Please dont hate me for saying this...

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I am a pre nursing student and have been fortunate to be able to volunteer in the ER as well as a few shadowing opportunities. I have noticed a lack of care towards patients, most of the nurses are sitting around and talking, even discussing personal information regarding patients. I have seen very flippant attitudes, even towards a women having a miscarriage. NOW, please understand I do not want to offend anyone, I am just curious. Is this something that happens with time, you are just so accustomed to seeing so many patients that you stop wanting to interact with them for longer than needed? I have noticed that after vitals are complete, the nurses just return to the station and never check the patient again. Is that normal protocol? Are there specific fields of nursing, such as ER or Dr. offices where this is found more than other areas? I have wanted to work in the healtcare industry for so long and now I am disappointed with what I am seeing. I want to feel like I can make a difference, care for each patient the same way I would want to be cared for. Am I being naive to think I will never adopt the same attutude? I am truly scared now that I am put so much time and effort into something that I have maybe incorrectly idealized for so long. Thank you in advance for any advice and please understand this is not intended to upset anyone.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
i commend you for trying to gather as much information as possible about being a nurse before you actually become one, but unfortunately no matter what you do....you truly won't "get it" until you actually become a nurse. i was alot like you before i became a nurse. i was shocked at some nurses attitudes and i wondered why nurses behaved in certain ways. i was a ER tech for years and thought i knew the job of a nurse. boy was i wrong. it was a culture shock for me. when you are a nurse you are not just the nurse you are social worker, counselor, lab tech, secretary, tech, housekeeper....and many times the doctor. the sucky part of it is that you get no credit for being so versatile in your role. and this is why nurses are burned out. if nurses could work as a nurse and just a nurse only, there would not be such a high turn over. i have a good ER job now with great staffing and adequate ancillary help. its hard to find bedside nursing jobs that have this so i consider myself lucky. good luck in your endeavors, you sound like you will be a great nurse.

I experienced that level of shock, myself. I started off as a psych tech, CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomist, HHA (did I mention enough titles?) and while I worked close with nurses, I had no idea of what being a nurse entailed before I actually became one. I am physically, mentally and emotionally tired moreso than ever before. Weekends and days off pass before my very eyes! I developed plantar fasciitis and knee pain, don't socialize that often anymore during my private time because people drain me. I am also one that reserves my energy for the next surge, because that is how I have to survive. I have witnessed how social workers have tried to shift their responsibilities back to me (like I have all the time in the world), how I have to clean a spill quickly because housekeeping just left the area and if someone falls, it is my fault. I've had to do ADLs and bedside care on my per diem weekend gig because they were so short of CNAs that they will share the one they have with two units (20 beds each). It can be a never ending story.

I have no issues with what the OP witnessed, and no criticisms. It will be the same for anyone else...you'll see when you get there. I feel you are very welcome here and should feel free to post and vent like everyone else here.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
I experienced that level of shock, myself. I started off as a psych tech, CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomist, HHA (did I mention enough titles?) and while I worked close with nurses, I had no idea of what being a nurse entailed before I actually became one. I am physically, mentally and emotionally tired moreso than ever before. Weekends and days off pass before my very eyes! I developed plantar fasciitis and knee pain, don't socialize that often anymore during my private time because people drain me. I am also one that reserves my energy for the next surge, because that is how I have to survive. I have witnessed how social workers have tried to shift their responsibilities back to me (like I have all the time in the world), how I have to clean a spill quickly because housekeeping just left the area and if someone falls, it is my fault. I've had to do ADLs and bedside care on my per diem weekend gig because they were so short of CNAs that they will share the one they have with two units (20 beds each). It can be a never ending story.

I have no issues with what the OP witnessed, and no criticisms. It will be the same for anyone else...you'll see when you get there. I feel you are very welcome here and should feel free to post and vent like everyone else here.

i agree with you 100%. but nursing schools are very smart, they know if they show nursing students the real deal, the shortage would be even worse. you get just enough hands on and shadowing as a nursing student to keep you interested, but not nearly enough to show students what the day of a nurse is really like. thats why new grads come to this board 3 months into a new job crying because they were not prepared for the real world of nursing. i don't want to sound bitter or jaded, but just telling the truth.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
i agree with you 100%. but nursing schools are very smart, they know if they show nursing students the real deal, the shortage would be even worse. you get just enough hands on and shadowing as a nursing student to keep you interested, but not nearly enough to show students what the day of a nurse is really like. thats why new grads come to this board 3 months into a new job crying because they were not prepared for the real world of nursing. i don't want to sound bitter or jaded, but just telling the truth.

