Modern nursing--Administration - You do what you're told, and no backtalk!
How it used to be--Administration - Thank you for bringing up that issue. We'll be sure to take care of it.
Modern nursing--Administration - Remember, the customer is always right.
How it used to be--Administration - Remember, the nurse is right until proven wrong.
Modern nursing--You're getting more patients. There are too many out sick already.
How it used to be--Since we're short on staff today, I'll help you out.
Modern nursing--He/she thinks he's/she's Mr/Ms perfect. Well, let me tell you a thing or two about him/her.
How it used to be--Do you need help? I have some free time.
Modern nursing--You are not allowed to attend your award dinner, because you're being mandated to work a double. (Something that I actually witnessed.) The nurse worked a double.
How it used to be--Of course you may have that evening off so you can attend that special function.
Modern nursing--Get with it, Nursie, or whoever you are. And DO NOT take time to pee. You have too much to do.
How it used to be--Nurse relieving herself in the bathroom, "Ahhh!"
Modern nursing--Administration - When the insurance companies say jump, you need to ask, "How high?"
How it used to be--Administration - The health insurance agencies did not question nurse/patient care. The company's philosophy, "If the doctor ordered it, then it's needed. No problem, we'll pay.
Modern nursing--I'm going to sue the pants off of you, the doctor, and this hospital!
How it used to be--I understand. Everyone makes a mistake now and then.
Modern nursing--Doctor - Hey, you! What do you mean, doing that? Don't you dare bother me. You solve that problem yourself!
How it used to be--Doctor - Okay, I'll be right there nurse.
Too many people today are ready to sue at the drop of the hat. Instead of working for their income, they'd rather sit on their you know whats and get easy money from someone else.
The insurance companies run most hospitals, so the hospitals and staff bend over to please their clients.
How it used to be--People and insurance companies earned their keep, they also gave a helping hand when needed.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
Purple agent,
I have been in the field of healthcare since 1962, and I DO know what I'm talking about, because I experienced the differences. Think what you want, but unless you've been there yourself, how on earth can you judge the differences between then and now. I'm Not going by what someone said. I'm going by what I've experienced.
yes agent, another one of these threads...if you haven't even begun your nursing career how can you be so critical of us nurses?
so... have you initiated any actions at your large corporation, if so, how are things going??
You cant change the beast you have to rise above it.
Nice try at managing me though.. i was almost impressed.
I'm just being honest and trying to give you guys real solutions. Not trying to be mean or hurtful.
Originally posted by Frances LeMay
Purple agent,
I have been in the field of healthcare since 1962, and I DO know what I'm talking about, because I experienced the differences. Think what you want, but unless you've been there yourself, how on earth can you judge the differences between then and now. I'm Not going by what someone said. I'm going by what I've experienced.
I never said you didnt know what you were talking about. I know what you say is true. I'm just trying to be positive instead of negative.
But agent, what were the solutions you were giving? I didn't see any, unless you meant thinking positively was one.
I also don't think everything was perfect in the past (I am fortunate enough to have never been made to give up my seat for a doctor!), but I do think we have a lot of problems that need dealing with. Our hospital administration is iffy on our problems. Sometimes we actually get results when we bring up concerns, and they were especially good to me during SARS. Other times, we are struggling.
I, too have experienced the tremendous changes in the nursing profession. I graduated in 1962. The difference is night and day. I don't think that any one answer is the problem or the solution. Someone who has not even graduated from nurse's school can't ever imagine the trials of working now. While one can try to remain positive, it is really hard to continue with the attitude when every shift you work is a nightmare. And the only release and relief I get is venting here, being validated here, and knowing that I am not alone. I am not crazy, it really is that bad.
I would really sincerely love to know, what do you propose nurses do about it to start to change things?
Complaining will get you nowhere, I don't mean to be harsh its just true.
I work for a large corporation right now and have been through my fair share of politics. I know that administrations only see complianing as a further sign of weakness and inability. Their way of dealing with whining and complaining is to knuckle down.
