I've Had It! Nursing is NOT what it use to be!

fergus51 · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by mattsmom81
OK that's it Fergus...I am coming to Canada...I like the way you guys think up there!!

Well, God knows we need the nurses! But, you have to remember the downside, WINTER!!!:)

live4today, RN · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by mattsmom81
I guess it's human nature for us to wish for 'the good old days'.

Mattsmom81........When I was a little girl, I remember hearing adults talk all the time about how things weren't like they use to be. Now that I'm an adult, I say that very same phrase myself...only...IT'S ALL TRUTH! I now understand WHY that phrase is spoken from generation to generation. They weren't lying anymore than we are lying today when we say it, and believe it or not.......our adult kids will be repeating that phrase themselves. I already hear it from my oldest daughter who has a teenager already. :chuckle

Sometimes change is good. Some times change is not so good. I think we should adopt a lot more of the Texas' slogan "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" because the changes occurring in our society TODAY are frightening......very alarming.....makes a parent today fearful for their little ones.

I do NOT remember irate employees going into their respective work places and shooting everyone they see like what goes on in today's society.

I do NOT remember feeling threatened while attending school, or kids getting killed by some irate teenager or a group of teenagers on the war path like we see going on today.

I do NOT remember so much "promiscuity" among working adults...celebrities included....who choose to have a baby like a luxury item out of wedlock......BY CHOICE as I do today.

I do NOT remember the sassiness dished out to parents by their kids the way kids sass their parents today.

I do NOT remember so many divorces occurring, or shacking up with a partner to "test the waters" to see if they are "good for each other" before marrying the way I see today.

I do NOT remember nurses being treated like doormats and handmaidens (not in my time as a nurse anyway) the way I see them treated today.

The "I do NOTs" are endless. So, that phrase "things aren't the way they use to be" has a LOT of truth to it. :)

Defib Nurse · Nov 15, 2003

Originally posted by caroladybelle
...My problem is equating the loss of this era's "moral compass" as having anything to do with naming of a season of the year. Especially when a many great number of highly "moral" people that could be that compass are excluded by the word Christmas but not by Happy Holidays....

I totally agree with this. Being Christian should not make one so completely self-centered that they lose site of ALL of God's children.

Being a Christian myself, I'm glad "Happy Holidays" is used more to be more inclusive of all faiths and beliefs. That way no one should feel excluded during this celebrated time of the year. :cool:

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Nov 15, 2003

Mattsmom81,

Your remarks leave me speechless. How dare your nurse manager expect so much out of you nurses! I have an idea. Why not tell your nurse manager to greet all the family members as they arrive. Maybe then she'll change her mind.

Whatever happened to the nurse manager who was the advocate for her staff? And then they wonder why nurses get burnout, why they enter other fields, why they retire when they're able to.UGH!

It's definitely a sad time indeed. Most nurses are dedicated, caring people, who deserve not only to be supported by the nurse manager AND administration, but also respect from the docs, because a good many of them have saved those docs necks, from being sued, from being charged with negligence, and even in some cases their licenses. THEY ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, and I think they should be honored as such!

At least I can say that the ICU (now called CCU) unit in our local hospital does have restrictions on visitors. The visitors are allowed to see the patient 1 to 3 PM, and again 5 to 8 PM. How blessed those nurses are.:)

By the way, RNanne.

Did you hear that the chief justice of the supreme court in the state of I think it was Alabama, got fired because he dared to state that the laws of our country were founded on the 10 Commandments? Yup, This country is definitely taking a speed slide to hell in a handbasket! :devil:

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Nov 15, 2003

Right on, Cheerfuldoer.

I'm PROUD to be a Christian, and I will always and for as long as I draw a breath of life, celebrate CHRISTmas as the birth of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave His everything and then some just for us. How awesome! :saint:

It really is more blessed to give than it is to receive. I take great joy in that, and I think that's the reason why most nurses become nurses, to help ease the pain of those who are suffering.

There was a time not too long ago, that I was given a 20 dollar bill in a card for Christmas. I was overjoyed, because at the time, every cent of my income went for rent. I purposely avoided going into department stores then, because I had no money to spend, and I saw no reason to give myself the opportunity to get depressed. I was able to buy a gift for all of my family members with that, and it remains as one of my better Christmases.:)

And by the way, concerning the lack of respect thing? Well, I was a schoolbus driver for 15 years. There were times when I literally expected to be stabbed in the side by one certain boy who I had the nerve to make him sit and be quiet.

