TristleRN

If complaints end up in your file and you are actively working on taking care of them (real or perceived c/o as they may be), you should also have the right to respond, also in writing, and have that inserted into your file. I would keep copies of all communications and attempts on your part; of course, include that you discussed one on one with the charge nurses for details, and yet they denied having any specific issues (include dates etc., just so you can keep track of the time line). Also, to avoid burning bridges, have a chat with your manager if she thinks that this unit is a poor fit for you and if she suggested you transfer to another unit. She may feel less threatened if it looks like the idea to move his hers. Sometimes, if they know you are looking to leave, the situation can improve... yes, not always, but sometimes. For example... I was denied a raise at a previous job, even though I strongly felt I was not being paid for my education and experience. Long story short... when I put in my month notice (to be nice), I was pulled into HR and offered a 5 1/2% raise. (A little late).

I agree; I have worked home care and really enjoyed the job... love seeing this side of the hospital... however, the documenting is ridiculous. I tend to write very long narratives that give a detailed story... in addition the time it takes to do OASIS and all the other stuff that are required to be done on SOC. I was told by higher ups that I documented "too much." In frustration, I shrug my shoulders. The physical therapists make a lot more money than I do despite my almost 30 years' experience and their charting is so much better.... minimalistic compared to ours.

Are you burned out? ... or could you be depressed? Not having motivation to do anything or not finding enjoyment in your regular activities sounds like depression to me. I'm certain that the stress you are under with having an ill husband only exacerbates things. In regards to all the other "typical" advice about taking care of yourself...well, you have to take care of yourself! Call your MD and discuss this...maybe you need just a little extra help.

How about starting a weight loss support group within your hospital? or even your unit? It would probably be (besides online support) the fastest and easiest way to go about it. I have done this in the past and it's nice to have comrades you can talk to. I know it would be challenge to have "meetings" at work; but at lunch, brief meet after work, etc. It can even be something that you all "sign up" for and hold each other accountable. I've seen it done several ways. On a side note... stress, as you know, messes with the hormones, cortisol, etc... contributing the weight gain. Take some time for yourself; learn to meditate; leave work at work; get a massage, etc. Even when you take a quick break at work, taking a few moments to zone out or decompress or deep breathing can make a difference. Now..... to try to practice what I preach. :-)

Very late reply and I haven't had a chance to paw thru other responses.... it sure sounds like you are with the wrong agency. Home health is a unique and challenging world. So much so, that retention is difficult for most agencies (that's another issue).... they must have no issue retaining staff if they would dare treat you like that. Knowing all the prep work you did before you started, I can't believe the DON said what she did. Most of that stuff, you don't need.... the agency should supply you with all your equipment and supplies. I have been in home care for 2 years after almost 3 decades in the hospital. I love the work, but the charting is extenstive and I never feel like I am finished. It is a priviledge to work with people in the home and I love that end of it. I admit that recently, I went back to work in the hospital for primarily financial reasons, but I'm hoping to stick around on a per diem basis. Good luck, and don't be afraid to vote with your feet and look for an agency that treats you like the valuable asset you are!

Regarding OASIS, the class for that is a day or two. It's extensive and I know that our supervisors etc are sent to it, but the field nurses and therapists are not. It would certainly benefit all to go.

I'm amazed at how unsupportive your employer seems to be. Most home health agencies have difficulty retaining nurses for the EXACT reasons you have complained about. I almost felt I had written that complaint myself! I have been a home care nurse for 2 years... I still struggle, the OASIS questions themselves do not mention all the things that can be considered when assessing a client's abilities. My office and higher-ups always send back charts for me to "approve" because they have found evidence in my documentation to rate the client at a more acute level for whatever it is. Anyway, I also chart many hours into my home time, late at night. I've been told I do document too much and I've been working on being less wordy. I try to do as much in the home as possible, but, I too, hate to have the client have to "stare" at me because I'm charting on a computer. And, as you know, all that extra charting is not compensated. And...on top of all that... it seems like we are still never fully done.... always needing to do prep for the next day, calling clients to set up appts, f/u for phone calls that were never returned, etc. But opposite of your experience, my employer/supervisors have always been so supportive!...which is the way it should be! I've never felt I could not go to anyone. and 6-7 points per day is an unrealistic expectation for a nurse that has only been there 8 months...especially if any of those points are a SOC, ROC, or RECERT. I'd be tempted to find a more supportive employer.