Isn't that what has been happening to nurses?
agent,
I think I can help you out here, as I was recently put in my place to a response I posted in a thread. BTW, when I read your post, I knew it was not meant to be hurtful and I know you want to know what can be done to better the profession you plan to enter.
The following is what RNanne posted to this thread and I think it sets the tone of this thread really well:
And the only release and relief I get is venting here, being validated here, and knowing that I am not alone.
Getting the picture? This is almost verbatim of what I was told in the post I mentioned above.
This board is not necessarily meant to be a vehicle for change. You might recall the fairly recent posts by ainz? There was a short rally and then the clubs were thrown on the fire and people went home. Sure, there is the occasional sjoe line, "We will get as much crap as we take," but it isn't said with feeling.
The main reason for this BB appears to be what RNanne has stated. A place for nurses to lament about their jobs and how they are treated.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I MEAN they come in here, telling us how griping/venting does no GOOD and PROPOSE WE DO SOMETHING...(which many of ARE already, but they don't know this)........
They seem to have all the answers.....so let's see what happens when they enter our forces and fix it all as they propose.THAT is what I meant, Todd.
Speaking out too much can gain one a rep of being a 'bad attitude ' nurse in the current healthcare system I practice in. I know because I have been that 'BA nurse' in a nonunion area for most of my 27 yr career. I have felt the sting believe me... and fight constant blackballing attempts because of my outspoken-ness. I survive only because of other likeminded nurses who persist in trying to change the system.
If we don't have the power to gain an audience, then it follows we have little ability to change the status quo. And nurses have little power or voice if we are not 'together'...which means to me unionized.
What will it take??? IMO a nationwide union of nurses. I hope I live to see the day it happens!! When the majority of us can stand together for a cause!!
Until that happens I will continue to be a voice in my little corner of the nursing world...and will come to Allnurses for validation. Too many of my coworkers agree with me in private but are too timid to agree in public.....I look forward to this changing someday. Even if it means me moving back to a union area which I would LOVE to do...!!!!
I agree with Deb...many of us ARE doing what we can where we are at this moment.
my boss was my role model when I started practicing. She was an outspoken advocate for nurses AND patients. Today??? My boss is a company girl all the way...
You cant change the beast you have to rise above it.
Nice try at managing me though.. i was almost impressed.
I'm just being honest and trying to give you guys real solutions. Not trying to be mean or hurtful.
agent,
I don't see how my reply to you could make you so defensive.
whether you're trying not to be mean or hurtful is known only in your own psyche, I did not use these words, or even take them in this way, I simply asked how you could "criticize" us nurses? to which you replied with the above. Flip replies wont get you far when you're out in the field either, just so you know.
you are not a new member, your comment was "another one of these posts", you will get no benefit of the doubt from me, as you know full well we are sharing our experiences in NURSING, which you don't have any of yet, try to undertand that.
Oh, BTW, I still do enjoy nursing, enough to stay in the field and do all I can to make things work to the nurses/my advantage. I am pretty darn good at what I do and I am paid pretty well FOR my experience. I am also pretty darn positive most of the time too.
The original topic was: "MY" theory on modern nursing vs how it used to be--as a nurse of 15 years I have seen plenty and not all is bad.
now make sure you pick apart every word/sentence I have typed and have fun doing it
I MEAN they come in here, telling us how griping/venting does no GOOD and PROPOSE WE DO SOMETHING...(which many of ARE already, but they don't know this)........
They seem to have all the answers.....so let's see what happens when they enter our forces and fix it all as they propose.THAT is what I meant, Todd.
Making sure I quote every bit of your post Deb, because I am in total agreement with you!
FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I
3,619 Posts
Purple agent,
I have been in the field of healthcare since 1962, and I DO know what I'm talking about, because I experienced the differences. Think what you want, but unless you've been there yourself, how on earth can you judge the differences between then and now. I'm Not going by what someone said. I'm going by what I've experienced.