Q_rnc

This is a reminder of the humanity of all. As nurses, we are all human, not machines. We make mistakes. It could happen to any of us. It illustrates a valuable point as we move to a more "tech-savvy" healthcare system with bar codes and EMRs - we have added layers of complexity to an already complicated process (healthcare, healing, caring for others). Any nurse can tell you how things have changed and the increasing errors made. So many checks and balances and attempts to make healthcare safe and 100% error proof, and yet.... This is a salient reminder that no matter how hard we try, in the end, we are human, fallible. The essential differences between humans and technology is two-fold, IMHO: 1) The ability to learn intuitively from our mistakes. 2) To forgive. As well, we have one inborn error that machines do not suffer from and that is our ability to become distracted by the most inane things. When we stop paying attention, we follow the group/herd down, often destructive, paths. Stay awake and pay attention to this moment. Mistakes, like feces, happens. ?

Thank you for posting your plans. I'm 57, have been a nurse for 37 years, worked all over the country, and have two graduate degrees. And I'm feeling restless and considering a PhD program vs. DNP - I love being a bedside nurse, but I also would love another intellectual challenge. Unfortunately, I am surrounded by family and friends that think school is only about "getting a job away from the bedside so you can take it easy as you get older." Aaaaaggghhhh! Yes, I am older but I'm not dead! And for me, getting older is about having more experiences, not less. And no, I don't want to jump out of an airplane, but I have flown a few. So why not get a doctorate, at any age? Best of luck in your educational endeavors!

I know your place. I worked their as a traveler once. You're right - they were one of the best paying places in the area. Also the only L&D I ever worked in where so many nurses participated in a nightly 3 a.m. card game. And the only time I ever had a CEO announce during his orientation welcome speech that traveling nurses were insignificant. Yep, I felt real welcome there. I can understand why you don't want a union.

I work for a faith-based hospital from California. I do not live or work in California. I live in a neighboring state that is a "right to work" state. Several months ago, I suffered a minor injury due to faulty equipment at work. I e-mailed my boss about the equipment and explained that I had concerns that the equipment has caused multiple nurses to be injured, citing their injuries and names so that she could verify. I asked that the equipment be removed from the unit. It was. Unfortunately, several other pieces of the same kind of equipment with the same faults remained. I discovered this recently. I'm concerned because the manager has not been receptive to other issues brought up by staff. Some have mentioned feeling intimidated to bring up matters. We look out for each other. We are like a family. And I cannot help but wonder if we could benefit from having a collective voice that is not suppressed by fear of job loss. I've been a member of the ANA for quite a few years but I have never felt any support from them or my state association. I have only felt the need to pay my dues or receive further mailings urging me to do so. So I would ask the collective voice of nurses here, please, explain the benefit of unions to those who fear them. Think of this as a patient newly diagnosed with diabetes. What do we need to know to make a good decision without emotion, about the presence or absence of unions in our workplace.

herring_RN, Thanks for sharing the article. It was indeed sad to read. The tone of the discourse demonstrates the caliber of misinformation the public has about nurses. Unfortunately, some of it is correct. We don't always show our best side to the camera. Some of our peers are not on point when they come to work. I'd like to think that most of us are, most of the time. And yet, we are as a group relatively uninformed and apathetic about the public's perception of us and about our role as healthcare providers. We can be short-sighted in our ability to see our virtue as a force for good. Consider our role in nurse-patient ratios: how many nurses actually understand that by reducing the ratio, we increase the positive outcomes for our patients and can actually reduce the "burden" on the healthcare system by increasing health? How many care enough to write a letter or make a call to their congressman(woman) to express their concerns/support/information? Perhaps it is time for a change. Perhaps we need to consider ourselves as the source of that change, and come together and create the changes needed. I'm a nurse, at the bedside, by choice. I love what I do. I want to do it better, not just for me, for my patients.

Union hospital here in AZ? Wow! That's almost a dirty word, isn't it? Anyone know if Flag Medical ever got the vote to pass? I know the California folks tried to get there foot in the door.

Dear Peaceful, First, tell the truth. It shows a propective employer that you have integrity. If it comes up in conversation, acknowledge the ending in the most positive light you can. Think in terms of being grateful for the life and professional lesson. Most nurses have had a job snag or two if they've been in the profession for any length of time. It's human. A prospective employer knows this. But you must also take a step back and consider what led to the termination to begin with and consider what you can do to avoid such action in the future. Hospital nursing isn't for everyone who is a nurse. It's stressful and rarely gets less stressful. You might also look at other areas for employment that you may find more suitable, like schools, offices, clinics, etc. You might also consider getting a background check done on yourself before you apply for another job, just to see what your former employer is saying about you. Most laws restrict what info can be released. Best of luck as you take your next steps!

:igtsyt:I don't pull the nursing card out unless asked. That said, I do ask questions of doctors and nurses and expect answers that are direct and intelligent. Unfortunately, some of my peers do make assumptions about patients and their families and their ability to understand. This may result in a response using medicalese, which inevitably prompts the question, "Are you a nurse?" rather than the logical assumption, "What further information can I share with you to facilitate your making an informed decision in your healthcare?"