Hi, I appreciate the input. I'm keeping an open mind and want to give this a fair chance. Any good resources out there so I can get a jump on learning?

Hi, I've seen similar threads but would love any specific input for me. I've been an RN for 25 years, all with the adult population....limited pediatric exposure, mostly due to being on an IV team. Not sure what possesses me, but now I've accepted a NICU position (I have not started yet). I enjoyed that part of my rotation in school but oddly enough, never considered it for a career. I know it's a new world. I know neonates are not small adults. I know that a premie that looks fine now, can turn the tables in a split second. I worry about my ability to successfully acclimate to the new setting when I know that, while I'm not a new grad and have years of experience, I will feel like a fish out of water. I would love to hear others experiences with switching to an entirely different world. I'm sure there are pros and cons to all. Thanks!

Hi, I've been an RN for 25 years...all with the adult population. I've worked on an IVT both per diem and full time the past 11 years with some peds mixed in due to that. I am now about to try out NICU soon for the first time. I'm nervous about my ability to acclimate to the new environment as it's an entirely different world.

There is one good thing about nursing....there are so many different options, options that people in other fields do not have. You must try different things until you find one that is a good fit. It really does make a difference in the environment and the people you work with. Hard work is so much nicer in an area where you've got good support and team players. There probably won't be a perfect job, no such thing, right?...but I hope you don't give up on nursing without making a concerted effort to find a better fit. If you aren't happy and are dreading going in every day, it's time to move on. Good luck.

I fully understand the desire to get out of the profession. But, we have options that other fields don't have....like OTHER OPTIONS!!! There are other areas of nursing you can do that do not involve working with patients, working with other nurses, and all of the other BS that goes along with hospital nursing. I am also a massage therapist. I love doing that...but it just doesn't pay what nursing does, nor does it have the security. There are 100 different types of hospital jobs/areas you can work in...and if you don't like those, try non-hospital jobs...my best friend has worked as an insurance nurse for 15 years and loves it. Work in a school (the pay sucks, but the hours are great), work at a factory, a prison, do home care, or hospice work, do home IV therapy...there's so much more! You could hop from one to the next every six months until you retire and never get to do them all. With so many people out of jobs these days we are fortunate that we are in a profession that still has a demand that keeps us working, and it's not going to change any time soon. Maybe nursing isn't for all....but I hate to see nurses give up without trying other nursing options when there are so many.

I think there may be a real future for nurse massage therapists. Many states, including mine, do not recognize that title. However, there are some areas that hire nurses who are massage therapists. Again, mine is not one of them. Still, one day I hope the powers that be recognize the benefits of massage. RN's definitely benefit from massage training. I would like to see massage being offered as one of many services in hospitals.

I think it depends on what you want to do. Your state's practice act probably has a stipulation that you can limitedly provide massage within your scope of practice. It does not mean you can hang that plaque outside your door, though. There is a *BIG* difference. There are other professions that can limitedly provide massage, but it's still not the same as a licensed massage therapist. I am an RN who went to massage school (a 1000-hour program) and I learned so much. There are rules that must be followed and you can actually hurt someone if you don't understand those rules. I do wish you the best. I hope you let us know what you decide to do.

