Doinmybest

Chronic under staffing, that's who's really to blame.

I feel for you honey. I've had nights as bad, and it is absolutely ridiculous. Sounds like you've been with them for over a year, it's time to move on. It sounds like you're a great nurse, mistakes happen especially in that kind of a work environment. Don't let it bother you any more! I recently gave my two weeks notice on a floor just like yours. In fact, part of me is wondering if you work in the same hospital!! I you do, let me just tell you there are some sour grapes, and don't you listen to them! I would love to talk with you more, I'm worried about you because I know how awful it can make your life, and how unstable you can feel. I'm new to this site, is there a way to send personal messages? Because I will be there for you to talk to about this ok? Seriously, if you need someone to talk to PM me!

Quote from Darren Callcareer18: Lemme share to you this, do you know that nurses here in our state has a ratio of 1 Nurse is to 30 patients per shift? hehe but we're being careful and alert all the time ... What type of environment are you working in? And what state is that? I used to have 40 patients at a long term care facility, but with multiple HTs under my delegation. The 30:1 ratio you described wouldn't work on a med/surg floor of a hospital. So I'm just wondering, so you can specify and not freak the girl out as to why she can't handle 30 patients at once. Six is our MAX on my busy med/surg floor.

I completely understand where you are coming from. Tonight I go to my last shift in a job that has driven me to the edge. I gave my 2 weeks notice 2 weeks ago. And it was time. Let me tell you my experience, and maybe you won't feel as alone. I am so sorry for your long commute. I can't imagine putting that on top of all the other problems we face. I too have been facing 13-14 hr shifts with no time for lunch. Emotionally abusive patients and co-workers (they were the minority - but still we don't need that on top of everything else). When I get home I cry until I fall asleep and my alarm goes off for another day. For the first year of this job I spent it on night shift, and I worked every weekend, and all of the holidays except one. When I was finally able to move to day shift, they again gave me the worst schedule - which is understandable because I was the new days person. I recently became pregnant 5 months ago, I had been throwing up at work, and picking up other sicknesses. The one time I called in sick, they wouldn't let me as it was a holiday weekend. Not even the day, and I worked on the actual holiday anyway, but they still made me work that entire weekend with morning sickness and flu bug.' I asked recently if I could go part time - and they refused saying, "That's really not ideal, we don't want to hire another nurse." I felt so unappreciated and abused, I thought I had really been a good employee to them over the past 2 years. I had a horrible day not long ago, and I came home until I threw up everything I had eaten. I called in and gave my 2 weeks notice. I've been there almost 2 years, I've been miserable and it's time to move on. I immediately started searching for other jobs and interviewing like a mad women over the past two weeks. Today I accepted a position in home health, and I'm excited for a new chapter in my life. This was all done with a lot of praying and scripture reading to help me overcome my fears and anxieties. If it's time, it's time. We only have a little while in this life to live, and nothing is more important than your time and happiness. Try to help your husband understand how unhappy you are, and the importance of being happy. Also, that there are good options for nurses who still want to make money, but not have a stroke doing it. Home health (which I avoided for a long time, has turned out to be the greatest blessing of my life). Let me know how you're doing. Are you struggling with depression/anxiety/ocd? My OCD tendencies made my job more difficult. If you need to talk to anyone, I am here, and I would be happy to discuss anything with you.