Maggiemay

:welcome: Personally, I love the night shift. I don't have to put up with all the nonsense from day shift. For instance No Meals to provide, fewer admissions, not nearly so many physicians to deal with. Other benefits- The stores are less crowded when I shop after work!! I have worked every shift and come back to nights every time. I do think the seniority thing is over-rated, but there is something to be said for earning your way into some of the premium shifts. What I DON'T agree with is having the off shifts viewed as a "bad" thing. Have a good shift!!!!!!!

good luck in all you do. i don't think any of us are cut out for the politics that nursing requires these days. it is hard work, and we sure as heck don't get paid what we are worth. why can't we pay faculty members enough to teach new nurses rather than rely on "good hearted nurses" to get paid zip to teach our new ones? the priority of this country is amazing............spend bazillions worrying about illegal immigration while not making any investments in real health care concerns.................anyway.....i digress i want to quit and open a gift shop/flower shop.............and when i save enough to do it, i'm gone too. who will take our places?:monkeydance:

Not only do we "eat our young", but we "drive away our older nurses". We are so intolerant of any weakness. I'm sorry this happened, but until we begin not only nursing our patients, but supporting and nursing each other I don't see this changing. Best wishes:smokin:

Personally, If I never see another tote bag with a hospital logo on it I will be thrilled! I shouldn't be so critical, but if everyone at work has one you can't keep up with who's is who's. We have an awesome recruiter who has been aggressive with our nurses week. We had Breakfast day where the Administration and Managers go from unit to unit pushing a coffee cart and handing out a variety of breakfast foods. (Even Healthy ones) We had cake & punch receptions at 2pm & 2 am We had Karaoke in the cafeteria- 2 shows 1pm & 1 am (Managers came in in costume) On last day, handed out gift vouchers for a local uniform shop to pick out a new lab coat. I would have liked a gift cert. for a bookstore or restaurant too. It makes all the difference when night and days are both recognized. Our managers and our Directors worked hard, and it meant a lot to me. By the way.......Happy Nurses Day 2006, just in case we don't talk again

Hmmm, floating.........not a favorite topic. It is really hard to get out of your comfort zone to float. We have special groups within nursing that nurses can float to. For instance: CCU, telemetry and intermediate cardiac float within their group. THen the "general" nursing areas such as Med/Surg, Ortho, and Oncology float within their group. ED and OR are on their own. E am told this was for competency reasons, which seems to work pretty good. I think it is better for the patients. ON a RARE occasion nurses will float to other areas, but it is not required. If you are out of your "zone" then you are not expected to work independently, OR the patient load is adjusted to your level of competence. Bottom line is the patients get cared for. Happy Day!!!! :nurse:

i think it is because the m/s nurse has to have such a huge knowledge base! they have to know a little bit about everything, and they work their rear ends off because since it is "just med-surg" the benchmark targets are usually set lower than a specialty unit. m/s nurses need to be shown support. they are an integral part of nursing, i would even venture to say the backbone of nursing since they take what no one else will!!. so show a little respect, tell one of these m/s nurses thanks, or that you appreciate them and maybe they won't dislike it so much!!! btw- i am one!!!! :balloons: :balloons:

I agree that the changes have to come from us. I have been in a unionized setting and the sniping was just as bad as non-unionized. Until hospitals and healthcare as a whole recognize that nurses need the time to nurse, and leave the food trays, transporting, bedmaking, and clerical duties to someone else I don't know how we can move forward. BUT, It gets really old listening to how mistreated and overworked a nurse is when she is reading an ENQUIRER while the call lights go off. Do you think we should maybe act like professionals????

I agree, Nurses whine, (I too have been guilty).. Not all "bosses" are bad, as a matter of fact I think I have had more of the good ones. It is sad that there is such a limited level of trust these days.. Oh Well, THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING CARE OF MY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!! :balloons:

We have a program where the Directors and Managers do walking rounds on one "off shift" a month. It is assigned so that there is someone there at all times. THis includes Nurses, Facilities, X-ray, and everyone else. It was nice to have the AOD (Administrator on Duty) available to handle the weird stuff. (IE running to the store for Molasses for a M&M enema, dealing with odd visitors, etc.) Morale went up, and staff loved it.

Looks like the good Lord took care of the situation, you should feel gratified that the "vengence is mine sayeth the Lord" really happened, but- be careful and don't openly rejoice too much. It would be a shame for you to be perceived as bitter, when really you were just hurt. Be better than your old boss- forgive her, and know in your heart that changes happen, and although they are painful sometimes- good will happen.:)

With the vast career opportunities for different types of nursing being available, and the truly aging work force (Yes, that would be me) I don't see this happening. Enrollment, although currently up is still not enough to replace the number of nurses who are retiring or leaving nursing. Although some hospitals don't advertise in the paper, that doesn't mean there isn't vacant positions. Newspaper ads are WAY too expensive and many facilities are choosing not to pay the money every week. We need to make nursing seem more fun though, and look at bumping up the salaries to be at least in the same ballpark as Pharmacy, I mean, they count pills and read orders off of papers- we actually have to read the PATIENT- Oh well, that is another story11 Hey you nurses-----YOU ROCK:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

We do have to chart an entry at LEAST every 2 hours, in addition to the full assessments. I am really appreciating all of your help! Nurses are awesome

Hello All! I am trying to standardize our assessment times and I need HELP! We have been doing Q 12 hour assessments, and it looks like our outcomes are not so good...things are getting missed, etc. How often do you all have to document assessments? Thanks,