Nervous about returning to nursing + a rant.

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hi. I'm about a decade into my nursing career (exp includes ICU, IR, Cath Lab). I have my BSN & CCRN. Good creds. Doesn't appear to make a difference however. 

I've worked with patients who were very, very sick. Level one trauma. Cases that would last 9+ hours in the labs. At the ICU I had Impella / IABP / CRRT / Arctic Sun / LVAD patients. I've worked so hard over these last ten years to care for my patients however it is demoralizing and IDK if I can do it anymore. I've been hit, kicked, threatened, spat on, shouted at and more. There were times where I found out what was going on with a patient when a MD couldn't hone in on a Dx.

My co workers were the worst. I've advocated for patients when they wanted their treatment plan changed. I've worked with CNAs/RTs/Speach Therapists/ OT/PT to ensure the best possible care was given to our patients. However the more I advocated for a patient the more I was bullied by my peers. They didn't want to help with turning patients or cleaning them. The more I asked for help the more I got crap from them. Random rumors were created and then spread. Even though I wasn't doing anything wrong, people made stuff up, and over time, more people believed that I was a bad nurse: incompetent, untrustworthy, a "know it all", nosey, anxious, not dependable, etc. The more I tried to do the right thing , the more I got slashed by my own "team." It didn't matter if I helped them do a turn, a clean up, help with an admission, help with a code, discard narcs, help gather supplies for whatever situations... the help I offered my co workers was not reciprocated. I did go to my manager but nothing good came out of that. Same with HR. 

So I want to ask if you guys have experienced this. Have you ever felt taken advantage of? What did you do when you have had terrible work experiences, other than just leave? I don't even know how to stand up for myself anymore in this work environment without risk of being fired, slandered, or being hated. It's become a terrible profession. 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

While I have had plentty of negative experiences in nursing I have to say that as a whole nursing has been very good to me. It has afforded me a decent income with the ability to stash away some savings and as well as be able to travel, send my son to good schools etc. 

Nursing was my 2nd career and as a whole it was a lot better than the first. Still I too have been been hit, kicked, threatened, spat on, shouted at oh and let's not forget having semen thrown at me. All that changed when I went to work in psych. Contrary to what people think psych patients usually aren't aggressive or violent and the one's that are come with a warning label. 

All nursing takes a toll on your body though and I have more musculoskeletal problems than I care to mention. I have 6 years before I can collect full retirement. Here's hoping I win the lottery. 

Hppy

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Overall, my decades long career was varied and satisfying.  Don't give up.  

Bad employment situations aren't really something you can fix, you can only leave and find something better for you.  

Good luck.  

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I might also add that a nursing intructor told be a billion years ago that nursing would be the hardest job I would ever have. It has been that for sure. I have held a dying person's hand, explained to a eight year old what was happening to mommy. Bathed a still born infant before bringing it to it's mother to say goodby. managements will come and go and they rarely show their appreciation, but satisfaction of honest thanks from those I have cared for has made all the difference.

Hppy

 

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You are returning to nursing. Why go back to hospital nursing?  My best job was sitting at home on the computer, working for an insurance company. Think outside the box. Good luck.

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Specializes in Gynaecology.

Would clinic work be an option for you? Still be caring for patients just in a different setting. I have found that clinic work is not as stressful and strenuous as working on the wards. Like someone has mentioned prior, management will come and go. I hope you find the best path for you.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I'm unclear on your situation, are you working now? Or were you working in one of these areas in the past and considering returning? I've been in the ICU only six years, and I've got some experience in three different units. The culture in each of the units has been different and I could see some having more of the behavior you describe than others. (except the hitting, punching, etc- that's sort of a universal, sadly) Unfortunately, you don't always know the base culture of a unit until you're working there. And then you're potentially stuck with a difficult situation. I wish I could give you some solid advice, perhaps you would benefit from a remote position as others have mentioned. But if you really enjoy direct patient care, you have more limited options and you're potentially going to experience the same thing. Have you considered exploring travel nursing to check out the places with only a short term commitment? Your experience should definitely get you in with a travel company and I know many people I work with are able to travel all within an hour of home, but that will obviously depend on how close your hospitals are. Good luck with whatever you decide. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Yes, I was bullied relentlessly at my first nursing job. It was a nightmare. Some workplaces are toxic. Some workplaces only function by having a scapegoat. If you are the scapegoat, there is little you can do to fix the situation. Better to leave.

Not every place is like this though. I am generally happier working in the community.

 If you are the type to advocate for patients you will be bullied in a toxic environment. 

It takes time to find a really good job in nursing and that's why many of us hop around a lot. 

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Been there,done that said:

You are returning to nursing. Why go back to hospital nursing?  My best job was sitting at home on the computer, working for an insurance company. Think outside the box. Good luck.

Working for an insurance company is an interesting idea. I thought about Case Management & Informatics. Trying to get creative. I don't want to lose the critical care skills I have - I actually really do enjoy being able to utilize those skills - however, I cannot see myself doing it for decades, full time. I prefer preserving my physical and mental health. 

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Specializes in Critical Care.
FolksBtrippin said:

 If you are the type to advocate for patients you will be bullied in a toxic environment. 

THIS. I have only seen a couple of nurses navigate around this well. They were 30+ years of experience, were highly intelligent on how to deal with people (patients, families, MDs, co-works, new grads, supervisors, etc), and had hard set boundaries. Right now at the stage where I go overboard or get run over. 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
BeatsPerMinute said:

Working for an insurance company is an interesting idea. I thought about Case Management & Informatics. Trying to get creative. I don't want to lose the critical care skills I have - I actually really do enjoy being able to utilize those skills - however, I cannot see myself doing it for decades, full time. I prefer preserving my physical and mental health. 

I have a friend that works out patient surgery and seems to like it. She uses her skills, starts IVs does assessments there are no surprise admissions and the patients all go home at the end of the day.

Hppy

 

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FolksBtrippin said:

If you are the type to advocate for patients you will be bullied in a toxic environment.

So true!  And there is little you can do about it except get out!  But happily in a positive environment you will be appreciated and respected for advocating for patients.  

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