VerbalGrl715

I agree you have a thankless job. You seem like a nice person and you try to be a fair and respected nurse manager. However, at least 90% of the nurse managers I have worked for are the embodiment of pure evil. I'm sure they weren't the nicest people to begin with but they have let their job destroy them. I seriously don't know how they sleep at night with the terrible things they have said and done to their staff. Don't let that happen to you. I don't really care what people think about me but I never want to be hated like that 90%. I believe in karma too much.

I completely and totally understand what you are talking about. I am 33 and a nurse since 2007. I have not worked in almost a year because I had a baby and am taking time off. I want to go back to work and contribute to my household but the thought of returning to bedside nursing makes me want to cry myself to sleep. The humiliation, disrespect and physical toll nursing has caused me in less of a decade is more than one person should bear. Being a nurse used to mean so much to me. I was so proud to tell people what I did for a living when they asked. I went to the Florence Nightingale Museum in London back in 2008 and was in tears because I was so honored to belong to such an amazing profession. Now I'll be perfectly content doing something that doesn't take away the patience and peace of mind my new family deserves.

[COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]It's taken me a while to write this because I have had to allow some time to pass and distance to be created. I have to write about my experience working for a particular facility of this corporation. I am not going to name names or give too many specifics but it has to do with one of the campuses in Pinellas County. A reason why I feel so strongly is because of the way certain coworkers and myself were treated. Once I left and worked at other facilities in the area I found out we were not the only ones wronged by this organization. It all starts out nice enough. The facilities are nice and up to date. They offer good benefits and discounts on attractions, events, etc. Management greets you with a smile and pretends to be interested in your feedback but then something happens. All of a sudden you realize what you have gotten yourself into. Never in my career have I ever worked at a hospital that was more obsessed with HCAP scores. Yes, they are what keep the hospital doors open. As a nurse, no one understands that more. But here it is taken to the extreme. To the point where if it means belittling or humiliating staff members to the core of what makes them human. Never in my career have I seen more backstabbing, favoritism or unprofessionalism by middle and upper management that goes unnoticed and continues to go on. There was a time in a staff meeting when I wish I could have recorded it with my phone and given it to the local news. The manager was swearing, making crude references and worst of all, talking about a particular "problem patient" and his family that was extremely unbecoming for someone in her position. I was embarrassed for her. Also, how certain staff members were constantly under the microscope and others could get away with whatever they wanted (i.e., taking extended cigarette breaks instead of tending to his duties on the floor) because they were on the "manager's favorites list". The absolute worst was the one time I was spoken to about my interaction with a patient and seeing the stack of pure fiction in front me fabricated by the management. That was the true moment of clarity. When I saw this hospital and organization for who they really were. I minded my p's and q's until I was in a comfortable position to resign. The manager (the one I mentioned earlier) seemed flabbergasted. Someone who was ready to terminate me some months earlier couldn't contemplate why I no longer wanted to work there. Around that time there were a few other resignations, one or two not as cordial as mine. One former employee tried applying for a position at another facility within the system but she was denied and many said it was because that particular manager purposefully sabotaged her chances. I didn't dare trying. I found another position outside that system where I am thriving and appreciated. I know I am a good person and a good nurse. I knew as soon as I could get away from that environment I could believe that again. I am not saying all for the facilities within the system are like this, I am just writing about my experience at this particular one. Just some advice to those on their application website. If there are consistently openings for new staff at one facility more than the others, there's usually a good reason why. [/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR]

My husband's job has relocated us to McAllen, TX for the next 3 years at least (could be 5). I have been reading posts of how terrible it is here and how much everyone hates it. I'm living here right now so you can spare those comments. I can see for myself. Also, I am not here voluntarily neither is my husband. He doesn't want to be here any more than I do. We're praying we can get out of here as soon as possible but plan to make the best of it in the meantime. That being said, I am wondering if I am going to have difficulty working here because I am not fluent in Spanish. My Spanish is marginal. My vocabulary is alright but my conversational Spanish is pathetic. I have worked in pockets of New York and Florida that were predominantly Spanish speaking and I have managed but it seems EVERYONE here speaks Spanish. I am no stranger to poor working conditions in hospitals one strike away from bring shut down so those comments aren't needed either. I have been in health care for a decade. Some things are just the way they are unfortunately. Any advice is appreciated. I am in the process of acquiring my TX nursing license (they keep rejecting my fingerprints) so I am doing my research while I wait. Thank you

