Need To Vent

[lissyrn]

Got my RN 2 years ago and have not found a job I'm comfortable with. HATED

hospital nursing--too stressful. No time to have lunch, take a break, IV pumps beeping "air in line" constantly, having to chart and double chart and triple chart EVERYTHING..got so stressed out couldn't take it anymore so went into long-term care.....just as horrible but in a different way. That stupid rule about 1 hour before/1hour after for the med pass when I have 31 residents to pass meds to, average about 8 meds each on the morning pass, most of them need to be crushed, in applesauce, whatever, plus G-tubes, eyedrops, you name it....plus--it's BORING!!!!!

The only nursing job I have ever truly enjoyed was a part-time temp gig at a MD office(allergy). I think what I liked best was reporting to a doctor--not a nurse manager. Doctors, though of course they have their ego problems, are for the most part rational sane people without the anal-retentive punitive attitude that so many nurses have. The doc even said to me, "Why are you washing your hands so often? You are washing them raw!!!" I told her that was hospital brainwashing...she rolled her eyes.

I guess I'm an old hippie chick who just can't fit into the anal, mean, tough rough world of institutional nursing. Am looking for a full time MD office job. I know patient safety is upmost, and I do practice safely, but nursing in the ONLY job ( I won't use the word career--it is a job) in which you are expected to be PERFECT every second of every day and DOCUMENT every single thing you do every second of every day. I'm surprised they don't make you document when you pee..........

Lissy:chuckle

[dphrn]

Nursing is not for everyone. It is that simple. I would advice you to find a nursing job that is not direct patient care.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I think you're still a fairly inexperienced nurse (I figure three jobs - hospital, LTC, office) is kinda showing that you haven't found your niche yet. Good luck..life is too short to be unhappy.

[Dayray, RN]

I agree move on find something that makes you happy. At the same time know that there are plenty of us who in spite of the difficulties love what we do. For me it is a career I'm sorry it isn't for you Good luck in what ever you do.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You sound pretty self-aware to me, knowing your limitations and realistically looking at things as they are rather than rose-colored glasses. (Or like me through the eyes of denial.)

Bottom line is we make our own peace with this profression wherever that may be. Best wishes.

[wv_nurse 2003]

Ditto what everyone else has said--(but keep washing your hands, need to protect patients from the germs of others no matter where you work)

Good like finding what makes you happy! :)

[qc rn]

Dear Vent, Please keep looking. There are soooo, many different ways to practice nursing. I did the hospital stuff for experiance found the experiance invaluable but the anger and stress too much. I now work in an urgent caredepartment kinda like ER but no trauma. We do have people coming in with chest pain and other urgent problems but the docs are there and we have protocols we follow. I love the rush yet there are calm days too. Keep looking and washing your hands.:)

[leslie :-D]

with all due respect, it sounds like you're in the wrong field all together. perhaps you could do insurance nursing or something.

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I can empathize w/ lissy.

Especially with this statement:

".......... can't fit into the anal, mean, tough rough world of institutional nursing........... I know patient safety is upmost, and I do practice safely, but nursing in the ONLY job ( I won't use the word career--it is a job) in which you are expected to be PERFECT every second of every day and DOCUMENT every single thing you do every second of every day. I'm surprised they don't make you document when you pee..........