nursing is not what it use to be

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Specializes in med.surg. subacute, longterm,burnunit.
:sniff: it really upsets me that nursing is such a business matter. I am in the wrong uniform for work I need to show up and wear a suit to deal the best sales for the ill patients. I had a patient yesterday threaten to sue because she wanted her elavil increased from 25 to 75mg. So, the day shift nursing manager did not both trying to solve the issue. I did some checking after the patient kept calling walmart and found out that she was on 75mg before coming to our center. I just hate the fact that patient love to say the S--word just because it gives them a sense of power. I remember the day when patients would do what their nurse would say and would follow what the Doctor would say to do. Now, you have family members thinking they need to tell you how to do your job, and when you are not doing your job. I don't like what nursing has become and I guess this is the way of the patients now... It is sad.... I almost quit my job yesterday because I am tried of the crap!:angryfire sometimes i feel like i am hitting my head up against the wall:banghead: No one respect the nurse anymore. I just don't know if it is worth it getting my RN anymore. BESIDES I AM JUST AN LVN!!!
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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

You sound like you are a caring LVN. Hey a LVN is a nurse. Some of the best nurses I have worked with have been LPN/LVN's.

Some people can't be made happy no matter what. All you could do was call the doc and advise him/her that the pt was on the higher dose at home and is requesting that same doseage. It was up to the doc to increase or not. I really don't believe people anymore when they threaten to sue, because most of their lawsuits wouldn't ever see the inside of a court room.

No matter where you work family member will think they need tell you what to do. I think part of this is the fact that hospitals went to the "customer service" mentality. I believe when one is in the hospital that they are a patient not a "customer" becuase usually they didn't choose to go to the particular hospital they are in. They are brought by ambulance, or their doctor practices here and not another facility.

Don't give up. We need caring people in this profession. Are you able to take some time off soon? What about changing positions?

I have so totally been there on some days. I too feel like :banghead: . So you aren't alone. Come here and vent away.

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:sniff: it really upsets me that nursing is such a business matter. I am in the wrong uniform for work I need to show up and wear a suit to deal the best sales for the ill patients. I had a patient yesterday threaten to sue because she wanted her elavil increased from 25 to 75mg. So, the day shift nursing manager did not both trying to solve the issue. I did some checking after the patient kept calling walmart and found out that she was on 75mg before coming to our center. I just hate the fact that patient love to say the S--word just because it gives them a sense of power. I remember the day when patients would do what their nurse would say and would follow what the Doctor would say to do. Now, you have family members thinking they need to tell you how to do your job, and when you are not doing your job. I don't like what nursing has become and I guess this is the way of the patients now... It is sad.... I almost quit my job yesterday because I am tried of the crap!:angryfire sometimes i feel like i am hitting my head up against the wall:banghead: No one respect the nurse anymore. I just don't know if it is worth it getting my RN anymore. BESIDES I AM JUST AN LVN!!!

although i do agree about the extremes some pts can pull out the 's' word, i am also from the camp in affording pts as much autonomy as possible.

if this pt was on 75 mg preadmission, she had every right to expect this dosage in the hospital.

i listen to my pts, very carefully.

and i do try to 'normalize' their experience to extent possible.

that includes sharing in the decision making process after being informed of the whats and whys.

it's sad that the med'l profession labels these types of pts in an unfavorable light.

but-

when it comes to threats of litigation for not getting a timely glass of water, pfffffffft to them.

leslie:twocents:

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Specializes in med surg home care PEDS.

I am just a nursing student so haven't had to deal with too many family members as of yet. However, since I started nursing school I notice people (even members of my own family) love to tell me horror stories about terrible nurses and how they had to push them to get work done. I honestly think the majority of nurses I have met in clinicals and my private life are hard working dedicated professionals.

These people crack me up they have no idea what a nurses job is or they are just showing off trying to impress me with how much they know. I actually have two members of my family, both medical secretaries tell me how they know as much as nurses and could do this job easily.

What is wrong with these people

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Can someone explain to me why hospitals today want to be seen as 4 star hotels. Hospitals are for sick people the priority is to care for sick people. I see patients recieve thing detramental to their health because they complain. Example patient with high blood pressure given salt, or a diabetic patient receiving a sugary snack. It's all about customer service and sometimes the patient doesn't know whats best. Our job should be to educate them to better care for themselves, not to indulge their every need.

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Specializes in med.surg. subacute, longterm,burnunit.

Thank you ALL for your support,:loveya:I have been just trying to keep my blood pressure down and not let the stress get to me. I will be taking some time off next month. I love this site, because i have a chance to voice how I am feeling and it is with other nurses who knows what it is like to be a nurse. We give and give of ourselves and sometimes it is really hard to find the balance.so, thank you all for reading, I know I am not alone... All of you BE GOOD TO YOU, JOURNEY WELL TODAY.

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

...I have patients tell me they are on a higher dose at home of certain drugs than in the hospital. I tell them I can let the doctor know, but with our admission medication reconciliation, which the doctor has already seen, it may be the doc is trying a lower dose because of other meds pt. has been put on. I can leave a message in the chart or if it is an emergency or urgent, call the Doc.

I can also tell pt. I don't work any faster when I am being yelled at...but I have to critically think which patient to say this to, lol!!

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

I also believe that the medical community today has taken too much responsibility AWAY from the patient and accountability as well - which leaves us more vulnerable for the sue happies.

There is nothing wrong with expecting patients to know their medications, provide a list of them, know their allergies, etc... I often lecture patients (in a nice, chiding sort of way) when a patient comes in for surgery, and I ask him what meds he's on, he says to me "I don't know, ask my wife" I will usually respond "but your wife isn't having prostate surgery today sir, you are..." then I will give him one of our handy cards to keep with him at all times to list his medications and allergies, doctors, etc... then the wife tells me his meds.

I love THIS BEAUTY: Why are you taking this med Mrs. Jones? Her reply "Because the doctor told me to" - makes me want to pull my hair out.

Doctors are NOT GODS, as any of us nurses can attest to, I use this opportunity to do patient education. I suggest asking their physicians why they are taking this med or that med, and writing the answer down if necessary. Patients have to become more accountable for their choices, and healthcare. :twocents:

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