Nurses are Pathetic!!

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I have been reading thread after thread on this forum and I have come to one conclusion. We are all a pathetic bunch. We take abuse that most other human beings would not put up with. We are physically, mentally and emotionally abused by doctors, managers, patients, and families. We work ungodly hours, skip our much needed breaks without pay for months and years on end. And this goes on and on and on. The stories are endless. Then we are all shocked when a nurse who has had enough finally cracks and administers 32 vials of Dilantin and kills a patient. Is this so different than any other human being who finally after years and years of this abuse, just cannot take it anymore? I think not. When are we all going to stand up and demand decent pay, decent working conditions, and respect? Well, the answer is never because we are not a solid group. We have no autonomy or solidarity because we are a weak profession. We pit one against another. We ***** and backstab. We deserve all the abuse that is dealt to us. In nursing school, we are taught to make beds, empty bedpans and clean dentures. Instead we should get vast lessons in how to deal with some of the real issues that face us today. We are understaffed, overworked, pushed to the breaking point. But yet, the martyr instinct kicks in, we get up and go back and endure more of the same. When is enough, enough? When are we all going to come together and and start shouting about our working conditions and wages? We make less than a crew on road construction or a plumber. And look what we do. We are responsible for peoples lives. I went to work down the road as my current employer is union and I felt that maybe the non union hospital down the road would be a better place. Well, it is not, it is worse. 13 nurses have quit in the 6 weeks I have worked there. I won't renew my contract. It is just too unsafe. The hospital is all about profit at the expense of some great nurses. They even charge for an individual bandaid. It is ridiculous. I have decided that as soon as I can afford to, I'm getting out. I will no longer be a member of a profession that eats its young while at the same time, taking unwarrented abuse from unapreciative doctors that we bend over backwards for. Its not about making a living any more, it is about retaining some self respect, free of abuse by doctors, managers and other nurses who have nothing better to do than put a knife in your back the minute you turn around. At least at walmart I won't have to worry about making a life threatening mistake because I'm overwhelmed by what is required of me each day.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I do not agree we are "pathetic". There is A-pathy among many, but "pathetic"? Sorry I just cannot agree there. I am sorry you feel this way. Negativity is a tough thing to get past, but if we don't do anything to help ourselves, becomes pretty much impossible.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I have been reading thread after thread on this forum and I have come to one conclusion. We are all a pathetic bunch. We take abuse that most other human beings would not put up with. We are physically, mentally and emotionally abused by doctors, managers, patients, and families. We work ungodly hours, skip our much needed breaks without pay for months and years on end. And this goes on and on and on. The stories are endless. Then we are all shocked when a nurse who has had enough finally cracks and administers 32 vials of Dilantin and kills a patient. Is this so different than any other human being who finally after years and years of this abuse, just cannot take it anymore? I think not. When are we all going to stand up and demand decent pay, decent working conditions, and respect? Well, the answer is never because we are not a solid group. We have no autonomy or solidarity because we are a weak profession. We pit one against another. We ***** and backstab. We deserve all the abuse that is dealt to us. In nursing school, we are taught to make beds, empty bedpans and clean dentures. Instead we should get vast lessons in how to deal with some of the real issues that face us today. We are understaffed, overworked, pushed to the breaking point. But yet, the martyr instinct kicks in, we get up and go back and endure more of the same. When is enough, enough? When are we all going to come together and and start shouting about our working conditions and wages? We make less than a crew on road construction or a plumber. And look what we do. We are responsible for peoples lives. I went to work down the road as my current employer is union and I felt that maybe the non union hospital down the road would be a better place. Well, it is not, it is worse. 13 nurses have quit in the 6 weeks I have worked there. I won't renew my contract. It is just too unsafe. The hospital is all about profit at the expense of some great nurses. They even charge for an individual bandaid. It is ridiculous. I have decided that as soon as I can afford to, I'm getting out. I will no longer be a member of a profession that eats its young while at the same time, taking unwarrented abuse from unapreciative doctors that we bend over backwards for. Its not about making a living any more, it is about retaining some self respect, free of abuse by doctors, managers and other nurses who have nothing better to do than put a knife in your back the minute you turn around. At least at walmart I won't have to worry about making a life threatening mistake because I'm overwhelmed by what is required of me each day.

Please don't attempt to speak for all nurses by using the 'we' statements.

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Specializes in PCICU.

