Tortoiseshell

I will try to make this short. I am an RN and have been working in a hospital med-surg unit for 4 years. Recently one of our nurses was precepting an RN student who is about to graduate. I was getting report from the student 2 times, and each time the student was handing me a chart with new orders saying she didnt have the time to look at them. She also did not follow the post-sedation protocol and did not do post-op vitals of a friesh post-surgical patient. She left a patient on the bedpan, and when a CNA and I went to change the patient, she had imprints on her skin from being on the bedpan for too long. Because it happened more than once, I said to her "This is something you need to know when you give the report". I understand that she probably did not like to hear that. However I felt that I addressed it in a neutral way, and did not go over board. Apparently the nurse who was precepting the student went to talk to the manager. I dont know what exactly she said to her. The manager called me at home and said she is conducting an "investigation" about my interaction with the student. I couldnt make sense how could me saying a single sentence "This is something you need to know when you give report" could warrant an investigation. Considering the big picture that as nurses we daily take care of critically ill patients, sometimes have to make critical decisions when faced with life and death situations, communicating with patients families during difficult situations, doctors, constantly changing policies etc. Every nurse who is working is such setting knows what I am talking about. I met with the manager. When she started reading to me the statements of the student and that nurse, my jaw dropped. Apparently the student told my manager that I was so "angry, raising the voice, tapping on the chart with my pen, and then said to her "You are never going to make it as a nurse". This was the most horrible lie I've heard in my whole life. Especially because it came from a person who is about to become an RN. I've always thought highly of nurses. This whole situation is totally unbelievable to me. Our union representative said to me "People will say anything to divert the attention". The manager is not willing to give me a benefit of the doubt. I said to her that I've been working for this organization for 4 years, and why is she giving more credibility to the student than me? I said I would like the student to be present at the meeting and I would like to see her repeating her statements to my face. The manager raised her voice at me and said "Lets not even go there". I dont see a way to prove to her that I never said those things. It really bothers me that the student is probably feeling happy that she lied so shamelesly and got away with it so easily, and I am the one being punished. I also started realizing that I am deeply disturbed by the way the manager talks to me such as showing her frustration and raising her voice at me. I feel that for the hard work that I do just as my colleges nurses I deserve better than that. Sure, I could have not said anything to the student, and there are number of ways to address the same situation, however I feel that this is a harsh punishment. What about thousands of things that I've done right, when I went above and beyond my duty, when I work without breaks and stay overtime unpaid, and never hear a word about that from the manager, but do one thing wrong, and will be immediately punished and treated as I am not a good person and a nurse. I am looking to apply to a different unit. I dont want to work under somebody who treats me like crap.

When I read the replies it amazes and disgusts me how many judgmental, self-righteous and bitter people there are in nursing profession. Like a bunch of snakes. The person made a mistake. Wrong? Yes. Unprofessional and Unethical? Yes. Stupid and immature? Yes. Deserves punishement? Yes. He is already punished. He is sharing his experience in the forum and is trying to get better understanding of the situation and reevaluate his believes and actions. This is how a person can better themselves. Is it necessary to attack the person with "you should be thrown in jail" etc. What purpose does it serve? Are you trying to boost your self-esteem? Are you without sin? When I read such responses I think to myself that I don't want any of these spiteful people to be my nurse, friend, coworker or anybody in my surrounding. What happened to understanding and forgiveness?

Would like to become a Mortgage Loan Officer.

Act confidently. As you are getting more clinical experience, you will start feeling more confident and not as easily affected by "older nurses". My personality is such that I don't kiss up to people. I stand up for myself, and in some situations it created more conflict, and in other situations people started treating me with more respect.

Yes, and it is no longer a big deal to me.

WA state Med-Surg RN in a hospital: $27/hr - $48/hr base, plus shift differential $3/hr evening, $5/hr night. Extra $1/hr for med-surg certification.