For example, He had a habit of getting his fellow passengers riled up by manufacturing farts. He was very effective at it too. But one day I had enough, and I placed him in the back seat. He thought at first, that I was giving him the privilege of being back with the older high schoolers. He very soon learned that was not the reason I put him back there, but it was to isolate him from the rest of the kids.

He was one of the first passengers on my bus, so therefore, he was one of the last. Problem SOLVED;)

LauraLou · Nov 15, 2003

I was told that I would be unable to wear a cross at clinicals, even if it is tucked under my shirt, because it would be offensive to some people. My question is once you become a nurse are you still banned from wearing crosses?

I am finding it very difficult to understand why anyone would be offended by my cross. I am not offended when people wear the Star of David or other types of religious jewelry.

I am hoping this is just a school thing and I will be able to wear my cross once I finish. I am uncomfortable with the idea that I will have to hide my beliefs to work at a hospital.

Best wishes.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Nov 15, 2003

Don't count on it, LauraLou,

It has already happened in a place locally. It's because of what the cross represents. If I were you, I wouldn't tell anyone at work I was wearing it unless that person is wearing one too.

Sad, hunh.

NancyRN · Nov 15, 2003

I wear my Miraculous Medal (a Catholic religious symbol) at all times. No one has ever asked me to remove it, and I would not comply.

fergus51 · Nov 15, 2003

We aren't allowed to wear any necklaces, religious or not. In my experience nurses of any religion are perfectly welcome, providing they don't preach to their coworkers and patients. Why anyone would need to do that is beyond me.... I am busy enough most shifts....

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2003

Originally posted by LauraLou
I was told that I would be unable to wear a cross at clinicals, even if it is tucked under my shirt, because it would be offensive to some people. My question is once you become a nurse are you still banned from wearing crosses?

I am finding it very difficult to understand why anyone would be offended by my cross. I am not offended when people wear the Star of David or other types of religious jewelry.

I am hoping this is just a school thing and I will be able to wear my cross once I finish. I am uncomfortable with the idea that I will have to hide my beliefs to work at a hospital.

I have been "advised" not to wear a star of david to class before. Because it was "safer" and "less controversial" and it might be "offensive" to some. As they did not ban crosses, they could not legally ban my star of david (mogan david), but they certainly tried.

There are places that do request that you not wear visible jewelry, except wedding bands and watches. I have no problem with that as that does prevent injury, can be an infection control issue, and is equitable for everyone. Jewellry really has little to no place on the job.

What you wear next to your Heart is your business and G-d's and no one elses's.

flowerchild · Nov 15, 2003

quote cheerfuldoer, "I am TOTALLY disgusted with family members accusing me of doing wrong when I did NOT do anything wrong!"

Hear, hear! Can you believe that someone actually accused me of taking off his dressing with my teeth???? Come on now. And, to top it off the Dr. beleived him and requested that I never see any of his pateints again! :eek:

flowerchild · Nov 15, 2003

re: deterioration of human behavior towards one another

In searching for an answer as to why this is happening, I could hypothesize for hours but I'll keep it short.:)

We must look to our children to see how this has occured in our society.

Children are taught tolerance, diversity, etc.... as all people are equal. No one deserves special treatment b/c of who they are or what they do. Use of first names is common practice when children are addressing adults, this has also increased with adults not using thier full title and introducing themselves by first name. Children in schools are taught not to be a tattletale from a very young age. I have been listening to my K twins and this is a common complaint they have. I also have a son in HS. He tells me that the students are unable to report or "snitch" on another student b/c they will be ridiculed and shunned. Example: Girl gets raped, waits to tell, takes a shower, tells two days later, no eveidence, can't prove it, guy gets off, girl is shunned, teased, and ends up having to change schools. "Snitches" are looked down upon and may end up beaten up after school or worse. I couldn't beleive it, so I've asked around to the people who would know and they agree that the kids are scared d/t peer reaction and that is exactly the way it is.

Everyone ends up fending for themselves. The atmosphere in our HS's is on edge and defensive. We are producing the young people to behave this way.

I also believe that the war has made many people feel defensive, untrusting and on edge.

Top that off with cultural differences, high unemployement, parental challenges of today, and a whole list of other reasons and it is easy to see why we live in a hostile environment.