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I'm so sorry that you're having to discover the truth that nursing is an abusive profession....Be that as it may....GET OUT OF IT....I did by going to Clinical Nursing working for less...much happier....And by no means let hubby dictate your parameters.

My agency has been supportive since I've been with them for 3 years and never had a negative report. But I've just made a decision NOT to take the offer to finish my contract in Med-Surg. At this point, I feel it is better to cut my losses. Please understand that I am not disparaging Med-Surg, on the contrary, I know that these nurse are experienced in areas that I normally don't deal with...remember, I'm into the Cardiac thingy. Ok, I made some mistakes and I'm willing to take criticism...I am not willing to accept HCA's interpretation that I, after 4 years of experience, and with no orientation, am "not qualified" "not adaptable" "not approriately trained" for Tele.

Thanks, BabyCatchr, I needed some understanding from other nurses right now. I'm confused and hurt. . . feeling inadequate. I want out of nursing so badly sometimes and it's experiences like this one that kill the drive in me. What are hospitals thinking when they are so destructive?

I recently started a month long 7P-7A contract at an HCA facility. As is their policy, I had no orientation except for a computer course. On my 7th shift there, and still not up to speed on their computer system, and how they do things, I had a horrible night, running all night long and getting behind. The morning I left I forgot to do my chart checks, and actually got all the way home before I remembered. I phoned the nurse to whom I had given report to tell her I was coming back to the hospital and wanted to make sure she double-checked anything I might have missed, until I could get there. She said it was ok and not to return. She actually said that it was no problem. She'd check it. I worked two more nights with another horrific night on my 9th shift there. (I call it "dumping" when the contract nurses get the worse patients but I've learned to accept this). On both of these nights, I have to admit I was overwhelmed but received no help from my fellow nurses and scant from the Charge. I clocked out late (a big NO NO) on both of these mornings. The following day I received a call from my agency saying that due to the fact that I missed the chart check where a procedure was not scheduled that should have been and had not acknowledged something on the computer (that I didn't know had to be done), and that a patient's wife complained that I didn't address her husband when I came into the room, that I was not up to snuff. The "powers that be" stated that I could no longer work on the Tele unit but could finish out my contract on med-surg...(which, by the way, has 2 more patients than I'm used to having.) I wrote a response explaining the medical problems my patients had on both of these nights that sent me into overtime, etc. I am confused about the patient complaint but the wife was demanding, the patient non-verbal and confused. I went into that room at least 20 times due to the problems he was having and in the morning he had improved and I felt I had done a good job keeping him from harm. (I do try to be quiet when I go into patient rooms in the middle of the night...but I must have been too quiet). Also, I recalled that the nurse before me (one of their staff), had signed off of the scheduling of the "missed" procedure. (The patient did get his procedure as the AM nurse was alerted by my call to check. This patient was on the list, but it was not acknowledged by me). Anyway, I am so down about all of this. No matter the circumstances, I do my very best to take care of my patients, had some horrific nights with no help (other nurses were playing computer while I ran amoung rooms), and have felt pride in my work. But I feel so depressed. No only do I not get recognized for working my A_ _ off those nights, I get slammed. If they wanted perfection, they could have given me some orientation or at least, something to read about procedures! Hell, I admit I made mistakes but I can't help feeling that the reaction was too punative and non-construtive. And leave a bad taste in my mouth. I don't know what to do. If I go now to the Med-surg floor, I may well not be able to keep up. If I don't, I'm letting myself open to a bad reference. Advice? Encouragement? Alternative career?

I worked for Medical Solutions on a travel contract and had a terrible experience. Never, never work for them. It would take me too long to enumerate the problems but I'll give some examples. My recruiter lied about the ratio; lied about the 36 hour week guarantee; lied about the pay; lied about the health insurance. Further, when I complained about being called off from guaranteed work hours, the recruiter told me not to worry since the hospital was required to offer make up shifts...never happened. When I called them on it, the hospital stated they had offered me these but that I refused. I contacted the DON and asked to speak directly with whomever stated that I had turned down shifts. After a time she responded that this was a mistake and that they had called me on my cell phone and I had not answered. When I stated that I'd bring in my cell phone records to prove that this did not happen, she was flustered and said, it "must have happened another way". Medical Solutions did not back me up and had me fight this battle alone. When the DON finally said that she did owe me according to the contract, Medical Solutions refused to pay me but only after I had finished the contract. This was but one of the nightmares they put me through. If they call...leave skid marks.

