Pretzlgl

Probably wouldn't be unheard of if you then worked every Saturday...If you work in a hospital setting they would most likely require 2 weekends per month - you could fulfill that by working 4 shifts, or every Saturday.

NOT working during nursing school - because I scrimped and saved for a year before and all during...

Excellent idea! One of the Assisted Living Facilities I visit has dogs come in - and the residents love it....

Yeppers. I would bet, Acosmic, that you are a brand spanking new RN. Idealistic and all. Not a bad thing - but give it 10 years and get back to us.....

Thanks, Karen, for putting my thoughts into sentences. Great post.

Why does this so-called profession have to be this way? I worked as a bank teller before becoming a nurse and was treated with waay more respect. Hmm, maybe that would be an idea....

I totally agree. When I was a new nurse we went to the Nurses' March on Washington. I was so impressed at that time by how well nurses stuck together. I couldn't wait to practice. HA! What a jolt when I realized that I was way off on that one. I was also asked to change my charting when I charted that a doctor hadn't called me back after multiple pages (pt with blood sugar of >500) Finally called charge nurse who called medical director and was taken care of. BUT I charted it all. I was asked the next day to change my charting and a general memo went out stating that we cannot chart that a doctor did not return a page. I gave my 2 week notice the next day. I think I too picked the wrong profession. We not only worry about our patients care but also our licenses, ALL THE TIME. Anyway, that felt good to get that out...... :chuckle

Wow! Thanks for the great reply and advice. I am turning in my 2 week notice - but am going to do just what you said with witnessess. Thanks again!

Thanks for the responses. Let me clarify - I don't mean that the doctor would hang the nurse out to dry - I mean the facility. A little background is that 2 nurses have been fired recently - and one has had disciplinary action placed on their license for not performing according to the facilities' "standard policy". One of the nurses is suing because how can you follow standard policy if no such thing exists. (Wrongful termination). Anyway, I myself am getting out of there - too much liability IMHO.

Hi all. Any input would be appreciated. I work for a facility with no policy and procedure manual. I have repeatedly asked for a policy pertaining to, for example, how to flush a central line - only to be told "we don't have a policy on that". It is a hospice - not JCAHO accredited - so they technically don't have to have policies set. BUT - I feel that my license is on the line every time I do something but it isn't according to any policy or procedure set by the facility. I'm told just do it by MD order. Well the MD order say, Central line flush per protocol. I really feel that this is done purposefully - it will be the individual nurse hung out to dry and not the facility if something goes wrong. What do you all think?????

Interviewing for a per diem hospice position - any advice on how to present myself would be great from you experienced hospice nurses. It is a goal of mine to work hospice - have been working ICU and pretty burned. Mostly due to keeping folks alive who are already dead... Anyway any advice would be great.

Thanks y'all - I'll check into local travel assignments - good idea. One thing for sure - I am definitely taking my time to find a good fit.

Turned in my 2 week notice a couple of days ago - don't have a new job yet so it is a little scary. But I have just had it with hospital nursing! (At least this hospital). 3 and sometimes 4 patient assignments in the ICU are becoming the rule rather than the exception and they won't use agency nurses anymore - so we just run short. (And run, and run, and run...) Benefits have been cut, twice this year. First retiree medical benefits were taken away, then health insurance was changed and the rates shot up. And the raise structure for RN's was changed - if you get any negative comment on your review you don't get a raise. Needless to say morale is at an all time low. It stinks because the staff I work with are really great people and I will miss them - but I just won't take it anymore!

FIRST check to make sure that the pulse ox is on the finger correctly

I'm with Erin - the VERY first thing I would do would be to check the tubing.

Thanks for that - gave me the courage to do what I know I need to.

Thanks you 2. Got some good ideas from what you gave me.

I could use some advice please.... Basically I am done with hospital nursing - I will be turning in my 2 week notice this week. What explanation do I give my NM as to why I am quitting but still retain a decent reference? I don't want to go in and say, "I quit because I can't stand working in the hospital anymore" So what do I say? Your help would be much appreciated.....

I just had a discussion w/ my husband today about this. I do feel like I am just performing tasks - not like it used to be at all. Hardly ever have time to adequately look at lab values, read the chart, etc. Most of my time is doing, doing, doing - and performing customer service. I am out of there - as soon as possible no more hospital nursing for me.

I am in total agreement with llg - I believe that overinvolvement is one of the causes of burnout. I myself started heading down that path - I believe I was "overempathizing" - and would find myself becoming very saddenned to see a patient's name in the obituaries. (More than your average - that's a shame type of reaction). I had to do some serious soul searching to realize that this type of behavior was hurting me - and perhaps my patient's and their families at a time when they need an objective, clearly thinking nurse. I pride myself at being a very good, caring nurse, but I can see clearly what llg is saying.

I think that this is part of the problem. Nurses who still insist on giving up their chairs, etc. I realize that you are being nice, but part of the reason that doctors feel so entitled is in the treatment they receive/have received from nurses. (And I also realize that you do the same for your coworkers - but I can't help it, it makes me gag when I see a nurse give up their chair for a doc).

Amazed is right - just yesterday I had a totally coherent, oriented patient say to me - "You WILL do everything I tell you to B***H!" My Manager heard her say this and when I rolled my eyes in disgust - MY MANAGER TOLD ME TO JUST DO WHAT SHE ASKS... My mouth fell open in disbelief....And I am not a new nurse. But you are right on the money when you say that new nurses are unsure how to proceed when faced with the same situation. And, ainz, your post is spoken like a true administrator. No flame intended, just an observation.

I remember feeling very idealistic in nursing school - thinking that I was going to change the world. Over the years I have come to the realization that I can maybe impact the lives of a patient and/or their family - but that I certainly cannot change the world of nursing. Hospitals are big business - and as with every other business, the bottom line is $$$. It's become self preservation for me - trying not to be labeled a troublemaker because I disagree w/ administration - I just keep it to myself. And yes, that is sad - but it is a reality. For all of you nursing students - I hate to say it, but you will find out for yourselves before too long. Yes, it is dog eat dog in many industries - but how many can you name where you have a person's life/well being to look out for? It becomes very disheartening to try to provide the care you know you should and you just can't because you are so overwhelmed. Dissatisfied? - you betcha.

That's it. And it happened to me. I found out that the new grad pay was going to be .03 more than I made with 7 years of experience. Now granted it was only 3 cents - but NEW GRADS SHOULD NOT MAKE MORE THAN EXPERIENCED NURSES. I found out because the hospital openly publishes its new grad rate. Went to my manager, asked her to compensate me fairly - she went to HR (because she thought it was wrong too) and was denied. Turned in my 2 week notice the next day.