whereslilly

This one from my "new" DON at LTC/Rehab facility. I'm (was) the nite Supervisor. Admit coming from several hrs away didn't arrive till middle of my shift. Was expected in the afternoon. New DON calls me to "make sure I order 2 trays for admit. His wife may be hungry." OK if I press 0 do I now reach room service? Umm no tray service at 2am. Im sure I can come up with PB &J. "New DON's say the darndest things".

I know this post is old..but it still unfortunately rings very true. Yes, there is some pos itive signs in the job market for RNs. It is still a terribly glutted market. The new game is hire you on, meanwhile building you and your families hopes up. (Yes, when there is no paycheck and you are the breadwinner its your kids that suffer). Then "legally" within your orientation period..before your bennies kick in, they find a reason to fire you. I know it is not me. I have held positions for 7yrs,3yrs,5yrs and then for 11 yrs. I have never heard such bs excuses. My family tell me to sue. Ha! Like I have the time, money, or inclination to do this. Generally, I have entered into situations where I was set up to fail. Guess this is why the job(s) were available. I am so sick of these games. I guess Im going to have to look into homecare. Hopefully I wont have these problems.

As mentioned in a previous post, female docs are now very common. Female surgeons are common. Im sure some of the seasoned nurse can relate, I can remember when a female surgeon was very rare. As far as your question, I think alot of the male docs now treat the male RNs' perhaps a little better than the female RNs'. Kinda like a "boys club". There are so many more male nurses around! I can remember when they were pretty rare as well. Most worked in specialty areas, like critical care, ED, or Psych. And YES I can remember instances when I worked in Critical Care when 1 or 2 other nurses were around my pts bedside helping and one was a male nurse, if a certain male attending came in, he would speak to the male nurse only. We Just got used to it. It seemed he thought he was more "capable".

I have worked in many different Critical care area's (CVCU,CCU,MICU). Also, this was in more than one hospital. They were all in the NY metro area. They all served a very diverse population. In turn the nurses I worked with generally represented this population well. To put it bluntly, yes I worked with many African-American, Haitan, and other Caribean nurses. It just depends on where you live. This was also at least fifteen years ago. I truly believe (and have personally experienced) there is a terrible undercurrent of racism in this country that did not exist at that time. Just my opinion.

:redpinkhe:clown: Maybe I "Wooed" and got my new job?

Normally an interview situation should be professional and formal. Yes. There are always exceptions. Perhaps something terrible had happened to one of her patients? Perhaps she was recalling a relationship she had with a patient who didnt make it? Personally I would love to work for someone so in touch with their emotions. Makes them real and approachable. As far as the question have you ever cried during an interview? Well, slightly guilty. After 100's of interviews, even being called back for 2nd and 3rd interviews and still job searching, I guess I was becoming unglued. A lovely HR lady was interviewing me. She asked me the Golden "Tell me about yourself " question. I did. "Im a mom, a nurse, an excellent nurse. Ive been a nurse for 25 years. I became a nurse because Im a natural caretaker. If you ask anyone who ever hired me they would hire me again in a second. Im most importantly a mother to 2 boys. I need a job. I want to work. I dont know what else to say any more, what hoops I need to jump thru." At this point I had tears in my eyes. Yes, I did. I instantly regretted what had happened. Well, she said I had a very impressive Resume, (they all say that), she was very impressed with me, and would help me! Well, to make a long story short, 3 interviews followed this (3 different jobs) at this organization. I was hired for a position that is perfect for me! I will start in January.

Personally, I only use those hand sanitizers when nothing else is available. I detest them. My hands never feel clean; I always go to wash as soon as I can anyway. If you are in the field they are a life saver. Otherwise, i find a sink and some soap. I always have lotion in my bag/pocket.

Like many other posters I always "embalm" myself with a thick coating of a variety of A&D ointment, Vaseline (name brand), on both my hands and feet every nite. Then wear white cotton socks and white derm gloves. Most importantly, when you get out of the shower when your body is still wet apply a thick coating of Cetaphil cream, not the liquid. Great stuff! I use Cetaphil lotion or Curel if unavailable during the day after every hand wash. Saves my hands.

I agree with Libby about the job choice, for all the above reasons. I have to disagree with her as to the suggestion of "Benzo's". I'm certainly not diagnosing you; please see an appropriate professional for that. If you are not insured thru your hubby, look into your states Dept of Mental Health for possible clinics in your area. If you need a med it sounds like a good SSRI that can be weaned, and is not addictive might be helpful. Many drug companies will offer free or below cost Rx. Please get help. You have no idea how much better you can and will feel. Existing is not living. I truly wish you the very best.

Sick people are Angry people. He wanted that reaction from you! Its not so much as a "thick skin" as a basic understanding that as a nurse, its never about you. Unless you were negligent with your care, and obviously you were not, its purely projected Anger. A good response would be, "I see you need assistance, how can I help you sir?" Deflect and try to deescalate the anger. Never stand over the Pt. Stand slightly away, as not to intimidate him. Continue to speak in a soft tone. I see that this is something you are sensitive about (your weight). The Pt doesn't know this. He isn't out to hurt you personally. Never internalize what a Pt has said to you, either Good or Bad. (slippery slope). As you gain experience you will see and hear alot of ugly things in the ED. Some very sad. This is a good lesson: Never take it home with you. Most importantly, never let an Angry Pt get to you!

