nursing lifestyles

[johnsboo]

i have been a cna since 1996, and am currently taking my pre-req's for an rn program.

i worked in ltc until this past april, now i am working in a community hospital.

something i have observed over the years is the high instance of nurses as well as aides, with lifestyles that lead to low self-esteem, or are the result of low self-esteem, causing many to be very difficult to work with.

poor hygiene, obesity, smoking, drinking, lack of morals, poor socialization skills, lack of compassion, one-upmanship, etc.

i am not saying all, just many have this type of life.

is this just a cross section of what is going on in the general population, or is it inherent to the nursing field?

i often hear cna's refer to themselves as "just an aide", or nurses who say, "i just follow the dr.'s orders".

there is no personal or professional pride in statements like this and i find it disturbing. mostly because when a patient hears a statement like this, they see a lack of confidence in the caregiver, which can cause a lack of confidence for the patient's need to be cared for.

i hear more and more nurses and aides talking about their "meds" for depression, bipolar disorder, etc.

that is frightening to me. i have a person who may be unstable caring for patients. as some nurses have stated they don't take their meds because it makes them tired and foggy headed!

is this a nursing phenomenon? and also how do i deal with co-workers with these issues, when i am also dealing with patients with the same issues?

not sure how this affects nursing as a whole, but it seems to me, that it is pretty widespread. how can facilities work with these employees, to make sure that care is safe, as well as keeping employee to employee relationships on a professional and respectful level?

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Your lifestyle will be what you make it. Sure, there are broken people, but these people exist in all walks of life. Personally, I have a fantastic lifestyle!

I know what you are saying, I work with a couple of people like that myself, but don't get sucked in by these people. They are everywhere, and are only too happy to recruit new members to share in their misery.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm going to sound like an annoying broken record, but oh well... :)

Nursing has always seemed to attract a good number of women with low self-esteems. We know that persons who suffer from self esteem issues need excessive validation and lots of ego-boosting in order to feel better about themselves. Thus, the poor social skills and lack of workplace etiquette boil to the surface.

We cannot control the lifestyles of our colleagues. However, we can exercise the utmost control and diligence over our own lives.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

I tend to see some of what you're saying overall. And totally agree with Commuter.

I think I'm fairly well adjusted...I do smoke, and have been treated for depression in the past, but that's about as exciting as I get. With four kids and a husband life in the fast lane just isn't an option anymore. Even though I was living in what I thought was the fast lane right out of high school, I've come to realize that I was in the Grandma lane even then!

As far as people refering to themselves as "just an aide" or "just following doctor's orders", I usually hear these phrases as explanation to patients for why we're limited in what we can do or sarcastically when discussing the latest insanity to come down the management pipeline. I have to admit I've used the phrase "What do I know, I'm just a nurse" to colleagues after trying unsuccessfully to get a doctor to listen to me. Not because I don't take pride in my profession, but because they're idiots sometimes.

[iamablonde, BSN, RN]

I agree with Commuter too.

I have GREAT PRIDE in my profession. I dress professionally & present professionally. I know that it is important to live my life in a way that sets an example for others who will follow after me. It is a personal Choice. Some folks are different. They are on different paths, and different journeys, learning their own life lessons. Sometimes this is unfortunate if it effects their job or their co workers, but hopefully they will learn the life lessons they are meant to, and will come out of their situations better for it.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I tend to see some of what you're saying overall. And totally agree with Commuter.

I think I'm fairly well adjusted...I do smoke, and have been treated for depression in the past, but that's about as exciting as I get. With four kids and a husband life in the fast lane just isn't an option anymore. Even though I was living in what I thought was the fast lane right out of high school, I've come to realize that I was in the Grandma lane even then!

As far as people refering to themselves as "just an aide" or "just following doctor's orders", I usually hear these phrases as explanation to patients for why we're limited in what we can do or sarcastically when discussing the latest insanity to come down the management pipeline. I have to admit I've used the phrase "What do I know, I'm just a nurse" to colleagues after trying unsuccessfully to get a doctor to listen to me. Not because I don't take pride in my profession, but because they're idiots sometimes.

Of course, I happen to agree with Commuter as well. I also smoke and have anxiety attacks twice a year that require taking zoloft during those episodes. I am not depressed, in fact, I am quite content with life for the most part. I don't need much to be impressed, just keep my humble cozy home, husband and son, I peachy.

And, it is true, sometimes, I will say that phrase "Well, I'm just an LPN", but I am not displeased in being one. Life is what you make it, and most of us have more to our identities than being nurses. We're mothers, sisters, friends, committee members, all sorts of lively things to keep us busy. Those that don't...well, they need to get up and dance a bit, too!

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

I think the best advice is to lead by example. Also, birds of a feather seem to flock together so it's not uncommon for those that have histories much like this to hang close to each other. Continue to take pride in your profession and maybe others will look up to you and your professionalism will 'rub off' on them. Best of luck to you.