Need a hug

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I've had a rough few weeks. We are not staffed and the stress is causing me so much anxiety I am a mess. I leave each day knowing I did a crappy job. No lunch, no time to pee, and running my rear end off until I get in my car. My manager keeps saying she knows we are short, she knows we cant get it all done, just do our best. Well a family complained about me today. I wasn't quick enough, not attentive enough, too rushed. They thought I was the waitress yesterday while one of my patients was crashing. ( had an mi after arriving from recovery room). So when they complained, it hurt. I was not available for them. BUT, my manager called me in today to lecture me on " not letting the patient know we are short" by getting the meds quicker and answering the call light quicker. I need to " look less rushed and not look like I'm n a hurry". The family said they felt like they were not important because all the staff was with the crashing patient. I cried he while way home. I can't be everywhere at once. I physically can't keep up the pace we are at. And when you leave us THIS short, don't act surprised when people complain. Don't create a crap storm and blame me when it stinks.

I am officially burnt out. I just feel so defeated.

LEAVE THAT PLACE. I hate my workplace, and that is why I am having interviews in other areas. Don't sell yourself short. Your hard-earned degree is worth a lot more than that stinking place, and if they do you like that, they don't deserve you.

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I just love how management handles these situations. Maybe instead of discussing the complaint with you they should take it to the higher level and fix the root of the problem- unsafe and short staffing. Its already been proved how unsafe staffing effects patient care. I feel us nurses need to do something about it. We need to get into politics and change the laws, otherwise we will always have this issue.

I enjoy reading first hand accounts of the nursing profession on here, but I also get turned off by continually see these "short staffed" posts. The nurse ends turning into an stress filled, anxious mess. Running around all day like a chicken with their head cut off. What kind of life is that?

You nurses need to come together and stand up for yourselves. Write your congressman about the out of whack nurse/patient ratios. Let them know you barely have time to go to the bathroom and lunches are a rarity, and obviously patient safety is very marginal at best under these conditions. Wages have not risen with the added stress. The job really sounds bad to be honest and you guys are the only people who can do something about it.

I used to play online poker before the US gov took it away, we then created a weekly thread asking everyone who read it to submit their dislike to congress. It's a slow process but individual states are now beginning to rollout their own online poker sites. You can't just sit back and hope it gets better because it never will.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I never would tell families/pts we are short. Didn't want to worry them and knew it is a no no . Well now on shifts like the ones you describe I refuse to be seen as a bad nurse when we are short 2 nurses and 2 aides. If management doesn't like well I don't care. Not taking the blame for someone else's bad choices and business practices.[/quote']

^ THIS. :yes:

OP, you do the best you can; there will be people who will NEVER understand, even if you are working short...the best thing you can do is in the meantime, leave WORK at WORK...tomorrow is always another day in life-which is too short to be unhappy and have personalities affect who you are.

One of the things I suggest is if you choose to plan your exit strategy, you may have days like this EVERYWHERE; be mindful of that; however in the meantime, take time off if needed to recuperate; take a vacation or a weekend getaway. It doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant, just something to enjoy and recharge. Remember even in middle of plenty of storms that occur professionally and personally, self-care (as well as self preservation) is key...

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A super big hug out to you for doing your best. Days like this test us all. As someone who did management for 10+ years, the nursing manager should have gotten the full story. The best managers support their staff and defend them. I used to do a class on customer service for health care. The problem patients don't understand is no matter the level of care: hospital, nursing home, ALF, etc. it is not a hotel. Nobody wipes your butt at the Holiday Inn.

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Hey Beeker....I feel your pain. I'm on my way out of the profession and some other nurses I know are doing the same thing. We talk on forums like this because talking out leaving the nursing profession openly at your workplace can get you in some hot water. But I decided to go back to school to get a second bachelor's degree in supply chain management. I can still use my healthcare background with the SCM degree to find a better job. You might be thinking - how am I going to be able to find the time to go back to school when work schedules are so random and I'm already stressed? The answer is switch job codes to become contingent/per diem. You don't get benefits like health insurance or vacation time....but please keep reading. The pay rate is much higher (b/c employers are not providing benefits to you) and you get to make your own work schedule. I essentially gave myself a 60% raise in pay when I switched. As for vacation time, I never really accrued vacation time when I was a full time nurse b/c I was pretty much calling in to take a personal day when ever I could or would schedule a "day-off" in advance when we would make our work schedules. Don't really miss it if you never really had it to begin with. As for insurance, I'm a single guy with no kids and I was paying about $140/paycheck ($280/month) for **** insurance when I was working full-time. Now I buy my own insurance (BCBS - which is kind of like premium health insurance in Michigan) for about $90/month - with better coverage. Now for work requirements - I still have to work a minimum number of shifts but b/c I make more - it allows me to work less. Thus allowing me to go back to school. If your employer doesn't offer contingent status or your manager wont let you switch....apply to the float pool. Slightly higher pay rate...you still reserve the option of keeping benefits if you want...but you can make your own schedule. With more time on your side, you will have the opportunity to find a different job or go back to school. These are the details of my escape plan. Hope it helps.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Poor thing. Have you considered doing yoga or meditation to bring your stress levels down? Being short for a period of time I'm sure would only build your anxiety/stress and you don't want to have a breakdown. Try to be patient, calm through the storm, and breathe.

Hopefully, your managers will get you guys some help soon. Good luck...

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

QUOTE> "The family said they felt like they were not important because all the staff was with the crashing patient.">QUOTE

And then the MANAGER tells YOU that YOU are the problem? Unfreakingreal......I wonder if the manager every worked ON the floor.Press Ganey,be damned. Someone needs to tell entitled buttholes like this the TRUTH.... sometimes they really ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT

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Specializes in Emergency.

Amen to that ktwlpn. This customer service nonsense is getting seriously out of hand- gd forbid we tell people the truth or what they need to hear. Gd forbid we offend anyone. Common sense has gone out the door. I've only been in nursing five years but even in that short time I've watched the profession- or perhaps I should say, it's management- completely lose sight of priorities. It's completely fine to trample on and abuse those who put long hours in. But don't tell the family who needs ice in their water NOW that the patient in the next bed is hanging onto life. Ridiculous. It makes me scared for our future. OP I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'm even sorrier that there are who knows how many nurses out there reading your post, who also could have wrote it.

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I put in for a transfer to another department (no direct patient care) and have already been called for an interview tomorrow! While this is only a temporary fix, I feel hopeful. This might be exactly what I need for a break. I can still pick up shifts on my old floor though I cannot imagine I will want to. Please cross your fingers for me, I really need this!

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