I too..but can you speak pig Latin??

Mom: What happened? more details needed..and Breathe

NurseCard: I had scrolled thru and didn't see your post. Absolutely. As I remember there was a theme of "guilt" associated in that thread as well...:confused:. Perhaps the OP need to consult her clergy/priest instead of a Nursing forum? i am sensing lots of Issues.. Just my opinion.

Ahh..yes, see "popping and squeezing Boils"

Phone interview? I have spoke to perspective employers on the phone, never considered it an interview. Great idea though..don't have to dry clean my suit or put on pantyhose.

Im smiling, but not mocking your pain at all. I clearly remember my Med Surg 2 Instructor, an old school nun riding my -ss like there was no tomorrow. I really didn't do anything wrong she just chose me and one other girl to really wear out. I was doing excellent in the classwork, and completing my clinical Pt work. The thing I remember best was her saying to me as I was preparing an IV to hang for my Pt: "Girlie if you cant properly purge your Buretrol I don't know how I can pass you". Anyone remember Buretrols? Well, if you initially got too much fluid in the drip chamber you couldn't adjust the rate properly. I think I was nervous, and I did this. Later on I learned the trick to fix this. Anyway, the irony in this is that I did pass, obviously.. Later went on to become IV certified. Please don't let her get into your head! Go to your clinicals, do your assigned tasks as well as you know you can. Kill her with outstanding Nursing Care!:heartbeat

OOH, Jersey you made my day!!;) Nailed it!!!

The OP stated this unit is a "more critical unit". Not clear if this means a Critical Care Unit. Anyway, what you are describing is a Preceptor who is on her game! As far as asking you to speed up, perhaps your preceptor was thinking of the needs of the Pt? Perhaps as an experienced nurse she knew the blood could go up faster. Was the Pt decompensating and in dire need of the transfusion. If so, your "orientation needs" are secondary. I would take advantage and glean as much knowledge from her as I could.

Yes, Nursing can be very stressful. That is just one of the many reasons not just anyone who manages to get thru Nsg school and passes Boards can be a Nurse. It does take special skills. Multi-tasking, endless empathy and patience, and the very basic ability to take an endless amount of chit. From Docs, Patients, co-workers, family members..the list is endless. All the while being responsible for Human beings. Lastly, never, ever think "going off" on coworkers at the nurses station is cool. So not cool. Patients can hear you. Docs can hear you. So unprofessional. Next time you feel that "angry", go take a few deep breaths. For real.

1ml =1cc

@wendmill If what you are saying is that the bullying type rises to the level of management, (as they often do); you ask why and how? Break it down to the most basic nature of bullying. A bully can only feel powerful if at least one or more allows her. Then there has to be the weak, different, or lower level person to bully. If those around the "Bully" sanction the abuse, the victim is made weaker and eventually eliminated. Thus, the "Bully" is strengthened. Thus the rise in power. If the coworkers of the Bully would intervene they have the power to render her powerless.

wendmill: as you stated you have been practicing nursing for 20 years. Have you really been seeing this type of behavior that long? Personally, I have not. 20-25 years ago when I was a new nurse I saw much more camaraderie among the staff. I believe the root of this malignancy that nursing is suffering from is due to the economy. Nurses are fighting for jobs; afraid to lose the jobs they have. Nurses used to love to "bring the new ones along". Teaching both patients and unseasoned coworkers is an essential part of a nurses day. Myself, I love to teach. Its not so much "Hostility" as Insecurity we are seeing in the workforce today. Actually, it shocks me. I truly believe the motivation for the behavior you are describing is essentially if I show you what I know, will you take my job?

You will never truly know what actually occurred. Bearing witness to a co-worker being fired, especially someone you enjoy working with..sucks. Someone that made your job more pleasant..I hear you. Don't fret about the what and ifs. Be thankful it wasn't you. Ask yourself, really..why would he refuse a drug test? If he did, you never really knew him.

I so feel for you. These are wicked times indeed. All I can say, if you were fortuitous enough to stay employed from the "Golden Age" of Nursing when there was a shortage then you are Blessed. Those of us who had to reenter the market has found slammed doors, and when an opening is found either its because its a revolving door position that no one can tolerate, or its what you have described. So sad. Do your best; that is all you can. My best wishes truly.

Elvish I agree with you. You stated you work in a Mother/Baby unit. I personally have never worked in this area. I'm sure this type of unit has its own unique assessment needs as you are caring for (2) two Pt's. As I had stated in a earlier post, a wise nurse upon receiving her Pt's, will do rounds and "eyeball" all Pt's doing an initial quick assessment. Of course it is expected to return to each bedside at some time during the shift and do a more complete assessment. Some can be done in the middle of the nite. Most starting around 5:00 am. I never condone neglect. Rest and sleep is important as well.