NurseShelly

Unfortunately, I can believe it. It happened to me once too. I was planning on leaving my job, and discussed it with someone who didn't tell my mgr directly, but they discussed it with someone else who then went and told my mgr who then confronted me as if I wasn't planning of giving proper notice or something. I doubt it'll happen to you again. I'm certain you'll be more cautious in the future after the experience you just had. Shame on that backstabbing coworker of yours!

Who's going to enforce this insulting policy anyway?

Oh I know it. Then there will a new inservice on when it's inappropriate to smile, and it'll be something we have to chart on, and patients will be surveyed on or something. Give me a break!

Wow! I can't believe this happened to you. OP, you experienced something horrible, and then insult was added to injury when you went to get necessary treatment. I'm so, so, so sorry that you had such an awful experience. I completely understand feeling tired, stressed, and overworked, but that's no excuse to treat someone the way you were treated. Not only were you physically wounded, but emotionally. I wouldn't wait to write a letter of complaint if I were you. Nurses are professionals who should know better, and nurses like the ones you described make the whole profession look bad. People that are responsible for taking care of someone else do get worn down, and emotionally drained. That said, I'm a firm believer that a sick day should be used for a mental health day if you can't check your issues at the door when arrive to work. Patients and their families, and fellow coworkers shouldn't have to deal with someone elses issues like that- we're already stressed enough. Now, I'm not saying I haven't had to step off the floor, or even go sit in my car and have a good cry- but I don't/ won't let myself bite off the heads of my coworkers or patients. If I do, I want them to hold me accountable. We all have to be aware of how we come across. I worked as a PCT in the float pool of a teaching hospital while I was in nursing school. I saw nurses of all sorts- mean, rude, and unprofessional to some of the best examples of professional, caring, compassionate nurses that I've ever seen. I was so turned off by the negative nurses until I chose to focus on the positive ones. Let the positive nurses motivate you.

I'm pretty sure my coworkers and myself would be sent home on a regular basis. The minute someone from our already poorly staffed unit had to float, we'd all be done for.

Amen! I once worked at a facility where families like this were rewarded with meal tickets and flowers sent to their home after discharge. I can appreciate that patients and their families are anxious, and that outside of being sick, they continue to worry about their lives outside the hospital, paying bills, family etc. However, behaving in a manner such as the OP has described is far too common as well as the administrative response to them. Somehow, more often than not, its something that the nurse or nursing assistant could've or should've done differently. Never mind that you're prioritizing for six to seven patients, admissions, discharges, transfers, and emergencies. Not to mention, the amount of charting it takes to cover yourself and coworkers when dealing with difficult families and patients like Tigergaile's dealing with. I was berated for coffee not being available once, even though a new pot was already brewing, and most recently soap not being in a bathroom off the unit near an elevator. Seriously? In my short time as a nurse, I'm sure I'm not saying anything new to the rest of you. We need our directors, md's, and administrators to back us up. If a patient is NPO for a procedure, and their upset and the doc changes it, its "the nurse wouldn't let me eat", not "the nurse advised me that I was scheduled to have a procedure, and per md orders, I was not to have anything by mouth". I also think its very rude for patients or their family members to continue to wait outside another patients room and glare when you've already acknowledged them and told them you see them in a few moments. With a difficult situation like that, just chart, chart, chart, and keep your resources involved.

I also have a compact VA license and recently moved to Tenn, another compact state. What I did was check with the Tenn BON, and found out that I could work in another compact state after declaring that new state as my home state for 30 days. After 30 days, I must have my license in order to be able to continue doing patient care. I'm not sure if Texas will work the same way since its also compact. The only fee I had to pay way the Tenn lic by endorsement fee. I hope this helps. I'm not sure if you're working yet, if so check with HR at your new facility too, as they were very helpful to me. Good luck.

I'm doing my online rn to bsn program through Chamberlain College of Nursing. Another nurse recommended it to me, and it took me quite a while to do any research. I did find a few negative things about it on this site as well as some positve. I decided to give it a try, and I'm very happy with the program thus far. I like the format of the classes, and up to this point my instructors have always made themselves available if needed. I've encouraged a couple of nurse friends of mine to sign up too, no luck yet. I have three classes completed and I'm halfway through the fourth. I'm hoping to be done by Jan. 2010, and I think I'll start chipping away at an MSN program after that; I believe Chamberlain has started an MSN program. Prior to signing up anywhere however, I would encourage you to make sure that the potential school program is accredited and what not, apply for financial early if you're leaning that way, and take advantage of any money that your job has to offer. Good luck!

Hi. I graduated from an ADN program three years ago. I've decided to go on and get my BSN because I'd like to teach. When in school, I really enjoyed my med surg lecture and clinicals. I am working in med surg now, and I love it when students come on our unit. To be honest, I have yetto actually investigate and see what becoming a nursing instructor involves, but I know I need to complete the BSN before going any further right now. In the meantime however, I'll continue to learn while on the job and slowly but surely pick away at the necessary classes. I hope this helps. Good luck to you!

I'm sorry... I wish I could help you. I was practically laid off for almost two months myself; during which I applied to every contract state and prepared myseld to move wherever a job turned up. I know you aren't able to do that, but I'll say a prayer for your situation to turn around. I never thought that I would ever find myself without work, but when I did it was a struggle not to get depressed, and worry myself into an early grave over finances. Hopefully somebody on here will be able to offer some helpful info to soon. Good Luck!

Words can hurt. Everyone here has given you some great advice. Just look forward to your new position and do your best to get passed the nastiness of your prior unit. In time, the nurses you'll be working with will see how hard you work. Good luck!

I just love that genre!!!! Are you a member of goodreads.com by any chance?

I don't know what you were dealing with, but I am so happy for you! Just reading your post made me feel better too :)

Hey Summersent.... good for you. Congrats on having the courage to not only realize that something isn't for you, but the courage to do something about it. Nursing isn't going anywhere should you ever change your mind. Good luck to you in all that you do :)

Taking pictures of you putting on the arm band?! That's just too much.