new_oldRN

I have a question for older nurses. I've been a nurse for 2 years, and I'm in my fifties. I really enjoy working with the nurses on my floor, but I feel sometimes like I don't fit in. Let's face it, I'm old enough to be the mother of most of them! Do any of you older nurses have similar feelings or am I being paranoid?

The hospital I worked for has a reputation for doing everything for the doctors, forgetting that the nurses are the one's at bedside caring for the patients 24/7. Administration has done this very thing before; part of the reason I'm glad I'm out of there. I agree that keeping records is essential for protecting yourself, as well as impecable charting. I am going to focus on getting myself organized and figure out what type of unit I want to work on, then start applying for jobs again.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to this post. You have given me lots of great advise that I can use to reformat my nursing attitude and become a better nurse. Tewdles, your post was very eloquent and I agree with your statement that I need to "step into the professional role of a nurse". I have the skill base and need to reflect that in my attitude.

I believe that because he is a specialist and admits a lot of patients to our facility, he probably told them to get rid of me. I don't know that for sure, but don't have any other answers for it either. Easier to force out an RN that costs you money than lose a doctor that brings in money. I'll be ok, I just have to develop a backbone so that this can never happen again. I'm not looking forward to sitting through hospital orientation!

I bow down to you! I'm also very proud of you for standing your ground and believing in yourself. Now everyone else will have the opportunity to believe in you, too. Stay strong and study hard in CNA class.

When I met with my manager today, I was given 2 options. Either resign or be suspended for 3 days, not be able to transfer for 6 months, and one more strike and your terminated. I couldn't deal with that hanging over my head, so I resigned. There are several other hospitals in my area, so I think I'll be OK. I just wish I had been able to speak to the physician and let him know what an a**hole I think he is. I agree, Korky, may a pox befall him.

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far to my post. You have all made me feel a lot more confident and hopeful that I can actually speak my mind. I am going to start being more assertive and not a doormat.

I was working nights until recently. It was easier until I had to call a doctor in the middle of the night!

I am a nurse in an IMCU/Renal unit with almost 2 years experience. I am having a really hard time with the doctors. I work days and try to have everything ready when they come in to see their patients (labs in charts, vitals done). But they come in and are immediately demanding everything at once, not giving me a minute to collect my thoughts and focus on the patient in question. Then they treat me like I'm stupid when I don't give the answers almost before they ask the question! I'll admit I'm not the most confident person when it comes to dealing with the doctors; I'm intimidated. Does anyone have any comments or advise to help me become less intimidated and more confident in what I am relaying to doctors? I know I'm not a bad nurse. Thanks.

This was not a good week! Friday I had a doctor complain about me and tell my nurse manager that he didn't think I should be on my unit! He was in a bad mood when he walked into the nurse's station and I guess I was his whipping boy. I work on a tele/renal floor and he is a nephrologist, so I don't know how this is going to turn out. I've been a nurse the same amount of time you have, so like you said, I'm still learning too. I really was starting to feel a little more confident in my time management, but that really went down the tubes yesterday. I am going crazy waiting for Monday to come. Pray for me that this works out and I can stay where I am. Good luck with your situation, too.

You summed it up perfectly. I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way about nursing; it's a shame it's come to this.

In our hospital, administration has embraced the Studer philosophy, which makes the nurse the bad guy in all situations! Our manager has even stated that she will believe the patient no matter what the truth is. So we are screwed no matter what. I have no idea what you could have done in your situation to make things better; even the doctor wrote off this patient. I'm not sure why people come in to the hospital and then refuse all attempts to make them better. My husband is an ER charge nurse and for years he has said "I'm here to save your a**, not kiss it!" I really want to care for my patients and see them get better; I resent having to be fakey sweet and follow a script to please them.:bowingpur If you aren't familiar with Studer and Aidet, look it up. We are encouraging needy behavior and allowing patients to abuse us while we have to smile and say thank you. I think Walmart might treat their employees better!

You have a very good perspective on what has gone wrong with nursing! I agree with your views and wish we could get the powers that be to understand what we need as nurses to do our jobs and take care of the patients.

I cannot even imagine trying to care for 60 patients! You deserve kudos just for that . Sounds like you did an excellent job under those circumstances. You didn't lose anyone and days can just help pick up a little. Hang in there and listen to your Mom, you'll be OK! remember, it takes about 6 months to fall into a routine and start feeling comfortable in your job. Good luck and don't give up.:redbeathe

I graduated from Ivy Tech Valpo in May, 2008, took my boards in June. I passed the first time. I believe all but 2 of my classmates passed the first time. As for clinicals, Valpo students went to several local hospitals, from Munster to Laporte. None of the clinicals were at nursing homes for the RN program. I have heard that the Gary program was not as good as the Valpo program. Good luck.

I am from Northwest Indiana and I make 22.00 per hour working in an IMCU. Looks like my wage is a little low!

Thank you janfrn. I am the one who originally started this thread with the idea of getting feedback about report and job performance since I am a new RN. I really didn't think it would turn ugly! I have gotten a lot of good suggestions from EVERY respondent and do appreciate it.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will take another look at the organization of my night and see if I can adjust care to accomplish everything in a more timely manner.

I work the 7p to 7a shift in an IMCU. Everything seems to go well during my shift, but when the day shift arrives, it all falls apart! The day shift is all experienced nurses while my shift consists of one or two experienced nurses and several newbies. When report starts, the experienced nurses chew us up; in their eyes we have done nothing right. If any IVs are left to be started (even if I've just received the order from the doctor), or if a question they ask is not immediately answered to their satisfaction, I am made to feel totally incompetent by their disapproval. :argue: I would appreciate some input about surviving daily report and also how much needs to be done by the end of shift so that all involved are happy.

Thanks so much for starting this thread. I started in IMCU on May 19th and passed my boards on June 30th. I'm working 7p to 7a and 7a to 7p, flipping every other week. I have so many shifts when I just want to not come back! It's an awful feeling, especially since being an RN is all I ever wanted to do. With all the paperwork, I don't think I give my patients nearly the time they need. Does anyone else feel that way and will it get better?