I work in a hospital as an RN. Pretty much every time when I bring some situation or concern to my manager it turns against me. I feel like for some reason she sides with others, and a problem is always in me. For example, recently one of my pt's needed to use BSC. A CNA was in the corner charting. I very politely asked her if she could help the pt to the BSC. She said that she needs to chart because she will have to float to another unit. (She had to float at 7pm, and I asked for her help at 5pm). I haven't yet heard that charting supersedes the patient care. Regardless, I didn't insist on her help and went to help the pt myself. It didn't matter that I had several patients waiting for pain and nausea meds. I am not even mentioning charting: it is a luxury to have the time for that. The manager spoke with that CNA, and the CNA told her: "Every time when M. asks me for help, I feel the she needs it immediately, and I dont' have a choice but to help her". I am wondering which one of the healthcare workers has choice to help a patient or not when a he/she needs something immediately, such as to use a bedpan or get back to bed from BSC? I would love to have such choice: "Do I feel like helping the patient or like finishing my charting?". The manager said to me: "How exactly did you ask for help? Did you say "please"? Did you ask if she had the time? Did you ask if she had time to help you at that moment?". I suppose I have to dance on my tippitoes around a CNA when I need to ask her to perform her essential duty. It is in RN's job description: magically finding the time is a must. It doesn't apply to that CNA. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against CNAs. I work with many wonderful CNAs that don't even need to be asked for help. They are always there when a patient needs help, and they have wonderful attitude. Usually the ones who don't like to get off a chair are the ones who complain about RNs "being bossy". The manager shows no understanding of my side. She hasn't worked on floor as an RN for at least 5 years, and I think she has read too many books about communication. Her response to me tells me that she sees the situation as my communication problem. As if I didn't ask the CNA softly enough, and it made her feel rushed and that she had no choice. I am a soft spoken person, and I never ever tell anyone to do something. I always ask politely. Yet I am getting these long lectures from my manager how I need to says "please" and "thank you". It is getting ridiculous and annoying. Has anyone had similar experience. Please, share. Thanks.

I work at a hospital. One of my patients was requesting Tylenol. His temp was 36.2, but the Tylenol was ordered specifically for temp > 37.5. I explained to the pt that according to the current order I cannot give it to him unless he has a temp >37.5, but I can call MD right now to ask for a change in Tylenol order. The pt became very angry, saying: "The order is already there. I have been getting my Tylenol. I tell the doctor what to order." I reassured him again that I can take care of it by calling the doctor. I also said that I can show him the actual doctor's order so he can see it for himself . He said: "No, I am not interested". I was being very sweet and polite with him. The pt was getting more and more frustrated, to the point of becoming verbally abusive: "Your care is lousy. You are the worst nurse I had in 15 years. I pay the bill". I told him: "I am just doing my job. I can call the doctor, but I cannot override doctor's order. And you don't have to be rude to me". He said: "You are not doing your job. You are the worst nurse." He kept going on and on degrading me and refusing any interventions I offered to improve the situation. I said:"OK, I will get you another nurse", and left the room. I told a team lead what happened, and she overheard it is well, as the pt was speaking loudly. The team lead went to talk to the pt and tried to explain how the system works, but he kept saying: "She doesn't understand anything. I want you to write a report about this her". When I left his room, I thought that I wasted my breath trying to reason with him. Many times the patients want what they want and when they want it. It doesn't matter to them why we cannot do something for them. I can let go the feeling of hurt. I am mostly worried that the pt can write a report about me, and it can affect me negatively. I feel that being named in any kind of grievance puts a person into a negative light, even if I haven't done anything wrong. Everything is about patients satisfaction. I appreciate any input.

I work on a med-surg unit, I currently I have Littmann Classic SE-II, and I would like to upgrade. I am trying to decide between Master Classic and Master Cardiology. Littmann Cardiology comes with a free Littmann heart sounds CD. I wish it came with free lung sounds CD instead, it would be more useful. Anyone tried both of these stethoscopes?

I have worked as an LPN for 3 years, and recently started a new job as an RN at the hospital. I had a wonderful and supportive preceptor, and most of the nurses I work with are supportive and great to work with. Unfortunately there are nurses who are trying to act superior just because they have more experience. For example, there is one resource nurse who comes to our unit once in a while to help out. One time I was getting a new patient, and when the patient arrived I went to the room to see and assess the patient. The resource nurse was already in the room, and the moment I came through the door she immediately said to me: "Can you get a pair of socks for me?". The nurse's server was right in the room, just a few steps away from her, yet she had to ask me to get them. I haven't even had a chance to introduce myself to the patient, and for me it is important time to begin establishing rapport with the patient. These types of situations happened with the same nurse on several occasions. Another time I was hanging IV fluids and she came into the room "to help". She took patient's vitals and said to me:"I will let you write them down". She saw that my hands were full of IV bags and supplies, and I had to put everything down to document the vitals. This was more disruptive than helpful. If she had time to take vitals, she could have written them down herself, or let me take vitals when I had time to do it. Another time I couldn't figure out how to disconnect some equipment, apparently I was not pushing the button hard enough. She came to me to explain how to do it, and I got it, but she kept repeating the same thing over and over slowly and loudly as if I was stupid or hard of hearing. (yes, I was not born in US, and I speak with an accent, but I am not stupid!). When she is on the unit, I feel that she watches me closely and waiting for the chance to patronize me. I feel intimidated by her, and feel like I am walking on eggshells. It appeared to me that the resource nurse likes to be in control of the situation, to take over and to tell others what to do and when to do it. I like learning from others and never hesitate to ask questions if I don't know something, but I don't like to be talked down to or be bossed around. Being a new nurse does not mean being "less". I am very intelligent, empathetic, a quick learner, pay attention to detail, and have great work ethics. Being a new nurse I have caught serious errors made by "experienced" nurses from previous shift, such a diabetic patient not receiving prescribed insulin for BG 330, MD not notified (according to our policy, MD must be notified for BG >300). I believe no matter if you are a "new" nurse or "old" nurse, people should show respect for each other, and especially in front of our patients. Has anyone ever felt the same way? I am asking that only positive people with good attitude reply to my post.

