Nurses leaving in droves...

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 8, 2004

I guess it is all a case of you get back what you give. I still feel Nursing is Nobel. I enjoy my job my co-workers the Pts and have very good report with the physicians. I am not treated poorly by anyone and I would not allow such treatment.

No, It's not ALL a case of getting back what is given. Were that so, you would not see some of the posts here you do. Come ON! BREADMAKING? MCDONALDS' certificates? Having to say "I am sorry" when it's not one's fault. Face it: The corporate mentality in some hospitals is indeed insufferable. I can it clearly see here--- Some have given and given til their well runs dry, only to be used up and discarded by the very people they gave it all to. It's not always so easy to be treated well in some non-supportive work places where administrators and managers kiss butts and poop on their staff in turn.

You know what, I am glad you are in a situation that works for you. I am fortunate to be, also. I love my job. But PLEASE do NOT minimize or illegitimize OTHER'S feelings with a dismissive "it's all what you put into it". That just is NOT true so many places in nursing today. Just consider yourself fortunate.

CCU NRS · Nov 8, 2004

No, It's not ALL a case of getting back what is given. Were that so, you would not see some of the posts here you do. Come ON! BREADMAKING? MCDONALDS' certificates? Having to say "I am sorry" when it's not one's fault. Face it: The corporate mentality in some hospitals is indeed insufferable. I can it clearly see here--- Some have given and given til their well runs dry, only to be used up and discarded by the very people they gave it all to. It's not always so easy to be treated well in some non-supportive work places where administrators and managers kiss butts and poop on their staff in turn.
You know what, I am glad you are in a situation that works for you. I am fortunate to be, also. I love my job. But PLEASE do NOT minimize or illegitimize OTHER'S feelings with a dismissive "it's all what you put into it". That just is NOT true so many places in nursing today. Just consider yourself fortunate.

I will consider myself fortunate. I am learning that I am very fortuante indeed! Over the last several days especially I have been on many boards with people complaining about all types of things. I apologize if I offended anyone or minimized the feelings of others.

I would say that if you allow yourself to be treated in any manner other than respectful then, IN MY OPINION you are to blame, I stand up for my self and do not allow others to treat me disrespectfully. That would include not apologizing for something when I had done nothing wrong. I do completely agree that it is ridiculous for Hospitals to give out gift certificates to Mc D's or Walmart and I would bet that corporate Lawyers would advise against such practice as it would give any grievance support in showing that the Hospital was attempting to bribe Pts and would also to some extent be an admission of guilt. So to any of you working in facilities participating in these practices I would suggest you just mention that such gifts imply culpability and see how fast that comes to a screeching halt!

I am sorry but the bread making thing sounds like fun, I know we are not working as cooks or waiters and it probably was a huge hassel in some cases but, I am always for doing something that lightens the mood and makes work fun. No I probabaly wouldn't think it was fun after a couple of hours of having Pts call incessantly to get more bread but on a rehab floor maybe where Pts were being encouraged to get up and participate perhaps it would be a good Idea to have the Pts make bread.

NurseTamy · Nov 8, 2004

I have been a nurse for a little over a year now, and feel so let down. When I graduted I had this overwhealming sense to overcome and really make a difference. Now I just watch the clock and count the seconds until I can go home. Nursing is awesome, I just feel the current state of the profession...well sucks. How can it be made better?

boulergirl, CNA · Nov 8, 2004

Has anybody had to endure the FISH philosophy?

Yes, LORD, yes. :uhoh3: :uhoh3: :uhoh3: :chair:

Mgmt. got this bright idea about making all of us watch a video about the FISH philosophy. Of course, they were giddy with joy and we were dying of embarrassment. Granted, the video was more interesting than the hokey training videos I've had to watch as a fast-food employee and in orientation as an NA. As far as the FISH video goes, though, only mgmt. applauded at the end and I don't recall them implementing anything after that.

