MzMouse

I used to have the same issues when I worked LTC and it always surprised me. When my shift was over I was more than happy to give report, count narcs and get the heck out of there!

Managers shouldn't even take complaints seriously when not one example can be made. I have been in your position and it's very difficult to defend yourself when you aren't even being told what you are doing wrong. I think most of it is bogus.

I have been doing much better at leaving work at work; it isn't always easy but it makes all the difference. I also exercise, eat well and have a wonderful husband and friends. Oh, and a beer isn't bad either.

I live in snowy Minnesota and have never missed a day to work due to snow. Often I make it when coworkers who live closer cannot make it in. I think nurses owe it to their patients and fellow staff to make an honest effort.

Evidently not slight of hand enough... Wow; that is scary. As far as policy compared to what actually goes on; that isn't uncommon. If I roomed every patient ( I work in a clinic) the way our Patient standard of Care is written it would take me 15-20 minutes per patient; not acceptable to keep things running. Of course it doesn't help that policies are written by people who never see, much less ever do any patient care.

I am naturally introverted, but 20 years of nursing has made me much more outgoing. You have to be willing to speak up and advocate for your patient and be able to effectively communicate with your patients, coworkers and physicians.

Reminds me of a comment on the last Press Ganey survey..."the nurse looked tired." Seriously?? If that is your biggest complaint I guess we are doing something right.

It has gotten easier over the years. I used to run everything through my head all the time and let it keep me awake at night. But these days if I did everything to the best of my abilities while on the clock I can go off the clock and leave work behind me. Exercise does help too; it has been an unexpected benefit of my recent fitness fight.

A few years ago my husband was in the ER; sick as a dog but very much able to speak for himself. I accompanied him and added a couple times to the consult with the ER doc but for the most part sat back and allowed him to answer. He was livid! He didn't feel well, of course, and though I should be answering all the doctor's questions since I am nurse. I explained that is as much a part of the consultation as the physical exam and therefore important HE answered the questions. :uhoh21: Fortunately his good qualities far outweigh this moment of ridiculousness.

I have always avoided personal questions; simply because they lead to more personal questions. I am happily married and childfree by choice and some people cannot understand a nurse not wanting to be a mother. So I keep to one word answers and change the subject.

That does bother me too. We do have that policy in our dress code but it is not enforced.

I am fortunate to not have much of a sense of smell; probably due to years of allergies. Even when an oder is particularly bad it just doesn't really bother me. If something is getting to me I do my best to forget about the smell and concentrate on the patient. I know it sounds sort of trite, but it does work. It will get better as you get more exposure to smells and get used to it.

I am so sorry for your loss and the manner in which it was handled. I certainly hope you and your family pursue this; it sounds like this facility needs to examine how they do things. Contacting family should have been done early on in the process.

It seem the longer someone is a watcher the less chance they will ever again be a doer. My current manager loves to tell stories of her former doer career, but she certainly doesn't seem to truly remember what it was like or want to ever do it again.

1. How long were you or have you been an LPN? 19 years 2. Where did you attend school? At a Technical College in Minnesota 3. Where did you or do you currently practice and in what area of nursing? Surgery department in an out-patient clinic for the last 12 years. Before that I spend seven years working in long term care. 4. What seems to be the biggest difference in your role as an LPN compared to the RN's in your practice setting? RN's are managers or work in departments such as oncology, GI, or Urgent care which require assessments and IV starts/sedation. 5. Have you thought about returning to school to further your education? Certainly, but I couldn't work in my current position as an RN and I very much like my job. 6. Are you now or have you ever been affiliated with any LPN associations or organizations? No 7. Would you encourage anyone else to pursue a career as an LPN? Yes 8. Do you feel if you left your current practice (as an LPN) that there would be opportunities in other areas for practice? LPN's jobs are plentiful in long term care and home care in the area. The area clinics are usually hiring too. 9. Do you hold or have you held a leadership position in your practice setting? No, and I don't want to.

I know exactly what you mean! When I am busy I must look like I am ready to bite someone's head off. I have even heard comments in reviews about it. It's taken a while but I have finally, hopefully, trained myself to look a little more neutral. I have basically developed a work persona; the sarcasm stays in check and I just try to be casual and friendly. I am more assertive at work than in my personal life.

I think rats are adorable; but I am weird that way.

My thoughts are with you regarding whatever you are going through. I have found work can be a refuge when struggling with difficulties in your personal life. At least you have 8 or 12 hours that you don't have to think about the problem.

ER nurses are cool. Anyone who can stay cool, calm and collected in emergencies are way cool. I am an office nurse; who no one thinks is cool. But I could care less.

No one told me that for every overly anxious patient there would be one in complete denial of their serious health condition. The 21 year old man with lymphoma who was angry with the surgeon for making an oncology appointment for him. The 45 year old intelligent, well-dressed, woman with breast cancer literally growing out of her chest. She came in because of a "sore on her breast" and then cancelled all follow-up and treatment plans we scheduled. She was going to take some vitamins instead. A morbidly obese, uncontrolled DM who smokes and can't figure out why both lower extremities have huge wounds that will not heal. She is so upset that she "has such bad luck".

You are welcome; I was very happy to help. It would be nice if you would return the favor once in a while. Before you grab your bag and head out the door for lunch could you at least look around and pretend you care that one of the rest of us might need help? Stop bringing all of your personal problems to work each and every day. We all have things in our lives we are dealing with.

I have a coworker who can go home and completely leave work at work. I am so jealous. That is my idea of stress relief. For myself yoga has been a great stress reliever. I have nothing again a beer or a glass of wine either.

Honestly I can see it if there is a nurse who calls out frequently for every little thing. But for myself I would be upset. I call out about once every two years, when I call in sick I am SICK.

I love my job, but I can't stand my current manager. I would take pleasure in handing her my resignation. But since I do love my actual job I refrain.

I agree, for the most part it is obnoxious. Occasionally I need a cough drop when I have a tickle in my throat and I find myself apologizing for it. But I figure it is better than that dry cough that allergy season can bring.