kellerpatty

Thanks to both of you for your helpful responses. I appreciate that you've taken the time to fill me in on some of your observations as nurses in the psych nursing field. I've started my position, and yes, it's very different from the burn ICU. However, there are a couple of similarities and those are just that people suffer and struggle with challenges whether it be more physical through trauma and injury or psychological through trauma or circumstance. Thanks again for your thoughts...I haven't gotten many responses to my post, but what I have received from you guys is invaluable.

Hi Everyone: I'm moving to a job in an in-patient psychiatric facility (acute care) from a nursing career in a Burn ICU. What would be most important for me to learn or what qualities can I work on that would help me to be successful in this field? I went into nursing school with the intent of being a mental health nurse, but got into the BICU right after graduation and learned a ton about everything there. I loved the BICU, but I'm very excited to be starting in the psychiatric field. Any and all suggestions would be most welcome and appreciated! Thanks!!

Hi: Our Burn Techs ROCK! Couldn't do without them!

Dear Dear 3535: Thanks for the note, I'm glad I'm not alone in the way I feel. I worked hard to become a nurse and also enjoy being one. I also really want to help my patients and their families get better. I'm sorry to hear that one more nurse has become disillusioned and unhappy enough to leave. I really I wish you the very best in whatever your future holds. Maybe someday you will reconsider nursing and return...maybe things will have improved, or you might even find a better area of nursing. Anyway, take care and good luck!

This is a good example of why nurses leave: negativity...someone goes out of their way and writes a nice, sweet, and completely non-negative note...even goes so far as to thank all us nurses...BUT THERE IS STILL SOMEONE OUT THERE who is so negative that they have to rip her a new one...dang!

Give me a break! Of course, most people who become nurses do so because that's the kind of person they are. There are realizations that this profession will be different from many others they might have experienced before, but the few things that I specifically didn't expect were: 14 hours shifts, no time for food of any kind even though they dock your pay 30 minutes every shift for meal time, peeing once a shift because there's just no time, managers messing around with your schedule without asking or even telling you, patient families that threaten you, coworkers that don't show up or show up and do nothing, co-workers that reek of alcohol, co-workers that leave patients in terrible condition and no supplies in the room (at all), no recourse to any of the above because the "bigshots" go home at 17:00, being hit, spit on, kicked, changing unconscious patients' bedding at least twice a night, no techs to help, six critical patients with two "experienced nurses" and one newbie..CRIKEY, who said anybody is asking for anything except a slight degree of understanding, respect and a BREAK! Again, get real...you obviously have NO IDEA...flowers and a foot massage, sheesh...

Hi: Intern Neurosis can be a serious malady in the nursing world. I know my own case of Intern Neurosis manifests itself every morning (I work nights in an ICU at a university/teaching hospital), when: They all come around taking my charts and nursing documentation while I'm trying to give report; They resolutely take up residence in my chair to pretend to intently scan said documentation after I've been running around for about 13 or 14 hours with no food and a full bladder; They start asking me lazy questions about things when the answers they seek are clearly given in the flowsheet that they've just taken from me (see above), and When they are walking around talking and acting like they know what they're doing (while quietly pumping the nurses for info before the attending gets there)! If that's not Intern Neurosis, I don't know what is...ha!

Hi: I can relate...I graduated in May and was extremely glad to do so! Prior to nursing school I was a straight A student (I'm in my 40's). When I started, I was completely taken aback to find my test grades just weren't what I was used to...meaning not always in the 90s. I was uptight, irritated, and confused as to why. Happily I discovered that when I gave up the idea that I always had to be "perfect" with "perfect" grades, my grades started to improve. Once I began to relax and realize that nursing school was a whole new game from what I was used to, my test grades started to improve and I graduated with highest honors. The secret I learned is that worrying about my test grades only took up space in my brain that was better used for other things. Studying intently and being willing to close my mouth and open my ears to any person that wanted to teach me something was (and is) the way to get what I needed to succeed. I'm now working in a Level I ICU, and no I don't always achieve "A" level success, but the lessons I learned about myself in nursing school have stayed with me and things are improving every day. Hang in there, and try to think less singularly about a "grade" and more well-roundedly (is that a word?) about what you're actually trying to achieve in nursing school and you'll do wonderfully! Best wishes for your continued SUCCESS!!! : )

If its not charted...it never happened. End of story. If a nurse is sued, then they'd be crumb out of luck, because they'd have no legs to stand on.

Dear Miranda (RN/writer): Thanks for the great information on processing feelings. The original poster's situation has not happened to me (yet), but having these tools will definitely help before that time comes (I work in an BICU where people do die). These suggestions will help me not only with death issues, but with the pain and suffering issues that I sometimes must cause in my care of burn patients who actually will survive. It is nice to have a place where I can read really good advice and ideas from people who have been there. Thanks again for taking the time to let us all know your thoughts...I am sure they will help tremendously when the time comes. Also, to the original poster, my best wishes go out to you. Just reading and thinking of your situation and how you had to go it alone, breaks my heart. You sound like a great nurse and have pretty much been thrown into a situation that you will probably look back on as a huge growth experience. Take care of yourself and if you feel like it, let us know how you're doing.

