My Unit Is Bleeding Staff & Morale...Vent!

[All4NursingRN]

I've realize most of all the places I've worked have had high turnover, but my current job takes the cake. In the six months I've been employed here I have seen 10 nurses come and go or reduce their status from full to part time or per diem on day shift alone, nights is worse. I've seen both new and experienced nurses quit while on orientation, or interview and not take the job. A few doctors even jokingly begged me not to leave as that nurses and docs just came and went.

Nurses who just came off orientation who are already proclaiming how much they hate it. The medical residents are stressed and have been openly complaining about their concerns, the attendings are detached. Techs could care less and don't work together.

Staff both RNs and ED techs are burned out from working short which leads to increased sick calls.

I've never seen such a mess of a unit. I'm calling out tomorrow for the 3rd time in 6 months and I feel awful but although its so early in ...I'm tired of being dumped upon. Last few shifts I've had full ICU, intubated patients with at least 7 other ED patients, 2 of which were potential strokes and another possible sepsis.

Equipment doesn't work... 3 of our 4 defibrillators stopped working and still have not been replaced.

Working ED in this town is rough. Less hospitals, terribly high acuity, and atrocious nurse turnover numbers. And yes there have been multiple meetings with administration and on the nightmare goes...

I think I'm sadly thru with bedside nursing after about 9 years. I'm just hoping to stick it out another 6 months here, then hopefully transfer to any ICU adult or peds/PACU or OR/Cath lab heck anywhere but the ed which I really do love. After that advanced practice here I come. It won't be easy but at least it'll be less physically demanding... sigh.

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

That sounds awful!! I'm trying to imagine what kind of administration is running your facility. I don't know how anyone could survive that kind of chaos, including the patients. What's up with your manager? Sounds like they're needing a massive overhaul. What about saving yourself and considering another position elsewhere sooner than six months? Life is too darn short!

I can relate with that 'fed-uppedness' and also this summer had the experience of taking a 'break' from nursing, a deliberate break of about five months. Granted, I was fortunate to have been able to do this. But in that 'break' I feel like I came back a bit better than ever, and my previous job was NOT the nightmare you describe. We have to take care of ourselves, however we can, and sometimes just getting a different J.O.B. is enough to break the chronic stress. Good luck to you :)

[Jules A, MSN]

I have worked at a facility like this that was once an excellent place to work and unfortunately took a horrible turn for the worse when a new administration was brought in. There was a mass exodus and the only solution I eventually found was to accept that things were not going to return to what they once were and move on myself. It wasn't a nursing problem but a facility problem.

[Libby1987]

Was anyone offered more money to stay?

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

I've worked on units like this, and there is no amount of money that will make it worthwhile.

[Libby1987]

I've worked on units like this, and there is no amount of money that will make it worthwhile.

Agreed. But if OP is staying anyway..

[toomuchbaloney]

I feel sorry for the unsuspecting public who believe that they will actually receive reasonable nursing care in that facility. Someone ought to tell them so that they can arrange to spend time in the facility if a loved one is hospitalized to insure that they are not harmed by the level of indifference that is apparently widespread though the organizational management.

[inshallamiami]

I recommend a change....the cath lab or interventional radiology (in a different hospital if possible) can be exciting and intellectually challenging! They would LOVE your experience there. think of this as an opportunity to branch out!

[Jules A, MSN]

I've worked on units like this, and there is no amount of money that will make it worthwhile.

I tend to be extremely motivated by money but agree with you 100%. A toxic work place isn't worth any amount of money.

[All4NursingRN]

I've worked on units like this, and there is no amount of money that will make it worthwhile.

True. Well unless they pay me $120k/yr and that's not happening.

The director made it clear during the interview that it was a challenging place to work. She hired almost 25 new nurses in the form of full time/per-diem/agency but staff has still been dropping like flies. She's pretty much pleaded with us to stay and when I went to her with a particular concern, she literally said ''please don't leave I promise it'll get better''

ugh.........

[All4NursingRN]

I recommend a change....the cath lab or interventional radiology (in a different hospital if possible) can be exciting and intellectually challenging! They would LOVE your experience there. think of this as an opportunity to branch out!

I'd love cath lab and I've been trying to secure a cath lab position for 4 years. I was offered a EP lab position and then it was retracted... I was so bummed about it so I took whatever I could get after that, but I really want cath lab or any ICU to be honest. I'm just so tired of job hopping but after working in two dangerously busy and high acuity ED's in the same city I think I'm sadly done with ED.

I could start putting out applications just in case though...

[Graduatenurse14]

Do you work in my hospital's ED??? Kidding!! Sort of.

My med-surg unit is like this too though! People transferring to other units or quitting left and right. It's very, very disconcerting to have co-workers ask you while still on orientation if you are planning on quitting.