I do not think you sound bitter or jaded. I really believe that nursing education is sinking. Not that I know for sure, and I have only been an LPN for 2 years, but hearing the stories makes me believe that those trained in the past were better prepared to jump in there than we are, now. And, sure, what money making industry such as colleges and univesities would ever tell the truth?

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
The way the OP phrases things, her speech patterns, strike me as a bit odd. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe English isn't her primary language?

I suspect the OP has some codependency issues based on her perception of nursing, or a belief system that she needs to be devoted to selfless serving of others ... something just strikes me as a little weird in all this.

These are just observations, they may be groundless ... nothing personal.

Selke - WHAT??!! I am not sure where you are going with the codependency thing, but PLEASE! The OP did not come here to be raked over the coals. Why does it matter if English isn't her primary language? And exactly how are you able to say much about her perception of nursing? The OP has not been in the field for 50 years, but it seems to me part of nursing is a type of selfless serving of others. This is why some people go to nursing school.

And how would you not take some of your comments personally. Maybe I was wrong, but I thought we were here to answer questions, let others vent, and support others. Just my opinion.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Selke...I think that was uncalled for...even if English was not my primary language (which it is) was your comment necessary? Did you really even read any of my follow up posts on this thread? I would love for you to highlight my faulty writings, admittedly its been a while, but I have a bachelors in Journalism and a minor in English. But, obviously not good enough to post on this forum or at least to your standards.

"I suspect the OP has some codependency issues based on her perception of nursing, or a belief system that she needs to be devoted to selfless serving of others ... something just strikes me as a little weird in all this."

I cannot imagine having you as a nurse, exactly what were the reasons you became a nurse to begin with? Wanting to hold a persons hand while they are in pain or a pat on the back is my idea of showing care to patient. I have three kids and and a husband, so if I did have some strange desire to serve others, I would just stay home. I am a non paid volunteer, I'm sure you will have some comment on that as well, I'm sure that knocks me down that totem pole of yours even further. I do whatever is needed, and dont complain, I enjoy any and every opportunity I have to learn and grow in this profession. If that makes me co dependent or somehow dysfunctionally selfless, oh well. At least I can go to bed at night, knowing I am a hard worker and that I dont get my kicks out of belittling others.

I honestly have a different perspective towards the down time that is necessary, I just got home from the ER (Labor Day) and it was truly amazing to watch how organized and efficient the whole team was in some very chaotic moments. I stayed an hour longer than my normal measly 4 hours, and my legs were sore from not having a minute to sit, and I was a bit emotionally spent, I can only imagine how all the nurses and support staff must feel after a 12 hour shift on a day like today. I say, if there is a minute to sit and talk with a fellow nurse, take it while you can, you never know whats coming in that door!

Unfortunately I realize I will not be welcome on this board,the majority of you have been kind and helpful. But a few of you really do give nursing a bad name, its not about being a caring nurse or not, how about just being a decent person?

I would like to say thank you to those that actually offered some advice and could see beyond their own insecurities to actually discuss issues and not just jump into rudimentary psychological evaluations.

Hello - It upset me when I read this posting. Please don't think that we all have the same mindset that the offensive poster has. Please know you are welcome to post here anytime, and I look forwartd to hearing from you!

Anne, RNC :yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Hello - It upset me when I read this posting. Please don't think that we all have the same mindset that the offensive poster has. Please know you are welcome to post here anytime, and I look forwartd to hearing from you!

Anne, RNC :yeah::yeah:

Me, too! :yeah:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
The way the OP phrases things, her speech patterns, strike me as a bit odd. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe English isn't her primary language?

I suspect the OP has some codependency issues based on her perception of nursing, or a belief system that she needs to be devoted to selfless serving of others ... something just strikes me as a little weird in all this.

These are just observations, they may be groundless ... nothing personal.

I'm not sure that I agree with this statement. Most times, a new person does have this preception. It is usually instilled through television and the learning institutions. Each person will walk away with their own perception of the real world of nursing within the first year or so.

