what do nurses think... a survey

dotgirl · Nov 2, 2003

I've been a nurse for only 6 years and I live it (96% of the time). I grew up with multiple family members in the healthcare field. My mother works at a long term care facility and I use to go to work with her on Sat. mornings and help make beds and pass H2O. So I went into this with my eyes wide open.

I'm a major extravert so one of my biggest challenges is simple--- keep most of my opinions to myself. I want to go to work and take care of my patients and not have to deal with or worry about the politics.

With 6 years under my belt, I considered one of the "old dogs". I've seen more and more seasoned nurses move out of the hospital and on to other areas or an other career al together.

As far as my view of people---oh yeah it's changed. There are those who are the best, they are nice and go out of their way to help. Then there are those who are simply rude and lazy. (No matter where you go or what you do there will always be both types of people).

How to handle burn out? Easy! LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH. At yourself, with your coworkers and yes even with or about the patients.

I cannot tell you about one memorable patient because I have more than one for different reasons.---------

The first DNR patient that I had who died on my shift

The one that told me I was the nicest nurse he had

My patient that coded and had to have his chest cracked open in the room

Th A&O 102 year old lady with CHF

my point is certain patients and certain situations standout

Nursie30 · Nov 2, 2003

originally posted by normajean
hi, i am a nursing student and was wondering if any nurses out there would please take a quick survey for my intro class... i would be so greatful. thanks...

1. for you, what is the absolute best part about being a nurse?
knowing that you can make a difference in someone's life just by smiling or holding their hand.

2. is nursing what you thought it would be? ( that is, is it what you thought it would be when you decided to ender the profession.)
yes and no, it is rewarding, the patients are rewarding, the pay is low, understaffed, backstabbing, people not being team players

3. what is the biggest challenge you face in your job today?
finding one

4. besides taking care of patients, what other responsibilities do you have?
i was the mds's coordinator, staffing coordinator, scheduled inservices, ordered supplies, inventory, behavior management, infection control, wound care, restraint reduction, updated supplement lists with the weight lists

5. how has your view of people changed, if it has, since becoming a nurse?
i never knew that there were so many people that you couldn't trust, or that enjoyed talking about people behind their backs

6. what do you do to manage stress and avoid "burn-out"?
see my psyche, take the meds he prescribes

7. what would you change about the health care system?
change it back to being about the patient, not about money

8. please tell me about your most memorable patient.
mine was a lady that was usually gruffy, she was usually rude to staff, went straight to bed after meals and never really interacted with others. i always tried to get her to talk to me about her kids or grandkids, and she eventually opened up to me, one night while i was working the night shift i went in her room and she was still awake, i had broughten her some homemade chocolate chip cookies, she wanted me to crawl up in bed with her, and we sat there and ate cookies and milk and laughed for a while, she was the most interesting lady once i got to know her, and she really loved me. she passed away but i always remember that night eating cookies and milk, she seemed like a little school girl at a bunking party.

thanks so much for your time.... take care