Nursing is pathetic...

NancyRN · Apr 3, 2003

What a prime example this is of nurses not supporting each other!

The nurses who hate it are complaining about the extreme conditions for relatively low pay. This is causing nurses to leave bedside nursing in droves. What other profession, suck tho it may, has such dire needs? What might the reason be?

All of us will need a nurse at some point. Those of us who are still doing it are trying to implement changes that would bring nurses back to the bedside.

It's great if you love your job. I like being a nurse, but I love my health, and I've seen it suffer from the stress, long hours, no breaks, and backbreaking physical exertion.

This attitude of: "I love nursing, therefore there must be something wrong with YOU," doesn't accomplish anything. The facts speak for themselves.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2003

I don't think anyone said that if you don't love nursing then there must be something wrong with you.

But why waste your time in a career that your heart isn't in? The only nurses that I think something is wrong with, are those who just got into nursing for the money, as minimal as it is at times compared to what we are responsible for, or for what they thought the title would do for them, or whatever. Those nurses, yes, I think have chosen their profession for all the wrong reasons.

And as far as an example of poor support of each other. Why would I want to support someone, who may or may not be working right beside me, who isn't in nursing for the right reasons?

People can vent about the pay, and the conditions, yet still love being a nurse.

And like I said before, if I wasn't willing to take the risks that come with my job, I wouldn't be doing it.

If you don't want to be a nurse, if you think nursing is pathetic, if you think that it is too high of a risk for your family, then for pete's sake quit!

I guess you could say the same thing to the military parents out there too. They put their lives on the line every day, they might orphan their children... is it ok for them to do that though, since they are defending our country, yet not ok for me to possibly be at risk because I am trying to provide healthcare to my neighbors?

What about the missionaries that not only give in every aspect of their lives to try to spread the gospel and not only that, but provide education, nutrition and healthcare to those less fortunate? Should they stop doing that because they might endanger their lives?

Who's life is more important than anyone elses? WHO exactly should be in nursing, that it wouldn't matter if they got ill because of SARS or TB or AIDS or Hepatitis? Is your life more important than mine? I think not.

Those that are in healthcare because they have compassion for their fellow mankind, and want to help them get well, or teach them preventive care, or whatever, do that because they CARE.

Do I care more for my patients than I do for myself or my child. HECK NO! That is why there are precautions in place. I'm not saying that the precautions always work, but it is a risk I'm willing to take because this is the calling for ME.

If it isn't the calling for YOU, then by all means stop doing the utter disservice to your patients and fellow coworkers that DO care, and get OUT of nursing. This profession,even in the shortage of nurses we have, doesn't need more nurses to not only NOT care for patients well being, but also could possible bring down the morale of fellow coworkers. I, for one, would rather you NOT be my nurse, if I were ever ill.

Nursing requires a lot. Patience, continuous re-education, compassion, stamina, love, trust of your fellow coworkers, faith in the doctors you work with, and a special place in your heart for your profession in general. Either you have these things, or you don't.

nursedude · Apr 4, 2003

ShandyLynnRN,

I appreciate your reply but again I disagree.

Unfortunately, I am not a missionary and I have too many other responsibilities that prevent me from giving every aspect of my life to nursing as appararently you do. (By the way do you get paid for practicing nursing?)

But maybe you are right though and maybe I should quit nursing (again) just like the other nurses that Nancy points out are leaving nursing in droves...They must not be able to give every ounce of their lives either - How uterly inconsiderate!

Maybe someday you may change your mind.

No, not about my point of view but about me being your nurse - after all, since I am not called as you must be to the divinity of nursing then I must not be worthy enough to be your nurse either. And that's fine with me...

I have 13 years worth of nursing experience in ER/Trauma and ICU. I'm BLS, ACLS, PALS, ATLS and CEN certified. I have worked hundreds of codes, saved quite a few lives, applied thousands of bandaids, given thousands of injections, started countless IV's, held the hands of and prayed with many dying patients, told their families that a loved one had passed away, disagreed with physicians directly and as a result prevented fatal mistakes, etc. etc. etc...But hey, me and the rest of the drove will get out of your way since we aren't called like you and aren't as caring as you.

(Even with all my experience and certifications, when I get to the end of the checkout line they all laugh when I try to pay with the "I CARE" card.)

As a result of your last post, I can only assume that when it comes to bringing down morale that you are "Head" nurse in that field as well.

In conclusion I think you have said it best yourself with the ironic quote at the end of all your posts: "IF EVERYONE AGREED WITH ME..."

How appropo for you.

LasVegasRN · Apr 4, 2003

When will you be EX-nursedude?

Buddha · Apr 4, 2003

I put Nursedude on ignore!!

I think he is entitled to his opinion, but I thinks he speaks just to hear his gums a' flappeth.

I consider his opinion a dead horse he can ride to his new career.

Just a thought I frequent a few chat rooms. On everyone we get some idiot ranting off just to get the natives restless. They love the attention they get by arguing with everyone. I don't work psych, but sonds like a good dx to me that somedudes here have dilliusions of grandure.

Sorry for the spelling errors here. I got a H/A just reading some thoughts expressed here.

gonnabeanurse2 · Apr 4, 2003

nursedude, I sincerely hope that you find yourself a desk job somewhere....have you thought about research maybe? I am sorry, and I mean absolutely no disrespect but you seem somewhat unstable to me. If you are so incredibly fed up and disgusted with nursing then PLEASE do all of your potential patients a HUGE favor and find something else to do. Someone with your attitiude and feelings, justified or not, has no business giving hands on care to ANYONE.

I can not believe that with all the choices and opportunities in the nursing field that you can not find a job that FITS because evidently wherever you are now doesn't. If you are so dissatisified with nursing then WHY ARE YOU WORKING AS A NURSE???? I am sure that you are capable of learning a new skill and it sounds to me that you would be doing yourself and your patients a great disservice if you don't.

Oh and one more thing.......I live in the middle of nowhere...40 miles to the nearest large town with a population of ~40,000. There are 2 great hospitals there and they both start their RNs out at over $22/hr fresh out of school, with great benefits and a wide variety of shifts available, tuition reimbursement etc.....beats breaking your back in a factory for $6/hr and no benefits. And just a final thought on your comments about the nursing shortage.......maybe just maybe it is because nursing is not for everyone..it is a calling...something that you are either meant to do or not....oh yeah and there is that pesky baby boomer business too.......you know the growing number of the aging population...a problem that didn't exist a few yrs ago.

best of luck to you

baseline · Apr 4, 2003

uh...nursedude? It's time you checked out of the profession and did something else. You may have had your day.....but the sun has set.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2003

Originally posted by gonnabeanurse2
nursedude, I sincerely hope that you find yourself a desk job somewhere....have you thought about research maybe? I am sorry, and I mean absolutely no disrespect but you seem somewhat unstable to me.

best of luck to you

Please - Please - Please

Do not curse Research nurses or staff by wishing this man on them. They deserve better as do we all.

mark_LD_RN · Apr 4, 2003

Originally posted by LasVegasRN
When will you be EX-nursedude?

Post edited due to derogatory statment about another member

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Apr 4, 2003

I can't believe that this particular BB has been going on for almost 4 years. The original post was made in Sept. 1999!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2003

Yes

(And he is still posting - could have gotten a different job/degree by now)

NancyRN · Apr 4, 2003

Isn't this forum for the exchange of ideas?

With TROUNCING like this, who's going to want to post anything of a controversial nature? This reminds me of a pack of wolves, or a feeding frenzy. Very ugly!