Be smart...don't go...misery does not love company... Get into Respiratory Therapy, Radiology Tech, Ultrasound, basketweaving...anything but nursing. Run...leave skid marks! P.S. I graduated from Charity 4 years ago and have been sorry every day of my life that I chose this abusive profession.

Physical care is not and has never been a problem with me. You obviously missed the point which is I can't do my job well and do diaper/sheet changes, walk the patient to the BR/BSC, feed the patient, bring ice/coffee, OH, whatever...and do my job. Get it?

I am looking into alternative jobs for RNs right now. While I do not have a BSN, I have an unrelated bachelor's degree, post graduate studies in business (part of an MBA) and the ADN. So far, any thing I've looked into that states it requires a BSN, has accepted my credentials for the positions. But, while I didn't find age discrimination in getting a nursing position, I did find it in getting other jobs. Face it, I'm now 58 and even though I'm physically in good shape, look younger and am not unattractive, it's hard to compete with other RNs who are much younger and also want to get out of bedside nursing. I'm not giving up but I'm quite disappointed in the nursing profession. How could this abuse of nurses (and here I'm talking about ratios) have gone on for so long with little (except in California) being done about it? I don't hate my job but am totally frustrated by all that is expected from the nurse. No, I'm not made for this job and I admit it. I expect a job to be "doable" and by that I mean one where you can everything required, do it well and feel good at the end of the day...and where others do the same. This is not happening. I feel ragged, put upon and resentful. I feel I could have done so much more for this patient or that, if I had the time...I feel I'm shortchanging those who depend on me...I feel, well, angry that I can't do what needs to be done. Oh, and whoever suggested that "teamwork" is part of the answer, that's not my problem. I'm the queen of team players...helping when I can hardly help myself and supporting my fellow nurses whenever and wherever I can. This is not "the answer". The problem is that I've done other jobs unrelated to nursing and know more about how an employee SHOULD be treated and how job conditions SHOULD be, and in fact, are. If you've done nothing but nursing you become inured...not knowing that it doesn't have to be this way. Now,...Nurses out there....rise up and demand change, if not for yourself, then for your patients. And don't take no for an answer...go to the CEO directly, write the board of directors, find some doctor advocates and complain about what's happening...and never never accept the line...."We just don't have the resourses..." . (Hey, put an ad in the paper telling patients to ask about the ratios before choosing a hospital...get the public involved). Thanks for all your support...I am in awe of you all and love and respect what you do. Hey, maybe I can get a job as a lobbyist for nurses...boy, I'd eat that up...lol

I earned by RN (Associates) when I was 54 and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't regret going into this profession. It is not my age for I'm in excellent physical condition...it is simply that I'm mature enough to recognize that this is not a career that lives up to it's reputation. Nurses are overworked, underpaid and labor under the concept that they should be selfless angels willing to sacrifice for their worthy profession. If they complain they are simply "not fit", "unworthy", or told "then get out, if you don't like it." And God help the ones that refuse to be treated poorly and recognize the insanity of finding happiness in sacrificing peace of mind and honor . . .God help the nurses who actually speak up and say, "I didn't go to school to clean up feces, give baths and change sheets . . . (especially when the nurse's aides actually demand their breaks, can't be found, don't respond to pages and the nurse has to do the unskilled chores when he/she hasn't had the time to eat for the last 8 hours...and is expected to clock out on time with EVERYTHING done right). For if you open your mouth and rebel, then you'll hear the BS: You're a nurse and must be willing to take care of the whole patient and this unfortunately is part of it...for shame on you for complaining! And count on a lack of supplies, a inept or overworked pharmacy that can't get your meds to you on time, too many patients with too many needs, onerous documentation, machines that don't work, doctors who won't take the time to write legibly, and yell at you, computer systems that defy logic, associated departments that don't do their job . . .so make your job harder, etc. etc. etc. The bottom line...There is no amount of patient appreciation, that actually does come along once in a while, that could possibly, for me at least, make up for the absolute insanity of this "vocation". Oh, and just to top it off....don't plan on a pat on the back for your hard work...NO! Head's up. You are under constant scrutiny and threat of censure should you dare to be less than perfect. There is no promotion, so to speak and the raises are laughable...To get more money, you have to change hospitals so you'd better work in a city with lots of Medical Centers. I could go on and on...but I'm really tired...and still looking for a way out.. Don't simply tell someone to leave a job they dislike, it's rude and stupid. It's never that easy and there are bills to pay. I'm simply warning the next guy to get out while they can . . . don't do this to yourself . . . leave skid marks.