I had only 3 minutes left before the end of my shift, just enough to finish report. It usually takes 5-10 minutes to get pain med out as there is usually a line at the pyxis station. It would make me clock out late, I would have to return to staff room and write down an explanation why I stayed overtime (which would take another 5 min), and I would not be able to get home when my daughter arrives from school. And by the way, I have a life outside of work, and I have to be home on time when my daughter comes from school. If it was just as easy as it sounded in your post, I wouldn't bother to post this thread at all.

Have been medicating the pt for pain throughout the shift, last checked no complaints of pain. 3 minutes before the end of my shift when I am finishing my shift-to-shift report, PT comes and requests that we medicate the pt for pain right now, so she can work with the pt. The next shift nurse explained that she has not received all of the reports yet, and she needs about 10 minutes before she can medicate the pt. PT gives us a look as if we are not doing our jobs. Pt is not in acute distress, needs to be medicated prior to physical therapy. It would also make it easier if the PT department gave us exact time so we could medicate the pt prior, but it does not happen that way. I find it frustrating when I see PTs, SW and other healthcare workers having unreasonable expectations from nurses. After all, they deal with 1 pt at a time, and they act like the patient they are working with is the ONLY patient the nurse is working with. I would appreciate if other nurses could share experience handling similar situations.

Thank you everyone for the support. I cannot relocate due to a family situation. I am currently working as an RN in an LPN position, and being paid as an LPN. The agency I am working for is not required to have an RN, and I don't blame them for not paying me a higher salary just because I received an RN degree. Just like any business they are trying to save the money. I see a lot of LPN jobs in a local newspaper, but not too many RN jobs. Most of advertised jobs are in doctor's offices, and getting such job would not benefit my career in a long term. It seems like many good jobs require at least 1 year of medsurg experience. I applied for an RN position at local ambulatory surgery center. The ad did not say anything about required level of experience, just said "looking for RN". An HR person called me and invited me to an interview. I was interviewed by a nurse manager, who was acting very arrogant and cocky. When I applied for this position, I clearly indicated on my resume and application that I have 2.5 years of experience as an LPN and became an RN in July of this year. During the interview the nurse constantly tried to minimize my nursing experience and belittle me. She said "An RN would have to assist with procedures like liver biospy. Do you even know what a liver biopsy is?" Of course I know what a liver biopsy is. She said: "basically all you do at you current job is passing the meds". And that was not true either. At my current job I do so much more than "just passing meds". My current job duties were clearly described in my resume as well. I wonder if she even read my resume, since an HR invited me to this interview. The nurse kept talking down to me, saying things like:"You are so young (she is probably of my age), so new. You should go work at the hospital". I did not come to that interview for a career advice. I don't understand what that nurses problem was. Why would anyone need to attack a person at the interview just because I am a new grad. I might be a new grad, but I am not a total dummy. I am an "A" student, have very high GPA, and a very fast learner. And I was not trying to convince anyone that I was a right person for the job. That is why I came to the interview, to determine if we would be a good fit for each other. I definitely would not want to work with someone like this nurse.

I have been working as an LPN for over 2 years, and became an RN in July of this year. I have been looking for an RN job for over 2 months now, while still working as an LPN. There are no RN positions at my current job. I went to 3 interviews so far. At 2 jobs they wanted me to have at least 1 year of RN experience. They do not count LPN experience, so I am considered a new grad. One of the agencies I interviewed at did not require any experience. They were looking for an LPN or RN. I felt that I was well qualified for that job, because I am an RN, and I have over 2 years of experience in nursing. I thought I did great during the interview. I was extremely surprised when I did not receive a phone call from them. I waited for a week, called the supervisor who interviewed me, and left him a message saying that I am interested in a job. He has not called me back. I waited for few more days, called again, and he answered the phone. He said:"That is funny, I was just going to call you. You will need to come for a 2nd interview. I will give you information to a manager, and he will contact you to schedule an interview." No one ever called me. I feel so bad. I feel like I have been lied to. Like I was begging for that job, and they did not even bother to let me know that I was not chosen. There is only 1 hospital in my area, and there are no positions for new grads right now. I feel like all of this is affecting my self esteem. I have done tremendous amount of work to get my RN degree, considering that I did not even speak English 10 years ago. And now I feel so disappointed and not needed.