I'm not sure if you just had a bad day and just venting, or if you hate all nurses, including yourself. I do not see the actual point in this thread. You talk about banding together but then say that you cannot wait to get out.

Sorry if you are having a bad day and feel free to rant, but perhaps you wouldnt want to call your fellow nurses "pathetic" as they are not. What you choose to take out of your profession is up to you, as undoubtedly, everyone in their perspective professions eats a fair a mount of sh*t, regardless of what you do for a living. If you are disenchanted, then it is most definitely time for you to find your way out of the nursing field.

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

I'm sorry you feel that way lorster, but you are surely not the only one who feels this way...I assure you. I don't think nurses are pathetic, rather that they are "angels". They take abuse and turn the other cheek, they care for the ill/injured and they do it while accepting little in the way of pay and respect. That's an angel in my book.

I'm sorry your experience has been so bad. As a nurse to be it scares me that this is the condition of the profession I am entering. Your words ring true IMO, with the backstabbing and pettiness. I think nurses would be a much stronger group if they stopped the bitterness that is associated with the type of nurse they are (ie RN, LVN). YOU'RE nurses. Stick together. Help each other. AT the end of the day, you are all in it together, doing the same job so ya might as well make the best of it. I know that many nurses do this, but sadly, many don't. And it makes EVERYONE else's job that much more difficult.

I hope it gets better for you.

vamedic4

;) The sun was hot today

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Many times a lot of nurses feel some of the bad feelings you express in your post and for good reason. Yes, it isn't the same for everybody all the time. And I've noticed the amount of negativity around here. I guess that comes from being one of the few places some can vent. I really hope you are feeling better in a few days. And I don't think you would have a better view of life if you were slaving away at walmart. We need to send some positive thoughts your way.

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Wal-Mart sucks lol. They just cut all health benefits and now they are being sued for racist discrimination.

Hang in there. Maybe look into talking to a therapist to help you vent. Talk to your boss about resolving some issues you may have. I hope everything works out for you.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You write about backstabbing and not supporting each other ... as you condemn us all, stabbing us all in the heart with your gross generalizations. In your post, you yourself are guilty of not supporting your fellow nurses and weakening the profession through your harsh condemnation of your colleagues.

Some of us have had good careers and are working hard (and successfully) to improve conditions where we work.

I'm sorry you have had a bad time and are unable to cope with your situation. But please don't try to take the rest of the profession down with you. Your nursing colleagues deserve to be treated better. We don't need one of our own treating us as badly as you did in your post.

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Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

I think you might be suffering from job burnout.Possibly try another area.It looks like youre a BSN RN THe door is wide open for you Good luck and God bless.

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When are we all going to come together and and start shouting about our working conditions and wages? We make less than a crew on road construction or a plumber. .

I feel for you. There have been many,many days I go home to wollow in my own self pitty about the same situations you brought up. But, I usually come to my senses with a few realization. 1. You take out what you want to with your job, a lot of it is perspective. 2. There are lots of other jobs if I want to change (nursing and other wise). 3. most other jobs don't pay as well that I have found.

My father is a senior foreman for a road construction/maintenance crew and I have to say, he has been there almost 40 years, I have been a nurse 5, and I about $15K more then he does a year, and while he works full time, plus is on call for emergencies, snow, and puts in long hot hours finishing projects, I only work 0.8. Point being, there is always a give and take.

Hope you can find a better niche.

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Specializes in SICU, NTICU.

I'm sure you are venting and I am not taking your post personally. Perhaps you need a change. Luckily, I work with a great team. There is drama, however, I choose not to get involved. I listen and discard. Moreover, I work at a teaching facility and the docs are respective. Every now and then I will encounter a resident with an attitude which is d/t exhaustion or sometimes arrogance. I simply call them on it. I have been a nurse for over year, however, I am older and I have strong affirmation that you teach people how to treat you. I realize that it is different in a private facility, but it is still effective. What you put out, is what you receive. I am respective, eager to learn, but at the same time, I am a person who deserves the same respect that I show regardless of status and education.

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I have been reading thread after thread on this forum and I have come to one conclusion. We are all a pathetic bunch. We take abuse that most other human beings would not put up with. We are physically, mentally and emotionally abused by doctors, managers, patients, and families....

:yeahthat:

There are exceptions, of course, but ... maybe instead of "pathetic," try "dysfunctional" or "codependent."

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