missrose

Thank you all for your input. I have come to the conclusion that if I was teaching an orientation class on Spirituality, I would NOT ask the class what their religious preferences were. Doesn't matter. Teach the importance of respecting diversity, but don't question the beliefs of the nurse. Orientation is not the place to bring up personal beliefs, be they religious, political, or sexual, and as I mentioned, as a traveler, having attended so many oreintations, I've never had it brought up before. (and yes, I am currently working in the "Bible Belt" so that surely made me more sensitive to being questioned, since my beliefs don't fit the "norm".)

Her question was about sharing diversity. Before asking the question, she proudly stated her religious beliefs, even stating, "I am proud to be a ****".... Immediately followed by asking the group theirs. And she didn't ask anyone to share. Had she, I would have felt a little more comfortable with the questions. No, I take that back. Pretty sure HR would frown on that kind of question. It doesn't matter! It won't (or shouldn't) impact or change the level of care provided! If it does, one should re-think being a nurse!

Today, while attending my final day of orientation at a new facility (I am a travel nurse... this is my 20th orientation in 8 years) the nurse educator, while discussing meeting patients' spiritual needs, asked the 30+ nurses in attendance, while raising her own hand in the air, "How many of you are Baptist?" (two hands went up) "How many are Catholic?" (three hands) "How many are Muslim?" And she continued to ask.... "Jewish? Hindi? How about Atheist?" I then interrupted her and said, "Umm... I don't think you can ask these questions." She then replied, "Well, you don't have to raise your hand!" Is this legal? Honestly, she was an excellent educator. Having attended so many orientations over the years, I must say she is really good at her job. But am I being petty or did she cross a serious line? I plan to say nothing to anyone, on my unit or in HR... at least, not until my contract has been completed, as my job is to show up and be the very best nurse I can be. But I strongly feel one is not permitted to ask a co-worker, especially a new hire, about their religious affiliation or beliefs. I have had patients ask me about my religious or political preferences, and I always answer the same, in a gentle tone with a pleasant smile: "My personal choices have nothing to do with the quality of care I will provide you over the course of your hospital stay, nor am I permitted to discuss them. Now, is there anything I can do for you?" Am I wrong, or was she out of line? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

I recently learned that my hometown hospital sent out a notice to former patients informing them that the hospital "has recently adopted a new policy and will now be charging 8% interest on accounts more than 12 months old" even if the patient makes regular monthly payments. Hmm.... in a country with an upcoming election with one of the hottest topics being the lack of health insurance coverage for millions, do you feel being charged interest by a hospital is reasonable? Granted, business is business.... but it just doesn't feel right to me! Do you believe an interest rate will encourage people to pay their medical bills in a more timely manner? Help me to figure this one out, please!

For the record, because several have referred to my "yelling", I did not yell at the unit clerk or anyone. I am not a yeller, ever. But I do admit my tone was very, very exasperated and therefore, disrespectful. I did apologize with sincerity and a gentle hand on her shoulder. And yes, the best part is, I learned from the situation, but I have learned even more from reading these responses. Thank you! It is always very enlightening to read other people's take on it.

thank you! your words are very helpful. as i stated in a previous post, i am very aware that the last thing a staff nurse wants to hear from a traveler is "well the last place i worked....blah blah blah..." i've been traveling for five years. this is the first assignment where i have felt completely frustrated with their policies and methods. it's not easy remaining silent when you knowww there's a better way! i have always received "outstanding" and "exceeds expectations" on my performance evaluations. but i blew it this time, by letting my frustrations have a voice at a most inappropriate time and place. i may not have created the situation, but i wasn't at all constructive at resolving it. ouch. onward. i am returning to a facility in november where i worked a 9 month contract 3 years ago... an outstanding hospital! would have stayed longer, but they call it "travel" nursing! so many places to see! thrilled to be returning, especially after this recent grueling, overwhelming experience. i learned a lot about myself in the past 13 weeks... not all of it pretty... but i learned and have benefited... even from the negative. again, thank you for your take on it. your words will stay with me!

Yes, I have a clinical liason and she has been informed via email. She'll call some time today, allow me to express my frustrations and then because she possesses much more wisdom than me (that's why she's the clinical liason) she will advise me on how NOT to let this happen again. A learning experience. I haven't had a problem that required her services yet, but I did receive a freindly introductory call from her when I started with this company. We talked at length, sorta got to know one another and I liked her demeanor. A great resource... just wish I didn't actually need it right now! But I'm owning it!