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I think it is good that you are making observations and have the insight to ask about them to try to understand. Fist let me say I have been a critical care, ER, OHRU, flight nurse for 30 years. I have developed a good feel for what needs done. In order to be a good critical care nurse there must be critical thinking. In an ER , part of that "critical thinking" involves knowing when a pt needs you at the bed side or if your time would be better spent documenting or just taking a well deserved mental break when you can befor the next God knows what comes through the door. ER's today are swamped by so many pt's on a daily basis that it is easy to become cold harted. We see sooooooo many really bad, sad and awful situations that we have developed survival techniques. Speaking from my experience, some day's I'm better at holding little old ladies hands than others. Much time is spent dealing with drug seekers and people who come the the ER for non emergent illnesses. Many pt's are rude, abusive ( verbaly and physicaly). Just the other day we had a drowning of a 3 year old, everyone was quite sad but we had to go on caring for people that were upset because they didn't get a pillow when they asked. On a daily basis we get called every name in the book or get hit , punched or clawed while caring for drunks. We get so used to dealing with a bad situation and moving on to urgent things in a matter of seconds all while having to carry on like nothing happened ,That we learn to deal with things in a cold way. It's how we are able to do our jobs....it's how we survive !.If you stick around an ER long enough you too will understand. First a miscarriage may seem sad to you, and your right it is , but when you see 15 a day for year after year, crack addicts, smokers, no prenatal care the list goes on and on , it is easy to get cold. Sucks but it's the truth. The same is true for police officers, social workers , clergy. Can you imagine if an oncologist took each pt as a family member. Well , let's put it this way, he wouldn't be an oncologist very long. Same with ER nurses. Keep on asking questions. That's how you learn !

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

So I just got home and I was right.....today sucked the life out of me.

Worked 6:30-till after 9Pm-no breaks, 2 codes, overtime, and worked up 20 patients.....this does not including helping others today.

You just can't know, UNTIL YOU KNOW.:rolleyes:

Maisy:stone

Need to go night night-tomorow's another day.

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This kinda bothers me....I am compassionate, I care, & I do make a difference. While the "ER is not for everyone"......what area is? You can make a caring difference in any area....it is up to you. I may not be able to give a back rub, sit with them for very long, but I can, & do show I care....it might be with a kind word, reassurance, holding a hand for a few seconds, a sincere smile, or most of all being on top of things & seeing they get the interventions they need. Do I feel warm & fuzzy about everyone I care for? NO....but I am still kind, & provide the best care I know how. I love what I do, & I love being an ER nurse!

Perhaps if you took offense, then you are the part I referred to in BOLD letters. ( i.e. "honestly not everyone"). I have yet to find a floor everyone is suited to (Lord knows I couldn't go NEAR a peds floor) but the ER is notorious for being fast paced, stressful and has a major burnout rate. It is known even more than other floors as one for only a certain type of person (BTW hospice is another for only certain types--usually opposite than ER types) It is funny to me how defensive people get when I was telling the OP what I thought may help her... you know, it would be most appropriate to answer her questions than to critique the other people's answers. Maybe I need to take off these rose colored glasses--actually no, I won't.:specs:

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
Perhaps if you took offense, then you are the part I referred to in BOLD letters. ( i.e. "honestly not everyone"). I have yet to find a floor everyone is suited to (Lord knows I couldn't go NEAR a peds floor) but the ER is notorious for being fast paced, stressful and has a major burnout rate. It is known even more than other floors as one for only a certain type of person (BTW hospice is another for only certain types--usually opposite than ER types) It is funny to me how defensive people get when I was telling the OP what I thought may help her... you know, it would be most appropriate to answer her questions than to critique the other people's answers. Maybe I need to take off these rose colored glasses--actually no, I won't.:specs:

I don't see how saying kinda bothers would be "taking offense".....:confused:

"it appeared she really wants to make a caring difference"....was the point of my post ....as for whats appropriate...I'll let you decide....on the other hand no I won't!:no:

BTW.. I think I would really like Hospice as well.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
but the ER is notorious for being fast paced, stressful and has a major burnout rate. It is known even more than other floors as one for only a certain type of person (BTW hospice is another for only certain types--usually opposite than ER types)
Maybe you're speaking for yourself?

Honestly, I agree with crb. I don't understand where/how/on what basis are you drawing these conclusions from? Aptitude is not the same thing as preference or liking.

"it appeared she really wants to make a caring difference"....was the point of my post
No, it bothered me too. The blanket assertion that "ED nurses aren't known for their caring" is a broad, sweeping stereotype (Just because it's fast paced doesn't mean the nurse can't care! Just because med-surg nurses have greater patient loads and thus less pt. contact time, does that mean they aren't caring either?)

It is as old as salt - I rarely bother responding anymore.

cheers,

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