Darla

I worked 12 hour shifts for 14 years and loved them. Yes, they were tiring at times but I loved working them. Errors can be made at any time so I'm not one to believe statistics that account for a very small percentage of errors. I'm now at a facility that doesn't offer 12 hour shifts but hopefully that will change.

I would be extremely suspicious of the wife. Just because she hasn't been arrested doesn't mean the police didn't suspect her;perhaps they had no hardcore evidence. I would contact the police(again) and report my suspicions and ask them to continue an investigation. This sure sounds too coincidental that all husbands commited/attempted suicide. Be interesting to know what she gained from their deaths as that would give the police something to look into. Visits with her husband should be monitored closely! Keep us informed. Darla

I would be extremely suspicious of the wife. Just because she hasn't been arrested doesn't mean the police didn't suspect her;perhaps they had no hardcore evidence. I would contact the police(again) and report my suspicions and ask them to continue an investigation. This sure sounds too coincidental that all husbands commited/attempted suicide. Be interesting to know what she gained from their deaths as that would give the police something to look into. Visits with her husband should be monitored closely! Keep us informed. Darla

thanks for the replies so far! unions do have pros and cons . i believe the pros otweigh the cons especially when healthcare workers can be terminated without warning and especially if one is a whistleblower about unsafe patient care and/or incompetent staff. also, having a contract would protect our wages,benefits,etc. my husband works as an electrician for our local water authority and the bluecollar workers are unionized. there are cons but when he tells me about all the positive aspects and i see it for myself i think it's a shame that those of us who care for others are treated so unjustly. i agree that caregivers need to support one another but the sad truth is when we do our jobs are at risk. i look forward to more replies. darla

do you think nursing issues would be better resolved if nurses were allowed to form unions? also, hospitals complain about the shortage and mandatory ratios-has it occured to them that if we had been treated more fairly then nurses wouldn't have left the profession or wouldn't have gone to employers with less stress,liability,etc.?

I would become a veterinarian!!

I applaud your integrity as a new nurse as too often new grads/employees wish to make a good impression by completing inappropriate tasks. You were correct in not giving the med(as it sounds like it was dc'd). If your superior questions why you discarded the meds tell her why and if she hassles you take the matter to pharmacy. In addition the meds she's confiscating should be returned to pharmacy. I have been in situations where I reported inappropriate/incompetent care of patients but unfortunately I was made out to be the "Bad Nurse". It's a fine line whether to report actions because hospitals state safe patient care is important yet when unsafe practices are reported they're "swept under the rug". Seek new employment and when you land a position then report inappropriate actions. Good luck to you! Darla