daniRN65

Dear Too Impatient, Just wanted to say, that while there are many days I don't like some of the politics or even the grumpy patients/families I have to deal with. But overall, I love being a nurse. I have been a nurse for 16 years and wouldn't have picked any other job. It's my niche so to speak. If you have a passion for taking care of people & having the ability to make an impact on somebody's life than it is the right choice for you. The bad days, the grumpy people and the political red tape are small potatoes when that sweet little old lady looks at me and says, "Thank you". That's my reward, knowing that I touched that person's life in a meaningful way. Good luck! daniRN65.

Thank you for sharing. I'm not against unions. I am aware of how contracts are reached, negotiations and the work involved, on both sides. But I disagree about the low-perfomers. I was not referring to "manager's pets" in non-union positions. I was in fact alluding to RN's in patient care areas doing the same work as I am. But they sit on their butts and get up only when they "have" to and do the bare minimum to get by. I don't care where you work, they are out there. And a nurse can follow the rules and "get by" and still be a low performer. It is a frustration that those nurses will recieve the same percent wage increase as those who are busting their butts. Wages should not be based on seniority only. Skill, knowledge and ability should also be considered in this process. Regarding patient satisfaction scores. It doesn't matter if they should or shouldn't matter. The truth is if the patient is dissatisfied w/ their care, they don't have to come to my facility, and if patients stop coming to my facility, then what happens? More staff cuts, lay-offs? Of course. That's where that comes in to play. I do not disagree w/ you. I think unions have paved many wonderful roads for our profession. I do believe there are facilities who are not for the nurse and for their own bottom line, cut wages, eliminate benefits. But to say there are NO downsides to unions is a far stretch. I know there are many great things yet to come from organized labor, but I am still frustrated that "Miss-flip-through-her- magazine and ignore lights is still getting the same wage increase" & I do agree it's managements responsibility to address these issues, but like I said you can follow the rules and still "just get by". I really appreciate your repsonse. It has been very helpful and insightful.

I think unions can have their place, but I think they can have a negative effect as well. What about being paid for additional education? In my facility fair wage is in play and sometimes that is frustrating for those with Bachelor's degrees and/or specialty ceritfication. Those of who have worked at furthering their education beyond an asscociates degree are not able to be compensated for their efforts. Also, those who show up to work to "punch the clock" and just putting their time in, are getting the same percent of pay increase as those who are dedicated to providing their patients top notch care. And i don't care what any one says, you all can instantly identify those people. They are there. The bottom line should really be the patient and the care they receive. Also, thinking that with tighter, stricter guidelines set out by CMS, Joint Commission & a competitive market, hospitals are going to be forced to step up and provide better working conditions or they won't be able to meet guidelines and be forced to either loser reimbursment, accredidation and be forced to close. For example, in my area , (midwest, mostly rural) within a 100 mile radius there are at least 14 Hospitals (off the top of my head), all ranging from small to a larger teaching university. Residents of this area of a large selection of where to go to receive their care. If my hospital wants to stay competitive they are going to have to be able to provide top quality care. With Press-Ganey surveys and now HCAPs which is reported publically, patients definitely have a choice. If your working conditions are so terrible, you may need a union, but remember there will be downsides to it also.

It is so good to hear that. I think so many times each discipline focuses on the tasks they need to accomplish that they miss how important the others are. We are all interdependant on each other if we intend to give excellent care to our patients. Mutual respect for what each discipline brings to the table will only enhance the quality of care our patient's receive. Teamwork is so important to providing holistic care.

I believe if a patient asks you to pray with them and you are comfortable with doing so, then you should. I agree the spiritual needs should be addressed and if the patient is requesting it so be it. All that being said I would always offer chaplain services. Our hospital is very big on addressing ALL the needs of the patient. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. We have a wonderful spiritual care services. I know sometimes when patients are asking they feel an immediate need, and if it's during off hours, it might take 15-20 minutes for a chaplain to get here so I would think it would be okay to pray with them. Once again I think it should be the request of the patient. I would not offer to pray with them, but would certainly meet the request of the patient. It's maintaining a holistic approach. However if you are not comfortable with praying, get the chaplain.

If the majority of staff who live out of town cannot make it due to inclement weather it's usually an excused absence, that being said, most of us who live out of town leave earlier, take our time & try to make it in. I do have to navigate a few treacherous hills on the way to work (one just to get out of my town) and have found if it's very icy I will wait till later in the morning after the sand/salt trucks have been out. I realize there are others who are at work "waiting" for me to come in, but I know how I would feel if I were the night nurse waiting for my coworker to come in and found out later they were killed trying to get to work in bad weather, and yes that has happened. I think it's a matter of common sense, going slow and being careful. Also, plan ahead. If you know a bad storm is blowing in and you have to work, make arrangements to get to your work location ahead of time so you can be on time.