1.) what is your highest level of education? 2.) What type of facility do you work in? (Hospital, homehealth, office, etc) 3.) Is your current facility hiring? Does it offer hire-on bonuses? 4.) Do you feel as though your place of employment is short staffed? 5.) If #4 is "yes," Can you give one or two examples? 6.) How many hours do you work a week? Do you feel valued? Overworked? 7.) Is overtime expected of you? 8.) Have you left a job bc of short staffing? 9.) How many years have you been working in the field? 10.) If near retiring age, do you plan on retiring, or continuing to work? Do you feel as though retiring is an option-or do you feel as though you are "needed" be your facility too badly to leave? 1. ADN degree 2. Hospital Burn ICU 3. Always hiring, only EC nurses (and Resp Therapists) get bonuses at this point in time 4. In BICU, no...other units, probably yes 5. SICU, Med Surg, EC 6. Work about 52 one week, 40 next week (supposed to be 48/36). Feel valued, but I'm fairly new. Of course, I feel overworked...what nurse doesn't! 7. It's not really a topic...you do what you gotta do. Doesn't happen very often that you are actually "requested" to work overtime, it just happens. 8. Not yet. 9. 6 mos Nurse Tech, 4 mos RN 10. Just started, but sometimes I feel like I should retire already! Good luck with your education...

Work nights (18:30 to 06:30) in a Burn ICU and take 1 to 2 patients, with a burn tech until about 23:00. Sometimes those 2 patients feel like 20. Very rarely sit down throughout the night...eating is a treat!

Oops...I guess if 26 is too old, it's a little late for me. Went back to school at 40, graduated nursing school with honors at 44, and am working as an ICU nurse at 45...I wish someone would of told me before I started that I was tooooo old...I could have saved a lot of time and knitted a lot of sweaters on my porch at my decrepit old age! Ha! Good luck to you at whatever you do and at whatever age you are!

I guess I'll just have to quit nursing and become a teacher...where everything is SO MUCH FAIRER!!! ha ha

Hi: Did clinicals at Covenant and UMC. Run, don't walk from Covenant. Large percentage of the nastiest nurses you will ever meet (except in the ER and the Dialysis unit, they were great). Angry, unhelpful, small-minded...are the mildest words I would use to describe my experiences there. I believe they've moved clinicals from some of the floors over there due to the unprofessionalism and hostility of some of the units. I don't understand how nurses can survive in such a toxic environment. Of course, there are good nurses at Covenant and not-so-good nurses elsewhere, just had bad experiences over there consistently. Have you investigated UMC for a scholarship? No matter what you decide, best of luck to you in your education and new career!

The POINT is that when a new nurse takes the NCLEX (yes, the same exam that every new nurse takes to become a RN) and gets their first job, they are ALL doing the SAME job. I can't think of any BSN nurses that I know who have been saddled with more expectations or responsibilities straight out of school than any other new nurse. It is not until the BSN (or ADN student, for that matter) student advances themselves in the workplace, that they should be compensated for their performance and responsibilities on that NEW advanced position for which they are qualified...and not before. Nurses should be focusing on the clinical and managerial skills gained from proven performance, experience and hard work, and not solely on the letters they have behind their name. I don't understand why having a BSN behind one's name suddenly makes that person more knowledgeable and qualified directly from nursing school (notice the "directly from school" part). I could go on and on about my experiences with BSN students and new nurses, but that's like beating a dead horse (and for every BSN student there would be an ADN student doing or not doing the same thing). Even a doctor, lawyer, or say, an engineer, doesn't start out at the top. If that highly-educated doctor or lawyer doesn't perform appropriately in their responsibilities they are not going to go far with that higher education...be it doctor, lawyer, nurse, or whoever. I must take exception to the premise that a BSN degree is more difficult...becoming and being a nurse is diffucult no matter where you study. The difference, in my opinion, between those with ADNs and those with BSNs is money, pure and simple. Of course, everyone would love to have an advanced degree, wouldn't they? But there are those who simply can't afford it...parents can't pay, middle class people who can't qualify for grants, and those who would prefer not to spend the beginning of their careers in deep debt when they know their employer will provide them with tuition reimbursement for further education. Why aren't the issues of enhanced subsidies and grants with equal access to further education for nursing students discussed in these US vs. THEM debates Again, I believe that we have a perfect example of the so-called HAVES and HAVE NOTS (for whatever reason)...with the HAVES once again thinking the HAVE NOTS are somehow inferior. Performance is performance, both in technical and managerial situations. Is a BSN with a C average still superior to an ADN with an A average. People seem to be implying, here, that the quality of nurses should be based solely on the school they went to and their so-called level of education and not the quality of their commitment to patients and the prevention and treatment of illnesses in all settings...managerial or technical. Why can't we stop this superiority complex syndrome on all sides? I'd like to know how many of us became nurses JUST for the money... Okay, okay...I'll get off my soapbox now, it's time for work anyway!

