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.

I don't blame anyone for covering up their last name on their badge, good for you. Unless they're being referred to by their last name, what's the point? I for one don't think its very safe. I worked in a hospital where the ED nurses were encouraged to put something on the badges to hide their last name after a number of them had been threatened.

Oh my goodness! I was reading this post and felt my face get hot. I dealt with a family just like this. They even wrote down that she missed her prn meds at 0300 and complained to the NM. This patient was AO x 3, ambulatory, the whole deal. When it was explained to them for the 100th time that the patient should request prn's if needed and the nurse doesn't offer, they wrote that down too and wrote a nasty letter back to the unit about all the staff who had taken care of her. I try to be patient and understanding, I really do. I even encourage my own father to bring a notebook to his various MD appointments, just to keep track of which doc says what. I just wish that when a patients family did this, that they'd have some discussion about it instead of writing everytime someone comes in the room to round on the pt. or bring ice chips. I've had a family who explained to me that alway carry the notebook with them to just keep track, and even apologized if it made anyone feel uncomfortable. I thought it was really nice of them to acknowledge the staffs feelings.

I agree! That nurse that started in on you sounds a little silly to me in addition to being unprofessional. I think if the dating the IV's on your unit is a perpetual problem, then you have no choice but to write it up. There's a reason that policies and procedures are in place. Good luck in dealing with the problems on your unit, hopefully it'll pass, or you'll come across a great opportunity to move on.

I worked with a nurse who would come to work sick and put on a isolation mask. She was an awesome, dedicatied nurse, and the perfect coworker, but this would freak out the patients, she was sluggish and just not totally with it due to being sick. Not to mention, the other staff were afraid of possibly getting sick too. Anyway, our head nurse would allow her to do this, and one day our director saw her doing this and complained. That nurse, was thanked for her dedication, but was sent home right then and there, and told to use her sick days because that's what they're there for. My advice would be, if you're sick, you're sick and to stay home. I know its a holiday but if you don't feel better, you should call in. I know as nurses we're well aware of the census, and nurse to patient ratios, but we're also human and need to take a sick day for ourselves when we need it. Good luck.

I agree with Michelle126. Some places may want you to get a year or so of Med Surg experience first. But, look into applying for some OR fellowships/ nurse internships. It sure can't hurt. Also when you apply, you may want to ask if you can do a OR shadow experience or something. When I thought I wanted to change specialties, I asked and was allowed to shadow. Good luck.

I know its easier said than done, but you have to stick up for yourself. It gets easier with time, and you'll feel so much better. You don't have to be loud and confrontational, but you need to be professional and firm when letting a coworker know that you don't appreciate how they're treating you. Talk to her first, but if that doesn't work, go to your manager if need be. When I first graduated three years ago, my nurse manager told me that when people put their stuff on you, you have to put it right back on them, right then and there if possible. If not, the anxiety and tension you feel when dealing with a difficult coworker will only increase over time. It sounds like that nurse is taking potential teaching moments and turning them into demeaning ones instead, especially when she does it in front of your patients. She has to know that "teaching" you in front of them doesn't help build their confidence in you. Good luck.

I don't know if this'll help, but here goes. Just like you said, I don't want to be morbid either, and these patients are already terrified in most cases. If I can, I'll tell them that "Nothing is expected to happen, but if in the event it does...." I then go in to explaining the advance directive if they don't have one already, and why its so important. I also let them know, that I am required to ask everyone being admitted into the hospital about whether or not they have an advance directive etc... I'm not an old pro, I've only been a nurse three years, and there are just some case where I'm still 100% comfortable addressing it either; but you'll get a little more comfortable with it over time.

Hi. I'm considering relocating to Nashville right now amongst a few other places. I guess I'm a little confused. I take it there is more than one Baptist in TN and there all affiliated, correct? Also, I know that only so much can be said here on this discussion board, but when you say "extremely high nurse : patient ratio's" exactly how high do you mean? I haven't had an interview yet so I've not had the opportunity to ask a manager. Thanks for the info re: the 401k.

It is so unfortunate when coworkers do this. It makes you feel as if you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. We can't just excuse this crazy behavior as "that's just XYZ being XYZ." I worked in a hospital where there was more than nurse who sounded very much the OP's tormentor. Some people complained, and some made excuses. One day, one of those nurses committed suicide. Of course we were all shocked! Her family later wrote a letter saying that she's been depressed for years and recently became non-compliant with her treatment, and that her depression was so severe that she distanced herself even from them. After that, mgmt did speak to the other nurse and she ended up talking to someone and getting help. After a while, she became a little easier to work with. I'm not saying this to scare anyone, and I know your not responsible for her, but I'd make sure that mgmt is aware just so that you know that you've done your part. I am no longer working at that hospital, but reading the OP's post and concerns made me think about those two nurses. Good luck in dealing with this difficult coworker, I know it isn't easy.

Well said!!!!