CCU NRS · Nov 8, 2004

I have been a nurse for a little over a year now, and feel so let down. When I graduted I had this overwhealming sense to overcome and really make a difference. Now I just watch the clock and count the seconds until I can go home. Nursing is awesome, I just feel the current state of the profession...well sucks. How can it be made better?

Focus on making a difference to one person/Pt at a time. To the Pts you care for if you are making them feel better or educationg or giving them options or helping them to see things in a different light then you are helping. Families can be relieved of stress by a simple explaination or word of kindness. Assist other nurses with care and just try your best to accomplish the goals you set for yourself, on a daily basis. Being a new nurse can sort of be related to post partum blues, of coorifice you love your new child and you want to do what is right, but everything seems to be tooo much and nothing feels like it will ever be the same again. It may not ever be the same again but that doesn't mean it can not be great!

CCU NRS · Nov 8, 2004

No, It's not ALL a case of getting back what is given. Were that so, you would not see some of the posts here you do. Come ON! BREADMAKING? MCDONALDS' certificates? Having to say "I am sorry" when it's not one's fault. Face it: The corporate mentality in some hospitals is indeed insufferable. I can it clearly see here--- Some have given and given til their well runs dry, only to be used up and discarded by the very people they gave it all to. It's not always so easy to be treated well in some non-supportive work places where administrators and managers kiss butts and poop on their staff in turn.
You know what, I am glad you are in a situation that works for you. I am fortunate to be, also. I love my job. But PLEASE do NOT minimize or illegitimize OTHER'S feelings with a dismissive "it's all what you put into it". That just is NOT true so many places in nursing today. Just consider yourself fortunate.

I do try to be suppostive but, I guess I just can't see anyone allowing themselves to be treated in a manner that is against their own wishes. I have never been so tied to any position that I would suffer abusive treatment in order to keep that position. I know there are plenty of jobs available and if i am treated poorly I will move to the next one and go from there. Of course I don't just run away when things don't go my way either, but I tell anyone that speaks to me in a way other than respectful that it isn't necessary to result to such low behavior, I explain that we are all professional and presumably adult and can either work the situation out in an adult manner or they can find someone else to work it out with.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 8, 2004

well, some people do what you do, CCU. that is, they do not tolerate being treated like crap. But unlike you, who has found a good niche in nursing, they chose to walk away. I think that is tragic. Yes, most of us will NOT allow ourselves to be treated poorly, but sometimes have to do more drastic things to end it. To each her/his own. I think its just sad people have to LEAVE nursing altogether to retain their self-respect.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2004

I wont leave in a drove

I will probably be taken away in a heorifice

renerian, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2004

I have been an RN since 86 and am considering leaving the profession due to decreasing salaries, being tired of being salaried and working 10 to 30 hours per week over 40 and not being paid for the time, ethicial issues and such.

Selling ice cream cones or being a walmart greeter sound safe........ :uhoh3:

renerian

Rachel2004RN · Nov 13, 2004

As if our job wasn't difficult enough trying to coordinate care and make sure the patient's critical needs are met, we are finding ourselves in situations trying to explain why we couldn't get back in the room to give the patient a warm blanket or a glass of water or a bedpan right when they wanted it. Our priorities are obviously different from theirs and I have stressed that to several patients recently. I used to be an ER tech and CNA and it was my responsibility to meet those basic needs. Now I'm having to do the job of a nurse and a nurse's aide, while the acuity of the patient's are rising and the support is being taken away. How can we be expected to meet standards of care under these circumstances? Standards of care only seem to be setting us up for litigation. Nursing magazines/journals tout the newest ideas and innovations on pain management, therapeutic communication, etc. that would be ideal for implementing, but I feel I just don't need one more responsibility when I can barely meet what's on my plate as it is. I can't even stand to open up a nursing magazine/journal anymore to find out what I should be doing that I just can't.