Ha Ha! Appalling? All I know is that I take my cheap little ADN degree to my unit every night and work my butt off. Appalling? Appalling is people's attitudes about something so trivial when we got people hurting and possibly dying. Come on, does it really matter whether somebody can afford to pay a lot more money than I could for an education. It's the same old "have" and "have-not" class issue that has been around since time immemorial. I made straight A's, passed with highest honors, and will now gladly let my employer pay for my BSN, which I will work equally hard for. Appalling is the people who don't work in the trenches and who have forgotten what skills are really required, making the rules and setting the tone for these ugly BSN vs. ADN arguments (that seem to pop up at the drop of a hat)...that's appalling. My first job is in a Level I BICU and guess what...even with my "limited" education...I can actually do my job. Oh, yeah, BSN's make 50 cents more an hour, which over a shift buys a really good cup of coffee! Like someone once asked years ago..."Can't we all just get along?"

Thanks for the response...it wasn't mean at all! :wink2: I guess what I meant when I was talking about "crap", was more geared towards attitudes about work and co-workers once there, not really anything about working extra hours, being taken advantage of, or stuff like that. I'm definitely for self-time and family time and setting limits to assure one's own mental health and security. I'm talking more about the "me, me against you, you" attitude. I've had more than one "very-close-to-graduating nurse" tell me to do something myself (in no uncertain terms), when I've asked them to help out, and believe me, I'm in no way an authoritative figure. There's a big difference between holding one's self true and resisting being taken advantage of and just not wanting to be bothered and being disrespectful about it. This is a bummer and not the only example. I guess I'm just out of touch with the world...not sure...still sad. P.S. I'm jealous you're in Nor Cal. Moved two years ago from my life-long home in Bay Area and still extremely homesick! Say "hi" to the water and the trees and the mountains and...well, you know what I mean!

You're right about some of them taking less crap...and sometime's its not because they are standing up for themselves. Many (not all) times its because they do not have any idea what real life can be like, what senior nurses have gone through to get where they are, the responsibilities involved in a successful career, the value of mentorship, the idea of teamwork or working for satisfaction instead of just the all-mightly dollar, what respect actually means and how to show it and receive it, or what the words empathy or compassion mean. I'm only saying this because I witnessed it many times in my nursing school (the way some "young" students treated our instructors) and at my place of employment (the way some "young" nurses treat each other and their co-workers). Of course, this doesn't only occur in the "young", but they seem a lot different then when I was their age. Maybe I'm just getting too old (I'm a new nurse, but not new to the working world)...I don't know, but its kind of sad. Please do not write me mean e-mails...just thinking out loud...something I don't really do very often. Thanks.

Hi: I work 12.5 to 13 hr (sometimes turns into 14 hour) shifts at night and I'm too busy to sleep (or nap or whatever word you want to use for unconsciousness). Breaks, lunch? You mean I'm supposed to get breaks and a lunch? I'm going to check into that... P.S. I have never seen any of my co-workers even close to sleeping or napping...

By far, the best shoes I've found are Merrill's. I work 13 to 14 hour shifts and these help my feet last the entire time. I have really high arches, so a lot of shoes are extremely uncomfortable (including Crocs). The other pair of shoes I wear are Dansko's. Expensive, yes, but can be found on E-bay for a little bit less. Merrill's aren't terribly expensive and they are definitely worth it. I suggest going to a local store to try them on and find your size, and then order them off the internet...sometimes cheaper. Happy walking!!

Hi: Crocs last about 8 hours for me (I usually work 13 to 14 hours shifts) and then BAM! bi-feet blowout! Got some good advice and bought a pair of Merrill's...they are the best and most foot-friendly that I have found. They are comfortable all shift and are not too terribly expensive. My next choice would be Dansko, then Birks (these are a little hard, where as the Merrill's are nice and cushy). Happy walking everybody!

P

Thanks, Timothy for the extremely valuable "how-to-organize" post. I never have more than two patients at a time in the BICU, but boy does it get hairy and scary sometimes keeping up with things. Your suggestions are great and very helpful...yeeehaaaw! I'm going to print it out and put it into my tool box at work...Appreciate it and thanks for taking the time to put it out to the group!

Hi: I work as a new RN in a Level I Trauma Burn ICU. I LOVE IT! The work is hard, hot, sad, bloody, smelly...but terrific when you work with your patients and see them progress a tiny bit each day. Sure, some of them don't make it and that goes for every unit in a hospital, but many more of them do overcoming horrific odds...and that is a blessing that I get to see when I go to work. Our unit is close-knit and everybody works together to achieve our goal and that is to send our patients home with as much function and as little disfunction as possible. We work with PT, RT, OT, and just about every other T you can think of. It's definitely not for everybody, and yeah, I get a lot of "yucks" when I tell people which part of the hospital I work in, but that's what makes it special. You work a long time with patients and their families and after awhile, you begin to focus less on what a person's body looks like and you start learning about them as a person. I hope that you will follow your heart and choose an area of nursing that you love, whether it is burns or something else. When you work so hard, as most nurses do, it must absolutely be in an area you can feel good about. I'm excited for you...keep up the good work!