I'm sorry but "have a quick talk at the start with him" is not the answer. Having worked with this type of patient, I know that reasoning doesn't work....they are mentally ill and have lost the power of reason. Therefore, it it mandatory that the police be called. And yes, the nurse has the right to refuse this patient based on what the law terms as a "reasonable expectation" that violence will occur and of course, lack of training in the area of psychiatric nursing. The correct action in the ER would have been to call law enforcement and I'm at a loss as to why this wasn't done. Be that as it may, the receiveing nurse can and should call on the Nurse Super and refuse the assignment. If there are any repercussions, the nurse has a very good defense and the hospital , and especially the ER Doc (and I have consulted two ER Docs on this), will have hell to pay explaining why they did not call the correct authorities. Liability has been assigned when a nurse has not recognized that a patient has homocidal ideations.

First of all, I am not in the military and the government cannot order me, or you for that matter, to go to work. Secondly, while I promised to care for my patients and have given way too much of myself to this profession, I did not swear to give my life. So, NO, I would not go.

I finished my ADN just over two years ago...I'll be 57 this January. With a previous non medically related Bachelor's degree, and a year towards my MBA, I chose the ADN route. In Louisiana, as in most States, there are a prescribed number of clinical hours which are the same for any RN, regardless of ADN or BSN preparation. There also are prescribed hours for study in the various medical areas of Nursing to include: General Care, Community Nursing, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, OB-GYN, and Adult Care. etc. This, my age and the reputation of the ADN program of Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, solidified my decision to study for my ADN. The difference, for me at least, was that a BSN would have added a year to my studies and would have included the questionably needed courses of Art Appreciation, a basic computer course (I am computer literate), two more Psychology courses (I already had 4 Psych courses for my Bachelor's but these were not "in the correct areas" and would not be considered), a writing research course (I had 6 hours of research in Masters courses, but these also, weren't good enough). They would not accept my 2 A and P courses because they were just that "Anatomy and Physiology". This school wanted these divided into two courses . . . Anatomy...then Physiology. (Odd, since the combined study makes more sense in my opinion). So, in the end, I chose the ADN route. I earn the same as my BSN peers and have had no problem commanding the respect of other medical professionals, especially the MDs. I will add that, in the absence of another degree, a BSN is a definite asset. So, if you are considering returning to school for nursing, please do not think that age is any barrier and consider the BSN as the Gold Standard. (Of course, you could work on this after getting the ADN and this is a better route for some). I work nights in Telemetry and often do 4 in a row (5, on rare occasions) and have no problems with this. Nursing is NOT a career I would suggest for most and I probably will be converting my experience to a business environment but if you want it...don't let age be the deciding factor. Do some homework and find out what it is that nurses "really" do. Do not go into this arena blind...you could end up miserable. But AGE should never be and isn't a barrier. Hope this helps.

See "State of Nurses Salaries" in "Nursing News", last thread. I'd like some feedback...lot of intelligent people on this site...

I would contact the hospitals located in the area where you want to work and ask if a BA and a ADN will get you the position you desire. In my case, I did ask and found out that my educational background with an ADN from Charity School of Nursing in N.O. (which is a highly regarded nursing school) was all I needed to do anything in nursing. Good Luck.

Has anyone ever had a travel nurse company ask them to send a copy of their present contract? A recruiter at The Right Solutions did just that. Instead, I sent a copy of my payment stub that showed my hourly wage, my bonus and my weekly stipend that I earn in my present travel position. After I sent it, I called and was told that it was not enough, that they needed a copy of my contract so they could see my guaranteed hours! I told them that this was unethical and really "dumb". Needless to say, I also told them that this was all too strange and that I did not want to do business with them. Could someone tell me what was the point of this exercise? All they needed to know is what I wanted from a position, no more, no less. If they were unable to meet my needs, so be it. Why would they press for this info?