Wow---do you work in my hospital?? My gripe exactly. As a new grad RN I am finding it infuriating and exhausting to be doing the job of RN AND CNA on a daily basis. It's unrealistic and unfair to the nursing staff and the patients. I'd love to have the time to do all of the RN things I learned about in school.....things you mentioned like therapeutic communication etc.......but, sorry, I am too busy putting someone on a bedpan and running for another glass of water for my patient. Sure, we have enough lisenced staff members on the floor to keep our patient assignments around 5 each....but what good does it do if you only have 1 or 2 nursing assistants to help with the basic care needs of the patients?? I think it's wonderful we have so many LPN's and RN's to care for the patients on our floor.....but it's assinine to lack support staff to assist with the care. I literally feel like a nursing assistant who passes meds and has the daunting task of getting through each day PRAYING I'm able to work my RN duties and responsibilities around the never-ending call lights and performing ADL's that COULD be delegated, if there were someone to delegate to. They teach us as nurses to prioritize...yet don't give us the means to do so. This is my first taste of lisenced nursing (was a CNA for 8 years) and I'm thinking long and hard on where to go from here because I'm not content providing 'minimum', rushed care and I refuse to jeapordize the safety of my patients, not to mention my lisence.

CCU NRS · Nov 13, 2004

Wow---do you work in my hospital?? My gripe exactly. As a new grad RN I am finding it infuriating and exhausting to be doing the job of RN AND CNA on a daily basis. It's unrealistic and unfair to the nursing staff and the patients. I'd love to have the time to do all of the RN things I learned about in school.....things you mentioned like therapeutic communication etc.......but, sorry, I am too busy putting someone on a bedpan and running for another glass of water for my patient. Sure, we have enough lisenced staff members on the floor to keep our patient assignments around 5 each....but what good does it do if you only have 1 or 2 nursing assistants to help with the basic care needs of the patients?? I think it's wonderful we have so many LPN's and RN's to care for the patients on our floor.....but it's assinine to lack support staff to assist with the care. I literally feel like a nursing assistant who passes meds and has the daunting task of getting through each day PRAYING I'm able to work my RN duties and responsibilities around the never-ending call lights and performing ADL's that COULD be delegated, if there were someone to delegate to. They teach us as nurses to prioritize...yet don't give us the means to do so. This is my first taste of lisenced nursing (was a CNA for 8 years) and I'm thinking long and hard on where to go from here because I'm not content providing 'minimum', rushed care and I refuse to jeapordize the safety of my patients, not to mention my lisence.

It is too bad that is hard to find good CNA's let alone CNA's period. I worked med-surg for many years and a good CNA can make all the difference. As a former CNA do you know any friends still holding that position that you might encourage to come to work at your facility? Possibly you should go to management and advocate for better circumstances and a harder push to get CNA's in house. Possibly if you as nurses pull together and make your issues known and that you are all feeling the severity of the situation this will put a bug up their butt to find and hire more CNA's. Maybe worth a try, I know a lot of people will say you can't accomplish anything this way but you never know if you don't try.

If you can't get the assistance you need possibly you should look into CCU/ICU or Stepdown or intermediate care. We don't use CNA's at my CCU but it is much better to do total care for 2 Pt's than 5. Perhaps it is your facility, you may have to look elsewhere in the long run but don't let this spoil nursing for you. I am a true advocate of "Find your Niche" I think most nurses take a little time to find their niche in the career and once you do your career is a much happier thing.

ChezzaRN · Nov 13, 2004

We have our Press Ganey employee satisfaction surveys coming up. I hear (pardon the pun) that our infamous administrators are wandering around the units wearing big "ears". Their message to the employess: "we hear you"........ I have a nice stylet to clean that wax out QID. :wink2:

We are corporate to the nth degree. I am not sure if the new uniform will be cheerleading garb or Chanel suits, but I am a bit concerned that my Fred Flintstone feet will be in big trouble when we are told to don heels. Does Birkenstock even make heels??

Anyway, like all things, it will come full circle, and I hope I am there to see big changes (or be a part of the change making) so I can live out my life doing what I have always wanted to do. The corporate world isn't something I have ever been interested in, if I wanted to work numbers I would have sold calculators at the local Radio Shack first.

Ciao, Chezza