Is this a strange way of viewing your co-workers?

[wish_me_luck]

Okay, I think I might be weird. Nursing to me means compassion and genuine concern for your fellow man. Before I quit my job (see my other post), there was a nurse that I worked with that hated me. But, she treated her patients okay. I couldn't help but sometimes think, God forbid, I ever fall ill again and end up on this unit. I have a medical problem that I also happened to work on the same unit that if that medical problem should become an issue, that would be where I would end up. I would think, how would this nurse treat me then and if it was with compassion or any form of decency, does that mean many nurses are fake in their compassion and "put on a show"? I am not accusing any of you guys of this, I am just saying in the context of my situation that my former co-worker treated me bad but if I were a patient would that treatment change? Would it be fake? I hope this makes sense what I am saying. Is this weird how I viewed that person and that situation? I just couldn't help but think this...I want to know your thoughts.

[SeeTheMoon]

I think I know what you're saying OP. And though I respect anyone's reason for joining the nurse work force (unless it's all out sadistic) I respect your view that money should not be the only option. I think you came here for a bit of camaraderie, and got beat a bit.

But I'm only a student too, and we got a lot to learn. Welcome to AN! :)

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I was a patient in my own unit once and was cared for by a coworker with whom I did not always get along. She took outstanding care of me, really went above and beyond.

Same here. Many years ago. My only complaint was having a Fleets rammed up my backdoor while being in pelvic traction, so couldn't really get away. Otherwise, they were all great (even FleetsWoman- the super heroine of all things bowel- was at least acting with good intentions.... and the Fleets never came back ).

[picurn1972, RN]

I think everyone brings their past experiences, what matters is they receive competent care. You dont need to cry to be a good nurse. You dont need to be compassionate if you have empathy they are 2 different things. The goal is always interventions for better outcomes, i believe it is the mainstay of nursing. You can be ocd task oriented with a dry personality and miss suzy sunshine and still reach the same outcome in the same amount of time. It is more a debate than a question

[eslvn]

I used to think like this, but now that I am a nurse I work with one who is a very rude, sarcastic, and inconsiderate person, I very much dislike her, and she told me flat out she became a nurse for money too. But when it comes to making decision regarding someone life she knows her stuff and takes care of her patients. I dont understand why people become nurses for money, its not that good, and there are lots of careers that pay more.

[MECO28, BSN, RN]

"Same here. Many years ago. My only complaint was having a Fleets rammed up my backdoor while being in pelvic traction, so couldn't really get away. Otherwise, they were all great (even FleetsWoman- the super heroine of all things bowel- was at least acting with good intentions.... and the Fleets never came back )."

I just want to say, your posts crack me up, xtxrn!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

OP, are you able to interact professionally with others (patients, coworkers, and visitors) no matter whether or not you "like" them?

Yes? Then don't question others' ability to do the same.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

i had to laugh a little at the post about the nurse who was not too personable but gave excellent care. i had surgery on a friday and my physician was going to be off the weekend. he told me who was covering for him, the guy who was going to assist, and i said, "fine, he's a really good technician, but his bedside manner is so terrible i don't ever want to see him when i'm awake and alert." my doc was a little shocked about that, because of course he was never in a position to observe his colleague's gruff, sometimes mean, and downright rough handling of patients they way we were, but he said ok--and came in on his saturday off to see me, bless him .

[Poi Dog]

i trust my coworkers to take care of me...as long as it is from the waist up any other issues, i would drive my happy self 2 hours away to another facility.

[mrr5745]

I've always heard that nursing prepares you for a career as an actress.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

When I applied to nursing school in 1983, three written character references, one had to be from a priest or pastor, and a personality screening test were required. I was interviewed for admission by the director and the faculty.

There are way too many cold hearted, cocky, irresponsible and unethical people who manage to get a nursing license. My profession is not professional anymore because no one is really screening who can get into a nursing program. Now we have "lateral violence" which is just a euphemism for ignorant low class behavior. Nursing education in this country is a joke.

Exactly what does getting a reference from a priest or pastor have to do with being a kind and compassionate nurse?

In my experience, some of the most compassionate nurses that I have dealt with, are not Christian. As such they probably would have been excluded from that school.

Anyone can fake a personality test easily. And many "low class" people have much warmer hearts and are far more ethical than the "high class" individuals.

I will take a nurse "that got into it for the money" any day. If money motivates them to work hard, educate themselves to become the best nurse ever, behave and dress professionally and show great care to their patients, fill the hospital with them. Many nurses that get in "for the satisfaction of helping others", are often the first ones disallusioned when pts are ungrateful, unpleasant, demanding and noncompliant. They are the ones that 1 year in, get the "is that all there is" reality shock more so than the ones that accept nursing as a professional job, not a sacrifice to a calling.

[Fribblet]

It's been my experience that nurses who are religiously motivated and/or believe they are "called by god" are quicker to refuse nursing care to certain patients.

I.E.- not caring for a woman who has an abortion. Almost all refusals to care for a patient are religiously based. (I bring this up only because of the mention of "the calling." Most of us non religious folks don't feel "called" by some being to do anything. )

There are no wrong reasons for going into nursing. (Except for wanting to hurt people. I guess that could be the one wrong reason)

Mind yer own bid'ness. You're ignoring the beam in your eye while fretting about the speck in your co-worker's.

[Fribblet]

i trust my coworkers to take care of me...as long as it is from the waist up any other issues, i would drive my happy self 2 hours away to another facility.

word.