told me I have a way of dealing with people(visitors/patients)...I can handle demanding/irritable families.
There are some nurses I still have trouble with. (just a very small amount--e.g. the passed 2 units I've worked on have had 25-30 nurses staffed and each unit there's 2 nurses that I had difficulty with)
Hey and your generalized statement about nurses...not being nice...is way off!! Don't look negative at most nurses...because most of us are very caring and very SPECIAL people. Thanks a lot!! Best wishes to you!!!
The bottom line is this, yes, bullying happens in all sectors of the working world, but I am convinced that nurses are the most vicious, mean, uncaring folks in the world.
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Dlgg I think this is the statement that hurt the other nurses feeling. But when I read it my heart crushed. I took a second and thought how untrue it is. I know in my heart of heart that I'm one of the most generous, helpful, caring nurse...mother...wife you'll ever know. And I know from working in the field nearly 10 years that most other nurses are the same way.
Yes there are the "bad apples" but they are few...but a "bad apple" can sometimes stand out in a bunch.
I love this board it's a place I can vent...we're in one of the most stressful...important...life-saving professions...I love having this board. And people not looking down at me...but giving me advice and listening to me vent when I have a bad day!!
dlgg
6 Posts
Thank you to all of you for your comments. I am confused as to why angelbear took offense to my comments. If this board is a place that people call home, then I should be able to make comments that I truly feel. I wasn't trying to hurt anyone, just tell you all how i feel and look for your input. If you aren't mean in your responses to others then don't be offended angelbear. I am sorry if what I said made you defensive.
I guess I was feeling guilty for giving up on nursing and so was trying to make myself feel better by pointing out the down side of nursing. I do, however, live in the real world and know that no profession is perfect. But, I have to try and see if I can find a career that makes me less angry, sad, and exhausted.
To those of you who gave me support, any kind, it is appreciated. It means a lot to me that you took the time to read my post and respond.
Thanks!!!