A late response, but kudos as well. I agree, an awesome way to go...while getting a massage. You said she was terminal, and a DNR. I hope you don't feel any guilt, you did nothing wrong. You helped her. :-)

I'm also a nurse who later became an LMT. Nursing pays the bills. There are ALWAYS jobs for nursing. There are also many successful LMT's. But massage therapy is much harder to earn a decent living at when you don't own your business and can hire others as well. I do massage on the side at a gym. I work full time at a hospital. Massage full time is very hard on the body. My ideal situation would be part time at each job....but I need to build up a decent client base to even come close to that. Not everyone tips, either, which doesn't help matters. And since massage is still considered a luxury by most, when times are tough, that's what people will give up. And if they don't totally give it up, they will skip the tip, or tip less. Still, I *LOVE* massage. I would love to be a nurse massage therapist. Technically I am. But this state, as well as most others, do not recognize that title. But I do use RN in my title at the the gym...I use RN, LMT. I would love it if the hospital would hire me to do both nursing and massage. But this state is a little slow on the draw.

Hi, I know it's been a while since your original post but I was wondering if you made the move into massage therapy? I'm also a nurse who has gone to school for massage therapy. I live in the state of New York, which requires 1000 hours of training. Ideally, I would love to leave nursing, but that pays the bills. The therapists that ultimately make the most $$ are those in their own business, hiring others to do most of the work. Currently I work at a gym doing massage in my spare time. The clients generally call me directly and we work out the time schedule. Having only 3 classes left for your BSN, if that were me, I'd finish that up....even one class at a time you'd eventually finish. I'm still a full time nurse. I do wish you best, but was curious as to where you were in the process.

Hi, I live in Syracuse, NY.

By now you might be almost done with your nursing. I'm a nurse that has completed schooling for massage therapy. It's very easy making a living as a nurse for sure. I've been a nurse a very long time. Decent pay, plenty of overtime if you want it, and benefits. As a massage therapist, and I love the art of and benefits of massage, I knew getting into it, that it would not be something I would try making a living out of. It's very difficult to do...and for those who do it, more power to them. It's something that to do, takes a LOT OF HARD WORK!!! I would be very hard pressed to make the money I do now as an LMT. Ideally, I would love to combine nursing and massage therapy, but for now, I am working on building some side work. I do see a future for nurses, LMT's, and nurse massage therapists in health care, so I would still encourage it.

As you have probably read from other posts, massage therapy can be a difficult profession. The majority of the best paying jobs take a lot of work and do not have benefits...in other words, you own your own business. However, you there are jobs out there that do have some benefits if you look around, they just don't pay as well...the obvious advantage is that your clients are found for you. Some massage schools will help you find a job, too. Also, going into business with another therapist can help cut costs...you don't have to be "partners."...just share space/rent/utilities/equipment. I'm new at this, too...I've been doing lots of reading and trying to learn from others. Much of this is learn as you go. I'm fortunate I have a good job as a nurse, like you. At my job, part timers get the same benefits as the full timers, so if I wanted, I could but to part time (when I can afford it...not any time soon.) I am going to start slowly. Good luck. As a nurse, you've got a little jump ahead.

I'm in the opposite position...RN recently having become an LMT. At my hospital, they do not hire LMT's, let alone nurses as LMT's. Currently, we are having a major budget crunch, and creating new positions is like pulling teeth. So, my current and best option is to do some work on my own. Of course, I do some "spot" massage at work (but I have always enjoyed giving a good back rub), but I use caution, as that is not my role at work. I am currently attempting to set up some side work with another therapist who is full time. But obviously getting a business going takes a lot of work. What sucks about all this is that it is very difficult to really be acknowledged for the fact that I am also a nurse. I will be using my RN in my title, hence, I will also be purchasing liability insurance for my nursing license, as well as liability insurance for my LMT license (these are things you must think about), as I would not be covered outside of the hospital. As an RN, I may be able to do some teaching that I would not be able to do as an LMT. Besides that, I wish there were a way, to do this at my regular job more and actually get paid for it. In my location, it is very difficult. However, I do see a future that acknowledges massage...so I would still encourage it! In the years to come, I see hospitals and nursing homes, for example, hiring not only massage therapists, but even nurse massage therapists for the more complex cases. Keep your eye on Nevada...I think they are getting things going for us.