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

warrior woman · Nov 11, 2003

Sweetie, I know it hurts. The anniversary of my dad's death is approaching, and my depression is deepening. My last words to him were in rage. I have to live with that. Plus my breathing sucks, and money is really tight, and I'm just sick to death of it all. Just really tired of everything right now.

sleep deprived · Nov 11, 2003

I can relate I work LTC have 26 residents and only 2 PCA'S for days, and 2 for 3-11. I really hate the family members that come in and demand this or that [ this is my favorite line"""we are here all the time "" --YOU ONLY see them Holiday's or if they stop in to whine and complain. I know that I love my resident's and nursing but sometimes I think, can I do this today? I feel so frustrated!!!! you try to tell people and they just don't get it!

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live4today, RN · Nov 11, 2003

RNanne..........YES, YES, YES!!! THAT'S the kind of nursing I'm use to! That's the way it use to be, and it was grand wasn't it? Nurses who have never experienced that kind of nursing are missing out on what nursing use to present as a profession. The changes that have occurred in today's nursing is truly a shame and a disgrace to the profession. How can we ever regain what we've lost as a profession? It isn't in the education because even those with more education than some are in this same boat as nurses. Everyone can't be management, and even management has to dance to the tune of some boss they are trying to keep happy at the sake of further demeaning the nurses who are bedside nurses. I cry for the way nursing is today because I have good memories of the way it use to be and it was indeed grand back in the day! Time to hang up my hat and scrubs for good I suppose because the way nursing use to be respected is NOT allowed anymore. Too too sad, but so so true.

Okay...be back tomorrow night because it is after 2300 hour and I've GOT to get to sleep for work tomorrow. Nighty night everyone, and thanks in advance for the support and the love. :kiss

NancyRN · Nov 11, 2003

Sorry to say, I've only been out of school 4 years, so I don't remember what it was. All I know is the abuse and the dread. I've worked in many facilities trying different places as agency but it was always the same.

I agree, Rene, the family members are the worst! There are always 3 or 4 of them camped out in a room, eyeing me as if I'm the most incompetent boob ever to walk the earth. They question everything I do and say.

There's not any support from other nurses, either. They all play the game of pretending everything's fine...nobody will stand up to management with me ...but turnover is so great its like a revolving door there!

live4today, RN · Nov 11, 2003

NancyRN...thanks for understanding, too. It's NOT just me...I know that...it's so much more and the hospital doesn't want to hear that it is causing nurses to leave the profession. They'd rather fire someone than look seriously at the problems that are causing the so-called nursing shortage. :rolleyes: Let all nurses walk off their jobs, and see who will be missed the most. Who will care for the patients then? Yet, we are so disposable in a heart beat when we try to bring to light those matters that are drowning nurses right out those double swinging doors.

Night ya'll! I've got to get rid of this tension. Need some sleep. :stone

Town & Country · Nov 11, 2003

i agree, rene, the family members are the worst! there are always 3 or 4 of them camped out in a room, eyeing me as if i'm the most incompetent boob ever to walk the earth. they question everything i do and say.

there's not any support from other nurses, either. they all play the game of pretending everything's fine...nobody will stand up to management with me ...but turnover is so great its like a revolving door there!

so, so true..............!!!

RNanne · Nov 11, 2003

Yes, the new nurses do not know what a glorious profession nursing was. Now it has become a nightmare. I am so glad that I got out. I love nursing, am a dang good experienced nurse, but it was time to get out. It was affecting my mental, emotional, and physical health. I really am very sad for nursing. I do love it so, but alas it has all changed into a megabusiness with customer service the top priority. Well, I did not sign on to be a waitress or a customer service rep. :eek:

LydiaGreen · Nov 11, 2003

Alright y'all... you are scaring the pants off me!!!!

I graduate in May and until this moment I was still wearing those rose-coloured glasses and thinking that nursing was a wonderful profession!

Way to burst my bubble!~ yeowch!

RNanne · Nov 11, 2003

Ahh, Lydia. We are just venting. There are many many facets of nursing and I am sure you will find a happy niche. I have just been around too long. You go girl.:)

a_clay · Nov 11, 2003

Scaring me too......but I know that there's good and bad in EVERYTHING....not just nursing. Anything worth doing isn't going to be easy..so I guess I am "making my bed" and will have to lay in it (when I finish school).

funky nurse · Nov 11, 2003

i cant help but feel guilty when i read your postings, i was one of those family members and my father was in ICU i camped out in the visitors room because if he was going to die i wanted to be there. i asked alot of questions because i was scared and it kind of gave me some comfort having answers. when i look back i hope that i wasnt that type of person. what i am trying to say is that i respected those nurses and they are the ones who inspired me to enter the profession, so i understand that you may come across family members that are intollerable, but dont forget the ones that you have shown comfort and have left an impact on their lives. Speaking as the family member your care and dedication is remembered and definately appreciated.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2003

Originally posted by warrior woman
Makes me think that I'm expendable too... I probably am.

We are all expendable. And when the last one of us leaves the hospital, would s/he please turn out the lights?????

There are truly days when I curse under my breath, and wonder if I didn't care about doing a good job, WOULD ANYTHING GET DONE???????? Really!!!!!! The pharm tech cannot be bothered to pick up the orders or fill the pyxis correctly, every damn ice machine, stamper machine, and refrigerator door on the stinkin' floor is broken. We are out of armbands, the fax machine won't fax, no one has had copy paper for two weeks. A patient gave me a two pound box of chocolates - just for me - I put it out for everyone to share in the nurses lounge. And 15 minutes later, someone stole it.... I never got a piece ( and there was only 5 people on the floor for goodness sakes.

It has been one of those days when I have tried so hard and fallen so short....I truly wonder why I even bother.