One Of The Saddest Things I've Seen... Can't Stop Laughing

[NewTexasRN]

So I went to work yesterday and our two new grads with less than a year of experience were precepting two new grads! I'm sorry but it's so sad. I just can't stop laughing. There's no more room for outrage anymore. One of them just makes me crazy. She leaves things half way done and we have to clean up after her sometimes when she leaves. Talk about cheap labor. I actually want to tell my patients to run for the nearest exit! I'm so sorry I just can't stop laughing! Look what healthcare has come to! (It's not really funny, but what can you do? I mean who in their right minds would authorize this? Like I said, there is just no more room for outrage. Sometimes you just have to laugh. I'm not in the US anymore. I mean you have two brand new nurse's practicing under the license of two fairly new nurses). He He He He!!!

[Sugarcoma, RN]

OP, just want to let you know that I completely understood your post and the frustration and resentment you must feel. It is sad. It is even sadder that after reading this thread this type of situation is far from isolated. Many have responded that you should be doing something to better the situation. I am glad that many can have that type of optimism to believe the situation could be changed if only someone would take action. I can tell you right now that my unit has been like this at least 10 years. The only reason they have been able to retain the group I started with for so long is because none of us could find other jobs. It is such a crappy feeling to be stuck in this type of toxic unsafe hope I don't lose my license today type of environment. I have given up and am jumping onto the first boat that will take me. I only hope and pray I don't find the same situation just different scenery that I have read and heard so many other nurses say they have.

What is the answer? what can we do? especially in these types of economic times when there are 20 new grads around the corner just waiting for any opportunity so they can pay back their student loans. I am so disillusioned. I honestly wish I would have studied accounting.

[hecallsmeDuchess]

Even if OP meant her post as a 'ha-ha-funny' post, it's still legitimate and sometimes it's all we can do to keep from crying.

It's getting more and more ridiculous out on the floors, a preceptor having 2,3 and even 4 orientees at one time in one shift! It's just sad but you bet I laughed hard the first time I saw that parade of people in the hallway (you might laugh too if you picture it right in your mind's eye). It needs to get better is all I can say.

[DiplomaNurseRN]

What I find 'sad' is the hiring of new GN's / RN's into critical care environments. I understand that the everlasting acute nursing shortage is a significant cause of this, but the ripple effect on patients and staff is resounding. When I started out, you were required to put in at least a year of med-surg nursing before you could apply for such positions. Even then it was unlikely you would be considered at such an early stage in your career. Oh well, working evenings and cant find my green pen ..... :)