I'm tired of it! I had enough!

Jerico, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

Wanna VENT???:rotfl: :devil:

We are listening and TOTALLY understand.

I've been in nursing for only 8 months and am beginning to wonder and TOTALLY understand what "eating their young" means.

I think the nursing profession in general need to be more cohesive and organized and STOP putting up with all this S^%T.

Personally I think ALL docotrs and administrators should be nurses for TWO years in order to be administrators and doctors!

Anyone out there vote for THAT?

hbncns35 · Dec 11, 2005

Wow ---

When was the last time you had a vacation?

I understand how things must be although it does sound like you are compiling yourself with everything that is not right. That can be overwhelming. Every department has its own drama wherever you go. It just depends on how much drama and what kind you are willing to take. I haven't worked anywhere where there wasn't drama. I agree that it is hard to deal with. It almost overshadows what you are there to do. There are alot of good books out there about politics especially in business. It may be worth it to read up on that so you don't feel so helpless in the situation. I can't think of what they are at the moment but I know they are out there.

The politics of any organization is something you aren't aware of in the job interviewing process. You only find out once you are there. It sounds like you are pretty tough and assertive so you will have no problem incorporating some of the ideas from these books. I'll post as soon as I remember them. Hang in there Girl..............Heather

tarakochRN · Dec 11, 2005

:nurse:

I am sorry to hear you have reached a point of burnout. You sound like me 7 years ago. I had enough of nursing for many of the same reasons you listed. I even left nursing for a short period of time. But I missed it. But something has happened in the years that I have been back into Nursing; I realized my voice and my strength. I learned that I am strong and I can do the work. But I am not going to be afraid to ask for help and information. It is my right to know the proper information for me and my patients. I am going to tell my fellow staff that I need help and not be afraid to ask for it. I am going to offer help when I see someone else needs it. I will stand strong with mangement and MD's. And those nurses who suck the life out of you; I am going to pity them. Imagine there home life! And I am going to tell them to back off in a way they understand. One day soon that strength comes to you. You start to feel comfortable in your nursing skills and that beams throughout. People won't bring you down when you don't let them. You have to let the bad feelings slid off. I realize this is very diffcult, but you will one day do it. You are not alone! And also, all places have there problems. Healthcare in general has problems. But not all places suck the life out of you!!! I changed hospitals and I am happy ( within reason). Don't give up on yourself and nursing. Maybe change places and be comfortable within your nursing skills. Good luck!

weetziebat · Dec 11, 2005

I'm so sorry to hear the 'system' is burning out yet another nurse. I worked as an LPN for ~8 years, went back to school, thinking it would be better as an RN. Been doing this for the past 19 years. Must say the work did improve as an RN but, IMHO, the management and administration I've seen must all sit up in some ivory tower, dreaming up ways to totally mess up the lives of both nurses and patients.

Are there any 'real' nurses making decisions concerning patient care? Or is it truly because of the nursing shortage that the situation for both nurses and patients is so dangerous. If patients and families only knew just how much danger a patient is in while hospitalized!!

I just started a new job and had high hopes, but find I am being treated like a slooow child who needs someone to watch over her, and swear I am being timed when I go to the toilet. They are actually standing by my desk in the morning to check what time I arrive. Do they really not have better things to do? Going to be looking for another job with you, marshallbc77. Sure hope we can find ones that will let us do what we know best, and are trained to do - without all the bureaucracy. Good luck!

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

It seems med/surg has a lot of these types of floors operating around the country. When will SOMEONE understand that in med/surg EVERYONE is actuely ill and we cant tolerate the staff being shuttled off to another floor because they whin and cry they are short? But it always seems our staff is getting floated away to other units.

I totally understand what your talking about, ive been on a med/surg floor for 14 years and it gets worse and worse every year. We seem to be the last place they think staff is needed.

All you can do is what you can do.

bellehill, RN · Dec 11, 2005

Wow, do you realize you are totally burntout and just described every nursing job? I have worked in 4 different hospitals in 4 different states...all nursing is the same drama and politics. My advice to you is take some time off, how much vacation do you have? 2 weeks off if possible where you don't take care of anyone else. Stop working overtime for about 3 months and remembe the reason you go to work...the patients. I went through this about 4 months ago and it really does help to focus on the patients and not the politics. If this doesn't help go to a different facility but don't let yourself go crazy. Good luck and take care of yourself.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 11, 2005