It wasn't that "nothing had been done". I'd talked with the doc and had seen the orders. I was able to override the pyxis and give the meds, monitor the patient, but the stat labs didn't get ordered and quite honestly, I forgot about them because I was just soooo damn busy dealing with every big and little thing that came my way. Guilty of assuming all the orders had been dealt with. I wish I had asked somebody, "have the labs been ordered yet? Have they been drawn yet?" You know those days when you look at the clock and say, "Holy Buckets! It's noon all ready?!" It was one of those days. And no, as a traveler, I am not allowed to enter orders. I'm not even allowed to write the ordered meds on the MAR! That is soley the job of the charge nurse. Begged them to let me, but nope. Not their policy. And I do know that the last thing any staff nurse wants to hear from a traveler is, "well, the last place I worked, we did it this way..."

LOL! No, some days I ain't no picnic! But my patients love me... and I do go out of my way to assist student nurses and grad nurses with their learning experiences, without being condescending, I assure you. And I know they appreciate it. I just have a short fuse when it comes to people who I feel should know how to do their job all ready. I don't intend to come across as belittling or demeaning. I try to be aware of how other's may perceive me. Some days it's tough, though. I'm trying. I'm aware of my shortcomings. That's a start.

She's the charge nurse, right? If you need her, feel free and completely comfortable to wake her. It's her job. I realize night nursing is different than day nursing. I would NEVER think of taking a nap on the day shift and I had a hard time realizing it was acceptable to do so on the night shift.... until after about the fifth night! OMG! everyone else was doing it... and those naps were born of need, not boredom!! I respect night nurses so very much! I haven't worked a night shift in five years.... because I can't pull it off without mind-numbing lethargy! In regard to another poster's comment about Tweety.... I've been visiting this site for about a year now. His posts impress me, too.... with his wisdom and positive attitude! Thank you, Tweety!

You're absolutely right... hence my post.... A confession of my frustrations and lack of professionalism..... which sadly, grows each passing year.... only five days left until vacation!! Thank you for your honest input.... again... that's why I visite allnurses! I want to recover and grow PAST my negativity! I STILL believe I can!

I am a travel nurse.... this is my 14th contract. Today, my unit manager called me into her office and offered to cancel the remaining three days of my contract. (GASP!!) Yes, she gave me the option of completing three more shifts, or cancelling. I declined to cancel, of course. I listened to her concerns, and I apologized and explained myself. I am a brutally honest person. While I am very aware (and proud) of my skills as a nurse, I am also very aware of my short-comings... I sometimes (only in extreme moments, I swear!)have difficulty keeping my mouth shut when I feel my patients aren't getting the best care they deserve. I am not very diplomatic. That is why I am not a good charge nurse, nor do I aspire to be one. I am a floor nurse. Recently, I had a patient who wasn't doing well. I called the hospitalist and he showed up within minutes. I was busy.... so very busy. He wrote orders and placed the chart in the "orders rack", where the unit clerk and Charge Nurse would then enter the orders in the computer and transcribe the orders so that they could be administered. The problem was I didn't get the order.... until four hours later!! When I went looking for the chart, I found it STILL in the "orders rack", not yet entered or transcribed. I was very upset and I said with complete exasperation, "This order was written FOUR HOURS AGO!! And it's a "NOW" order! This system doesn't work!!" Well, the unit clerk (not our usual experienced clerk, but a "float" from another unit, took my words personally and left the nurse's station in tears. I had no idea I had upset her, let alone that she was crying, until about half an hour later when the charge nurse came up to me and said, "You made my unit clerk cry." Bad timing to inform me of this... so I said, in an annoyed tone and again, I am being brutally honest here) "What?! I made her cry? Gosh, I didn't realize I was so powerful I could make someone cry! It wasn't her fault! The doctor didn't flag the chart with the little red tab indicating "NOW"! This system doesn't work and I am just frustrated and I should make out an Unusual Occurance Report for "Delay In Treatment" but I DON'T HAVE TIME!" And I walked away. The fact is... this was NOT an unusual occurance. Their system of transcribing orders frequently results in unnecessary delays. I realize this is a serious observation, but it is the truth.) So... When the unit clerk returned, I apologized to her and told her that I was not upset with HER... but with the system and the doctor's failure to flag the chart. I apologized to her twice. I was very sincere. I felt terrible for upsetting her! I felt much worse for my patient, who thank God, experienced no ill effects from the delay. My co-workers have expressed their appreciation of my team efforts. When asked by a co-worker, I will gladly attempt a difficult IV start, even if I am terribly busy myself, even though it's not my patient. I will take the time to search out that beeping IV machine and fix the problem, even though it's not my patient. I'll take another nurse's pager so she can break for lunch, even though she's not my designated "break budy" but her break buddy is overwhelmed. But I will not look the other way when someone else isn't doing their job correctly. Even if it's a doctor. Little flags on the chart!! Just push the tab over!! Make your intentions known! Help us all do our job by pushing a little tab!! Sound petty? Well, it's not!! How simple can it get? (yes, I said all these things... quietly.... but emphatically.... but in earshot of the charge nurse, I readily admit. I felt exasperated.... I felt like crying myself!) So back to the unit manager's office.... When called into her office and asked about the situation on Tuesday, I explained the above scenario to her and she said, "I heard you say that you only have "four shifts left". I am willing to call your company now and cancel your contract." I told her I didn't want that at all and that my frustration comes from not being able to deliver safe and quality nursing care because I find their system frustrating. I assured her that I would complete my contract and be less vocal with my frustrations. I sincerely apologized three times in about 10 minutes. I also told her that I don't feel I am bringing negativity to the workplace, but that I am actually being infected by the negativity of my fellow nurses. (Oh, she didn't like that... and I regret those words... kind of... because while true, a bit too honest?) Ohhh..... I have never NEVER experienced this kind of .... oh what's the word I'm looking for.... MAYHEM on a nursing unit. I can't fix it, I can't change it.... though I must tell you, that my suggestion for changing their method of documenting their blood sugars and insulin administration has resulted in a facility-wide change!!! How's that for wonderful contribution?! Woo Hooo! change is gooood!! Thank you for letting me vent.... again!! I guess the million dollar quesiton is.... what does one do when a doctor writes a "Now'" order but doesn't flag the chart correctly? I get too frustrated! Must be my OCD! OCD can be a good thing sometimes.... SOMETIMES! Agreed?

