EDNURSE20

On a another note, I worked a shift with a nurse who had to do a manual evacuation of a old man rectum that day. The story alone ?

So something strange has happened. I’m happy! I’ve been working in ED for almost two years. I had instant regret when I changed jobs, never particularly liked it. Around august I decided it was finally time to leave. I hated my job, I dreaded going, I felt like I was always angry, and was “burnt out” had no energy. Just slept all day. I Felt like I was having a life crisis. Didn’t know what to do next after being turned down for 5 jobs. I had only had 2 job interview previously, which I got offered the job on the spot. My new grad job and ED. but lately I’ve found I’m happy. I’m comfortable at work, maybe even enjoying it. I’m doing stuff on my days off, and full of energy. I havent been on all nurses for weeks now. Im even making career plans which means I’ll have to stay at my job longer! I don’t know what’s happened. Nothings changed. Chronically understaffed, overworked, with some crappy managers. I had a week off, but I don’t think that’s enough for this major change. It’s like I have a second wind, of nursing in general. I don’t know how long it will last. But feels good not to be so angry. All. The. Time.

As a different perspective, I work in ED and this is what we do. We do it on the computer and it’s saved on their file, so can’t be lost or hard to read. We still do a phone handover for ICU/HDU/Children though. personally I think it works well. All the important info is on the sheet and is easy to find. I think units receive better handover, because its much quicker to type up. Whereas a verbal handover is normally rushed. Plus Pt move through ED much faster, we found most of the times no one would pick up the phone, and when they did half the time the tried to decline handover. Before they knew anything about the pt, they would start going on that they couldn’t take the pt for at least another hour. nurses need to learn to work together within the whole hospital, not just there units. There are times where holding a pt in ED is needed because the floor is busy, and there are times ED have no choice. When there’s 70 plus pt in the waiting room, we can’t keep a pt for another hour. Also , Things are missed in ED, because there aren’t are our priority. They should be things that aren’t urgent and can wait. it’s a fault of the health system, not the individual nurse. Over run EDs and poor staffing, means care is prioritise for emergency’s only. as someone whose worked in both med/surg and ED I understand your complaint. but there is always another perspective to consider before you start blaming another nurse. We are all doing our best with what we have.

The health care system is a joke. Unfortunately pt receive poor care frequently and things are missed or dismissed by health care workers all the time, for a number of reasons. there’s only so much you can do. But I give my pt the best care I can, advocate for them and I’m not afraid to go above my manager or doctors if I’m not happy with there response. and that gives me peace, at least I’ve helped one person. I can’t change a whole health care system and I don’t beat myself up about it. It’s good your talking about this, and filing that compliant. Just don’t let this issue consume you.

Changing jobs is hard. Going from being comfortable, to a new environment with new people with new way of doing things, Is really hard. I think everyone had that oh s*** feeling when start over, especially if it’s a new speciality. But I’m glad your giving it time as for nursing, I say stick with it until either you find something else that really interest you or you are so over it that you would rather work somewhere like a retail store.

Wait?! You guys actually know people who don’t work in health care?? Other than my family, everyone I know is in healthcare!

So the interview went well! They want me to come in and shadow for a couple of hours, if that goes well then reference checks and hopefully a new job. im excited. But trying not to get my hopes up, just yet.

I have just been offered an interview for another job. Low stress, Monday to Friday, decent pay. I know it’s just a interview, and there’s no guarantees, but I’m so bloody excited. Fingers crossed this is my ticket out of here.

We all have are rituals. For me there are 3 main things. 1. I give my hands a good wash before I leave the hospital. 2. I take my shoes off immediately, I more concerned about what’s on my shoes than my scrubs. They sit by my door. 3. Scrubs go straight into my washer. I don’t mind walking threw my house in them, but wouldn’t sit on the sofa or anything like that. if I’m being honest, I don’t always shower after work. Never picked up an illness from work! It’s all about hand hygiene, than anything else

I have no idea why I wanted to be a nurse. I remember saying it as a kid. I said it all through high school. I never had an aha moment! Still to this day, I don’t know what attracted me to the job, just that I wanted to be a nurse. when I was teenager I spent a fair bit of time in hospital, but it’s not the reason I become a nurse, however its the story I tell people! the only other job I really considered was health promotion. It was inevitable I was going to work in health care.

I am 100% being bullied by management at my job. I have had enough of the BS, and I’m looking to get out. My job makes me feel so uncomfortable. My manager is nit-picking everything I do along with making things up trying to get rid of me. I worried every day I’m going to get unfairly fired, or worse affect my license. I am thinking about going to HR with direct examples. I have started a list of things happening so I have proof. But from what I’ve seen other people go through, reporting bullying normally only makes matter worse. Is it even worth reporting?? Ideally, I would just leave. I don’t want to stay; it’s an awful job. Crap management, poor staffing, completely unsafe. The list goes on. Luckily the nurses on the floor are mostly good! I’m working in ED, but I’m wanting to go to some sort of outpatient/ Monday-Friday job. And so far everyone is saying I’m interviewing well, but there were more experienced candidates. I’m having more difficulties changing specialties than I did getting a job as a new grad!

Normally I’m the first one to say give notice, leave on good terms. But in this case, if the hospital policy states you don’t need to give notice while on probation, and have another job lined up, then quit. Do it nicely though, talk your manger, and maybe even finish the week off.

I worked casual as a new grad, and I loved it! There was always enough hours, but choosing your schedule, being able to take leave whenever you wanted, not having to work public holidays, planning things in advance and not having to worry what your roster, was awesome!! part time give you job security, that some people may need/want. But in this climate I think theres always going to be plenty of shifts available. It will depend on your employer what other benefits you get with being permanent.

I typically pick one shift a fortnight, normally a weekend because the money is worth it. I get bombarded with texts daily stating they 3 short, begging us to come in. It’s been this bad for the last 10 months, causing lots of people to leave. we’ve learnt that if we keep picking up nothing will improve. Management need to see we need more staff! Roster gaps are not your problem. That’s what management is paid for.

A few years ago I knew a nurse that quit to work at a garden store. Honestly sounds like bliss right now. Taking care of plants instead of people. Plus have you even seen a customer get mad at garden store? Always seems so calm and peaceful!