I'm getting out of Acute Care (Med/Surg). Tired of the politics and drama. They are making me hate nursing. The 'they' are managements and unappreciated people you encounter.Everything falls on 'the nurse'. Pharmacist needs clarification order they can't call the doctor the nurse must the doctor is in house.Another example Xray Dept. calls the nurse asking for the nurse to call transporter to pick up the patient for a procedure, like your just sitting there waiting for their phone call. I use to love going to work I would add on extra days now I drive feeling nauseated as I get closer to my workplace. I've been there 3 yrs and 10 months. They want you to perform 'up par' and be 'the best' but they are not giving you resources to do it. You state your complaints and concerns verbally and in writing nothing gets done. You just get labelled as a 'complainer' or 'always whining or bitching'. You can't ask too much questions cause your colleagues will label you as a 'dumbass'. But if something goes wrong first thing management will say, "We are here for you why didn't you ask me questions". There's a limit of asking for a 'favor' from your charge nurses or else you will be labelled as a 'lazy ass'. Can't ask too much help even if your drowning and walking the hallways with your head cut off like a chicken. On top of that they will give you another admit. You also got your CNA's telling you what to do and if you don't go there to help pull or lift a patient instantly when they call then they talk about you how 'he doesn't help/she doesn't help'.We could scratch their backs but they can't scratch ours(a nurse said this when I was in clinicals long ago). Got written up because my patients son called administration telling them I was rude when simply I was following HIPPA (long sad story). Damn if you do, Damn if you don't! My co-workers and I call our DON's office "The Principals" office. I can go on and on. I'm simply tired of it. These are some examples of my experience as a acute care nurse some personal experiences and some what I observe. I do love nursing and taking care of the sick I love having the knowldege I have but what kills it is the politics side of being a staff nurse. One of our supervisors said 'it's going to be the same everywhere the drama, the BS.' I sure hope not. I think it's time to move on.. These are my current emotions::angryfire

OMG!!!!! Are you sure you and I don't work at the same hospital??!!:uhoh21:

hipab4hands · Dec 11, 2005

Unfortunately, you're right in that this is standard operating procedure for doing in-patient care.

I've worked in outpatient clinics and dr.'s office, which are not as bad, but the same "drama" seems to be there.

Bipley · Dec 11, 2005

I learned early on that the only reason the policy and procedure manual exists is to create blame on non-management and before any nurse managers jump on me, I have been in management more than non-management.

I just quit my job a few weeks ago and I'm doing PRN work here and there. I enjoy that a lot more, no politics. I hear about it from others but I'm not smack dab in the middle.

I don't blame you for wanting out of your current job, just remember that there is a nursing shortage out there and there ARE places where you don't have to play those games and practice your trade. You just have to keep looking until you find what fits.

I think I had a problem that is new to this forum. At least I haven't seen it posted here.

I worked for a large company and the company seriously did take verrrry good care of their patients. That is why I drove such a long distance daily to work. I did have the opportunity to do things the RIGHT way! I was given most of the tools I needed to do things the right way. I loved that, it's hard to find! The problem I had was that I didn't have a manager and asst. mgr, I had CO-MANAGERS. They had equal power over the same staff. It was something new they were trying. Well let me tell you, it did NOT work!

One manager was a joy. He was supportive, sweet, informative, well educated, and good at his job. He had a great rapport with all staff. Well, most staff. I could go to him with ANY problem. Even if I just needed to vent. I could tell him anything. If I screwed up, I could tell him. Actually, I had to tell him. If I told him before he found out he would help me to undo any damage. If I would have made a huge mistake and not told him and if he had to find out from another source then there would be h*ll to pay. That's fair, I can live with that.

The other manager was an absolute a$$. He was egotistical, verbally abusive, he was on a mega power trip, and if you could get out of a closed door meeting with him with your clothes intact, you were either smelly or lucky. Most of the female nurses kept a small tape recorder in their pockets in case they couldn't get out of a closed door meeting. Yes, it was that bad. I had one closed door meeting with him and I am soooo angry with myself. Instead of doing what I always thought I would (kicking him where it matters, hitting, kicking, punching, ANYTHING) I just froze. I will never forget my own actions, my actions were just as inexcusable as his because I didn't react at all. I just stood there like an idiot.

My other manager was very aware of what is going on and he attempted to start a policy where both managers have to be in on any closed door meetings. Upper management thought that was silly and refused to create such a policy.

Sorry... got off on a tangent. But my original point was that one manager would tell us we HAD to do "X" and the other manger would tell us if we did "X" he would write us up.

I understand politics, damned if you do, damned if you don't. I do understand and relate. The trick is to find a place where you and your skills are valued and appreciated. If they aren't, find another employer. No questions, no consideration, just do it. There are far too many nursing jobs out there (for most of the country) to put up with crap anymore.

Good luck to you!

mtnmom · Dec 11, 2005

Bipley, regarding the second comanager you speak of...why did no one ever level a sexual harassment charge against the jerk??? or did I totally misunderstand you?

marshalbc77 · Dec 11, 2005

I'm in the process of looking around to see what else is out there. One of the original reasons why I went into hospital setting was the 'prestigousness' my mother actually told me to work in a hospital she states it looks and sounds better than working in a SNF (no offense) and I will get the most experience. Well been there done it so the journey goes. I've been applying here and there. I honestly feel like my license is always at stake working on the floor. I know management doesn't care cause I'm dispensable and replaceable. If you complain your in their sh*t list.