In your experience, the hardest part of being an RN

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For those of us coming up behind you, things we need to keep in mind becoming RN's.

Things you wish you could tell yourself if you could go back.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Specializes in neuro, ICU/CCU, tropical medicine.

The reason I wanted to leave nursing almost as soon as I started:

Hoizontal hostility; the abuse that nurses inflict on each other.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

I was shocked at how a few "bullies' can really make a unit toxic. Resolve to confront bad behavior and not fall into the "nice" trap. Nice is one thing being a victim is another. DO NOT underestimate the power of a bad mouth on your career - it can hurt you. Stop it when it starts - do not wait to see if you can win 'em over.

I find that when I do not give anyone latitude for treating me unprofessionally or poorly - I am treated better and respected.

Always set standards for yourself. I work to be better everyday. I learn something from every patient I care for - if you do not want to keep improving your clinical practice, you should find another line of work.

I'm sure I'll think of others.

Practice SAFE!

;)

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Specializes in ER/ICU/Flight.
I was shocked at how a few "bullies' can really make a unit toxic. Resolve to confront bad behavior and not fall into the "nice" trap. Nice is one thing being a victim is another. DO NOT underestimate the power of a bad mouth on your career - it can hurt you. Stop it when it starts - do not wait to see if you can win 'em over.

I find that when I do not give anyone latitude for treating me unprofessionally or poorly - I am treated better and respected.

Always set standards for yourself. I work to be better everyday. I learn something from every patient I care for - if you do not want to keep improving your clinical practice, you should find another line of work.

I'm sure I'll think of others.

Practice SAFE!

;)

Wow! good answer....i was going to say that doing the paperwork was the hardest thing! you've made me think twice.

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Specializes in med surg, tele, ortho, preop, recovery.

Poor management. If management sucks, everything sucks. For real.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

Not having to justify taking rightful bathroom and meal breaks, disputing the notion that I am somehow an inhuman "angel of the afflicted" cyborg... (Definately bring a snack, and remember to go eat it. If we are no longer allowed to eat at the desk, take full advantage and sit down in the back - even if it is for 5 minutes.)

Learning the difference between empathy and sympathy and how to care without getting personally wrapped up in the situation...

Being an accountable professional even when it would be easier just to keep my mouth shut...

Remembering that not everyone likes to hear blood and gore ER stories while they are eating.

Blee

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the absolute hardest thing for me is lying to my pts, at the family's insistence and md's endorsement.

if i know my pt doesn't want to know the truth, or is in obvious denial, i can go along w/that.

but there have been times that pts wanted to know...

let me bring that a step further:

they already knew something was wrong, yet the doc and family were being evasive.

that ticks me off to no end.

and i'll never get used to it.

leslie

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

And most of all... It's your job not your life :specs: Thats become somewhat of a motto of mine! Go in do your best, enjoy yourself and then go home and enjoy your life :specs:

THis is true to some extent, but you don't completely leave the job behind. Nurses are held in high esteem by society, dispite what we may think after a day of abuse at the hands of rude, ignorant people. Look at any poll that asks folks what profession they admire most, and nurses are always in the top five, usually number one. Society also holds us to a higher level of accountability. I have always enjoyed the respect of my peers and my community, and that's a great perk.....

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Being responsible for things you have no control over

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Specializes in MedSurg Tele.

take time to care for yourself.

drink water throughout the shift. bring granola bars, small oatmeal packs, tea bags, fruit to munch on just in case hunger strikes.

i always say a quick simple prayer on my way to work.

best book for me, especially chapter 4! make peace with anyone by david lieberman. i'm learning about team work every day. sometimes nursing aides or other non-nursing staff can be a little difficult to deal with. this book is helping.

if another nurse offers to help you, take the offer!!!!!!!!! i think that i have this subconscious mind-set that if i do everything on my own without help it means that i'm a good nurse. that is total bull. and don't forget to offer help too.

if the patient can assist with boosting himself up in bed, coach him to use heels and hold on to those side rails during the boost.

for my off time:

spend time with family and friends.

eat healthy, take walks in scenic places with friends, family or self.

smile, laugh often. read the funnies.

buy a new pair of comfortable shoes.

matthew 11:28-30. come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest. take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for i am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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Being responsible for things you have no control over

this really does cover it all.

thank you, rnotoday.

leslie

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.
this really does cover it all.

thank you, rnotoday.

leslie

:( No problem...It really does cover it all, doesnt it?

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Nurses are held in high esteem by society, dispite what we may think after a day of abuse at the hands of rude, ignorant people. Look at any poll that asks folks what profession they admire most, and nurses are always in the top five, usually number one. Society also holds us to a higher level of accountability.

the reason we're held in such high esteem, is r/t the archaic misconceptions of nurses being ubiquitously angelic and merciful.

if this is true, that is such a small component of who we are and what we do.

if the masses actually knew what we're about, we'd either be consistently #1, for being so many things to so many people:

or, consistently be in the bottom, for tolerating what we do.

i would much rather be admired for my keen intelligence, spit-fire skills, quick wit, relentless determination and savvy communication rather than being admired for holding one's hand and mopping a fevered brow...

although that too, is a part of who we are/what we do.

our sum exceeds the total of our parts.:nurse:

leslie

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