I had a telephone interview today with Humana for a Care Manager position and I am scheduled to have a face to face interview on December 3rd. I was told to have questions prepared for the interview so I was wondering what would be good ones to ask. Also, I would like to know what to expect during this interview because I have never applied for a position like this before. This is very different from what I have been doing my entire nursing career (I have been nothing but a bedside nurse). Any advice would be helpful.

For those of us that are dealing with the ridiculously unrealistic expectations of HCAP scores I have a question; now that the healthcare law is in effect, are HCAP scores going to be more or less relevant?

I am an RN-BSN interested in Case Management. I have been an RN for 6 years and have experience in Telemetry, Long Term Acute and Critical Care. I hear a lot about Humana, in fact I applied there for a case management position yesterday, but are there other insurance companies that hire RN's to do this? I live in FL in the Tampa Bay area so any advice is helpful.

Just to catch everyone up on what happened to me. I have reported my boss for not following protocol and not paying me. I will get the money with my next check. I also put in my 2 weeks notice today. I found a new job at a more reputable hospital. It may not be a perfect job, but at least I can start over fresh and hope the management supports their staff. Thank you to all for your advice and support

Okay I am going to but my ignorance out there and ask: What is this Health Care Bill going to do to nurses in this country? I have heard so many things since Obama has been elected such as it will make our salaries drop, we will not be able to do over-time and just yesterday, I heard it will make our country's nursing shortage even worse. Now that this bill is passed, what does it mean for us?

Sorry, didn't make that clear. Didn't resign (wanted to, but didn't). But am looking for a new job

Hello all, Had my meeting today. Apparently a patient's daughter called my nurse manager livid accusing me of being negligent with her father's care because we had to transfer him to the MICU on my shift. According to her, if I were more attentive, he wouldn't of had to go, which believe me, it wasn't the case. She's ignorant and irrational and looking for someone to blame. The man was discharged on Friday and is fine and dandy (and will probably be back in 2 weeks with the same problem). Luckily I was thorough in my charting so there was very little I had to disclose. I also wasn't asked to sign anything (not that I would). My manager claimed she suspended me to "protect" me which I don't believe for a second. I also am not being paid. Needless to say, I'm choosing to not seek legal action because I don't feel it's worth it. If you knew my boss, you would understand it is enough of a punishment just to be her (she has health issues). I am however, currently searching for a new job. Liking the idea of a union. Thank you to all of you that have offered your stories, suggestions and responses. It was a huge comfort.

Thank you for all of your responses/suggestions so far. It is a huge help in easing the stress of waiting. It is nice to know I am not the first this has happened to and I'm not alone. I will keep you posted :-)

I work on a telemetry/dialysis floor that has a high volume of critical care step down patients. Days are busy and stressful but I feel I always cover myself. I have been a nurse of a little over two years which no longer makes me a new nurse but I'm definitley still learning. Yesterday, I received a call from my nurse manager telling me not to come into work over the weekend and to report to her Monday morning at 10am (I was supposed to work Sat, Sun, Mon). When I asked her what was wrong she said it was due to a "patient complaint" that needed investigation and I could not work until she had more information. I know this can mean a number of things. She wouldn't even let me know if my job/license was in jeopardy. She here I am, on a Saturday afternoon, unable to enjoy my unexpected weekend off because I am pulling my hair out over the suspense of Monday morning. I'm assuming a former patient or family member of a former patient is seeking legal action against my hospital, and as an employee of the hospital, I am being put on the spot. I have asked co-workers if they have heard anything and no one has. I am reaching out to you fellow nurses to see if you can help me shed some light on all of this, especially if something similar has happened to you. Thank you