Connection with the person behind the problem whenever possible is what helps me keep from wanting to strangle some patients. If I can see the person as a person, it helps me. Knowing they have a grandchild or a beagle or a guitar or a tankful of angel fish helps me get past some of the labels, and then I have a greater desire to help them. Of course, there are those who defy explanation and leave me foaming at the mouth. With that very small percentage, I vent at the nurses' station and work to set reasonable limits. I tell them to list everything they need because I will not be available for a length of time and I don't want them to have to wait. Put in such terms, it sounds like I am going the extra mile for their sake, and I am, but I'm also doing it so I don't commit bodily harm and jeopardize my own mental health and well being. Some still try to push my buttons, but so far I have been able to calmly say, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you with that." Getting disgusted with nurses who are frustrated doesn't help any more than getting disgusted with patients who have "self-inflicted" problems does. Connecting with a person is more likely to lay the groundwork for some kind of improvement in the situation, even if it's only temporary. Sometimes all you can accomplish are baby steps, but that's okay as long as they still move forward. And venting might be necessary before that can happen. Thank you for sharing those words of wisdom. And thanks to those of you with the insight to see what my original post was really all about. Reading your words meant a lot to me and made me think. I needed that. Again, I thank you! I am sorry Babarnurse is "disgusted" by me. Back to my original post.... I did not say, "Morbidly obese patients disgust me" or "I hate drug addicts"... because that is not how I feel. I should have left those two specific patient types completely out of my post and just expressed my frustrations with overly demanding patients who do not participate in their wellness even a little bit. (Silly me, for thinking that's why they came to the hospital... To get well!!) And yes, I see a "trend"... a significant increase in patients I care for who are morbidly obese or addicted to methamphetamine. Pardon me for making an (accurate) observation. An observation... not a judgement. Big difference. And to address Emmanuel, I am sorry your opinion of me is so harsh. I got your little dig (if you know what I mean). That's okay, sir. I know I am an excellent nurse. I have numerous unsolicited letters of commendation from nurse managers for "delivering exemplary care" as well as dozens and dozens of cards and letters from appreciative patients and their families. I am very proud of those letters! (Sentimental gal that I am, I keep them in a special box!) I am confident your aunt would have loved me! I always treat all my patients equally, with the care and compassion all humans deserve, regardless of their weight or choices in life. When I become frustrated and I feel like ripping my hair from my scalp (note I said mine, not theirs), my patients are rarely aware of it... because not only am I a great nurse, but some days I have to be one heck of an actress, too!! Bottom line for me (as many responders were intelligent enough to pick up on right away): If I didn't care, I wouldn't be frustrated in the first place! "Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the notes as one goes along." -- author unknown

thank you thank you thank you!

Thank you for your understanding, advice, and kind words of support! After reading the replies (and after a much needed vacation with family and friends in Montana!) I will return to a new assignment with a better attitude. I have always and will always treat each patient with respect and kindness, regardless of their diagnosis. I do find that the patients who treat me with the least respect are the drug addicts and the morbidly obese. I can't change that, can't fix them, and will remind myself not to take it personally. I just want to continue doing what I've been doing for 12 years.... and that's enjoy being the best nurse I can be! Again, thank you!